Forty four- Cracks In The Truth

Forty four- Cracks In The Truth
Kael's POV

"Mum" I called out as I knocked on her room door, pushing it open before she could respond.

The lingering scent of lavender and something ancient hit my nose, telling me she had just bathed.

A familiar mix of her perfume was also in the air, a scent that always reminded me of peace. Only this time, it didn’t help.

“Come here, Kael” Mum’s soothing voice spoke up, bringing my mind back.

I moved forward, shoulders heavy.

She was sitting upright, her silver hair falling on her face. She looked brighter today but I knew it was only a front to hide the fact that she was getting weaker and weaker by the day.

I walked to the side of the bed, dragging the seat by her vanity and sitting on it.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, taking her hands in my mind, a frown forming on my face at how light they were.

Her fingers trembled slightly as I held them. It reminded me of when those same hands once held an entire pack steady. She had been a warrior once, fierce, untouchable, feared.
Now, the silver in her hair was more than color; it was all time and heartbreak had left behind.

Her eyes were dazed as she spoke up, " Same as always, my child" There was no emotion of any kind in her voice and it broke me, i had started to notice her lack of will and strength for the past few days and I feel like it is partly my fault, nothing Lyra or I say to her seems to help. It is like she is finally giving up and Meredith says that will only kill her faster but she doesn't want to care.

"Mum..." I wanted to plead with her but she cut me off.

"You did something to Lyra, what is it?" She asked, moving her eyes to mine.

I breathed hard cursing silently, your sister and your Mum sharing a special connection can be convenient at times especially with Mum’s condition but right now I hated it.

"She found out" Mum’s hands became cold in mine, panic setting in.

"She hasn't known all this time?" Mum asked her voice frail but the anger in them couldn't be missed.

I had told Mum about Aria being my mate the day I almost kissed her in my room after one of our sessions and let's just say she was more than furious. She kept asking why I wouldn’t want my mate but I couldn't bring myself to tell her how much I want Aria but the fear of putting her in the same situation as her is just too strong. That was the day I felt something slip with her and ever since she seemed to have faded out, no will or zeal for anything. I can’t tell her, she wouldn't understand, and she only tries to get me to bring Aria in, and now that Kyra knows the pressure is going to be a lot worse.

"No she hasn't" I moved my eyes to the ground, avoiding her gaze.

“You have broken her trust in you" Mum stated.

“It wasn’t intentional.”

“Doesn’t change what you have done” Her voice carried that calm disappointment that somehow hurt worse than anger. “Lyra feels betrayed, Kael. You of all people know what lying does to her kind.”

“I wasn’t lying, I was just trying to keep things under control"

She turned, her eyes meeting mine, the same color as mine. “Control is a dangerous word for Alphas. You either have it, or you break under it.”

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “You think I don’t know that? I’m trying, Mum. I’m trying to do what's right, I don't want to hurt anyone”

"You have already hurt two very important women in your life so if that's your aim you are failing badly at it. I don't know what your reasons are for all of these but as your mother, I will always tell you when you are wrong and this is one of those times"

"I..." I wanted to explain but my voice cracked.

Her gaze softened slightly. “You can start by doing right by yourself. By her.”

“Aria?”

She nodded. “You can’t protect someone by hiding from them. And you can’t be preparing to lead a pack with so much on your plate"

Her words landed heavier than I expected. I didn’t reply, I couldn’t.

After a long silence, she added, “Lyra will come back once she’s calmed down, and if I were you, I’d talk to her once she is back, you know how she can be"

"I will Mum, thank you" I whispered, bracing myself. Moments like this always get me scared, how would things be when she is gone?
She just made me feel better without doing much and I am expected to prepare to live without her soon?

I pushed myself up from where I sat, unable to hold myself, and I definitely can't lose my cool in front of her, it will only break her.

"You need to rest, Mum, your eyes are starting to droop," I said softly reaching for the pillows behind her holding her up.

She kept her eyes on me as she spoke, "And you need to take it easy on yourself too, none of this is your fault"

How naive of me to think she didn't understand my reasons, I didn’t need to ask, we both knew I fully understood what she meant.

"But what if I end up flopping?" I asked, spicing my fear, the understanding on her face was enough to know we are on the same page.

"You have a beautiful heart and as long as she is nothing less than great then nothing will go wrong" I really want to believe her but I just can’t.

"You are not him, Kael, and you can never be. He made a mistake, one you have learnt from" she continued but I had to correct one thing.

"There are so many things considered as mistakes but cheating isn't one and I would never call it one"

Her lips pressed in a thin line expressing her discomfort but she didn't say anything else.

"Please just rest up, I will send someone up to bring you a meal before you wake up," I said calmly, changing the topic.

"Think about everything, Kael, you don't need to punish yourself for any reason"

I nodded not wanting to respond. She leaned forward allowing me to lift her so I could help her lie comfortably on her bed.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead once she was settled, her eyes already dropping.

As I turned to leave, she spoke up again, “And Kael…”

I stopped waiting to hear her out.

“Don’t forget, wiggling who were born under the moon don’t just feel the truth. They draw power from it. If Lyra felt your guilt, she’ll use it, even without meaning to. You may have just lit a fire neither of you can control.”

And this is one of the many reasons Lyra’s identity as a witch remains a secret between the family to date.