Chapter 50

Beloved

Jason:

I felt old. And I slept like my days were coming to an end. It had been days unending with my wounded heart and festering pain. Something within me told me it was alright, that everything was going to be alright, and I knew for one that Clarissa did not detest me. If she did, she would not have been able to pretend that she enjoyed my company all the while we spent time together. She should not have been able to stand me or let me hold her daughter.

I had put plans in place for our expansion, and we had successfully spread out into Clyde’s pack. We were also about to pull up suggestions for a name for the pack in its entirety. This was a big feat for us, but I could not feel it because I had lost someone close to me.

I was back with my grandma, talking with her about trivial things like the weather and also informing her about the latest changes I had made to the pack, and she was genuinely happy and proud of my success so far. It was during this discussion that I got a call from Jericho, whose tone was urgent enough to unsettle me.

“Mr. Jason?”

“Yes, Jericho? What is the problem?”

“It’s Clarissa.” He said,

“What do you mean by it being Clarissa? What happened?” Interrogated,

“She’smissing, and the pack can feel that she’s in grave danger. They are on their way to find her now, and I thought that you should know.” He said, breathing hard into the speaker, like somebody on the run.

“You should have told me sooner, Jericho!” I said and hung up the phone, speeding out into the night with my heart in my hands.

“What is wrong, Jason?” “Jason!” My grandma yelled after me, but I was no longer able to comprehend speech as my body in its entirety was in emergency mode. I was unable to live normally when she just stopped talking to me. What would I do if she was fatally harmed or lost her life? What would her daughter, Cisca, do? Without a father and without a mother to be there for her.

I rushed out of my grandmother’s house, shifting into my wolf form, desperate to reach Clarissa’s side as quickly as possible. The journey felt agonizingly long, with every second dragging on as my mind conjured up the worst scenarios. Finally, I arrived to find the pack already engaged in a fierce battle against the rogues. Relief washed over me as I saw Clarissa, unharmed but with a ghostly look, surrounded by the pack members who had come to her aid.

Amber Hart, the psychic who had become Clarissa’s trusted ally, stood by Clarissa’s side. Her calming presence offered a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. I approached them, my eyes fixed on Clarissa’s, silently conveying my love and concern.

Jericho:

The urgency in my voice trembled as I spoke to Jason over the phone. Clarissa’s safety was at stake, and we needed him here. I had followed her tracks, and my heart sank as I saw her nearly lifeless beside the brook. It was obvious that what threatened to kill her was not entirely physical.

As Jason promised to come, relief washed over me. I quickly gathered the pack, rallying them to protect our Luna, who had given all to make us feel wanted. After a while, we managed to revive her, although she seemed to be stuck in a dream, and she kept calling the name Jason with her eyes closed. Had they quarreled? What could have led to such utter devastation?

Amber Hart:

I had been discussing matters of the heart with Clarissa, delving into her emotions, and helping her find clarity. The air shifted when Jericho called Jason. I did not want Clarissa to know that Jason was on the way to her; we also had not told her that she had been muttering Jason’s name when we found her earlier. We wanted her to be as open as possible; we did not want her to suddenly shield herself with ice again.

When Jason finally arrived, Clarissa was caught off guard, and her cheeks were captured by a deep blush. The two shared a deep connection. Jason’s eyes were filled with relief, and he rushed towards her and took her hands in his. His eyes were moist; the man was too far in love to get ahold of himself anymore. I prayed Clarissa would let go of her past and embrace this chance at a beautiful love. Understanding the need for privacy, I excused myself, giving them the space they needed to reconnect.

“Um, Clarissa. I’ll be going to catch some fresh air; I’ll be right back.”

Clarissa:

As Jason approached me, his eyes locked with mine, and a flood of emotions rushed through me. Relief washed over me, knowing he had come to my rescue. But the pain we had endured during our separation still lingered in our eyes. I took a hesitant step closer, tears welling up in my eyes as I spoke.

“Jason, I am sorry I hurt you.” I choked out, my voice quivering with raw emotion. The hurt was evident in his eyes.

“Clarissa, I was so worried about you,” he said.

His arms enveloped me in a tight embrace, and I clung to him as if he were my lifeline. The familiar scent of him and the warmth of his embrace stirred something deep within me, igniting a flame of hope in my heart.

His eyes roamed all over me, searching for signs of hurt. I wanted him to tell me that my injuries were within me.

“I’m fine; I am not hurt.” I said instead.

With tears streaming down my face, I looked up at him, searching for reassurance and for a sign that we could find our way back to each other.

“I was thinking about what you said earlier, Jason, and I think we should give each other a chance. Jason’s voice resonated with determination. “Let’s date, take it slow, and see how things go between us. We deserve a chance at happiness.”

A flicker of a smile tugged at my lips as I nodded, my heart swelling with newfound hope. “I would like that, Jason. I want to see where this leads us.”

After Jason and I had settled in, we all gathered for a feast that Nolle had prepared for us. Cisca had eaten earlier and gone to bed. The day that had begun badly for me had suddenly bloomed into the prettiest of days.