Shadows of the pack

CHAPTER THREE

Adrian and Caleb exchanged glances as they feared who could be in the bushes. As Adrian and Caleb moved further toward the bushes, both their hearts were pounding.

“I don’t think we should pay attention to that noise we hear. It could be a squirrel for all we know,” Caleb said, walking slowly behind Adrian.

“Could? I’m glad you said that we aren’t sure of what we heard, that’s why we need to check to avoid anything backfiring on us”, Adrian said to Caleb as he held the torch courageously, flinging it from left to right.

“I know, but it’s late already. Why don’t we go back to the rest of the pack and come back when it’s brighter tomorrow morning? Huh?

“You do just that, but as far as I’m concerned, I’m not leaving here until I figure this out,” Adrian said, not minding the expression on Caleb’s face.

The forest was cloaked in an eerie silence broken only by the rustle of leaves underfoot as Adrian and Caleb exchanged tense glances. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing. Adrian's breath caught in his throat at the sight—Elias, his long-lost friend thought to have perished years ago.

"Elias?" Adrian's voice trembled, disbelief and relief warring within him.

Caleb's eyes narrowed, his stance defensive yet curious as he watched the scene unfold. "Who's this?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with caution.

Elias stepped forward, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he met Adrian's gaze. "Surprised to see me, Adrian?" His voice held a hint of amusement, tempered by an underlying sadness.

Adrian took a hesitant step closer, his eyes scanning Elias's face as if searching for answers. "But... we all thought you were... gone," he managed, his voice thick with emotion.

Elias's expression softened, a shadow passing over his features. "I know," he murmured. "It wasn't easy for me either, watching from afar."

"Why didn't you come back sooner?" Adrian's voice cracked, his eyes betraying years of pent-up anguish. "We needed you, Elias. I needed you."

Caleb's jaw tightened, his gaze flickering between Adrian and Elias as he listened intently. "What's going on?" he asked tersely, his tone demanding answers.

Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly away before returning to Adrian. "It wasn't safe," he began slowly, his voice laced with regret. "There were... things I couldn't explain."

Adrian clenched his fists at his sides, frustration and longing warring within him. "So you just vanished," he accused, his voice tinged with betrayal. "Left us all to wonder if you were even alive."

"I'm sorry, Adrian." Elias's voice was tinged with regret as he took a step closer, the distance between them closing. "I never wanted to leave you. But I had to protect you, even if it meant staying away."

Caleb stepped forward, his presence commanding as he interjected. "Protect him from what?"

Adrian's eyes searched Elias's face, grappling with a torrent of emotions—anger, relief, and a flicker of something he dared not name. "And now you're back," he said finally, his voice softer, more uncertain. "Why?"

Elias met Adrian's gaze head-on, his expression earnest and vulnerable in the moonlight. "Because I never stopped caring about you," he confessed quietly. "About what we had. I couldn't stay away any longer."

Caleb's brow furrowed, his gaze shifting between Adrian and Elias. "Adrian, do you trust him?" he asked quietly, his voice betraying concern.

Adrian's resolve faltered, the walls he had built around his heart beginning to c***k. "Can I trust you, Elias?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "After everything?"

Elias extended a hand, an unspoken plea in his eyes. "I swear to you, Adrian," he vowed, his voice steady with conviction. "I'm here now. I won't leave again."

“We can talk about all these later, but for now, it’s good to have you back,” Adrian said as he hugged Elias, then they made their way back to the house, leaving Caleb behind.

Caleb was left all alone to his thoughts as he remembered what Elias said to him.

“What am I hiding from? Who is it I’m hiding from? Which secrets of mine does he know about?” These were the questions running through Caleb’s mind.

He was immediately interrupted by Adrian.

“What’s good Caleb, I thought you were behind me, come on, let’s go, everyone is waiting!”

……

“Everyone!! Look who’s here!!”

Elias?? Everyone screamed, all looking surprised, happy, and confused at the sight of the August visitor

Adrian's mother, Lila, was tending to her garden when she heard the commotion near the edge of the forest. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Adrian and Caleb leading a tall, familiar figure towards the house. As they drew closer, the moonlight revealed his face.

"Elias?" Lila's voice was a whisper of disbelief, her hands trembling as she clutched her gardening tools.

Elias stepped forward, his own eyes moist with emotion. "Lila... it's been a long time," he said softly.

Lila dropped her tools and rushed towards him, enveloping him in a tight embrace. "Oh, Elias! We thought we'd lost you forever!" She pulled back slightly, tears streaming down her face. "Where have you been? What happened to you?"

Elias hugged her back, a mixture of relief and sorrow in his eyes. "It's a long story, Lila. I had to disappear for a while, but I never forgot about you. You were like a mother to me."

Lila cupped his face in her hands, her eyes searching his as if to ensure he was real. "We mourned you, Elias. Every day, we pray for your safety. And now, here you are, back with us."

Elias nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "I missed you all so much. I wanted to come back sooner, but it wasn't safe. I had to protect myself... and all of you."

Lila's eyes softened with understanding and compassion. "You're here now, and that's what matters. We'll get through this together, just like we always have." She glanced at Adrian and Caleb, then back at Elias. "You're home, Elias. And we'll make sure you feel that way."

Elias swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his past choices and the warmth of her acceptance. "Thank you, Lila. Your kindness and love were what kept me going."

Lila smiled through her tears, her hands still on his shoulders. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up. For now, let's focus on healing and rebuilding what was lost."

Adrian stepped forward, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at his mother and Elias. "Welcome back, Elias. We have a lot to talk about."

Elias nodded, his gaze shifting between Adrian and Lila. "Yes, we do. And I'm ready to face it all."

It was time for dinner and the whole family was gathered, catching up on all the times they’d spent apart, Adrian was the happiest as he kept going on about how he missed him and how life had been for him.

It was time for bed and the whole family said goodnight to each other and went to their separate rooms.