The Forgotten Goddess

Chapter Eleven

Mila

"This is my favorite place in the whole wide world. Each bench has the name of a powerful couple that has influenced or helped our pack in some sort of way. If you go to that bench there", I say pointing to a bench on the far left of the garden under a huge oak tree, "you’ll find my parents' names."

"Your parents’ names?" Milo asks in surprise, pushing my wheelchair in that direction.

As soon as we entered the garden on the 10th floor, that’s the only expression I see on him: surprise. Not many people know about this garden or its story.

"Yeah! I never knew why they wrote my parents’ name on this bench. But, today, my grandparents told me the whole truth", I say with some sadness in my voice.

We get to the bench, and he’s really surprised by the golden plaque on it with Nathan and Annabelle Walters written. He helps me sit on the bench, and we sit quietly for a while. Then, I continue telling him about this garden.

"This whole floor was designed by your great-grandmother, Amber Brown. She loved helping people, and she was the most powerful healer in our pack. She made her son promise to build a hospital big enough, so the sick could enjoy some peaceful time in a garden without the need to leave the hospital. She drew exactly what she wanted, before she died.

When your grandfather built it, he made sure to have this garden here. However, it was only when your father became the Alpha that he decided to pay his respects and homage to couples who have helped our pack in some way. Because of this bench here, I have always believed my parents were dead."

We’re both in silence. I keep thinking about the many times I came here to cry because I hadn’t met my parents, the many times I felt so alone. This oak tree and this bench know so much about me and my feelings. And tears naturally start leaving my eyes, as if they know that this is my crying place. This is where they are allowed to flow freely. And I don’t mind stopping them, because this is my place.

"Wait, what do you mean 'were dead'?" Milo asked, puzzled.

"Well, that’s the shocking news my grandparents decided to share with me today. Both my parents are alive."

Milo opened his mouth as if he was going to say something but nothing came out. This was the first time he was speechless and with a shocking face like no other. His eyes were so wide open that I thought they would pop out. His mouth continued to drop with each passing second.

"Yeah, now imagine how I’m feeling", I said.

"S***!" He says. "Sorry! I really have no idea what else to say."

After a while, he says "I can take a walk around the garden and give you some space, if you want to."

Now it’s my turn to be shocked, but I don’t show it. I simply say, "Yeah, that would be great! Thanks."

Milo nods his head, gets up and starts exploring the garden, looking at each bench and the names written on them.

As he starts getting far away from me, it feels like I’ve got a waterfall in my eyes because of all the information I have received. Nothing else makes sense and I feel so overwhelmed by it that all I can do is cry.

When I feel that I’ve got no more tears to cry, I just take big breaths, calming myself down.

Okay, grandma and grandpa said that all I needed to do was ask about them, and they'd tell me about my parents, I think to myself. What do I want to know?

"Hey", Milo calls me, bringing me back from my thoughts, "are you ready to go back?! It’s almost dinner time and I believe Aunt Evelyn will be back soon."

"Yeah, of course. Sorry it took us so long!" I say.

Milo helps me back on the wheelchair and starts pushing it towards the elevator. We both keep ourselves silent on the way back. He helps me get back to my bed, puts the wheelchair on the corner and waves goodbye.

Before he leaves my bedroom, I say in a volume he can hear me, "Thank you for taking me there."

He turns around, surprised by my words. He gives me a small smile and says, "Thank you for telling me all that. I really had no idea about it. It meant a lot to me too."

I nod my head. He leaves the bedroom and closes the door, and I’m all alone again. The sun is already setting and that means Nanna will be back any minute now.

…

David

“Hey mom! I’ve just found Milo’s charger in our room. I tried calling him, but he didn’t pick up! I’m sure his phone is dead. Is it okay to go to the hospital to give him his charger?" I ask mom right before dinner.

"I know you want to see your brother, but we’ll have dinner now. I’ve made his favorite, so we’ll all eat together, and then you can go, take some dinner to him and give him his charger. How about that?" She asks.

I really want to go now - not just because of Milo, but because I want to check on Mila, too. Last time I saw her she was still unconscious and Johnny, dad’s Beta, took me from the hospital before I could even see either one of them.

"Yeah, of course", I say, trying not to show my disappointment.

Because of everything that has happened, I ended up missing my first day of school, so I have no idea what has happened at school. I sent the boys a couple of messages, trying to update myself, so I have something to share with Milo.

"Everyone, dinner is ready!" Mom yells from the dining room.

Dinner is always full of conversation and updates on each one’s first day of school. Joe and Steven talk about elementary school, their classes and their teachers. They seem really excited about it all. Annie, our youngest one, is just starting kindergarten and shared everything she did.

Mom and Dad talk about their day, the pack duties and explain a couple of things to us about dealing with difficult situations. No one asked me about my day, especially because they all know what has happened.

That’s when Annie asks, "When can I see Milo?"

"Milo will sleep in the hospital today, and you’ll see him tomorrow, sweetie", dad explains.

"But I wanna see him today!" Annie says, starting to tear up.

"Hey, no need for crying", I say, giving her a hug. "I’m bringing him his charger in a couple of minutes, and then you’ll be able to video chat with him before bed. How about that?!"

"Can I go with you?" Annie asks, with the biggest puppy eyes I’ve ever seen.

Dad chuckles and says, "No, peanut. He needs to rest and David is taking his bike. This is going to be a very fast ride to the hospital and back. He’s only giving Milo his charger and the food mom made and coming back. He won’t take more than 10 minutes", he explains to her, with every word meant to me.

Annie pouts and then says, "Okay David! Go on, do it very fast, so I can say good night to Milo."

Everyone starts laughing as Annie starts shoving me from the table, so I can go to the hospital.

"Wow, I really thought you liked me more than Milo", I say, holding my heart as if I’m hurt by her words and actions.

"You know I love you two the most, and I’d do the same thing if it were you in the hospital. Now stop stalling and go! I don’t have much screen time left!" She says, pushing me off the table while everybody continues laughing at her words.

"Priorities David! Priorities!" Joe jokes, laughing.

As the others help dad clean the table, I’m in the kitchen with mom, helping her get everything ready for Milo.

"Hey mom", I say.

"No!" she says.

"Why?!"

"Because you heard your father. You go and come back, and you don’t go near her bedroom."

"Well, dad never said anything about not going to her bedroom."

"You go to the hospital, give Milo his food and charger and come back! You will not go to Mila Walters' room nor ask in which room she is nor ask about her condition. Did I make myself clear now?" Dad says from behind me, startling me.

"Yes sir", I reply, lowering my head.

He didn’t use his Alpha voice but rather his father voice. That was always scarier than his Alpha one.

"Okay, now hurry on and come back very fast! Be careful!" Mom says, giving me a kiss and the bag.

It takes me about 4 minutes on my bike to reach the hospital. As I get there, Jimmy, the security, recognizes me and says, "Evening David. How are you today?"

"I’m good Jimmy, thanks. What about you?" I ask, making small talk.

"I’m all good. Fortunately, no one is making trouble around here", he says with a wink.

"That’s great Jimmy! Keep up the good work", I tell him as I enter the hospital.

As I reach the front desk, I can see Rosa. "Hey Rosa, how are you today?"

"Hey David! I’m good. Almost out of here", she says, with a giggle.

"That’s good. You deserve some break from my brother", I say laughing.

She laughs a little and says, "You know what?! He’s been really quiet and helpful. He even took Mila for a stroll earlier today."

"He what?!" I say, surprised by this information.

"Yeah, right after your parents left, they took a stroll in the garden on the 10th floor. They stayed a while there before coming back."

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!! This can’t be happening. I regain some control over my thoughts and say, "Well, hopefully he’ll change, right?! No more hospital for the next 6 months!"

Rosa laughs. "I’d be glad if he could stay more than two weeks away from the hospital."

I try to laugh but I’m still nervous with the information Rosa has just provided me.

"He’s in his usual room?" I ask, nervously heading to the elevator.

"Yeah! 818!" Rosa says.

I wave at her and start pushing the elevator button. Why is it taking so long? And why did he have to talk to her?! Why is this happening?