Far from where Kira was running, a name was whispered in New Orleans -a tentative whisper filled with sadness.
“Bryan…?” Elara called out while standing in front of his bedroom door, her hands clasped together.
“Bryan?” She whispered again, but no answer.
It was just the second day since the bond had been severed, but it felt like a lifetime, and no one had heard a word from him or Aiden since their cries had died down.
She had even sent all the workers away when they had broken down, not wanting any other person to witness it, but now that the crying had stopped, the workers had returned.
Sighing, Elara’s heart clenched painfully, and she exhaled shakily, turning away to pace down the hall until eventually she ended up in front of the study, where Aiden was.
Raising her hands, she knocked and called out.
“Aiden, honey, are you in there?” But no response. “Are you both not hungry?” She asked gently, her hands on the door as if she could feel him. “I cooked. Very delicious, I tell you.”
But still…
No response.
Sighing again, Elara turned back around and rubbed her arms, trying to comfort herself somehow.
The air in the house was different, sadness all around and Ryker, who had now come upstairs to also check on Bryan and Aiden, spotted her.
“Aunt,” he called out softly as he approached her, his tone understanding. “It’s okay. Just give them a little time. It’s only the second day, and I doubt we will be seeing them even in the next week.”
“But they should at least eat something,” Elara said sadly. “I know it has not been long, but Kira wouldn’t want them to be like this either. I wouldn’t want them to lock themselves up, either.”
“I know,” Ryker said. “But you know how they are. They won’t come out unless they want to, and we cannot force them to. We can try, but… That would probably not work. Let’s give them some time. I’ll take over pack duties until they are ready to come back. Don’t worry so much, aunt. Hopefully, everything will be fine.”
Giving it a little thought, Elara let out a slow, sad breath and accepted reluctantly. “Okay.”
“Come on, why don’t we go down?” Ryker suggested. “I’ll escort you downstairs, and… I will also eat the food you prepared for both of them, since they are not hungry for such delicious food,” he said, shouting out the last part, hoping that maybe they would hear him and at least crack a smile.
“Silly boy,” Elara muttered and slapped his arm playfully. “Let’s go. I’ll still come back later to see if I can make them come out and eat something.”
“Of course you will,” Ryker smiled, knowing he wouldn’t be able to stop her if she decided to do that. And so they walked past the bedroom, heading for the stairs, when they heard a click.
The sound of a lock turning made them both stop in their tracks, and they instinctively turned.
Slowly, the bedroom door opened, and Bryan walked out.
In pure shock, Elara’s eyes widened, surprised he had actually stepped out of his room. It wasn’t like she wasn’t happy to see him; just that it was also quite… shocking.
Ryker, on the other hand, wasn’t really surprised, although he was a little taken aback at Bryan coming out, and Bryan did look awful. He seemed dull, his eyes empty, and he also had the look of a being who was alive but dead inside.
It was painful for both Ryker and Elara to see, but it was what it was. Then, Elara was about to say something, but Bryan’s voice came before hers-cold and detached.
“Ryker, I need a full report on the pack,” he said. “Everything we have missed.”
“Of course,” Ryker nodded and watched as Bryan then turned and walked straight to the study.
Bryan was about to knock on the door of the study when he reached, but before he could, the door opened and Aiden stood there.
It was as if they were in perfect sync, knowing what each other was going to do, and that wasn’t weird or surprising, given that they were twins.
For a moment, they stared at each other, Aiden’s face just as cold as Bryan’s. A silent nod was exchanged between them, and they turned and walked forward, walking past their mother and Ryker.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Elara, who was following behind, quickly moved in front of them, blocking their path.
“Wait,” she said, looking between them, concern etched on her face. “Will you at least eat something? I cooked for my boys.”
“We’re fine,” they both answered in the same cold, distant tone.
“Kira wouldn’t want you both to live like this,” Elara uttered while watching their faces, and the moment Kira’s name was spoken, she noticed their expressions shifted, although she could not read them.
Elara forced a small, nostalgic smile and continued. “You know how she is. I am pretty sure that wherever she is, she has already stuffed herself with enough food. Who knows? She might even be doing that right now.”
“Kira could eat in any mood,” Elara said and laughed sadly. “I do hope she is not starving herself either, and I know she would want you both to be okay and take care of yourselves. She would want you to eat. Didn’t you promise her to be good? Did you three not talk about being good and trying to be happy?”
Without waiting for an answer, she reached out and gently placed one hand on Aiden’s arm and the other on Bryan’s. “I am sure you did. So even if it isn’t for my sake, do it for hers. Hmm?”
For a beat, there was no response or change in their expression, and then slowly, they nodded.
“Good.” Elara smiled in relief, her voice suddenly more energetic as she called out to the maids. “Quick, quick, bring their food! Quickly.”
“Come on,” she turned back to them, including Ryker, and urged them to follow her to the dining room, which they did, the maids already serving the food as they all settled down.
“Eat. Eat,” Elara gestured eagerly to them. “You would love it,” she said as she picked up her spoon and took a bite.
“Mmm, this is not that bad,” Kira muttered, tearing into the roasted meat in her hands satisfyingly. “What a run.”