Chapter 162 I'll Bring Him Back
Rowan walked ahead while Fernando and Lucia followed a few steps behind him. The path they took wound through the edge of the forest where the trees grew thicker and the air carried a quiet stillness that made even the smallest sound noticeable.
Fernando remained silent during most of the walk. His arms were folded across his chest while his thoughts continued circling the same questions that had troubled him since Rowan revealed that Alberto had his memories. Lucia occasionally glanced at him but did not interrupt his silence.
Rowan finally slowed his pace when they reached a clearing surrounded by tall trees. The place looked ordinary at first glance, yet the careful way Rowan studied the surroundings made it clear that the location carried meaning.
Fernando stopped beside him.
"What is this place?" he asked.
Rowan looked around briefly before answering.
"It is a meeting point."
Lucia stepped closer.
"For who?"
Rowan reached inside his coat and pulled out a small lantern that carried a faint red glow within its glass casing.
"For someone who has stayed hidden for a long time."
Fernando frowned slightly.
"You brought us here to meet someone?"
Rowan nodded.
"There are things both of you need to understand."
Lucia watched him carefully.
"And this person can explain them?"
Rowan held the lantern up slightly.
"He can help you see the truth behind what I told you earlier."
Fernando remained quiet while observing the red light.
"What exactly are you doing with that?"
Rowan did not answer immediately. Instead he raised the lantern higher and turned a small knob near its base. The red glow brightened until the light shone clearly through the clearing.
The color spread across the surrounding trees like a signal meant to be seen from a distance.
Fernando crossed his arms again.
"Are you signaling someone?"
Rowan nodded once.
Lucia stepped closer to him.
"How long before they arrive?"
Rowan lowered the lantern slightly.
"Not long."
The clearing remained silent for a few moments. The wind moved softly through the leaves while the red glow from the lantern continued shining through the darkness.
Fernando shifted his weight slightly.
"Whoever you called must trust you if they respond to a signal like that."
Rowan kept his eyes on the forest ahead.
"He trusts me because we share the same purpose."
Lucia raised an eyebrow.
"And what purpose would that be?"
Rowan finally looked at them.
"Protecting Alberto."
Fernando exhaled slowly.
"Then I hope this person arrives soon because every moment we waste here could place Alberto further into danger."
Rowan nodded quietly.
"I understand."
A faint sound came from the trees.
All three of them turned toward it.
Branches shifted slightly as a figure moved out from the darkness. The man walked slowly into the clearing while leaning heavily on a wooden staff that supported his steps.
Fernando studied him carefully.
The man's posture appeared slightly bent and his movements carried the stiffness of someone who had endured many years of hardship.
A thick cloak covered most of his body while the hood hid his face completely.
The man stopped several steps away from Rowan.
His voice sounded rough when he spoke.
"Why did you call for me so urgently?"
Rowan lowered the lantern slightly.
"I needed you to come."
The cloaked man glanced toward Fernando and Lucia who stood behind Rowan.
"I see you brought company."
Fernando stepped forward slightly so the man could see him clearly.
Lucia did the same.
The stranger remained still for a moment before speaking again.
"You rarely bring outsiders to this place."
Rowan nodded.
"I know."
The man tilted his head slightly.
"Then why bring them here now?"
Rowan gestured gently toward Fernando and Lucia.
"They need to understand something."
The man gave a quiet sigh.
"And you believe I will help them understand?"
Rowan nodded.
"Yes."
Fernando studied the cloaked figure carefully.
"There is clearly more to this meeting than a simple conversation."
Rowan turned slightly toward him.
"There is."
Lucia folded her arms.
"Then perhaps it would help if this mysterious guest stopped hiding his face."
The cloaked man remained silent for a moment.
Then he lifted his hands slowly and pushed the hood back from his head.
The light from the lantern revealed his face.
Fernando felt his breath catch slightly.
Half of the man's face carried deep burn scars that stretched across his cheek and down toward his jaw. The damaged skin looked aged but not as severely twisted as the injuries Maleek carried.
The other half of his face remained intact.
Lucia's eyes widened slightly.
Rowan spoke calmly.
"Fernando. Lucia. This man is Gilat."
Fernando stared at him.
Rowan continued speaking.
"He is Alberto's father."
The words struck Fernando immediately.
Rowan did not stop there.
"He was also one of your father's closest friends."
Fernando felt his knees weaken slightly.
The weight of those words carried more meaning than he expected.
He stepped forward slowly while looking at Gilat.
The man watched him quietly.
Fernando suddenly dropped to his knees.
The movement startled Lucia.
"Fernando?"
Fernando lowered his head.
"I am sorry."
His voice sounded strained.
Gilat looked confused.
Fernando continued speaking while keeping his gaze lowered.
"My father's actions cost you everything."
Gilat remained silent.
Fernando finally looked up.
"I know what he did to you."
His voice grew heavier.
"I know how his decisions destroyed your family."
Gilat studied him quietly.
Fernando continued.
"I grew up hearing stories about you. I heard how you stood beside my father during battles and protected the pack when enemies tried to invade."
He paused briefly before speaking again.
"And yet my father's greed turned him against you."
Lucia watched the exchange carefully.
Fernando's voice softened.
"I cannot undo what happened."
Gilat stepped closer.
Fernando lowered his head again.
"But I am still sorry."
Gilat reached down and grabbed Fernando's arm firmly.
Fernando looked up in surprise as the older man pulled him back to his feet.
"You do not need to kneel before me."
Fernando remained silent.
Gilat wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a brief embrace.
Fernando froze for a moment before returning the gesture.
Gilat finally stepped back.
"I hold no grudges against you."
Fernando looked surprised.
Gilat nodded gently.
"I have spent many years thinking about what happened."
Fernando listened quietly.
Gilat continued speaking.
"At first I hated your father for what he did. I believed his actions came only from greed and betrayal."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But time changes a man's perspective."
Fernando looked confused.
Gilat sighed.
"I eventually understood why he made those choices."
Lucia watched him carefully.
Gilat spoke again.
"He believed his actions would protect the pack."
Fernando frowned slightly.
"But he destroyed your family."
Gilat nodded slowly.
"Yes."
His voice remained calm.
"But his decision also protected his son."
Fernando looked at him carefully.
"You mean me?"
Gilat nodded.
"Your father feared that if he did not act first then others would use you as leverage against him."
Fernando looked troubled by the thought.
Gilat placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I may not agree with the way he handled it, but I understand the fear that guided his choices."
Lucia stepped forward.
"I think we should save reconciliation for another time."
Both men turned toward her.
Lucia crossed her arms.
"There is something far more urgent we need to address."
Gilat looked at her.
"What is it?"
Lucia answered immediately.
"Alberto is missing."
Gilat stiffened.
"What?"
Rowan stepped forward.
"I believe Maleek already has him."
Gilat's face changed instantly.
The staff in his hand shook slightly.
"You lost him?"
Rowan lowered his head slightly.
Gilat's voice rose.
"How could you lose him?"
Rowan did not defend himself.
Gilat took another step closer.
"You promised to watch over him."
Rowan's voice sounded heavy when he spoke.
"I know."
Gilat's expression broke slightly.
"That boy is all I have left."
Rowan nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Gilat looked away briefly as if trying to control his emotions.
"You were supposed to protect him."
Rowan lifted his gaze again.
"I failed."
The admission carried weight.
Gilat turned back toward him.
"My son is now in Maleek's hands."
Rowan spoke quietly.
"I know."
Gilat's grip tightened around his staff.
"Do you have any idea what Maleek will do to him?"
Rowan nodded.
"I know exactly what he intends."
Gilat looked at him sharply.
"And yet you still allowed this to happen?"
Rowan closed his eyes briefly.
"I never expected them to strike so quickly."
Lucia stepped closer.
"We will find him."
Gilat looked at her.
Lucia continued.
"We are not standing here discussing blame while Alberto suffers somewhere."
Rowan nodded.
"I will do everything in my power to retrieve him."
Gilat studied him carefully.
"You call him your nephew."
Rowan nodded slowly.
"I failed both him and my sister."
Gilat remained silent.
Rowan continued speaking.
"But I will not fail them again."
His voice carried quiet determination.
"I will bring Alberto back.”