EPISODE NINETY
THEME: So many questions
MOON STONE FORTRESS
AT THE PACK HOUSE
Jaylen squinted his eyes at the light shining bright into his eyes and when he tried to lift his body it ached badly. He made an attempt to get up but a strong hand plunged him back down. Trying to adjust his eyes to the room’s brightness, he caught sight of his grandmother Gabriella sitting next to him and her eyes was sending a silent warning to not get up.
“He is finally awake.” Penelope clapped as she rushed to sit at the foot of the bed.
“What happened?” Jaylen asked, feeling his throat dry. Gabriella handed him a glass of water which he chugged down his throat in a space of five seconds.
“We found you passed out at your doorstep.” Claire replied. She was seated on the single couch in the room with Jasmine.
“Where is mom?” He managed to ask.
Meagan plopped next to him. “I am right here baby. I am here.” She responded.
Stretching his broken body a bit, Jaylen leaned closer to his mother and he placed his head on her laps. “I am sorry about what happened yesterday mom. Jayden got the best part of me and I couldn’t help but retaliate.” Jaylen explained. He turned his head slightly to stare at everyone else. “I didn’t mean to ruin your happy moments. It wasn’t my intention to ruin anything.” He said with his eyes pleading.
“It’s all good honey.” Meagan patted his hair.
Mrs swift asked. “Did you know about Jayden crushing on Lorelei?”
Jaylen nodded. “Yes, Lorelei told me about it and I had thought it was nothing too serious but just a mere crush, I didn’t know he had other things in mind as regards her.”
“Jayden has no excuse to act so irrational. He deserves the cut on his face.” Claire said in a spiteful tone.
“What do you mean by a cut on his face?” Jaylen inquired.
“Your last attack that knocked him out has a scar from your claw.” Gabriella explained.
Guilt gripped at Jaylen immediately. He had no intention to hurt Jayden. The feeling was just a bit too overwhelming for him.
“Don’t look that way my dear, Jayden got what he deserved.” Jasmine said with Penelope nodding her head in agreement from behind. The both of them aren’t so fond of Jayden.
“That’s enough with you two. We should leave now that he is awake.” Mrs Swift suggested that all of them should go out to enable Jaylen freshen up. But only Gabriella remained after the others filed out.
“You shouldn’t beat yourself up too much.” Gabriella said.
Jaylen had his head bowed as he sat up the bed. “I almost gorged out his eyes, Granny. I almost ruined my brother’s face.”
“Don’t forget that he wasn’t so considerate when he came for your neck.” She hissed.
“But he didn’t get to and I was the one who acted otherwise.” Jaylen kept on lamenting.
“Have you noticed anything different about yourself lately?” Gabriella asked after a few seconds of silence.
“What do you mean?” Jaylen whispered.
“Why are you whispering? It is just the two of us here. Or is there something you are hiding?” She countered.
Jaylen threw his hands out and let out a huff. “Yeah, maybe a little changes.”
“Like?”
“I have been having this weird close like vision. I could have sworn that I had felt this fight between Jayden and I before now. And there is the hearing of thoughts, but quite random thoughts. The only surprising thing is my inability to hear that of close relatives.” Jaylen explained.
Gabriella shook her head thoughtfully. “So your mother was right when she said you have been having some sort of nightmares during the day.”
Jaylen scrunched up his eyebrows. “Granny, what’s going on? Why are asking me all of this?”
“You will know soon enough. For now rest that head of yours.” Gabriella advised as she stood up to leave the room. “Also, if you truly love Lorelei it would be good for you to know that this is just the calm before the storm. It won’t end here.” She added quickly.
Jaylen slapped his forehead out of frustration. He hates it when his grandma speaks in parables and expect him to figure it all out one way or the other. Remembering that he needed to do something, he moved his battered body slightly and Jaylen got his phone that had been placed on the bed stand. After unlocking the device, he saw that she had called several times too and he dialed Lorelei’s number. And as if on cue, she picked the phone immediately.
‘Hey baby, I have been calling all night. How are you?’ Lorelei let out in a single breath.
Jaylen chuckled. ‘I am fine baby. How are you too?’
‘Not too good.’ She replied.
‘Hey, what’s wrong? Talk to me.’
Lorelei sighed. ‘I am so sorry for causing a disruption at your home. I had no idea Jayden would act that way. I promise baby that there is nothing between us. It has just always been banters and arguments. Also, since you came to the Fortress I have avoided him like a plague to avoid getting the wrong picture. Please trust me.” She wailed profusely.
‘Hey. Hey.’ Jaylen sat up on the bed. ‘Listen-‘ He wished she was next to him. ‘Please don’t cry baby. This has nothing to do with you and it’s not your fault. I and Jayden have too many fight histories and anything could have triggered him so don’t be fooled by the little moment of us being friendly with each other. It is nobody’s fault and most importantly it is not your fault.’
‘Jaylen…’ Lorelei sniffed and she mumbled a thank you.
‘Did you rest well? It wouldn’t be nice to see you with a puffed eyes. I don’t want a bear.’ Jaylen joked.
Lorelei giggled lightly into the receiver. ‘How are your bruises?’
Checking himself, Jaylen smacked his lips. ‘They would be fine in a few days. What matters is you being okay. I would see you soon baby but I need to sort somethings for the meantime.’
Silence reigned on the other line, before Lorelei finally cleared her throat. ‘Ok. It’s alright baby, I understand.’
‘Alright mama, love you.’
‘I love you too.’ Her response came out as a whisper.
After ending the call, Jaylen put his stiff legs out on the cold floor. His gritted his teeth at it and while standing up he noticed some sort of changes in his movement. It was almost like he was floating but he ignored it, believing that he was hallucinating. He went into the bathroom to freshen up for the day.
His first thought was to go see his father to ask him a few questions. Jaylen just realized his wolf looked peculiarly different although he had always thought Jayden’s wolf should be the same as his wolf. And at the same time it was just his thinking even though he couldn’t really remember much of Jayden’s shifting when they were young.
But after seeing Jayden’s wolf last night. Jaylen can’t help to think that something was wrong with him and probably that was what his grandma was referring to. The last thing he remembered before passing out was seeing the Wolf Rogues again and this time they were near surrounding him with a fire burning in between. The heat had engulfed him directly like it was real and he had slipped out unconscious.
Jaylen shivered as the water trailed every part of his skin. He had to freshen up in a hurry. There are so many questions he needs answers to.