EPISODE TWENTY SEVEN
THEME: The recording
MOON STONE FORTRESS
IN THE PACK HOUSE: THE ALPHA’S CHAMBERS
Meagan kept stealing glances at her husband, uncertain of how to lay her claim in front of him. She knew when Carl gets his mind fixed on something it is always hard for him to turn back.
“Don’t you think you were too harsh on him?” Meagan said.
“Ah! She finally found her voice.” Carl taunted with his back to her as he laid on the bed.
“Carl.” She walked to the side of the bed that he was facing. “Please stop acting like you don’t know what I am talking about.”
“Please baby, we have indulged Jayden in his attitude for too long. I am really worried about what will happen when I die eventually.”
The mere reminder that Carl was nearing his grave made blood drain out of Meagan. She held onto the bed and sat herself in it.
“Why did you have to say that?” She chided him.
“We can’t keep running away from the truth baby.” Carl heaved. He had spoken too much in a day and it has made him quite exhausted.
“All the same Carl, you can’t lock him up for too long in that condition. He has to be released tonight.”
“Your advice sounds good but I won’t let that young one out until I am done getting angry.” He disagreed.
“But-” Meagan tried to argue but had to keep mute at the arrival of Beta Julius and Theta Hazel.
“Luna.” Hazel nodded towards her, noticing her countenance. “Are you okay?”
Meagan rolled her head dramatically towards where Carl was. Hazel smiled lightly as they all exchanged pleasantries.
“You called for us Alpha.” Julius said as he sat down.
Meagan looked shocked because Carl didn’t mention anything about him intending to have a private meeting with the Beta and his wife. Maintaining her cool, she watched as he tried to help himself up after holding up his hand to prevent anyone from helping him.
“Is everything okay?” Hazel asked with worry laced in her voice.
Carl sniffed. “It’s all good. I am just waiting for one more person.”
Just like that Gabriella busted in. “I am so sorry for keeping you all waiting.”
They all smiled at how much energy she possessed for a wolf of her age. She never ceased to amuse them.
“What’s this about baby?” Meagan asked Carl as she looked towards him.
All through the years of their marriage, they had never kept anything from themselves. Reason why she looked shocked finding Julius and Hazel in their room without her knowing about it.
“I had sent a text over when you were making a fuss about Jayden’s detention.” Carl responded to his wife’s question. “Thank you all for coming.” He groaned after making an attempt to sit himself up further. He continued. “The reason for calling you all here is to let you know how things would work around here when I am no more. I would really love for you all to ensure things run accordingly. And I am trusting you, Meagan and Julius most importantly. Please try all that you can to make sure the pack doesn’t divide itself and that goes for you too, Hazel and mom too.”
He watched their countenance for a while, they all looked like they would break down in tears but only Julius was trying his best to hold himself together.
“I already told you all to not cry please. The Moon Goddess knows what’s best. I have lived a good life with having amazing people like you all next to me. You don’t have to feel bad about the situation I am in… please.”
“You make it sound so easy.” Gabriella said as she kissed her teeth. She was trying hard to blink back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.
“What do you need us to do?” Beta Julius asked.
“You were here the last time when the seer came visiting?” Carl directed his question at Julius.
Beta Julius nodded his head in affirmation. “Yes I was.”
“I am sure you heard all she said or maybe you weren’t concentrating enough.”
Beta Julius raised a brow. “Honestly, everything she said wasn’t really clear to me.”
“I would make it clear to you.” Carl cleared his throat. “Jaylen would become the next alpha king.” He paused. He held back the rest of his words and waited for any form of reaction but it seem like they already know what to expect.
“And for the safety of Moon Stone Fortress you must ensure Jaylen ascends the throne. Please try your very best to support him. If not this home of ours will be brought down to ruins.”
“What’s going happen to Jayden?” Theta Hazel asked. She seemed like the only brave one to address the elephant in the room.
Carl sighed. “He would have to accept fate and support his brother. But you all know how he can be.” He said, trying to position his aching neck properly.
“Why not let him know now?” Gabriella asked.
“Gabriella, you talk like you don’t know Jayden. He would believe we are trying to plot something against him now that Jaylen is back.” Meagan said, feeling the weight of it all on her chest.
“I wish it didn’t have to be like this.” Carl muttered. “But the great seer would have to be there after I get buried. So I am letting you all know and take this as my last will. Here…” He stretched out his hand to Beta Julius and it revealed a recorder.
Beta Julius observed the recorder in his hand, wondering what he is meant to do with it.
“Right there is all the recordings of the first prophecy from twenty five years ago and the explanation of the prophecy weeks ago.” Carl informed him.
Meagan had a shocked look on her face. “What? You had a recording with you on that day?”
“I did it in good faith twenty five years ago hoping to play it out for the kids someday. But it turned out the news would be devastating. I didn’t think it through until recently. I didn’t mean to keep it from you baby, I promise. There was just too many emotions around you at that moment and I didn’t want you to have a reminder of it.”
Guilt ate Carl’s insides as he watched Meagan shrink underneath the trouble she got wrapped into the moment they were married. He could have never asked for a better woman, Meagan was everything. She stood by him despite the turmoil he was in.
Meagan nodded in understanding as she moved to the bed to sit next to him. Pulling his head to her chest as she fought back the tears.
When Gabriella couldn’t take it anymore she stormed out of the room. Beta Julius and Theta Hazel sat still with each one of them lost in their emotions.