A knock sounded on Derek’s door, and he turned over on his bed, his eyebrows furrowed as he gazed upon his door. Who could be knocking by this time? It was already midnight. Whosoever it was, was lucky that he hadn’t slept yet.
“Who is that?” He asked, getting up the bed, preparing to move toward the door and open it up when his mother’s voice resounded through the door.
What could his mother want by this time? He thought, unlocking the door. Was she here to console him, or talk about his father? Was everything alright with his old man? Did the seizures start again? Apprehension was already clouding his features when Melvina opened the door and beheld it.
“What is the matter, Derek? Are you okay? Is the beast disturbing you?” Melvina questioned citing her son’s expression, even as her eyes trailed down to the necklace which was still firmly hung around his neck.
Sadly, as much as it reminded her of the beast which laid subdued in her son’s body, it also reminded her of Emma, the girl she had come to love, the girl whom she had betrayed her trust. She still felt bad and regretted the whole thing, and wished at times that she could turn back time, but time wasn’t so lenient to anybody.
“I’m fine mother. I was just worried that something must have happened to father for you to be here.” Derek answered, sinking his fingers into his untangled disheveled hair. From his mother’s earlier expression, it was obvious to him that he had been overthinking things.
“Not at all. I just came to discuss something over with you.” Melvina cited, making her way into the room when Derek shifted away from the entrance so that she could step into his room. He locked it afterwards when she was in.
“Oh, I see.” Derek said, taking a seat on his bed, whilst Melvina sat on the chair close to the bed.
“How are you doing? And I mean how are you really doing?” She started, crossing her leg over the other, her hand clasped firmly on her lap.
“Well, I’m obviously not fine, just trying to get by. After all, I am the one that had brought this upon myself. I am the architect of my own misfortune.” Derek replied sullenly, baring his feelings openly to his mother. There was no use acting all tough or putting up his defenses in front of her.
“You shouldn’t take all the blame on yourself. After all we had been the one that had pushed you to make that decision. I regret my folly so much, my son. And part of the reason why I am here is to let you know that I am sorry. Forgive me for not being there for you and your mate. Forgive me for letting my duty to the pack override my duty to you, my son. I had failed as your mother that day…” Melvina was saying, uttering her grievances when Derek stopped her, by pinching her slightly on her hand.
“No, no, Mom. Don’t think like that. Even though you and Dad had suggested the idea, I had still been the one who had chosen to push Emma away. I would have listened to Maru and not done it.” Derek replied, smiling sadly at his mother, his heart hurting as the events of that night replayed on his mind.
They were allowed to haunt him though. He deserved it. He thought, letting go of his mother’s hand, as he felt the tears in his eyes beginning to build up for the second time that night.
“Maru had told you not to do it? Well, it’s already happened. Does Maru still talk with you?” Melvina asked, already expecting the answer to be in negative before Derek shook his head slowly.
Of course his wolf was angry. Even her wolf was angry with her for toying with her son’s mate that way. The only remedy to this was to find Emma, not only because she was Derek’s mate, but also because the girl might be the prophecy.
She had seen the markings on the walls which Clem had shown her before he had retired to his place for the night. Apparently, they had snapped it when they had gone over to Emma’s house to seek her out. But the human had left, probably to her home back in Florida.
Melvina wondered if she would be back for their college exams next year’s January.
Well, the markings were actually part prophecy and part map. Obviously, Shiela or probably Tempest had carved it on the walls as reminders in case somehow they had forgotten.
Well, she had. Melvina thought, not believing that she had the prophecy in her hands all these while, and she had just let her go just like that. No wonder Leonarya and other beings had been after Emma. The girl was highly important to the war brimming soon-the war that Emma had seen and had told her and Peter. They had really been dumb. She thought, gazing at Derek who looked to have aged twenty years since breaking up with Emma.
“We have to find Emma, Derek…” She said, tapping him on his shoulder.
“Yes. But not now. We need to settle the issues of the shadow warriors, and the witches, and the werewolves, before I go back to her. I don’t want her involved in whatever war that’s about to happen.” Derek replied, shaking his head.
Melvina sighed. “Derek, we need to get her back before that. She is the prophecy, most likely, and She’s our only chance of survival if the war finally breaks out. Why do you think they are searching for her? And do you think that she is safe back in Florida among humans? No. If anything, she is more vulnerable to their attacks.”
“True. But do you think she would listen to me? You heard her that night, Mom. She doesn’t want to see me again.” Derek replied, closing his eyes, feeling his head begin to ache.
“I don’t know Derek. But we have to try.” Melvina said, getting up from the chair. She kissed Derek on his forehead, before saying a good night and turning around. She was off to bed. There was a lot of planning to be done. She didn’t think there was much time left.