We reached the pack territory at noon. I was starving and on the verge of fainting. As soon as we entered the territory, people swarmed us and I remember being covered in blankets or something of that sort. They were saying things to me but I couldn't make out anything. I was too tired and lost consciousness soon after.
When I woke up, I was in the clinic with Lilly beside me. "Luna, are you feeling okay?" She gently whispered. I frowned and then tried to sit up which caused her to jump into action to help me.
"Did I faint?" I cringed at my hoarse voice.
Lilly gave me a sympathetical smile. "You did,"
"How long was I out?"
"Only an hour." She said before giving me a bowl of soup. "Drink this, please. You need to get your energy back." I took the soup without questions. I was starving. "I'll be right back, okay? Please finish it all and if you want more, you can call for me." She stood up.
I nodded and then watched as she walked out.
"Alpha," I heard Lilly speaking on the other side of the door.
Cassian is there?
"Why did she faint?"
I almost scoffed at the question. Why does he care?
"Wolves don't faint like that so easily. Is she that weak?"
Goddess, if this soup wasn't so tempting, I would've jumped off this bed and gone outside to kick his ass to show him how weak I am. Asshole.
"Alpha, you both haven't mated. I know you're already aware of how it is going to affect both of you…. This is just the start. She's losing energy and you are too. Physical complications are the start so you both need to be careful."
"We were sleeping next to each other every day so there's no way it starts this early."
"Sleeping next to each other and exchanging pheromones will help to delay it but it won't help to avoid it. And there's no guarantee that it'll work with everyone." She paused. "Alpha, you heard what happened. You know how it's going to affect her. Please be kind to her or this could get worse."
I stared at the door, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What are they talking about? What happened?
____
I stayed inside the room for thirty minutes before someone finally came to talk to me. "Ivy?" Stella entered the room.
"Oh, Stella, I'm so glad you're here. Can I go out?"
Stella gave me a small smile. "I think you can but I need you to meet someone."
"Huh?" I raised a brow.
Stella stepped aside and the farmer's family entered. "Luna," The mother spoke, almost on the verge of crying.
"Thank you so much for saving our c-children. We'll forever be in your debt." She stuttered out while crying.
"Oh, no, there's no need for thanking me. I'm your Luna. It's my duty to look after the pack." I smiled.
Stella had a proud look on her face as she watched me.
"We were terrible to you…" It was the father who spoke now. "We ignored you when you tried to help us. We are truly sorry. Please forgive us." He bowed his head.
"That's nothing. I already forgot all of that. I'm happy that the kids are safe now. There's no need for asking forgiveness. I was never angry at you."
"You truly have a heart of gold." The old man smiled. He took something out of his jacket and then took my hand, placing an old worn-out gold coin in it. "This was given to my father by a great female warrior. My father told me to give it to someone equally worthy as her. I think that someone is you. Keep it safe and pass it on." He gave me a proud smile.
I felt my eyes well up with tears. The happiness I felt couldn't be described in words. "T-Thank you…"
Stella squeezed my shoulder and I wiped my tears away. "Are the kids alright?" I asked the parents.
"They're fine. The doctor told us they need rest so they're all at home sleeping peacefully."
"That's good." I smiled. "Can I go out now?" I looked up at Stella. "I need to see my mom. Goddess, she must be worried sick." I raked a hand through my hair as I thought about it. She's going to drag me through hell and back for doing something so dangerous. Goddess, save me.
"You need rest, Ivy. Uh–I don't think you can go out now. Lilly told me that you need some time to regain your energy. Why don't you stay here for a little bit more to rest? I'll keep you company."
"No way. You know my mother. I can't make her worry like that. She'll kill me. And I need to see Ruth too." I shook my head as I got out of bed. "See, I'm all fine. I'm an omega but I'm still a wolf. I heal pretty fast." I chuckled. "Thank you for coming by to check on me. I'll visit you often. Tell the little ones that I said 'hi'" I told the farmer couple.
"We will." The man gave me a smile before taking a deep breath. His eyes turned soft as he placed a hand on my head to give me a soft pat. "Be strong, okay?"
I smiled wide and nodded before walking out of the room.
Cassian was right outside, talking with Lilly. He paused the conversation to look at me. "Where are you going?" His eyebrows pinched together as he asked.
"I'm fine now. I'm going to meet my mom." I replied and walked towards the door. It was hard to look at his face after our conversation. And I really didn't want to talk to him.
"Luna, um…your mother is—"
"I'll take her to Isabella." Lily was cut off by Stella who followed me out of the room.
"Mom—"
"Do you have any other suggestions?" She threw a glare at Cassian. I looked at them both in confusion before I opened the door. "Umm…I'll be going out then," I awkwardly announced before walking out.
What's up with them both?
"Ivy!" Stella caught up with me as soon as she got out. "Your mother isn't in the pack house."
"Huh? Then where is she?"
"Uhh…She's…look, you need to listen to me carefully and—"
"What is it? Did she go out somewhere? She's not allowed to travel. Lily told me she needs rest. Why did you let her go out—"
"Ivy," Stella breathed out. "Listen to me calmly, okay?"
I frowned as I looked at her. "Okay…"
"Your mother—"
"Who are they?" My attention shifted from Stella to the line of people all dressed in white walking towards the packhouse. They were holding all kinds of things—flowers, incense, candles, and other things—but my attention was on the casket they were carrying. "W-Who are they?"
"Ivy…"
My heartbeat turned faster. I felt like my soul was being sucked out of my body. My hands were shaking and a horrible feeling churned my stomach.
No way.
There's no way.
What the hell? Why am I thinking bad stuff like that?
I turned to Stella. "Let's go see my mother. She must be waiting." I clenched my fist. Why are my hands shaking?
Stella stood there frozen. I looked up to see her gaze. Sympathetic and helpless.
"Stella, I need to see my mother," I said, emphasizing each word. I was getting angrier as each moment passed.
Her eyes darted towards the people behind her and I felt my vision blur. "S-Stella, take me t-to my mom," My voice broke as I spoke.
"Oh, Ivy…" She breathed out a helpless sigh.
"No." I stepped back. "No…no…please…." Tears streamed down my face.
Cassian stepped out of the clinic and walked towards us. "Cassian, where's my mother?" I stomped towards them. Stella must be playing games with me. I don't like it.
He paused and looked at his mother for a moment. His eyes fell back on me with a look of guilt.
"Alpha, the body is ready for the funeral ceremony."
I flinched at the unfamiliar voice. Body? Funeral?
"No…No…." It was getting hard for me to breathe. I looked down, trying to calm myself down. It must be someone else. It must be. Maybe some warrior who went to fight with the hunters. Maybe an old person in the pack. It must be someone else. There's no way…
"It was this morning…Lilly said her health weakened a lot and there was nothing they could do. We didn't—"
"No, no, stop! Stop lying! Why are you lying?" I grabbed his collar, all of my logical reasoning flying out the window. "Tell me this is some kind of sick joke, Cassian!"
Cassian grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. "You should go see her."
"No…no…please…."
"Ivy…You're strong…" He said, taking my face into his hands. "Be strong…We're here for you,"
"I-I can't… She was fine. She was fine when I left. If-If I had known, I would've—"
Cassian pulled me into a hug and let me cry on his chest. "I should've talked to her before I left. I should've told her how much I love her. I-I should've—-"
"Shh…It's okay. She knows how much you love her. Your mother was happy before she passed away. Lily swears that she was smiling before she took her last breath."
"I promised I'd save her…. What do I do now? What do I do, Cassian?"
"Be brave."
—
Everything passed in a haze. I stood there, almost lifeless as my mother's body while I watched them do the funeral ceremony. Pack members came and went, uttering what must've been condolences or words of comfort. Nothing reached my ears.
I failed to take care of her. When did my priorities shift? I came here to save her. It was to find a way. When did I stop searching?
Did I stop caring about her after finding my mate? Did my selfishness push her to her death? I should've asked her how she is…I should've seen through her lies.…I should've spent more time with her.
She must've felt so alone…
Now I feel her loneliness. She was my pillar of strength. The one person who I could confide in. Now, she's gone. I feel like a lost child wandering in the dark forest. It's scary. This world feels scary without her.
She must've wanted to see me. She must've had a lot to say. I couldn't be beside her. I couldn't offer her comfort. I'm so stupid. I can't make anyone happy. I'm so sorry, mom. I'm sorry I made you worry. I hope you get a better child in your next life.
Stella squeezed my shoulder to catch my attention. It's time to say my final goodbye.
I didn't want to. How could I? If she's gone, I'll have no one. I'll be truly alone.
My trembling hands found her cold and unmoving one. They were once warm and full of comfort. "I-I'm sorry, Mom…I should have stayed with you. I'm so sorry…" I wiped my tears away. It was hard to speak. I had a lot to say but I couldn't form it into words.
"W-What will I do now? I'm lost, mom. I'm so alone. I'm scared…Why did you leave me here alone? W-Why didn't you tell me you were not fine? If only I had known…. It's so cruel, mom. I didn't-I didn't even get to say g-goodbye…."
I felt hands wrapping around me, pulling me into a hug. It was Ruth, whispering words of comfort into my ears. I only cried harder.
"G-Goodbye…mom. I'll always love you."