The wish of a dying father

EPISODE SIX

THEME: The wish of a dying father

        MOON STONE FORTRESS

"You awake?" Meagan asked again as she moved towards him. She had been at the door waiting patiently, to check if he would make any sound.

Despite being warned by Hazel to let him rest, Meagan couldn't help the thought of leaving her man all alone in the dark and without her being next to him.

Carl's face lighted when he saw her. He could see her heave a sigh of relief when their eyes met. His wife looked like she had grown ten times her age. The guilt of being the reason behind her misery gnawed at his mind.

Patting the empty side of his bed, he beckoned to her. "Come baby."

Not waiting to be called twice, Meagan ran to his sides and cuddled next to him.

“Do you miss me that much?" He asked, letting out a light chuckle.

Meagan nodded her head against his sides without saying anything just to prevent her tears from falling on him.

“Such a cry baby." Carl teased as he kissed her forehead. "I wonder what you would do when I eventually leave."

Raising her head abruptly, Meagan glared at him. She failed at hiding her tears this time. "Don't you dare die on me, Carl Damien. I am warning you."

Carl put his up his hands in a weak surrender before pulling her closer into himself.  “I love you so much baby."

Meagan sobbed silently as she nudged into him closer. "I love you more Carl. Please don't leave me. Not now.”

Carl breathed out heavily as he was also trying to hide his pain. An alpha doesn't show his weakness and it wouldn't start with him.

"I would always be by your side, Meagan. Believe me." He held her in place as they both stayed quiet in each other's arm.

Carl's thought kept wandering around to different thoughts. He didn't know what exactly he was meant to do. He found himself clearing his throat to get Meagan's attention. And she looked up at him.

“Do you remember when you were pregnant?" He asked

Meagan nodded her head as she let out a soft chuckle. “Of course I do remember when I was pregnant."

Carl smiled too but he soon realized his mistake. "Sorry, let me rephrase that; do you remember the seer we had met before our marriage when you were few weeks pregnant?"

"Yes." Meagan nodded.

"What do you think about it?" Carl asked.

Meagan shrugged. “I have no idea Carl. Moreover, it's obvious a mistake was made but no offense nce to your belief. Both of them are doing great individually even though they aren't on good terms."

“You think so?" Carl asked very unsure of what was bothering him.

“I know so. We can't exactly predict the future. Fate has a way of playing mind games on us."

"But you believed the Theta saying I might die." Carl teased her.

“You heard her say that?" Meagan scrunched up her face.

"I was a bit conscious when she told you." Carl lied through his teeth. He hadn't mean for it to slip out. She would not forgive him for keeping it from her.

“You won't die right?" Meagan asked, trying to reassure herself.

"Like you said baby, fate has a way of playing mind games on us. But truth be told Meagan, you and I know I have battled this for a long time and I can't take it anymore. Take a look at me." He motioned at her.

Meagan refused to raise her head up at him because she knew how shattered her heart would be if she did. The truth was glaring and undeniable. Carl was becoming weak as the day passes by. They both stayed quiet and wallowed in their miseries.

“Don't you miss him?" Carl was the first to break the silence.

Meagan knew exactly what he was talking about and her heart beat faster. "I miss him every night and day." She answered.

"How cruel can he be, letting go to such extent and never looking back." Carl muttered.

"It has been ten years, Carl. I feel like I failed as a mother."

"It's not your fault, Meagan. You did what you could as a mother."

“I know this isn't right of me to say, but it's partially your fault." Meagan accused.

Carl kept quiet, knowing better than to counter her. "I only did what I thought was right."

“You thought wrong. Maybe you should have stood your ground as the father."

"But I couldn't let the situation go on like that. Moreover, mom was there to take care of him and that was reassuring." Carl replied.

Meagan was getting pissed now. “Look it has been a decade, Carl. Do you know how miserable I have felt?"

Carl's insides were burning up from exhaustion. “I am just as miserable as you are baby. He is mine too, a part of me. I watched him leave right under my nose. How weak did you think that made me feel?"

“I feel terrible." Meagan wailed, leaning further into him.

Carl felt heavy as he wished things had been different. It got so out of hand, the pack was almost splitting into different folds. The great Alpha who couldn't maintain peace in his own home, no follower would keep up with such leader. He lead by a terrible example and it had been the toughest year of his life.

Even though he calls and texts, it's not the same. Especially when it has to be done discreetly to avoid the anger of the other one. Sometimes he feels like a biased parent, wishing he had applied more wisdom to the situation.

A decade and counting, and all he has is regrets. It's no wonder his heart was heavy.

“Can you fulfill the wish of this dying man?" He asked his wife.

"Don't start Carl Damien." Meagan warned with bleary eyes.

“Please Meagan, let's face the truth. We can't keep living in denial when it's so glaring."

“How can you be so blunt?” She hit him on the chest lightly.

Holding up her hand, Carl kissed their locked hands. "Please baby, call him home. Tell him to come see his dying father. It’s the only thing I want. Please baby." He couldn't stop the single tear that slipped down from his right eye this time.

All of the years he had bottled up his emotions trying to act strong. He couldn't take it anymore. He has had just about enough of being the strong one.