No time left

EPISODE FOUR

THEME: No time left

                MOON STONE FORTRESS

Luna Meagan paced the doorway with a heavy heart, praying to the moon goddess her husband would be fine. Alpha Carl Damien had been facing some threatening health issues for a while and he had intended to keep it hidden but being a medical practitioner herself she could tell something was wrong with him.

They had been able to manage it well, however he grew weaker as the day passes on. Today had been the least expected, Carl had woken up fully active and he had thrown jokes at her in his usual playful mood. Meagan had been glad he was coming back to normal only for him to collapse out of nowhere and sending the whole pack house into a panic mode.

Thanks to Beta Julius, who had kept everyone under control and prevent the fall of the great alpha from spreading all through the pack. Enemies of the pack are quick to feed on such informations and attack when anyone least expected.

Her best friend and wife to Beta Julius, Theta Hazel was in the room taking care of him. She couldn't have done so herself due to the panic mode she was in. Beta Julius had needed to attend to something hurriedly on behalf of the alpha, they were meant to be at a pack annual meeting that was dated today. All of her body, mind and soul feared her husband giving up the ghost. She wouldn't know if she would ever be able to deal with such heavy blow. He was too young to die, Carl is only fifty eight years old.

Tears rolled down her eyes, as she held onto the wall for support. Jayden sighted his mother from the hall way and ran to her with Sebastian on his tail. He held her against his chest as she was about to fall to the ground.

"Mom?" He called out with his eyes searching for answers. "Where is dad?"

The answer got stuck in Meagan's throat and instead of speaking she pointed towards the room. Taking a look at his mother again and seeing how weak she looked, Jayden decided to stay with her for a while. He guided her towards the rows of chair in the large room, he sat her down and placed her head on his shoulder.

They had not sat for long before the door to the room burst open, giving way to Theta Hazel and two of her trusted Iotas. Meagan who looked distorted stood up abruptly with a new wave of energy and took few strides to reach her friend. Jayden moved next to her as she held her by the shoulders.

Hazel stared at her best friend with the most pitiful look she could muster. Meagan gulped hard. "Tell me." She whispered.

"I'm so sorry Luna. He has just a short time to live. His cells are getting weaker every passing minute. His wolf is weaker, which means he can't fight it off and would have to give in to the cold hands of death." Hazel explained, her throat tightening at each sentence.

"What do you mean?" Jayden questioned.

"I'm sorry Jayden, but the alpha can't last three months." Hazel replied.

A sombre breeze fell upon the room, everyone lost in their own thoughts most especially Meagan as she swirled in the pool of sadness as it washed her weak body away.

"Can I see him now?" Meagan finally said, her throat dry.

Hazel nodded gently, "Yes."

"Thank you." The Luna mouthed as she headed into the room.

The sight of her husband looking so pale and lifeless made her already shattered heart to break into extra tiny pieces. Her good looking and strong husband had lost his youthfulness and he was looking entirely different. If she didn't know better, she would have sworn her husband had been switched with an hundred year old dying man.

Sitting gently next to him, Meagan watched his breath hitching at every exhale. He was obviously in pain. Tear drops ran down her face. “You need to be strong for me, Carl. This wasn't what you promised me." She whispered, placing her lips on his forehead.

Jayden watched in pain at the sight of his father looking so weak. Carl Damien always had an awakening aura around him that made his presence known without difficulty but such a great personality had been taken down by a mere disease. Jayden couldn't find the courage to go next to his father. He jolted as the door got opened violently, his sister Claire stood by the door looking around. The moment her eyes landed on her father, she ran to his side almost knocking Jayden over.

"What's wrong with Dad?" Claire questioned with a tear stricken face, touching her father's face trying to feel his breath.

"It's okay baby, daddy is just a little bit tired." Meagan tried to assure her while drying up her own tears.

"Don't lie to me mom. I am no longer a child, I am eighteen!" Throwing tantrums at every moment was a trait of Claire's.

"Stop being dramatic Claire. You can see mom isn't in a right frame of mind to accommodate your wits!" Jayden rebuked. Her spoilt attitude always gets on his nerves because she was always indulged by their father.

"Mom!" Claire wailed as she ignored her brother.

Meagan closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She placed a hand on her youngest child cheek and forced a smile. "Dad would be fine, he is just a little unwell."

She couldn't break the actual news to her, Claire was too emotional and wouldn't be able to take it like Jayden had. His sickness had been kept away from the children as their father had requested. He wouldn't want his daughter finding out about his death before the actual time knowing she wouldn't recover so easily. Carl Damien had so much empathy towards his children and he puts their every needs before his own need.

"Really?" Claire asked, sounding unsure.

"Yes, he is only a bit weak." Jayden joined in when he noticed what his mother was trying to do. "Come with me Claire, let's give mom and dad some space to rest. They have both had a long day."

Claire snorted at him "Since when did you become so considerate? I don't want to come with you just because you asked to do so." She said in a spiteful tone.

Jayden felt the urge to pull at her hair, her bratty attitude towards him was one of the main reasons they weren't close. He looked towards his mother for help, Meagan locked eyes with him pleading to not give off any reaction.

“I am staying until dad wakes up.” Claire added.

"Suit yourself." He muttered, moving towards his mother to place a kiss on her forehead. "Get some rest mama. I would come back later." He told her before heading towards the door to meet a sober looking Sebastian who had stayed silent the whole time behind him.

Theta hazel returned to the room. “I know you both want to stay with him so bad, but I must say that he needs to rest please. You all can return later on."

Meagan nodded weakly as she stood up and Claire moved closer to her side to helped her up. Hazel checked on the alpha once again and nodded at the result. She straightened her back. "Would you like some green tea Luna?" She asked her friend.

Meagan nodded. “Yes. Thank you very much." She whispered in a coarse tone.