The Mute Bride

Family Reunion

Dinner was a humble yet filling meal. Kylan expected more based on the surroundings, but she was very pleased at the offerings they were given. The stew was filling and savory, paired well with the french bread and red wine. The Beta and Gamma brought their mates, rounding out the table. Most of the pack didn’t share the Alpha’s meal, so it was a quiet affair. Afterwards, they were taken to meet Kylan’s sister, Lisette.

The Luna’s quarters were dimmed, but you could still see the elegance and refinement in her furnishings and decor. Jordan had led the way, talking about how Lisette had treated her like a sister when she had come to live with her mate. Jordan was from a neighboring pack, chosen after Alpha Markus and his Beta, Michael, had attended the mating ceremony of its Alpha and Luna. Michael had known from the moment he laid eyes on the beautiful girl that he had met the girl he would take as his mate, but it was still a shock for her to find him asking for her to accept him as her mate. Moving away from everything she had known, Jordan was grateful for Luna having taken her under her wing.

As they entered the bedroom of Luna Lisette’s suite, Jordan spoke softly, “Luna Lisette has been sick for a few years, and the doctors have no idea how to make her better. It’s a strange illness they’ve never seen before. I just hope she’s able to stay awake to meet you.” A soft smile helped put Kylan at ease, shyly stepping up to her sister’s bed. Was this really happening? Could she really have a sister? Everyone seemed so sure, but what if she found out that it was an accident, and she wasn't Luna Lisette’s sister at all? What if this was all some weird dream?

Chewing her lower lip, she turned worried eyes to Carter, who slipped his hand into hers. “I’m right here, Ky. I got you,” his voice relaxed her, allowing her to turn her focus on the woman in the bed before her. She seemed thin, frail even. Her hair was like ebony, stark against her pale complexion. Looking over the woman’s sleeping features, she searched for evidence of familial relationship. If she looked hard, she could maybe see her father around Lisette’s eyes and the lines around her mouth. Was this real? She turned to seek her mother, hoping for answers.

Maureen stepped forward, her hand at her mouth as tears rolled down her aged features. A whisper left her, her eyes wide, “Lisette…it’s really you! I can’t believe it…” her voice trailed off, the disbelief evident in her voice. Ever since hearing the news, she had hoped, dared even, but there was a part of her that didn’t believe it. How could it be true? If it was true, if this really was Lisette, that meant the man they met earlier today had murdered her entire pack and nearly killed her and Richard, and that he had kidn*pped her daughter, stealing their future together. It would mean that she never even knew that her daughter was missing and she hadn’t even looked for her. She didn’t know if she could face it.

Kylan looked at her mother with compassion, understanding that somehow, this really was her sister and her mother had been without her for many years. Her heart went out to her, her arms wrapping around her mother as the older woman started sobbing without warning. “I got you, Mom,” she linked Maureen, hugging her tight. She didn’t know what to think of the situation that was in front of them, but she hoped that this could be the start of her mother's healing. She couldn’t imagine the thoughts going through her head. Her mother gave her a watery smile in thanks.

Carter tapped her shoulder, motioning to the prone form of the woman now confirmed to be her sister. Turning, she realized that the woman was starting to stir, her mind starting to race with rampant thoughts. She didn’t know this woman - what if she didn’t like her? What was wrong with her? How long did she have? Was there anything that she could do to help her? The Luna’s maid spoke soft, her head bowed in respect. “Luna, you’re awake. You have guests.”

A hand waved at the pitcher of water that sat near, her maid instantly pouring a glass and handing it to her as she sat up. “Guests?”

“Yes, my Luna. Alpha finally found your family and they traveled to see you,” came the answer, the maid’s gaze moving to Kylan and her mother. Lisette turned to follow her gaze. “This is your mother, Maureen Ashe, and her daughter Kylan.”

“Mom?” came the dry, shaky words from the sick woman. Maureen rushed forward, her hands gripping her long lost daughter’s, nodding emphatically.

“I’m here, baby, I’m here. I’m so sorry, baby, but I’m here now,” she burst into tears, seeing her oldest after so many years, holding her hands this way. “We thought you died with everyone else, we didn’t know!” she lamented, tears soaking her face.

“N-no, Mom, I don’t remember much, but they said that I was found in the woods, crying and covered in blood. Alpha Markus took me in after that. He said he couldn’t let me become a rogue because of the tragedy that had fallen on my pack. I was an Alpha’s daughter after all, even if I am an orphan.” She looked down as she recounted the story.

“You’ve been treated well then?”

She smiled, reassuring her mother.“Yes Mom, very well. Alpha Markus has been very kind to me over the years. He’s made me feel at home even when I had nothing. He was there when I cried, held me through the nightmares. He didn’t care that I didn’t speak after they found me, just that I wasn’t alone. I couldn’t be happier to be his Luna now.”