EPISODE HUNDRED AND SEVEN
THEME:The Moon Goddess choice
MOON STONE FORTRESS
Jaylen packed his clothes into the bag blindly as the tears flowed non stop. It was his fault for listening to Rosalyn and his grandmother to come down to the Fortress. He was sure things would have been different if he had stayed back in Chicago and sent his well wishes.
The moment he had stepped into the Fortress it had smelled trouble, but he was too lost in the moment that he forgot the hostile environment he was in. Having Jayden fight with him not just over Lorelei but the Alpha position, it was too overwhelming for him.
“Jaylen.” Penelope called softly from the doorway.
She stepped into the room cautiously with the rest of her siblings trailing behind her. Jaylen didn’t respond and he kept ransacking the closet for whatever he might be needing. It is not like Jaylen couldn’t leave them behind, but he didn’t want anything of himself to be seen around and most importantly it was all to distract himself.
“Do you really think this is the best decision, Jaylen? Listen, despite the distance, you can always oversee the company from here. You know that’s the easiest.” Benjamin said.
Jaylen ignored them still not paying them any mind. Jasmine moved closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come on baby, heading back to Chicago isn’t the best.” She said in a soft tone.
Jaylen jerked free, he threw the clothes he had in his hand down in anger and he stared squarely at them with his eyes looking blotched.
“It’s obvious you all care more about yourselves than what this decision would do to me. I don’t care whatever you all say, I am leaving and that’s it.”
His uncles and aunts exchanged glances, each of them rummaging through their heads on what to say. They watched as Jaylen struggled endlessly with the bag and he let out frustrated hisses at each attempt.
Jaylen’s phone rang. He looked towards the bed and picked it up. ‘Is the plane ready, Rosa?’ He asked.
The first thing Jaylen had done was reach out to Rosalyn and tell her to get his return plane ready. He would have done so himself, but his mind was so scattered that there was nothing he would have done right at the time.
Rosalyn breathed into the receiver. ‘Jaylen, are you sure about this?’
‘Don’t ask me that!’ Jaylen bellowed into the phone.
‘Yes sir.’ Rosalyn replied before disconnecting the call.
“If you are going back, then I guess it is time up for me too.” Collins muttered as he stared at Jaylen.
Jaylen looked like he would collapse as gratitude filled him. He wouldn’t have wanted to go the journey alone and it appeared that his uncle understood just that.
Benjamin ran his hand through his hair before nodding his head in agreement to his brother’s words. “You are right, Collins. I would be joining you both. I wouldn’t want your journey to be bored without me in place to keep you company.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes as she sighed heavily. “I know what you both are doing. But aren’t you suppose to talk some sense into him?”
“What exactly do you want us to say to him?” Collins appeared pissed. “You all know how much hurt this place has caused Jaylen. It is always one thing or the other and with Meagan always trying to make Jaylen see reason when Jayden seem to be the beast.”
“Collins!” Penelope glared at him as she tried to make an eye contact but he wasn’t looking. She bit her lower lips hard as she mouthed an apology at Meagan who stood by the door.
“Don’t try to shut me up. I don’t care about whatever you all have to say, I am supporting Jaylen in whichever decision he makes.” Collins insisted with a snare on his face.
Benjamin held Collins by the shoulder, tapping on it when he also sensed Meagan’s presence. “Yeah bro, it’s time to go pack up. We wouldn’t want Jaylen leaving us behind.”
The both of them moved past Meagan with Benjamin whispering a sorry. Collins didn’t bother saying a word to her. He looked unconcerned.
“I guess we should do the same too, Jasmine.” Penelope said after her brothers exited the room. Despite Jasmine’s silent protest, she dragged her sister along.
Meagan watched in pain as her siblings walked out of the room, leaving her with a blank looking Jaylen. Her heart constricted at the sight, probably Collins was right. All she ever did was expect Jaylen to be considerate of his brother and not thinking of how much it might be doing to Jaylen.
“Is it too late to admit to my wrong and tell you how sorry I am?” She sniffed.
Jaylen gulped hard as he zipped up his bag. “You don’t need to be sorry, you didn’t do anything to me. It is obvious you all have a definition of what you think I am within you. There is no need to argue it out with any of you. Thanks for the time spent here, I guess I have had my closure now.” He said. Jaylen grabbed his bag and without sparing her a glance, he headed out of the room.
Stepping out to the hallway, a distressed Claire stood in front of the room with a pitiful look on her face. “I am so sorry, Jaylen. I didn’t mean to say all I did. Please don’t leave.” She wailed.
Refusing to be held back, Jaylen kept on with his journey holding on tightly to his bag. Claire ran after him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Please Jaylen, Please don’t go. Please stay with us this time…I beg of you.” She cried into his back.
“Are you really leaving?” Juno stepped in his view with her eyes red from tears.
Jaylen smiled, if anything he would always be grateful for being able to get back with his childhood best friend. He held her cheek and released himself from Claire’s hold.
“You can always call me, Juno. I would definitely always be at your call.” He promised.
“Why not stay back now?” She pleaded.
“Stay the hell away from him. He is my brother and only I can beg him to stay!” Claire yelled, throwing unnecessary tantrum.
Keeping up with his steps, Jaylen didn’t return the energy. He couldn’t bring himself to look Claire in the eyes. Every of her words stuck to him and hurt so badly. It was obvious they all considered him a coward from the very beginning and only had to give in to the Moon Goddess wish of wanting him as the Alpha. He knew if it wasn’t the Moon Goddess choice, they would have picked Jayden over him for the Alpha position.
Jaylen wiped off the single tear that had rolled down his face. His eyes lightened up a bit when he met all of the Swift family walking out of the pack house as he waited by the car that would take them to the airport. Jaylen nodded towards them as he got into the car not looking back as it drove out of the pack house. He hoped sincerely that nothing would bring him back here.