EPISODE SEVENTEEN
THEME: An addition to the family
MOON STONE FORTRESS
The whole family sat down watching the head of the fortress and family thinning away on the bed. Alpha Carl looked so pale and one could almost see his bones.
As Theta Hazel checked for his vital, he still kept a light smile on his face. Meagan kept a steady eye on him, hoping for a miracle to happen to enable her keep her husband to herself for as long as she chose to have him. But she knew that was just a mere illusion.
Taking her eyes off him for a moment she noticed Claire shedding some bits of tears while Jayden seem like he would love to be anywhere else but not where he was at the moment. Still looking around, she hoped Jaylen would pop out right in front of her. It has been over a week since she spoke to him and still hadn’t heard from him. Her hope shrink as the day passes.
Returning her gaze to Carl, she doubted if he would last another week or two and her heart clenched in pain at the reality. He was hurt that his mother had to find out about his ailment so soon. He didn’t want to bother anyone and had kept his pain to himself. They hadn’t seen Gabriella too, but she had promised to show up as soon as she could.
Packing up her things, Theta Hazel gave her friend a pitiful look. She walked up to her and she hugged her tightly.
“I really wish I could ease your pain.” Hazel told Meagan as she patted her back.
Meagan heaved a sigh. “You have indeed tried your best, Hazel. I am really glad to have you next to me.”
“Anytime my dear friend.” She withdrew from the embrace. “I would take my leave now.”
On getting to the door, it flung open to show Juno standing by the entrance with her eyes searching the room frantically.
“Hi Theta Hazel.” She greeted in a rush.
“Hello to you too Juno, it has been a long while.” Hazel said with sarcasm lacing her voice.
The said Juno didn’t pay her any mind bowing briefly as she ran towards the foot of the bed. Hazel snorted as she took her leave.
“Took you long enough Juno.” Jayden taunted, his eyes playful.
Ignoring Jayden, Juno moved towards Meagan and knelt down in front of her. “Hey mom.”
Meagan smiled weakly as she ran her hands through the fringe hair style Juno had on. She had trimmed her hair and it suited her perfectly.
Juno was the first daughter Meagan had, just that she wasn’t the one that birthed her. Juno’s mother had died during childbirth and her father Delta Julio had been so taken aback by the death of his wife. He was too busy mourning his mate’s death and couldn’t pay much attention to his new born child.
Being the Luna and practically mother of all the motherless child in the pack, coupled with the fact that Juno is the child of the pack’s Delta, she had taken it upon herself to look after her as her mother.
Juno calls Meagan mom just like the rest of her children. Juno had grown up to become an Iota warrior. And she has an extremely cheerful attitude that draws people to her. Even though she can be impatient and hard hearted she was brave and capable of every task bestowed upon her. Her beauty was exceptional with her brown hair and bright green pair of eyes that had got Meagan smitten the first time she saw the little one.
Juno had become part of the Damien family and people hardly notice she isn’t exactly one of them. Both her and Carl had welcomed her with open arms into their family and she has proved to be a good child. Juno had been away on a six months training and had delayed a month before returning.
On her return she had heard the news of the alpha’s collapse.
“Why didn’t you call me?” She asked Meagan.
Claire snorted. “And what difference would that make?”
“Claire!” Meagan rebuked.
Claire never did like Juno because she hated the fact that her parents affection was being shared between herself and Juno.
“You had too much on your plate and I didn’t want to bother you with whatever is going on here.” Meagan replied sincerely.
Juno was always easy for her to talk to although Jaylen had been her confidant and play partner before he left. When Jaylen left Juno had taken up the responsibility to be her consoler. Jayden and Claire were only concerned about themselves than any other person.
“You still could have called me.” Juno insisted, looking towards Carl who was smiling through all of the conversation.
She stood up to go and meet him. She sat next to his side and she hugged him closely but still tried to not squeeze him to herself.
“How is my best champ doing?” Carl said, grinning at her.
Juno’s eyes were teary. “How could you fall sick knowing I was away from home?”
Carl chuckled. “Maybe… I was trying to be naughty before your return.”
Meagan watched the both of them go back and forth. Sometimes she wished they had been the ones who birthed Juno. Not like she regrets having the twins and Claire, it’s just nice having a child who feels so comfortable around their parent without grumbling about where they are meant to be or what they had to do for the day. Which is typical to both of her children but she couldn’t say much for Jaylen since it has been a decade she last saw him. But in his words when they talk on phone, it was obvious he was still as polite as he was years back.
“You should go freshen up Juno, you have had a long trip. You can always come back to check on him.” Meagan suggested.
“Don’t sleep on me!” Juno warned Carl sternly.
He let out an in-depth laughter. “Whatever you say mama.”
Juno hugged him real quick. She nodded towards Meagan before making her way towards the door.
“She is so pretentious.” Claire scoffed.
“And you are not?” Jayden threw back at her.
“Do you mind not saying anything to me? I hate hearing you speak.” She retorted.
“Can you both not do this here? And out with the both of you.” Meagan frowned, pissed at how insensitive they can get.
“Whatever!” Jayden muttered. He stood up and looked towards his father. “Take care dad, I will see you later.”
“I love you daddy.” Claire cooed, running to his side to kiss him lightly on the forehead.
None of them acknowledged their mother, as they filed out of the room.
“It’s okay.” Carl told her, when he noticed the change in her countenance.
Meagan nodded as she gulped hard. “It just hurts sometimes. The two of them are so alike.”
Carl heaved a sigh as he tried to readjust his sitting position. “Any news from him?”
“Not even a text message.” Meagan replied.
“He must still be angry.”
“Well I wouldn’t be surprised if he grew cold hearted. We did treat him like he didn’t belong here.” Meagan said with a shrug.
“This is all my fault.” Carl bit on his pale lips a little hard.
Sitting next to him, she released the lip from the grip of his teeth. “Don’t do that to yourself, you have done well as a father. Let’s just leave this as it is.”
Carl leaned his head on her shoulder and they both eased into themselves. “I love you Meagan, don’t ever forget that. I have never had any regrets being with you.”
“Me neither. I love you too Carl Damien.” Lowering her head, Meagan kissed him slowly and relishing every bit of it. It had been a while since they had such intimacy.
“Ewwww, haven’t you both grown too old for that?” Gabriella mused by the door with a playful grin on her face.