Nebraska was taking small steps and being able to stand on her knees without them bending on the spot, it still hurt, but she was hiding it from Noa and Alan who were doing their best to help her recover as quickly as possible.
At the other end of the room, Nicolas was sitting with some papers that he reviewed from top to bottom, with data from his old pack and now belonging to Hades, staying aside was not in his personality and he had asked the alpha to at least let him organize his family records.
-Ma, be careful, don't rush, you're doing fine- Noa held her with an arm around her waist, taking care of her every move.
-Anyone would say that I am your little daughter if you keep talking like that- joked the she-wolf for the first time in many years.
The instinctive connection between mother and cub was stronger than any separation that could exist, and proof of that was their children's acceptance of the fact that she had just appeared in their lives. Although he couldn't say the same for two that he hadn't seen yet. There were always their exceptions and more when they had a father who did not contribute anything to their relationship.
-Rodrigo and Catalina, how are they? –
Silence reigned in the room. Alan helped his mother to sit up and knelt holding her hands. The omega could feel his palms starting to sweat and caressed them to calm him down.
-Ma, I know it can be difficult, but you have to give them time, Rodrigo, let's say that his soul is more than contaminated by Pa's beliefs, I trust that later on his relationship with you will improve but we cannot guarantee it for the moment. In addition, the alpha has his eyes on him and he cannot come and go freely so he is something, more than annoying- his brother was so cold that it even hurt his gaze, being in the same room with him, even without speaking to them, it could be suffocating.
-As for Catalina- Nicolas sat next to her and kissed his mother's temple, he had found that he liked doing it-Let's say it's something different- His other two brothers nodded -We don't know why it's like that, but she's reluctant to see you. She is very unpredictable and unstable and even though she is our beloved sister, we have to admit that she is even more difficult than Rodrigo-
Nebraska shook her son's hair and smiled.
-You don't have to worry and decorate the situation with rose petals. I was absent for many years and I know that things have changed and that Rudoc was in charge of staining my image and that is something I will live with. You don't have to carry the burden of hiding things from me to make me feel good. I'm not that weak- the boys looked at each other indecisively- Remember that I was queen, this would only be one more drop in a glass of worries-
-Ma, how can you be so strong?- Noa squeezed the edge of her shirt.
She took his hand to caress each of his fingers.
-Because I have you-
-Are we that important to you?- Alan searched for answers.
-More than it is air that I breathe. The only reason why I did not end my life in that place was because I knew that one day I would leave there and I could meet you, for the moment I could only protect you from the shadows-
Nicolas surrounded her and hugged her, burying his face in her hair.
-Thank you, for not giving up-
Nebraska was surprised by that phrase and an innate happiness invaded her.
-Thanks to you, for being here-
***
Nebraska decided to walk on their own when their children retired to their rooms to eat, due to preparations for the new members to join the large dining room. There was also the little detail of being the children of an alpha like Rudoc, crossed out with so many unpleasant nicknames that they could not count them.
She left the room to walk down the hall. In the room despite being large there were many obstacles that she could not define and always ended with blows.
Her eyesight, better than before, still did not focus almost anything and although the silhouettes were more defined, the colors were mixed. She took a step forward, releasing herself from the wall and holding on again. She needed more strength if she wanted to walk without support. Using the wall as a guide, she took several steps slowly until her leg muscles warmed up and it was easier for him.
Without anticipating it, something appeared before her foot, a wood perhaps, and she fell forward. She tried to hold on but her hands slipped until something stopped her from the impact. Nebraska raised her head and did not identify the silhouette that supported her, but the smell and longing of many years.
She grabbed the arms that held her with her hands and straightened up with their help without being able to release a word stuck in her throat.
-I see you're better, mother- the voice of her first-born, Rodrigo, made her heart vibrate.
The omega stepped forward and circled the tall wolf's chest.
Rodrigo didn't expect that reaction and just let it do it, with his arms on either side of his body.
-At last- she sobbed softly against him -I can finally see you again, it's been so long-
He felt no response from his son. He was stiff as she showed her nostalgia for him.
He broke away and stood up, holding onto the wall. It was as expected. She was sure that Rodrigo would not receive her with open arms. She had to admit that his rejection was more painful than everything that had traveled his body over the years, she could not compare it to anything.
The heavy footsteps of someone could be heard behind the omega and she could know whose smell it was that came with great intensity. Her sense of smell was recovering faster than the others.
-I'm glad to see that you have been able to have a family meeting- Hades stopped next to Nebraska, as owner, delimiting his space.
Rodrigo frowned, clenched his fists, and held himself.
-If you excuse me, I will withdraw-
Hades did not order him to stay even if it was disrespectful to leave without greeting the alpha. She saw him turn and disappear two doors away.
-I see you can walk now- the wolf ignored the issue, the situation seemed tense between them and him, she would only stay on the sidelines, she was not going to intercede on an issue where she had no experience, just for the moment.
-Yes, Noa and Alan have been helping me- her voice sounded muffled, disappointed.
-Well better. I hope you're ready- he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to use his body as support. With a finger he wiped the only tear that had escaped his eyes and wandered down his cheek, to bring it to his lips and savor the salty liquid -We will go see your pack-