Chapter 43
The Talk.
Jason.
We hiked for days before we finally got to Clyde’s pack, the sun was hot in the days but the wind balanced it out in the night with it’s cool breeze that calmed us. In three days, we had gotten to Clyde’s pack that was now as deserted as a wilderness, with dry leaves littered on the floor everywhere.
On getting to the dungeon, we found it broken open and empty. We walked around the neighboring packs, searching and searching for Clyde, or even signs of the treacherous Gray, but for days — our search proved unfruitful. Once our search was a week old, we decided to give up and return home to the city. Where I had left Clarissa and the new pack we had created.
I came home to meet my Grandma who was in considerably good . I was happy to see her healthier and cheerful. Also, the new caretaker was leaving for college soon enough, I would soon get to see Clarissa around the house. My Grandma had also missed her cheerful presence around the house, that her fcaed glowed with joy when I told her that Clarissa was coming back the coming week. I also needed to apologize to her for destroying her pack. If I had known, I would have given it a second thought.
Clarissa:
As the new week approached, I was eager to know the outcome of Jason and his packs search for Clyde, or even the whereabouts of Gray. From the latest turn out of events, it had dawned on me that it must have been Gray that was behind my framing. Cisca was on summer break and stayed at home with me all day while Nolle went to work.
On Monday morning I was anxious to go to work, I woke up early enough and made breakfast for everyone, we ate and all left to our respective places of works.
Jason.
On Monday morning, I watched as Clarissa left for Grandma Carter’s house to resume her duties as the caretaker. The guilt over what had happened to her pack weighed heavily on my mind, and I knew I had to talk to her about it. After all, I was partially responsible for the desertion of her pack, and I needed to make things right.
Later that day, I made my way to Grandma Carter’s house, hoping to find some time alone with Clarissa to have the talk we needed. When I arrived, she greeted me warmly, and we exchanged small talk for a while. Eventually, I mustered up the courage to bring up the subject that had been bothering me.
The adorable Cisca, whom I was now fond of, sat in Grandma Carter’s room singing her songs and making her tell her stories. They got along quite well.
“Clarissa,” I began, my voice filled with remorse, “I need to apologize to you. I never intended for things to turn out this way for your pack. If I had known you were involved, I would have done things differently.”
Clarissa looked at me with a look of surprise . “Jason, I know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” she said gently. “You were trying to protect your pack, and I understand that. Sometimes, things just don’t go as planned, there was no how you would have known it was my pack, it’s an awfully small world after all.”
“I still feel responsible,” I admitted, looking down at the floor. “How can I make it up to you?”
Clarissa touched my arm gently, causing me to look up at her again. “You don’t have to do a thing.” She said.
“I also have things to tell you, things about my past I feel you should know” she continued, delving into an account of her past life.
“I was almost made the Luna of my pack, and Clyde was my mate and My alpha, he was also the love of my life. But I was framed for treason on my wedding day…”
“Clyde, is he also Cisca’s father?” I asked, looking towards the door were Cisca’s songs were emanating from.
“Yeah, he is. But he doesn’t know it, and doesn’t care to know it.” She said, obviously she still bore some grudges against Clyde.
“I was so happy, I had loved Clyde for such a long time that my life felt like a fairy tale. All my dreams were coming to pass before my eyes, the whole morning was so surreal, people called the weather a blessing from the goddess.”
“What happened exactly?” I asked.
“I was framed for being a spy and instead of Clyde to stand up for me, he shamed me like a peasant and cast me out like a petty thief, he never even gave me a chance to defend myself. It was then that I confirmed that I was truly alone in this life. I felt so insignificant and lonely.”
“You’re not alone now Clarissa, you are the strongest woman that I know and you’ve made a home for yourself in a foreign land.” I assured her. Cisca’s songs had ceased, she must have fallen asleep.
“On my way to the city, I discovered there was something growing within my body—a child, so I ran back to Clyde to tell him if his child, I was hopeful that he would see the beautiful thing he was throwing away, but he disgraced me even more. I walked back to the city and I met Jericho who ran a test on me and found out I was a werewolf and three weeks pregnant. Jericho was the first friend I had in the city here before I met you, and then Nolle came to find me.”
“Clarissa, you remember when I said I had something to tell you, but I never did?” I said, our faces were dangerously close together and I could her feel her breath on my face. Our lips brushed ever lightly before we both stopped dead in the moment realizing the consequences of what we were about to do.
“I…” Clarissa started, her cheeks flushed, but she paused and took a step back. “I’m not sure if this is the right time, Jason.”
I nodded, understanding the need to take things slow, especially with all that had happened. “You’re right,” I said, trying to suppress the disappointment. “We’ve been through a lot, and it’s best to give ourselves time.”