EPISODE EIGHTEEN
THEME: Parents regret
MOON STONE FORTRESS
Gabriella stood by the door watching her son and his wife hold on to each other like life itself. Her heart went out to them, she felt pity towards Meagan who was about to lose the only man she loved.
It reminded her of the time Carl’s father too had died. It had been one of the hardest moments in her life and she had no one to lean on. Carl had almost immediately been dragged into the duties of being an alpha and could only render minimal solace to her. It had taken her a whole lot of courage and strength to move out and adjust to a new life with the person she had loved so much with her whole heart. For days she hadn’t been feeling too good, and couldn’t be at the fortress as immediate as she wanted.
Now seeing her son being confined to a bed made her extremely shattered but she knew better than to break down when everywhere was already tensed.
“Ewwww, haven’t you both grown too old for that?” Gabriella mused by the door with a playful grin on her face. She had gotten enough view of their intimate session.
Meagan looked up with her face conforming into that of excitement. “Gabriella!” She called out, almost jumping out of the bed. She ran towards the older woman and hugged her tightly.
“I thought you won’t come.” She muttered.
Gabriella hugged her back. “Meagan, you and I know it is necessary for me to be here.”
Meagan wasn’t responding anymore, she was looking behind Gabriella trying to make out a face or expecting a particular figure would stroll in.
Gabriella knew exactly what she was looking for. “He didn’t come with me.” Gabriella announced. She could see Meagan’s heart fall and she patted her gently on the back as she walked her towards the bed.
Carl had sat up properly to hug his mother. “And how is my favorite mama doing?”
“I see you still love to play around.” She teased him and hugged him. Gabriella tried hard to keep the tears from falling.
Releasing herself from his hold, she sat on the couch facing him. Meagan retained her seat next to him looking down.
Gabriella felt helpless at their sight and she wished there was something she could do to help them out. The both of them look ten times older than their age and they have had a share of life challenges a bit too demanding.
“Why is he not coming?” Meagan asked with her voice a bit distant and sad.
“You know the usual excuse, he is quite busy.” Gabriella replied.
“Don’t lie to us mom. Please tell the truth.” Carl said weakly.
Gabriella closed her eyes tightly, she had no intention of breaking it to them the way it was. Aside that she had a burning question she would love to ask them.
“One quick question for the both of you. Why did you not do anything to separate him and Jayden that day?”
Carl and Meagan bowed their heads in what seem like shame.
“It wasn’t our intention to act that way, we were just too crippled by the outcome of their brawl that day. Our minds were transfixed.” Carl spoke up.
“What do you mean by that?” Gabriella asked.
Carl looked at Meagan while she nodded her head like a go ahead for him to speak.
“The pack council had began making complaints about their constant brawl. And we didn’t need to counter them as rumors had been flying about Jaylen eventually becoming a thorn in the flesh for Jayden if care wasn’t taken. But we all know Jayden is more of a trouble maker than Jaylen, at the same time he is the intending alpha. We didn’t want any situation that would tarnish the pack and divide it. They warned if such fight happened again, I would have no choice but to send Jaylen packing.” Carl explained.
“All the same he was almost killed right in front of you and none of you said anything!” Gabriella flared.
“We had just lost a child!” Meagan wailed.
Gabriella looked stunned. “What?”
Carl consoled his wife, rubbing at her hand slowly to calm her down. “That day we had just gotten back from a long trip to the city. Meagan had been pregnant for about two months. We were both excited but didn’t tell anyone yet. Intending to use it as a way to bond our little family, however she began having some complications. We decided not to get her treated here, since we weren’t ready to share the news. On getting to the hospital, the doctor said the fetus would have to be excavated to keep Meagan alive. The baby was dead and was beginning to rot in her belly.” He paused.
“The pain was too much to bear…” Meagan picked it up. “My world was shattered as I was in so much pain and none of us said anything to each other as we returned home. I felt weak, but I lost every fighting spirit in me when I saw my two sons fighting, with one battering the other. We felt helpless and our minds were plunged into a depth of sorrow. We had just lost a child and obviously would lose another one, as we knew that would be the last of Jaylen here. The decision had been made. It was too much to bear.” She didn’t stop the tears from falling this time.
“We were frozen on a spot. Why would we ever want him to get hurt? He is our son and we love him. Do you know how hard it has been for the both of us this past decade? Knowing our child hates us for something we couldn’t control. This past years has been pure torture.” Carl sniffed.
Gabriella felt short of breath, no one told her these things if not she would have found a way to make Jaylen understand. He has always been a considerate child so he wouldn’t hate on his parents thinking they do not care.
“You should have said something.” She chided them.
“The guilt we felt was too much and we couldn’t bring ourselves to act like we really did care when our actions said otherwise.” Carl replied.
“We would resolve this somehow, but why do you want him home exactly?” Gabriella stared between the both of them.
“The seer was here.” Meagan told her.
And that was all she needed to know that. The phase of the trouble hadn’t even started.