The Art of Letting Go

The Art of Letting Go
Lilieth 
We're almost at the house when Draven calls my name. 
Both Cadeon and I turn our heads to the sound of his voice. He glances at Cadeon almost apologetically before he says to me, "Could I have a word with you? If you don't mind, of course."
I glance at Cadeon and he nods encouragingly. Then, I say, "Yeah, sure."
I follow Draven all the way back to the village while Cadeon continues to the house. As I walk alongside him, I wonder what he wants to talk to me about. 
It's been a while since we had a conversation. When Cadeon was sick, we would talk all the time, but the last few days have been the worst ever, and there hasn't been much time to do anything but process all the bad things that have happened to us. 
"I won't even ask you how you've been taking all of this because I can guess just by looking at you," he begins. "Any news about your brother?"
"No, not yet. He's still unconscious."
"I was sorry to hear about him. Corey...we've gotten quite close. In fact, I can say I'm close to all your relatives."
"Thank you."
"I hope he recovers and if you need anything, do let me know." He then pauses. "I wanted to talk to you about the meeting."
"What about it? I thought the decision has been made already."
"No, it's spending else. The reason why I say it has to do with the meeting is because I think it does, particularly about the part where the Alphas of the southern territories want Cadeon and Timmon Lupecrest sent to them. Alive."
My heart starts to beat faster. What's he going on about?
"Last night, one of my Gammas saw Timmon speaking to someone. It was definitely a Gamma from his father's pack, and a letter was handed to him. One that looked similar to the one I received."
"Timmon?"
Draven nods. "He read it, and didn't say a word about what was written in it. After that, he fled the battlefield, but I see he returned."
"Wait, why do you think this is suspicious? It could've been a letter that his father sent to him for some other reason."
"That's what I wanted to find out from you. Did Cadeon mention anything? If you tell me there's no reason to worry, then I won't. You might think this is me being nosy, but I can't have people with their own agenda here, Lilieth. I can't have anyone jeopardize what we're working toward."
"I'll speak to Cadeon," I say. "I'll figure out if he knows anything. I don't think there's a cause to worry, though. Timnon's a good kid."
"That he is, I have to agree with you. His support in the last few weeks has been invaluable. But war and bloodshed change people, Lilieth. Your true nature reveals itself. I have to be careful because many lives depend on me, including the lives of the people and the pack I love."
"I understand," I say. "I'll find out. I'm sure it's nothing."
"I appreciate it."
I head back, thinking everything through. The more I process it, the more sinister the whole thing becomes. No, Timmon wouldn't betray us in any way. Why would he?
I make it back to the house and find Cadeon standing in the middle of the living room with Golen. They look strangely elated, and I know what's happened before they even mention it. 
"Corey's awake."
I race toward my brother's room and find the door open. Mom, Deo, and the healer are all there with him. When he sees me, he says my name softly, and I join his side and take his hand in mine. 
"Corey," I say, emotionally. "It's so good to see that you're awake. I was so worried and scared!"
Corey squeezes my hand. In his eyes, I notice that something's wrong. He doesn't look as happy as he should. Then I remember. The miscarriage. He looks down at his body, and surprises me by saying, "I can't feel my legs."
I suck in a breath through my teeth and look back at the healer. "This could be a temporary effect, Corey. Over time, you'll recover. I believe that."
He shakes his head. "This numbness...it doesn't feel right, Lili."
I look back at Deo pointedly and she stares back for a few beats before giving her head a shake. No, I don't think she's told him about the baby. Unless she's shaking her head for an entirely different reason that I don't understand yet.
Silence falls on us. I'm happy and relieved that he's awake, but it seems that there are still many reasons to be sad. There's no use in celebrating. I wouldn't want to, anyway. 
But this is one bit of good news. 
By the goddess, what would've happened if he never woke up?
"Anice," he suddenly says. "I want to see her."
I look back at Mom and she doesn't even return my look. I don't think this is such a good idea. Once he sees her in that state, he'll be crushed and he has to recover. "Corey, maybe you should rest for a bit."
"Why? Why are you saying that?"
"You need to recover, that's why. Come on, don't fight me on this. Rest first and then you can talk to her."
He licks his parched lips. "Look, I know you're angry at her and you have every right to be—"
"That's not what I mean at all."
"—but I've been worried about her this whole time, alright? I was scared for her. So, now that she's here, I want to see her. Mom, could you ask her to come inside?"
I throw Mom a bewildered look over my shoulder and she places her hand on my shoulder. "If Corey wants to see her, he can see her. You know it'll be best if we get this done and over with. It's better this way."
"Mom," I say under my breath. 
Corey asks, "Hey, what's going on?"
Mom turns on her heel and walks out of the room. I look at Deo, but she only stares back at me. The healer follows Mom a few moments later. 
Corey says to me, "You've got to let go of the anger, Lili. It's not good for you."
"Oh, Corey. You don't know what I mean, alright? I didn't want you to..."
I trail off. I can't finish the sentence without giving away what's wrong with her. That will crush him. What if he goes unconscious again? What if he has another fever?
"It's clear that you're still angry," he claims. "Look at you. It's written all over your face, Lilieth. Look, I'm not saying that I'm not mad at her. I just think that there's no point in destroying ourselves because of this, alright?"
I frown. "You're only here because of her. Because she gave away secrets she shouldn't have. You're treating this matter like it's not a big deal!"
"It is a big deal, but like I said, we can't hold grudges. It's not good for us."
I stare at his face for a few beats longer, then exit the room. I'm a mess. Tears trail down my cheeks and I walk down the corridor to the end, where the living room is. 
But I walk past the third bedroom and the door's open, so I slow to a stop next to it. Mom's sitting on the bed and Anice is on the floor. With a small brush, Mom's trying to brush her hair back so she can tie it. Anice still has that vacant look in her eyes. Goddess, she has barely any hair left, and I'm starting to think she's been shedding since she got here. Also, her legs are exposed because she's sitting cross-legged on the floor. They're covered in long, thin scars and burns. 
I can't look. 
My heart is breaking. 
I head into the living room. Only Cadeon is there. He approaches me right away and puts his arms around me. I'm really fighting with myself not to cry. 
"It's okay," he says. "It'll be alright?"
I shake my head. "It'll never be alright."
"I know you," he says after a long beat. "You'll never be happy unless you forgive her. You have to let go. That's the only way this ends."
"No, that's not true. I'm fine. I don't have to."
Cadeon's silent, but we both know he's right.