EPISODE 10
1317 Words
DR. WINTER'S POV
"He found him?’
Geron nods and wraps an arm around my quaking shoulders. 'You can calm down now, Kael is safe.”
"Safe?” A mirthless laugh escapes my throat as I pull away from Geron. A crowd is forming around us as everyone has been waiting for the last batch of the search team to return. “Ÿou obviously don't know anything about Westerners.”
A roar of grumblings and angry remarks arises as pack members rage at my comment. I can't care less as all I feel is anger.
Why must it be Xavier? Why him?
The thought of my son seeing Xavier as a saviour eats at my insides. The same man who denounced us in the name of tradition won't come back six years later and become Mr. Hero. Never!
"Ingrates.” One pack member yells out, and soon after the crowd is chanting similar insulting words. Geron leads me away from them and towards a black SUV. A hand grasps my arm as I'm about to slide into the back seat.
I look up and my eyes widen. “Jayda?” A scowl is implanted on my face as I anticipate her normal condescending comments. I really hoped she won't push my patience because I was already losing it.
"If you're here to laugh or say anything mean, just don't.” I warn straight-up.
She shakes her head and her gaze softens, and for a moment my sister looks meek and gentle like a harmless swan. “ Oh no, I just want to check up on your boy, that's all.”
My eyes narrow as I watch her keenly. Suddenly Jayda has a heart to care about my son? I wasn't buying it but it didn't matter as the crowd loves the act and is fawning over her.
Was it that same look she used to snatch my husband? Did she look at him so calmly and stole all his love for me in his heart?
It's embarrassing to feel jealous of my own sister, but why not? Even till date, she has the perfect life. Married to a powerful, breathtaking Alpha, Dad and Mum's princess and favorite child, WestMoon's beloved Luna.
"Please.” She insists, blinking her siren eyes ever-so-softly.
Everyone is watching and waiting for my response, Oh, the perfect audience to crown Jayda kind and caring to the evil witch doctor who just condemned all Westerners.
I roll my eyes. "Sure, get in.”
Six years and nothing wracks up my nerves more than putting up with Jayda's good-girl performance.
'Thank you,” She squeals in high pitch and the crowd smiles at their sweet Luna. Irritation builds up deep down my guts, and I wish like knocking the smiles off their faces by planting my fist right into their perfect Luna's face. But rather than causing a scene, I exhale heavily and put on my sunglasses to shade the annoyance brewing in me.
"Poor Kanel, I hope he's alive.” She says in a half-sob as she slowly gets into the SUV.
My neck nearly snaps as I give Jayda a death-stare. “ It's Kael,” I corrected, my fingernails digging deep into my palms. “And he's fine, Xavier saved him. Now just get in and shut the door.”
She looks at the crowd. “Oh my husband. He's just the best.”
I turn to the other window to hide my face and the tension squeezing all my muscles together.
Husband! I could never get used to someone else calling Xavier hers.
###########
I’m seated on the hospital bed, head buried in the sheets covering my son’s still body.
The steady beep of the EKG follows the rhythm of my thumping heartbeat and Kael’s quiet one. “I’m so sorry.” A whispering sob chokes out from my lips for the millionth time since I arrived.
All the taunting voices are quiet, maybe because I believed them now. I’ve accepted my judgement as a terrible parent.
A-good-for-nothing as Mama would say.
The door to the ward rattles open, and I lift my head to see who the intruder is.
Xavier walks in with a bouquet of blue tulips. They smelled amazing and I almost broke into a sob as Kael loved tulips, just like his father.
“I brought him flowers.” He announced, his eyes watching me carefully.
“Thanks, drop them and leave.” I say dismissively, turning away to look at my boy. His face is pale and slightly reddened from insect bites.
As soon as I got to the hospital, the Doctors narrated that Kael had been found surrounded by a group of wild bears. He had managed to fight off most but was wounded. Luckily, Xavier found him and rescued him right after Kael fell unconscious.
“I’m sorry we couldn't protect your son.” Xavier says as he drops the bouquet beside the bed.
I scoff. “Protect? This pack destroys everything good in it.” My bottom lip sulks in between my teeth as I bite down on it, pain lashing through every fibre of my body.
Xavier shakes his head. “Why do you hate us so much? You're just a stranger speaking out of ignorance, you know nothing about me or my pack except the things you read in the tabloids.”
If only he knew I knew everything about him and his godforsaken pack, down to his bad habits and how he squints his eyes whenever he's happy. All his scars and blemishes, I bet I could detect each angle of his body more than an MRI.
The Doctor walks in with a trail of nurses behind him.
“Hey Doctor, is it possible to travel today or tomorrow?” I ask, my fingers toying nervously with themselves.
The Doctor checks Kael’s vitals and mutters muddled words to the nurses who then scribble details on a report paper.
“It's impossible, ma’am.”
“Impossible?” I gasp, turning to look back at my son’s face. Fear gripped my heart again.
“Yes.” The Doctor confirmed, finally looking away from the machines and locking my gaze with his. “Your son suffered major insect bites including the Dragonfly’s venom. It weakened his system and it will be risky to wake him up in this state.”
Tears trickle down my cheek as I nod in comprehension. I was scared and jittery. I didn't know how long my boy will stay like this, and it was all my fault.
Xavier cleared his throat. “Don't worry, your boy is tough. He reminds me of my younger self, he’ll be fine.”
Xavier proudly narrates to the Doctor how Kael had fought off so many bears. The more they spoke, the worse my annoyance became.
It's not some tale. It's my son’s life!
“Dr Winter,” Xavier began, his eyes squinting with excitement. “Once your son awakens, I’m willing to offer him a free pass to the Alpha Academy tournament.”
Before I could talk, the Doctor cut in. “With a will like that, I think the kid has a shot.”
“He might grow up to become a Beta or maybe even…”
“No!” I snapped firmly. I couldn't believe my ears. My son hasn't even fully recovered and these two were openly discussing on putting him in danger again.
Xavier clearly had no idea of what it took to be a parent, to have a child and be responsible for their safety and survival.
Kael was better off without him.
“My son will not be partaking in any WestMoon tournament.” I say with folded arms. “And while I wait for Kael to recover, trust me on this, this pack will burn until I find out who did this to my son!”
- Writer
