A Month To Say Goodbye

ERYN

“Eryn..” Kael’s voice trailed off and I turned to stare at him. I had known Beta Kael long before I even knew Torren and now, those sorry lines on his face wasn't something I needed. I needed courage, determination, discipline and whatever else you can think of.

“Kael, I'm fine.” I simply stated.

Kael sighed and then pushed the door open interrupting their little conversation.

Leaning against the widely open door, I walked in just to be met with the faces of people that I'd rather much not see right now.

It's too bad I can't rewind the hand of the clock.

“You're here.” Torren muttered, almost in disbelief and my eyes flickered towards Saela and her sister, Annika who was sitting just nearby him with her fleeting gaze right onto me.

One that spoke of jealousy and anger. I wasn't here for her so she can save all her stares for later.

“Where's the agreement? There's one more thing I'd like to add to that clause. You'd be a good father to Niko until after his first shift.” I stated as I spotted the agreement.

“You came. You're such a pick me. If you think you can plead your course to—” She was saying and I clenched my jaw, spotting the divorce agreement on the table.

She must really think I was here to play the miserable wife and plead for him not to leave me but I was done begging.

“You bitch! I always knew there was something oddly evil about you. I know you're here to cling onto the Alpha just like you always have. If it weren't for you, Alpha Torren and my sister would never have all these misunderstandings to begin with.” Annika snarled pointing fingers at me as she rose to her feet.

“That's okay. It's probably all my fault.” Saela soothed, dragging her sister to sit back down with red puffy eyes that looked like she had been crying. The pretense! Funny how they called me pick me when they already had a visual representation.

“Alpha, don't be fooled by those watery eyes. She's a conniving bitch and I know why she's here. To plead and beg. Don't let her deceive you.” Annika kept running her mouth and I bit the insides of my mouth to stop myself from talking or even worse bursting into tears.

“Stop it! Enough.” Torren finally yelled, banging his hands on the table and for a second there, I thought he was about to defend me.

“You better mean the divorce this time, Eryn. Sure, I'm not in objection to you looking after Niko but you have to give me a rough timeline on how long till you're gone.” He added and I gulped.

“No more than a month.” I answered and he nodded.

One month…

In one month, my son would die.

And yet here sat his father, debating the timeframe to be spent with a baby that would die in a month.

“And also, Annika, I'm afraid you're gravely mistaken. I'm not here to plead.” I walked forward and picked up the divorce agreement lying on the table and skimmed through it, “Great.” I mouthed ruffling through my bag for a pen.

When I finally found it, I unclasped it and applied my signature.

“Just so you know, the contract becomes void if you don't go on that trip with Niko.” He nodded and I walked out the door while the expression on their faces remained priceless.

I was done being the temporary stand in, since Torren no longer saw a wife in me then it's time I acted like I wasn't married which I technically wasn't anymore.

*

It was a night before the camping trip was scheduled and despite the fact that I was packing some accessories which Niko would need, my palms still felt sweaty and my heart ached every now and then.

What if Torren doesn't show up as always?

“Mom, is dad really going with us for the trip tomorrow?” He queried, his blurry hazel eyes glistening in the moon light and I let out a tired sigh.

“Of course, he'll be there tomorrow. You know he loves you very much, he's just so busy but ever since I let him know that you'll soon experience your shift? He's thrilled and wants to help you get through it.” His eyes were filled with happiness and yet questions.

It was as though he could see through the fact that I was lying but I was gonna give him the hope of a good family if that's what he wanted.

Sunday morning came quickly and the sigh of relief that instantly came up when I heard a ding on our door bell.

Niko ran happily towards the door and pushed it open.

“Dad, you came.” My heart broke for my little boy who had to also beg for a father's love before he got it and I packed the items needed into his car booth with the both of us not saying a word to each other.

We got into the car and in a few minutes hit the road.

“Dad, have some Taco's. Mom makes the best ones.” Niko offered, stretching out his lunch pack and I watched as Torren’s eyelids dilated.

“No, you go on. I'm full.” It's always been like this, he was always watching out for everything dangerous when he was with me.

It was as though I would poison and kill him at every chance I got and I wished that for once, that was true.

He always believed our marriage was a scheme by me but I was done explaining anything to him.

We found a good spot in the forest when we got there and made our tent while Niko was squealing around happily like this meant the whole world to him.

“Mum, dad, can I see your wolves?” My heart drummed against my chest as it did a little flashback.

Our wolves were so in love unlike us, I didn't want to see that, the heartbreak my wolf would be going through.

“Please.” He added one more time and I shrugged.

“Alright.” I stepped further away with Torren and then began taking off my clothes while Torren came closer, whispering into my ear.

“I'm only doing this for the lad. Keep your wolf, Nyx in check and stop lying to Maddox that we're mated.” He seethed, removing the top layer of his shirt.

“I don't know what you're getting at because I've never lied about that. And I'm exhausted with having to make you see reason every time, I'm done with it. You don't want Nyx to fawn over Maddox? Good. He should do the rejection properly. I'm not the only one showing interest.” I was now divorced, I was no longer his perfect trophy wife so there was no reason to care about what he thought.

He could take his opinions and stick it up his butt.

Bones crackling, Joints shifting, I shifted to my wolf form and so did he.

Maddox stood tall and regal, his thick ash grey fur dusted with silver, eyes like storm clouds watching everything in silence, not just everything but mostly me.

While my wolf, Nyx, midnight-dark with a white streak along her snout, smaller but just as commanding, walked over to his side.

We would have been the most lethal and powerful couple if we were in love.

Drawing closet, brushing fur, touching noses!

It was sweet and saddening to watch. I licked his shoulder, then Niko’s cheek, unable to help myself. Maddox never pulled away.

Like Torren, he was steady and calm, his warmth quiet but constant.

Maddox licked Nyx's face again and she purred when suddenly, Torren's phone began ringing and he instantly shifted back to his wolf form, pulling his clothes over him as he took the call.

“Uhh, you both can carry on from here. I have somewhere to be…” He was already searching for the keys and I watched in horror as the smile from Niko's face withered away.

“But…” Niko started saying and then trailed off and I went after Torren.

“You're not leaving because Saela just called. The divorce would be void and you and I know you don't want that.” I snapped and he stared at me like I was putting him in a fix.

Of course it was Saela, she didn't have a wolf so she was the only one who could contact him by phone and have him scurrying off.

“They really need me right now.” He snapped and I could feel rage like an inferno streaming down my veins.

“And I don't care. Niko is about to awaken and he needs his dad. It's not like you do this for him everyday.” I shot back and he made to say something but hesitated.

“Just know that this bonding thing won't change my mind in retracting the divorce.”

“I don't even want you to. Just be a dad to your son for a day.” I reiterated and walked back.

He came back, of course as he should.

After the fun activities we had that day, playing the perfect family, we all retired for the day.

He was perfect as a dad if he wanted to be one but I guess it's already too late.