~Celine~
After Two Years
“Kendrick!” I called out as he ran out of the room.
I sprang to my feet and ran out of the room to grab him, only for me to see that Kilhan had grabbed him already.
“Haa.” I sighed. “He’s so fast for a two-year-old,” I muttered, shaking my head tiredly.
“Well, he is my son, of course, he’s going to be faster and stronger than any other child. I can’t wait for him to start running faster than this.” Kilhan responded while Kendrick chuckled in his arms.
“Time is all you need. Now, can you please get him away from me so I can rest?” I asked with a smile, planting a kiss on Kilhan and Kendrick’s cheeks.
“Right,” Kilhan answered and turned to leave.
“Mama,” Kendrick called, waving at me as Kilhan started to walk away.
“I love you, baby,” I responded, blowing him a kiss before heading back into the room.
I got into the room and slammed into the bed. I lay flat on my back as I stared at the ceiling.
About a year ago, before Kendrick turned one, Kilhan and I made a very good decision.
The decision was to leave New York City, leave our home, and establish that home somewhere else. Somewhere that wouldn’t remind us of the bad memories and times.
I hated the thought of having to celebrate Kendrick’s first birthday in that house.
We envisioned starting afresh, and we made it happen. Kilhan talked to the pack members, and surprisingly, they loved the idea.
We moved down to Houston, Texas and since we moved here, it’s been great. The pack is happy, I am happy, and most especially, Kendrick is happy.
I knew the real meaning of peace after getting to Texas. No more betrayal, hatred, spies, and enemies. It was pure love, harmony, and happiness.
I finally got the life I had always wanted.
I picked up my phone and clicked on my messages. On the very top was Betty’s number, with another message.
After Betty was banished, I cried so much. I hated how she made me feel, but at the same time, I missed her almost every day.
We grew that sisterly bond so fast and it hurt so much when she cut it off in the twinkle of an eye. After months of that incident, a part of me started to believe her.
I started to believe that she did change but it was too late.
After months of being banished, she began to send me messages every single day. She was so consistent that I started anticipating her texts even though I never returned any.
She would greet me, ask about Kendrick and the pack, and at the end of every text, she’d attach an apology text.
Sometimes it was; “If I could go back in time and change what I did. I messed our friendship up. I ruined everything because of my hate and selfishness, and I regret it so much. I wish there was something I could do to change how our story played out. I miss you, Celine, and I love you so much. Please forgive me.”
Another one would go like this; “I won’t stop asking for your forgiveness, Sister. I know one day, you’ll finally believe that I have changed and I deserve your forgiveness. I love you and take care.”
I had gotten so used to these texts because I received them every single day. This made me believe that she thought about me every day.
But I wasn’t ready to reply to her just yet. Anytime I wanted to, I’d remember that room where Kendrick was left alone.
I heaved a sigh and proceeded to open the new text messages from her.
“Celine, guess what?! I found my mate! Oh my… I can’t believe it! You said it! You told me that I wouldn’t find my mate if I didn’t go out there to look for him. Guess what? I found him this morning. We clicked so fast, and it felt like heaven. I’m so happy to share this with you. I’m not cursed after all.”
Reading this, a wide grin lit up my face. I felt tears heat the back of my eyes as I read her text over and over again. I was so happy for her that it pushed me to tears.
‘Maybe her getting banished wasn’t all bad after all.’ I thought as I sobbed. At this point, I really wanted to text her back.
I wanted to hear her story. How she met him, where she met him, and how the journey is going to be.
“You should call her,” Kiara uttered, and I breathed out deeply.
“I want to do that badly too, but I need to talk to Kilhan first. I can’t just contact her without Kilhan’s consent.”
“And what if he doesn’t let you?”
“Then I’ll forget about speaking to her.” Deep down, I prayed and hoped that Kilhan was going to let me give her a call.
I was about to go fetch Kilhan when he walked into the room with Kendrick.
“Oh! There you are.” I said with a smile, as they both walked to the bed.
He sat next to me and lifted Kendrick from the floor, placing him on the bed too.
“I need you to see this,” I said to him, giving him the phone. I took the phone from me and when he looked at the screen, he furrowed his eyebrows.
“She still texts you?” He asked, and I nodded.
“She never stopped. It’s been almost two years now. She never misses a day. I’m so happy for her. She finally found her mate.” I uttered, and he gave the phone back to me.
“I’m glad she did too.” He uttered with a straight face.
“C’mon, Kilhan. Can’t we forgive her already? It’s been several months and she’s truly sorry.” I retorted.
“I banished her, Celine.”
“Yes. I know. But that shouldn’t stop us from reaching out to her, right? I’m sure she’d be very happy to hear from us. We are not in New York City anymore. She wouldn’t come here to bother us. Please, Kilhan. I just want to talk to her.”
After so much persuasion and hesitation, he finally agreed, but he insisted he would be there while I spoke to her, which I agreed to immediately.
I put a call across to Betty and she answered almost immediately as if she knew I was going to call.
“Celine?” She called in a low tone.
“Betty,” I responded.
“Oh my… It’s really you.” She mumbled. “You called.” She added. Her voice sounded shaky like she was on the verge of tears.
“Well, you wouldn’t stop bothering my phone with messages,” I responded as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.
“You left me no choice.” She uttered, and we both laughed.
“I’m happy for you, Betty. I’m glad you finally found him.”
“I am even happier that I get to speak to you after two years. This is the day I’ve always prayed for. I am so sorry, Celine…”
“No. No. You don’t have to apologize anymore. Two years of apology is more than enough. I just couldn’t stand not hearing your voice any longer. You’re forgiven, Betty.” I responded, looking at Kilhan.
“Thank you so much.” She muttered in tears. “Tell me, how is Kendrick? And Kilhan? I bet Kendrick is now a big boy.” She added, and I chuckled.
“He walks, runs, and even speaks now. He’s indeed a big boy.”
“And Kilhan?” She further asked, and I raised my head to look at Kilhan again. I moved the phone from my ear and gave it to him.
I nodded reassuringly as he slowly collected the phone from me.
“I’m here.” He uttered, and there was dead silence from the other end.
“Betty, it’s okay,” I uttered.
“Alpha Kilhan.” She called softly.
“I’m glad you’re okay. It’s nice talking to you again.”
“I’m so sorry I let you down, Alpha Kilhan.” She cried.
“It’s all in the past now. We should all move forward.” He answered.
“Mama!” Kendrick called playfully as he began to pull my hair.
“Kendrick, stop.” I grabbed him and placed him on Kilhan’s lap.
“Is that Kendrick?” Betty asked out of excitement.
“Yes. He’s so playful.”
“Oh Hi! How are you?” She asked.
“Mama. Dada.” Kendrick muttered, and we all broke into laughter.
“Those are his favorite words,” Kilhan uttered.
“And they are perfect. I’m so happy to speak to you all. I’m grateful you let me.”
“It’s okay, Betty. Feel free to reach out to us over the phone. We’ll talk.” I added.
“Great! I should go now. I have to resume work. I’ll tell you about how I met Jerry, my mate, at night. Stay tuned!”
“I will be there!” I answered with a chuckle as she hung up.
With a large smile, I embraced Kilhan and Kendrick.
“I’m so glad we could clear that out. Now, we have no resentment anymore. We are clean.” I said, and he nodded.
“I’m glad too,” Kilhan responded.
“And you Kendrick?” We chorused, looking at him.
“Mama!” He yelled happily.
“Right!” We broke into laughter.
I guess this is our happily ever after. Exactly the one I dreamed of.
THE END.