A Trip Back…

A Trip Back…

Summer’s POV.

5 years later…

"Do you really think it's a good idea, Summer? It's not going to be simple once you run or bump into him! He might even want to harm you if he gets the chance to!" Jordan attempted to persuade me with a serious and troubled tone, but I had already made up my mind.

No matter what he said or how convincing he tried to be, nothing could deter me from returning to the Ravenwood pack this time.

In the past, I had heeded his advice and followed every instruction he gave me, but not this time! Not anymore!

"I have to, Jordan! It's the right thing for both him and me!" I replied politely as I rose from the sofa and went to the table to gather the rest of my belongings.

We were leaving the Moonlight pack to get back to the Ravenwood pack, my pack. It was the same place where I was betrayed and manipulated, the very pack that held my painful history.

The idea of returning to the Ravenwood pack wasn't something I had ever considered, but the circumstances unfolding and reocurring were beyond my ability to change or control.

The Moonlight pack had a restrictive mentality, where they wouldn't allow individuals outside their pack to work in their businesses or major organisations, which I found profoundly unjust and disgusting.

It became evident that the only place where I could secure employment and afford the surgery for my son was within the confines of the Ravenwood pack. Moreover, it wasn't just any surgery; it was specifically for my son.

"Mommy!!! Mommy, are you ready?" Jason eagerly inquired the moment he entered the room from the living room.

"We have to leave now, Mommy! I can't wait to see what it's going to be like!" Kayden chimed in with excitement, his face beaming with joy as we prepared to leave from the Moonlight pack.

"Tell me, Mommy… will we see Daddy there? I can't wait to hug him and share everything, even about Mr. Cuddles!" Jason giggled with pure delight, holding his stuffed bunny tightly.

His innocence and joy were heartwarming, but I couldn't deny feeling a bit uneasy about his question regarding meeting his daddy. I glanced briefly at Jordan, who noticed my tension before refocusing on Jason, awaiting my response.

"You don't have to…" I began to say when, abruptly and somewhat rudely, Jayden cut me off.

"Are we leaving or not?" Jayden scoffed, heading over to sit with Jordan on the couch. The interruption left my unfinished sentence hanging, and a sense of tension filled the room.

It was evident that Jayden wasn't ready to bid farewell to the Moonlight pack, well aware that his illness might be the most important reason for our departure from the pack.

My trio of blessings, Jason, Jayden, and Kayden, were precious gifts from the moon goddess. However, Jayden, despite his young age, often exhibited a stubbornness that seemed capable of moving mountains and irritated me most times.

"Are you really sure you wouldn't try to…" As Jordan attempted to express his concerns with a hesitant gesture, I promptly intervened, cutting him short.

"We are leaving, and that's final! I can't let him stay here, and you know it! We are talking about my son here! Jayden's life is important to me, Jordan!" I declared with a firm and raised voice.

Growing increasingly frustrated, I hoped Jordan would refrain from pushing the issue further. I didn't want to disrespect him in front of the kids, considering he had saved me from rogue attacks the night I left the pack. 

Our relationship had been positive since then, and I preferred maintaining that peace rather than engaging in an argument that would destroy our friendship.

After I finished packing, the time had come to leave the pack.

"I understand you're determined to leave, and nothing will change your mind. But, Summer, remember, I'm just a call away! I'll always be there for you. Is that clear?" he assured, a smile gracing his face.

His consistent support without anger or frustration intrigued me, making me ponder why that was the case.

I reciprocated with a smile and a nod, acknowledging his words.

Leaving the house and the pack, we swiftly made our way to the airport. Boarding the plane, however, proved challenging with three lively and troublesome kids. 

Despite occasional thoughts of wanting to leave them somewhere and forget about them for a few days, the reality was that they were my everything, my reason for living after my mom's death.

"Wait a second!!! Is this the Ravenwood pack? You grew up here, Mom!?" Jason exclaimed with a mix of surprise and wonder as we arrived at the pack. His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened at the view, taking in the surroundings with childish excitement.

Pausing for a split second, I inhaled the fresh air that enveloped me. "It's good to be back!" I uttered softly, a smile playing on my lips.

Yet, despite the apparent happiness, a part of me still had fear; fear of the past, fear of him finding me, fear of potential harm befalling me and my kids. The uncertainty lingered, casting a shadow over the joy of returning.

"No! No matter what, I can't let that happen!" I shook my head, as if trying to dispel the haunting thoughts that crept into my mind.

"Mrs. Summer Hills?" A voice suddenly called out, as I grappled with my apprehensions. 

Startled, I froze upon hearing my name. Snapping my eyes open and looking at the direction, I quickly realised it was the cab driver who had addressed me. I had momentarily forgotten that I had booked a cab for our arrival.

"Oh, shoot! Yes, that's me! Come on, kids, get into the car!" I exclaimed, snapping back to reality and urging my children to follow my instructions.

 As they complied, I grappled with the task of loading our luggage into the trunk. The cab driver kindly assisted, but it remained a challenging task.

With everything in place, we left the airport, heading to the apartment that Jordan had helped arrange for us. During my time at the Moonlight pack, I worked part-time to save up a modest sum for the kids and myself. 

Now, with an appointment at one of Ravenwood pack's major companies, I couldn't overlook the opportunity, especially considering its potential benefits for my son and all of us.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the house. Preparing to move in presented its own set of challenges, but with the collective effort of my boys and me, we managed to settle in. Despite the exhaustion, the looming reality of an important event the next day lingered in my thoughts.

The move to life in the Ravenwood pack was proving to be anything but easy, just as I had anticipated.

In a moment of settling into the new environment, the weight of the past came crashing into my thoughts. I found myself blinking countless times, desperately trying to conceal the tears that threatened to escape my eyes.

"Don't do this to yourself, Summer! You're here for your boys, not for them! Get a grip of yourself! They are not his after all!!" I whispered to myself, attempting to shake off the painful memories. 

A sniffle escaped as I struck my temple and gently massaged it, a physical indication of the pain and regrets that still lingered within me.