Why Now?

Maureen's POV

Four Years on

It's been three years since I took my rightful place in the citadel. It has been a peaceful reign so far. I couldn't complain but something hurt me that I couldn't even discuss with Lance. Why wasn't I getting pregnant? It was raining babies in the citadel; everyone was falling pregnant and having beautiful and handsome pups.

I entered the garden, found a spot that I loved the most, and then closed my eyes in concentration. Once again I tried to talk to Sheila. But as expected, she only sighed and refused to say anything.

Each time I tried to talk about us having pups, Sheila just shut me off. I had brought up the issue with Lance once, and he had just shrugged and said it was possibly not time. I had agreed with him, but that was over a year ago.

I rubbed at a spot in my chest gently. It had been hurting all day. I had to check on everyone to affirm that everyone was fine yet the ache refused to go away. I wasn't bothered because I knew that whatever it was would soon reveal itself.

The sound of running feet approaching the garden made me open my eyes. I knew there were only two other people except me who came into the garden at will. And I wasn't wrong.

"No, I will not let you catch me," Wagner shouted as his twin brother Weaver chased him into the garden before they both fell on each other as Weaver caught up with him.

They both started giggling as they rolled from side to side getting dirt on their white shirt and shorts.

"I am actually finding it difficult to believe that you boys are future Alphas," I said as they both lay frozen when they realized I was there.

Their identical faces looked comical as they stared up at me. I had an eyebrow raised, which I knew would be very intimidating.

"Your Majesty," Wagner said getting on his feet. Obviously recovering before his brother. He was the naughty one. He had a grin playing beside his mouth while his twin still lay there unsure of what to do.

"What will you guys possibly be doing in the Citadel?’' I asked not because I didn't know that the Luna, my mother was around hence their presence.

‘'We just arrived with Mum and Dad,'' Weaver said from his position on the floor.

‘'Oh. I see. And the best thing to do is wreak havoc on your clothes?" I asked still trying to intimidate them.

"I am sorry your Majesty. Wagner started it," Weaver said getting up from the floor eventually, having recovered from the initial shock of meeting me there.

"How old are you both again?" I asked.

"We will be four in a week," Wagner said still having his grin intact. He was a very naughty one and I doubted anything was capable of intimidating him.

"Stop intimidating the poor boys, your Majesty," My mum, the Luna of High Moon Pack, walked into the garden looking as regal and beautiful as always.

"Mum, "I said happily before I was pulled into a soul-warming hug.

"I missed you, Your Majesty,’ Mum said as she drew back to have a look at me.

"Stop the honorific mum. You are my mother," I said rolling my eyes.

"I might have carried you in my womb but the goddess has chosen you to lead us all. So we must respect that," Mum said, smiling, and I nodded reluctantly.

"Your Majesty, can we be excused?" Wagner asked. I could see Weaver pulling at his hands for him to keep quiet.

"Of course. It is nice to see you guys though. I just hope you leave the citadel in one piece as you met it. Off you go," I said, and they both ran off as Mum laughed out loud.

"Sometimes I wonder how I have been able to cope with them," Mum said still smiling.

"You are their mother. Of course, you will cope. I just pity the rest of us," I said rolling my eyes.

"They are joy givers," Mum said sighing happily.

"You said you weren't coming until next month," I said to Mum.

"Yes. I came to see your grandmother for a very important thing, and I was hoping to run it by you too," Mum said, and I frowned.

"What is it, Mum?" I asked.

"I have been having this strange dream recently about Wagner and Weaver having the same mate," Mum said.

"What! Poor girl," I said shaking my head pitifully.

"What do you mean?" Mum said looking at me with questions in her eyes.

"I know Weaver's mate will be in for a treat but Wagner is the direct opposite of his twin. The poor girl will go out of her mind having to deal with Wagner," I explained.

"Wagner is not that bad. He just tends to never take anything seriously," Mum said.

"Wagner is a clown. Weaver is the one I see as a future Alpha," I said snorting.

"Is that what you see in their future? Wagner is not an Alpha?" Mum asked sounding panicked.

"No, no mum. It is not as if I see a vision of either of them. I am only talking about their behavior to life," I quickly explained.

Mum sighed in relief before she said, "They are too young for us to conclude," Mum said.

"I agree with you but…" Whatever I was about to say was cut off as one of the golden wolf soldiers came jogging into the garden. There was no need to sniff me out. Every golden wolf soldier was connected to me, so they knew where I was at all times.

He got to me and went down on one knee. He greeted my mum and then went ahead to say what he wanted to say.

"Your Majesty. Grandma Gina has sent for you," the soldier said.

"I hope all is well," I asked as the spot that had been aching all day throbbed again.

"I do not know Your Majesty. She only asked me to get you to her room," he replied and I told him to go.

"Are you okay? You keep rubbing that spot in your chest," Mum observed.

"I don't know. Let's go see Grandma Gina," I said, and Mum instantly followed me.

I quickened my pace as I kept feeling that something was wrong. I didn't bother to knock when I got to Grandma Gina's room. I could hear someone's silent sob.

"What is going on here?" I asked as I entered the room to see Torrent, Rocha’s mate, lying on Grandma Gina's bed with her eyes tightly shut while her mum sobbed quietly.

"I think there is something wrong with Rocha. Torrent said she lost touch with him totally before she fainted. She has been like that for an hour. That was why I sent it for you," Grandma Gina explained.

I walked towards Torrent as her mother and Grandma Gina’s friend, who was there, quickly stood up so that I could stand beside her.

I felt pity for the poor girl. Rocha had gone in search of his family for over a year. We heard from him for the first eight months, but then he stopped calling, and he never picked up his call until the phone stopped ringing altogether. I had people out there in search of him. No one knew exactly where he was. The only reason I wasn't going out of my mind with worry was because Torrent said she could still feel him through the bond.

I sat down beside her head and laid my hand on her chest. I felt the energy flow from inside me into her. When I opened my eyes, Torrent's beautiful eyes were staring back at me.

"I want to die Your Majesty. If Rocha isn't coming back to me then I don't ever want to wake up," Torrent said sadly.

"How are you sure that he is gone?" I asked.

"I can't feel him in the bond anymore. It has been hours," Torrent said as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Torrent. It would be a bad time to rain dear. Can you please hold your tears?" Grandma Gina's friend said and I glared at her for her insensitive words. She quickly shut up and quietly left the room.

"Nothing has happened to Rocha. He is fine," I said, but I haven't convinced myself because only a mate can authenticate the well-being of the other.

"Look for him then. Bring him to me, Your Majesty," Torrent pleaded as tears streamed down her face as the first raindrop hit the ground outside.

"I will do just that. But in the meantime, I need you to be strong. Wait for your mate in good health," I said as I cleaned the tears off her face.

Torrent nodded and I stood up to leave the room with my mind occupied with the thought of Rocha. Instead of heading to my room or back to the garden, Sheila suddenly took over and turned me towards the quarters where Rocha and Torrent used.

I opened the door and went inside. I had never been in their room but it seemed Sheila knew her way around. She led us straight to where their clothes were kept and made me take Rocha's clothes and then put them to my nose.

I was suddenly sucked into a vision. I was on a pathway, and Rocha was up ahead running.

"Rocha," I called, he heard me and then stopped running. He turned and looked at me with sad eyes.

"White Sky," he said then started running again. I started calling for him but he wouldn't stop. Just as I tried running after him, I was sucked back to the present. I would have fallen but a hand wrapped firmly around me. I need not be told who it was.

"What is happening Maureen?" I called you all the way here but you wouldn't answer. I had to come after you,’ Lance said worriedly.

"What is White Sky?" I asked instead of answering him.

"White Sky? White Sky Pack? What is wrong there?" Lance asked frowning.

Was Rocha in the White Sky Pack? Why didn't Sheila reveal that earlier than that time? Why now? My mind screamed.