“Brother?”
Ma’Heron did not stop packing even when he heard her enter the front door. Of course, he knew those footsteps anywhere. The same way he’s practically memorized the footsteps, scent, and voice of every single Silvercrest pack member.
And then some…
“Yes, Diwa. If you’ve come to stop me, our Alpha has already spoken. There’s no breaking his command of suspension.”
Diwa breathed a small sigh of relief upon hearing his last spoken word. At least it wasn’t exile…
“I see Alexia is leaving with you…”
“Yes, true mates will never leave the one whom the Moon Goddess has chosen for them.”
Diwa’s sadness was suddenly replaced by slight irritation. “If that’s your way of telling me that Aaron isn’t my true mate, then I will tell you now that you are totally mistaken, M!”
“Why are you suddenly defensive, then? Those are your assumptions, not mine, little sister. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you…”
“Ok, ENOUGH! This is the exact reason why you’re being asked to leave temporarily brother.
You doubting your own Beta?! JUST STOP IT! He has been your friend since we were children!
And you’re now up his gut because we’re mates? You are being unfair, considering what you and Alex went through just to be together…”
“Stop right there, sister. May I point out that I stayed single and unattached until I found Alexia?
I did not sleep around, nor do I have a reputation of being a lady killer!”
“But he has changed! You’ve proven that already in his last mission. And now, he’s showing you that he’s willing to go through your unreasonable demands just so he can be with me!”
“There’s something more that I need to see before I can accept him as your mate. And that I have not seen yet.”
“And what is THAT?!”
“He will have to find out for himself, Diwa. Until then, I will stay out of your hair as requested by the Alpha. But remember, any time you need my help, call me, and I will be there.”
She watched him and Alexia leave their quarters, with just a hard suitcase and carry-all bag each, and felt her heart breaking. Again, the memories of long ago returned with a vengeance… Of someone leaving the pack because of his training… and she felt so scared and all alone.
He’s here with me now… that’s what matters… and he promised never to leave me this time. Not this time…
+++
Beta Aaron was in the hospital wing of the very large house. He didn’t expect that his “bro” of an entire life could have almost killed him, even if he was that bothered about his sister’s choice of mate.
There’s something wrong. This is not like him at all. What are you trying to tell us, bro? I know you better than that. To think it was just because… Ahhh… I need to talk to him…
“Beta! You can’t get up yet!” An alarmed nurse said as she rushed into the room.
Aaron was in the middle of removing the IV line from his arm while holding himself upright beside the bed.
“I’m sorry, but I need to do something important, Elsa, and I can’t do it while I’m here.”
“What the hell… BETA! What in the Goddess’ name are you doing!?” A tired and upset V yelled at his friend, rushing into the hospital room and holding the upset man up in an effort to bring him back to bed.
“V, NO! I need to go. I need to talk to him. I know there’s a reason why he’s doing this, and I need to figure out what it is!”
“Aaron, Sit. Down. NOW!” As soon as she heard the Alpha’s tone, the nurse let go of the Beta and rushed out of the room. Both men waited for her to excuse herself and quietly closed the door behind her.
“M left today, A. I had to suspend him from his duties.”
“What!? V, you can’t possibly believe that…”
“Yes, like you, I also believe he has other reasons for all these ‘dramatics’, and I think I know what that is. If I’m right, I can understand his motives, but I can’t accept his behavior. And, I’m sorry, bro, but I can’t inform you about the particular Denar issue either. It’s not my place to tell.”
Aaron sighed, then jumped off the bed while pulling the needle from his arm. He ignored the small trail of blood spurting from his vein as he grabbed his clothes from the nearby bedside table. As he started taking off the patient’s gown that he was wearing, he realized that someone had brought his shirt from M’s apartment and had placed it among his other garments.
“I’m going back to my room. My mate needs me with her.”
“You need to heal, bro.”
“I’ll heal in my room. I told Di I won’t leave her all alone, and I don’t plan on breaking that promise even when I’m wounded.”
“She will kill you for this. You do know that, right?”
Aaron put his clothes on, not caring to check on the long and thick gauze patches on his chest. In silence, V and he walked out of his hospital, and just as they got to the elevators, the doors slid open…
And there was Diwa, looking down at baby James.
The kid insisted on walking by Aunty Di’s side because he said he’s a big boy now. Behind them, Siel was carrying baby Rose, who still wanted to be a baby even if her twin brother said otherwise.
All four adults’ gazes met. They were so surprised, it took them a while to speak… “Hello, ladies,” finally greeted V, breaking the awkward silence.
“A! What the hell! What are you doing out of the hospital?!” Di demanded, rushing out of the elevator as the rest of her companions followed her. “You’re deeply wounded and in recovery!”
“I was going back to the apartment, lambchop. I was worried about you.”
“Are you CRAZY?! You were worried ABOUT ME?! You’ve got FOUR GIGANTIC claw slashes on YOUR CHEST!”
“These are just scratches, Di… And you’re alone while your brother just got suspended. I know you need me, and I promised I’d be there for you, alright.”
“YOU IDIOT, do you want to DIE?! And Alexia said you even CHALLENGED MY BROTHER to… and now you’re thinking ABOUT ME… why… WHY are you… doing this…”
Di was running out of fuel to keep her anger going. Aaron took that slight pause as a chance to embrace his very emotional mate close to his heart. The moment his arms completely enclosed her, he heard her sob.
He also felt her tears wetting his shirt…
“Where were you supposed to be going. Elena?” V asked his mate in a whisper.
“On our way to visit him. She’s been so worried she didn’t even want dinner. The only thing I could do to cheer her up a little bit was to suggest that we visit Aaron.”
“Come on, let’s leave them alone,” V decided while taking James in his arms. “Are you guys hungry?”
“Yes!” The two babies happily screamed and the Alpha led his family to the dining room, giving Di and Aaron some needed privacy.
“Come on, A,” Di said, using both her hands to wipe away her tears. “If you don’t want to stay in the hospital, I’ll take care of you.”
They went back into the elevator, which luckily just opened its doors right then.
“Di, Alpha told me that M left…” Aaron said while hugging her again, keeping her near him.
“He’s such an idiot! I knew he would get into trouble if he continued with his weird behavior,” snapped Diwa, feeling the tears returning. “I’m sorry, A, I really don’t wanna talk about him right now.”
“Ok then, we don’t have to talk about him. But if you change your mind, I’m here, ok?” He assured her while kissing her softly.
She smiled against his chest after the kiss, then noticed a small red smear on his shirt… And it was growing!
“Aaron!” she exclaimed. “You’re BLEEDING!”
“Oh, that’s nothing, lemon pie. Don’t worry, I’ve had worse wounds than that.”
“Damn it, A! Why do you have to be so hardheaded?!” She cried out both in worry and anger. “You’re going straight to bed after a quick dinner, and no buts!”
“Oh, that sounds good, except for the no butts part,” He crooned with a smirk. “Are you COMING with me?”
Diwa almost laughed at what she just heard but forced herself to look serious, even severely irritated. “I’d hit you if you weren’t bleeding already.”
He heartily laughed at her comeback, making the red spot grow even bigger, and adding to Di’s concern.