LOGINMrs. Riordan's funeral was quick and simple. Xander refused a large ceremony, despite requests from the elders and pack council, who wanted to honor Luna one last time."My father is still lying dazed in the hospital bed," Xander said coldly. "I don't want him to hear about my mother's death and feel the urge to join her. They've been inseparable since their first mate ceremony."No one dared to oppose Xander, and the funeral procession proceeded quickly.Xander and Jonas returned to the hospital immediately after the funeral. Jordan was under Liam's care and entrusted to his wife, a cheerful Omega with twins Jordan's age.Jonas didn't want Jordan to get too involved in hospital affairs, fearing he would become exhausted and ill from the hospital air.Mr. Riordan's condition remained unstable. He was conscious, but very weak and needed to be closely monitored."I'm afraid if he finds out about my mother, he'll completely collapse," Xander said gravely. "They've never been apart since
Xander gripped Jordan's hand tightly. He didn't realize his grip was so tight until Jordan bit the inside of his cheek in pain. But his daddy was upset, so he kept quiet.Jonas and the other doctors were in the operating room trying to save his father, and Xander knew he would do his best.A maid found Mr. Riordan unconscious on his bed, the mattress soaked with his own urine and his face already turning blue. The nearest doctor was called and first aid was administered, but he had to be taken to the hospital.Jonas and Xander arrived as Mr. Riordan was being prepared for an ambulance, as he needed to be supported by a heart monitor."Heart failure," Jonas said quietly, after examining Mr. Riordan. "I'm sorry, Xander, but even with surgery I'm not sure he'll survive. His heart has lost almost 80 percent of its function."Xander looked at Jonas, and he had no doubt that what the man he loved so dearly told him was the truth, albeit bitter. Jonas was the most honest person Xander had
"Dementia? My mother has dementia?"Jonas nodded. He took Xander's hand and squeezed it gently. His heart was relieved, because he could finally reveal what he had been keeping to himself."Your parents and I met before. We talked for a while, but I saw the signs then, but I just wasn't sure. Your mother said some things, then repeated them after a few other topics, as if she hadn't said them before. Then she called and asked the same questions we'd discussed before," Jonas said."How is that possible," Xander muttered. "That means she should have known about Jordan before, but she forgot?""Yes. She forgot about us too, even though she was the one who asked us to come back, right?" Jonas said."What about my father?" Xander asked. "He looks blank and unfocused.""I'm worried he's experiencing the same symptoms," Jonas said worriedly. "Especially with the repeated strokes, he's even more vulnerable."Ronan, the Riordan family's trusted beta, handed Xander an envelope."Luna wrote this
Jonas stared at Xander's sleeping face beside him, feeling incredibly guilty.He still didn't know what to do now, whether to keep the secret or to reveal everything.Xander refused to stay at his house. He opted for a hotel, booking a suite for himself, Jonas, and Jordan.Jonas sighed. He wanted to keep Xander at home, to talk to his parents, so he could find out for himself, without him having to tell or explain things at length. Jonas felt he couldn't.Jonas got up and sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed his phone and called someone, sent a few text messages, then tried to sleep."Baby, why do you look so tired?" Xander asked when he saw Jonas awake.He had woken up earlier and had just finished ordering breakfast when Jonas left the room.The circles under Jonas's eyes were thick and dark, as if he hadn't slept in weeks. His usually radiant skin had also turned pale."Why are you up so early, babe?" Jonas asked, sitting on the sofa. "Ouch, my head hurts so bad!"Xander quickly
"Daddy," Jordan said softly. "Daddy's so quiet."Jonas smiled and stroked Jordan's hair. "Daddy has a lot on his mind right now. Just let him be."Jordan nodded and went back to playing the game on his iPad. Jonas glanced at Xander, who was staring blankly out the window.They would be landing at Agera in less than 20 minutes, and Xander's face was growing increasingly cloudy.Jonas was beginning to doubt whether his decision to bring Jonas back to their homeland, where they were both born, grew up, studied, and played together, was the right one.He couldn't help but notice that since Xander had come to Japan to be with him, and with all the problems and issues they had faced, both individually and with each other, he seemed happier.Xander loved to laugh, but now his laugh was free and carefree. He wasn't shy about acting silly and looking foolish, especially in front of Jonas and Jordan, just to make them laugh.Xander was tall and healthy, but now he's bulked up. A few days ago, J
Xander was teaching Jordan how to sled, and Jonas was taking off his skates when the news came, via Xander's phone, which he had kept in Jonas's bag."Babe, your phone keeps ringing," Jonas said. "It sounds like someone's calling and it's urgent.""Just accept it, baby, I can't keep my hands off Jordan," Xander replied, then returned his attention to his son.Jonas took the phone and looked at the screen. The name "Mom" flashed. Jonas's heart beat faster.Jonas wanted to call Xander, but he had already walked away with Jordan and looked very preoccupied."Hello, Mrs. Riordan," Jonas said softly. "It's Jonas. Xander's out and—""Jonas," Mrs. Riordan called hoarsely. "Doctor Jonas.""No, no, just call me like you always do, Mrs. Riordan," Jonas said evasively. "W-would you like to speak to Xander directly? I'll call him." Could you wait a moment, or I'll—""What's he doing?" Mrs. Riordan cut Jonas off."He's teaching Jordan how to play sky, ma'am," Jonas replied."Jordan," Mrs. Riordan
Jonas PoVI couldn't stop being thankful and crying, when Liam, Xander's Beta, brought Jordan back."I was with Granny, but she was very fierce towards me. She told me to sleep all the time," said Jordan with a confused expression. "Then, the uncle who likes to kiss granny said that he would buy a
Leon came in with a bruised forehead. He came in staggering while holding his forehead.Miela got up from the chair and was ready to welcome her son, but I interrupted her steps with one command."SIT DOWN!"Miela gasped in surprise and looked back and forth at me and Leon in confusion, then sat b
"Where's Leon?"Everyone in the dining room looked at me in confusion. They are the family of my mother's younger siblings, Rex and Miela McAlstair."Xander?" said Miela.Her movement made the milky white drink in the glass stop, when she turned to me, as well as Rex who was reading something on
Xander PoVI looked at Jonas who was standing in front of me in surprise."Jonas? What's wrong with you? What happened?" I asked as I approached him. I grabbed his hand which felt cold and shaking.I was even more surprised when I saw tears flowing from Jonas' beautiful eyes onto his smooth cheek







