CHAPTER 177 - WHO WILL FOLLOW?
Smiling, he thrust more times, bringing us together to a climax. Sealing our lips, Harvey pulled us back into the water, delicately washing our bodies in silence.
“Why accept the challenge?” I inquired, finally breaking the silence.
“Conan displays all the traits of an alpha; we respond only to power, and this must be demonstrated,” the Lycan king smiled.
“You enjoyed the confrontation, didn't you?” I turned to face him, distancing myself from the hands tending to my hair. I squinted as I analyzed his impressive features. “You felt proud!”
“Why wouldn't I? The brat challenged his alpha and father, even knowing that my strength was superior... A bit of rebellion and foolishness, however, proves he's not a coward,” the alpha shrugged.
“You can't be serious...” I growled, massaging my temples. “I don't want you two to hate each other, please; we've been through so much!”
“I'll never hate my cub; don't entertain those human thoughts,” the alpha roared thunderously as he emerged from the water. “I can't be held responsible for the child's emotions!”
“And you'll allow him to hate you?” I cried, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.
“Let's clarify the facts; soon, Elara will join us in the pack for the possession revelation ritual.” Harvey threw the thin shirt over his body and turned to face me. “I am prepared for Conan's possible reactions. He can choose to forgive me, not blame me, and remain in the pack, or become a lone wolf and a potential enemy. Either way, you better be prepared for both possibilities!”
“Lone wolf? An outcast?” I stepped out of the water abruptly, approaching and pointing a finger at his chest. “My nephew won't be that, and I'll never leave him alone again!”
“Then you'll have to make a choice.” The alpha approached, grabbing my finger and bringing it to his mouth to bite and lick. He growled threateningly, pressing my body against his.
“Choose what?” I whispered.
“Who to follow—your destined mate or your nephew!” The Lycan king's eyes were ablaze, narrowed with fury.
“That doesn't make sense. Why can't we be a family?” I averted my gaze from theirs.
“They are idealized dreams, human.” He turned my face to look at him. “If Conan refuses this, we can't force it; the choice of his paths belongs only to him, not to us!”
Releasing me, the alpha transformed, running into the middle of the forest. I stood there for a while, reflecting on his words. It didn't take long for the night to approach. I walked back to the pack, heading to my nephew's room.
“Can I come in?” I knocked on the door, asking softly, and entered, seeing him lying on the bed, sulking, staring at the window and the moon. “Did you spend the rest of the day locked up in here?”
“I needed to be alone.” He glanced at me sideways. Conan's difficult personality is identical to the Alpha's.
“Well, I owe you a song, if you allow me...” I smiled gently, pointing to the chair in front of his bed.
He sat down and nodded. I sat down and began to sing, allowing the tears to flow and trickle down my face. I closed my eyes, imagining every missed phase of my little, brave one. The pain of not having been by his side, of not raising him so that all this could be different. I felt his warm hands on my wet face, drying. I opened my eyes and saw him cry. Conan kneeled in front of me, resting his head on my lap, chanting a spell of images that recreated the memories of our playfulness, even those from my dream!
“Please, don't stop singing...” He pleaded.
I stroked his hair, continuing with the song:
“Oh, my little brave one, fear not the evil,
Aunt is here, with love unequal.
Our magic binds us, together, side by side,
Against the evil wolf, we'll be ready to abide.
In the night, with stars shining bright,
Aunt whispers a promise to calm your fright.
No harm shall touch you,
Under the wings of love, you'll fly through.
Aunt will be the light, in the shadows of the night,
The promise of love is a flame that doesn't lose its light.
Against the fierce wolf, she'll be the barrier,
Your shield and sword are protecting her heir.
And when the moon casts its spell,
Aunt and brave one, an eternal and infinite bond.
No strong wind can tear us apart,
In the heart, this love will reign.
So, my brave one, hold my hand,
Together, we'll face it with courage and passion.
Against the wolf and the darkness, we'll be invincible,
Aunt and brave one, united, unbreakable.”
I felt Conan's tears wetting my dress; his pain was tangible, and his anguish, fear, and relief at being there in my lap were palpable. I pulled him up, sitting him on my lap as I used to when he was a baby, tilted his head to rest on my shoulder, embracing him with firmness and protection.
“Aunt and brave one, an eternal and infinite bond... Do you promise?” He asked between sobs, and I hugged him even tighter.
“I promise, forgive me for everything, my brave one!” I whispered, kissing his cheek and leading him to bed.
I covered him with the sheet, stroked his hair as I continued to sing, watching his body relax, and finally, he fell asleep. Furthermore, I chanted a dream protection spell, watching over his safety.
I decided to sleep right there; I didn't want to be away from my nephew, my cub, and my son any longer!
I sniffed the door, and there he stood, silently, staring at us intently. Harvey might not confess or even say it, but he didn't wish to have his cub as an enemy. All his struggle, search, and connection with Conan had led him to this point! He loved his cub, but if he had to choose between loving him and making him strong, the latter would undoubtedly be his preference.
I knew something bothered him; I didn't exactly understand what. I sighed, looking back at Conan, who held my hand in his hair and then returned to the door, noticing that the Alpha was no longer there. If I were to make any choice, it would be to unite the two most important wolves in my life and rebuild or build our family. The shadows would not prevail!