The Forgotten Goddess

Chapter Ten

Mila

"Come again?"

"Yeah. I know we always talk about your parents in the past, but they’re both alive, mija. You were able to sense your mother was dying, so you saved her life. They stayed with us until Meghan and Muriel arrived, to make sure you both were okay, and they left, right after that," grandpa explains.

"Your parents told us that the rogue attacks were too coordinated, that's why they had signed the peace treaty early that year with all six packs. As soon as they checked you two were fine, they went back to their pack to help the fight. We really tried to dissuade them, but she's as strong headed as your Abuelo," grandma says.

We laugh and tears start rolling down my cheeks, as I soak in all the info. Abuelo is holding my hand as grandma has already moved to my side to embrace me.

"If they're alive, where are they? Why haven't they come and see me? Or call me?"

"As soon as they were back to their pack, they were able to help take the rogues down and moved to help other packs that were under the same attack", Nanna explains. "But, when you were 2 years old, they came to visit and they had huge news. The Alpha and all his family members were murdered by the rogues and the Alpha King decided your parents would be the new Alpha and Luna for the Blood Moon Pack. He told them that it would be best if you were here with us and not growing up in a pack that was very susceptible to attacks."

"They agreed and so did we. And, you’ve been with us ever since. In the beginning, we used to show you everything, but you’d start crying and be sick for days. So, we decided to only tell you about them when you ask about them. We often tell them about you and send them pictures. I'm sorry we made you believe that they were dead, cariño. We really didn't mean to. It's just that it's really painful to talk about them."

I keep crying until I say, almost in a whisper, "Can I have some time for myself? This is all just too much."

Nanna is about to say something when Abuelo stands up from bed and says, "Of course, mija! We'll be back before dinner time. I'm sure Nanna wants you to have some homemade food! Right?!"

"Yeah, right!" She agrees with a tight smile.

They both give me a kiss and leave the hospital bedroom. Nanna closes the door and I wait for a couple of minutes before I break down.

I feel this pressure on my chest and finally start crying. Not just crying, but sobbing uncontrollably. My whole body is shaking and all I want is to curl like a ball and sink inside my bed.

My parents are alive! My parents are alive! My parents are alive! Why hadn't they come for me? How could they simply agree with the Alpha King? How could they just leave me behind?

So many questions keep spiraling in my head and not a single one can make me accept what my parents had done.

…

Milo

"Honestly, I can't believe you're making me stay here overnight!" I say to my parents.

"This is for your own good, Milo! Do you have any idea of what could've happened if Carlos and Evelyn blamed you for Milan's injuries?" My dad says, already getting angry at me.

"Blame me?! SHE did THIS to ME, dad", I say pointing to my whole body.

"Son, Carlos and Evelyn are our most trusted advisors. And because of your pride, you broke the ribs of their granddaughter."

"It doesn't matter if she's a girl, a boy or anything in between, the enemy won't choose gender nor preferences", I say, mimicking Major Knowels.

"SHE IS NOT THE ENEMY MILO!!!” Dad yells.

"I didn't say she was. Major Knowles told us to face each other as enemies", I explain.

"Yeah. and he also said NO BROKEN BONES! When will you stop this nonsense?" He asks angrily.

"Okay!! Now is the time for everyone to breathe! Daniel, why don't you wait for me outside? I'll talk to Milo and meet you in the car", mom intervenes before something we all regret happens.

My father leaves, huffing and puffing, just like he did when he used to tell us the three little piglets tale, and closes the door with a huge bang.

"So much for letting the ill rest", I comment.

"Milo! He's just afraid of the consequences!" Mom finally says.

"What consequences?"

"This is not the place nor the time to have this conversation."

"Then when?"

"After your 18th birthday you'll get to know it all. You'll soon be 15 and get your wolf permanently. When you're 18, we'll talk about Mila's family! I promise. I need to go now before your dad ends up breaking something. Please, rest and be good. I'll come tomorrow to pick you up with your siblings and take you all to school."

"Okay."

Mom kisses my head, gives me a tight hug and then she leaves. I'm all alone, looking outside the window. I've got no charger and my phone is dead. So, I decide to take a stroll through the hospital. I still couldn't believe that Aunt Evelyn brought me and David along with her and Mila to the hospital.

When we arrived, only mom was here to see us. But I knew that once my father got here, I'd be listening my ears off. To him, I've always been the troublemaker while David was his saint.

And that's exactly what has happened. After my exams and the doctors applying a cast to my left arm, my father lectured me for almost an hour. I just couldn't take this room anymore! I had to leave. So, I put on my slippers and get out of my room.

Dad was so angry that he didn't even let me see David. And because we don’t have our wolves yet, I can’t ask him to bring me my charger. So I decide to try and find a nurse or someone else who could help me.

That's when I hear someone crying. Not just crying, but an uncontrollable sobbing. It makes my heart ache.

That's when I see the name of the patient on the door. Mila Walters. I slightly knock on the door, really not knowing why.

"Come in", she says, almost in a whisper, really trying to control her crying.

When I come in, I see that she's looking through the window, hugging her knees and waiting for someone to say something.

"Uh … are you okay?" I ask.

She turns her head around, not expecting me, for sure. She quickly starts wiping her tears and trying to hide her crying.

"What are you doing here?" She says, in an annoyed tone.

I show her my cast and stand by the door. She shakes her head and ignores me.

"Are you okay?" I ask again.

"Why do you care?" she asks in a hushed voice.

"Why can't I?" I ask, a little confused as to her whole attitude since morning.

"You're 9 years late, Milo!" She says, angrily.

"Why is everybody so hung up on the past? I'm talking about now, Mila. Are you okay now?"

"The problem with now, Milo, is that it involves the past. Everything I have ever believed about my parents, about my life, about who I am has just been shattered by my grandparents" and she starts sobbing again.

I look puzzled at her, trying to understand what could have happened. I keep myself quiet waiting for her to continue.

"Please, just go away", she begs between her sobs.

Something pulls me to her and I take a seat next to her.

"I know I've been an i***t for the past 9 years. I admit it. The guys told me about all our encounters and how you're David's best friend. I really had no idea. I'm truly sorry>"

"Why are you being so nice?"

"I don't know. Maybe because you look exactly the way I feel."

She keeps staring at my eyes. She feels this pull too. After a while, I start telling her about my last 9 years, how father has taken me and David to lots of gatherings and meetings and showing us how to run our pack.

"I'm sure you've already heard all about this from David, how awesome he thinks this all is."

"He hates this just as much as you do. But, because you hate it so much, he pretends to like it, so your parents are not disappointed. He knows that, somehow, the excitement that he fakes can help you start liking some of the responsibilities of the pack."

I stare at her in shock, not believing what she just said.

"He hates it?"

"Yeah! He's pretty sure your parents don't seem to know you two so well. He's the politics guy, the one who likes meetings and negotiating. You're the brute force, interested in tactics and strategies. Even though my Abuelo has been training you since you were 5, he still takes you to the meetings and David to the fights and combats."

I'm flabbergasted. I guess David has really told her a lot.

"Okay, so there's nothing else for me to tell you that I could earn some sympathy from you!" I say as I motion to stand up.

She laughs a little and says, "I'm pretty sure you hate other people's pity!"

"I do!" I say as I chuckle. "But I thought I would at least be able to ask your charger borrowed without being so embarrassed."

She chuckles and says, "I woke up almost an hour ago, so I have no idea if I have a charger."

"Got it!" I say as I look at her puffy face.

She hasn't cried since we started talking. She's got both her hands on her face, trying to take the puffy away. For some reason, I find it cute.

"Hey, do you wanna go for a stroll?" I ask her.

"Sorry, three broken ribs AND a dislocated shoulder. I can't leave bed. Doctor's orders."

My face is burning, and I'm sure I'm red as a tomato.

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"What are you sorry about? We were sparring, and I'm glad it wasn't me who got scolded for breaking someone's bones on the first day of school", she says laughing, holding her ribs as they're still healing.

I laugh as well, "I was just scolded by my father because of that."

She stops laughing and looks at me, somehow feeling awkward.

"No,no, no! Don't feel awkward, please! I totally broke the rules and I had it coming! I honestly didn't think I would end up with you in the hospital. I really thought it would take at least a couple more days before I got scolded!"

"Well, believe me, Nanna is the same. The first thing she told me when I woke up was 'How could you do this to the Alpha's son?'"

We both sigh at the same time, which makes us both laugh.

"If you're okay with pushing the wheelchair, I'll accept that stroll", she says, blushing a little.

"Yeah, of course."

I grab the wheelchair and bring it near to her bed. I help her come down without much pain, get a blanket to put over her legs and push her wheelchair out of her room.

"Where are you two going?" Mrs. Gonzales, the head nurse, asks us.

"We're going for a stroll, Rosa. We'll be back before Nanna is here, I promise!" Mila answers the head nurse as if they’re best friends.

"You two go ahead. You know where the garden is, right Mila?" She says with a wink.

"Yeah, I do. Thanks, Rosa", Mila says.

"Thanks Rosa", I also say.

We head to the elevator and Mila presses the up button. As we wait for the elevator to arrive, I wonder how she knows where the garden is and what’s her relationship with the head nurse.

"10th please", Mila says.

"Of course", I say, pressing the 10th floor button. We're both quiet during our quick ride up, since the garden is just two floors above us. As soon as we reach the 10th floor and the doors open, I am speechless. I really have no words to describe what this was.

I start pushing her wheelchair out of the elevator, not being able to utter a single word. Everywhere I look, all I can think of is the immense variety of flowers and greenery and trees that truly feel like they belong in that exact place.

"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", she explains. "If you go to that bench there", she says pointing to a bench on the far left of the garden under a huge oak tree, "you’ll find my parents' names."