Chapter 80 The Goodbye
The carriage rolled into the pack house courtyard just as the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The three-day trip to the countryside estate had done its work. Samael's color had returned, the poison's grip loosened by the modern medics and the hot springs. Alberto's wounds had healed cleanly, the lashes fading to faint pink lines under Mira's distant guidance through mindlink. The guards rode in formation, Torin and the others looking relaxed after the peaceful journey.
The carriage stopped with a creak of wheels. Samael stepped out first, stretching his massive frame with a satisfied groan. "Home sweet home."
Alberto followed, bag slung over his shoulder, eyes already scanning the courtyard for Fernando. The bond tugged at him, stronger now after the days apart. He spotted no sign of the Alpha, but the pull was unmistakable.
Torin dismounted and clapped Alberto on the back. "Good trip, keeper?"
Alberto nodded. "The best. Thank you for the escort."
Samael grinned. "You barely noticed the scenery. Too busy thinking about someone."
Alberto flushed but smiled. "Maybe."
He waved bye to Samael and Torin. "See you later."
He ran off toward the pack house, steps light despite the lingering ache.
Samael and Torin watched him go.
Torin laughed. "Someone has missed his mate with just a few days apart."
Samael chuckled. "He practically flew out of the carriage."
Just then Darius walked over from the stables, his expression serious. "Where is Alberto?"
Samael shrugged his shoulder. "The guy is down for Fernando. Ran off the moment we stopped."
Darius shook his head. "I hope he does not get too heartbroken."
He walked away without another word.
Torin looked at Samael. "What did Darius mean by that?"
Samael scratched his head. "I have no clue."
He turned to assist in taking down the luggage, the guards unloading bags and supplies.
Alberto hurried through the pack house corridors, his steps light and quick despite the lingering fatigue from the journey. The countryside trip had restored his body, the medics' treatments and the hot springs easing the last traces of his wounds. But his heart raced for a different reason. He had missed Fernando fiercely, the bond pulling at him the entire time away. He headed first to Fernando's chamber, knocking softly before pushing the door open.
The room was empty, the bed made, no sign of the Alpha.
Alberto smiled to himself and turned, heading toward the study. Fernando often buried himself in work when troubled.
He reached the grand staircase leading to the upper levels and spotted Fernando ascending from below, cloak dusted from a ride, expression distant.
Alberto's face lit up. He rushed down the last steps and jumped on him, legs wrapping around Fernando's waist, arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
Fernando caught him instinctively, hands gripping Alberto's thighs to hold him up, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Alberto showered him with kisses, lips on cheeks, jaw, neck, then finally his mouth, deep and hungry.
Fernando pulled away slowly, hands still holding him, breath ragged. "What is up with you?"
Alberto laughed, forehead against his. "I missed you. Every night. Every day. How was the trip for you? Boring without me?"
Fernando's arms tightened, pulling him closer. "Torture. I could not stop thinking about you."
Alberto kissed him again, slower this time, tongue tracing Fernando's lips. "Show me how much you missed me."
Fernando growled low in his throat and carried him up the stairs, Alberto's legs locked around his waist. "Later. First, tell me about the trip."
Alberto nipped his ear. "Hot springs were amazing. Medics poked and prodded. Samael snored the whole way."
Fernando reached the landing and pinned Alberto against the wall, kissing him hard. "Did you behave?"
Alberto grinned. "Mostly."
Fernando's hands slid under Alberto's tunic, fingers tracing the healed scars. "These look good."
Alberto shivered. "Your fault they were there."
Fernando kissed the faint lines on his shoulder. "I will make it up to you."
They walked together toward the study, hands linked.
Alberto asked. "Where is Mira?"
Fernando's expression tightened. "She went to cultivate at a secluded mountain."
Alberto frowned. "Why?"
Fernando shrugged. "She said she needed time."
Alberto sensed the tension but did not press. "I will miss her healing."
Fernando opened the study door. "She will return when ready."
They entered, Fernando closing the door.
Alberto turned to him. "I have to tell you something. I will be gone for a while."
Fernando's face fell. "Gone where?"
Alberto took his hand. "It is almost the blood moon. I need to cultivate my powers. I will be in the forest for a while."
Fernando's grip tightened. "How long?"
Alberto smiled sadly. "A few weeks, perhaps longer. Tonight I leave. I need to find the soul shepherd and walk some spirits to the afterlife. And find crystalberry pods for the last keeper's remembrance."
Fernando pulled him close. "What can I do to help?"
Alberto shook his head. "Everything is arranged. I left for the trip knowing this was coming."
He reached into his pocket and removed a moonshard gem, smooth and glowing faintly blue. He handed it to Fernando.
"You will need this very soon. Do not lose it. It commands light in darkness."
Fernando took it, turning it in his palm. "Thank you."
Alberto kissed him deeply, hands cupping his face. "I love you."
Fernando held him tight. "I love you too. Come back safe."
Alberto nodded and walked away, the door closing behind him.
Fernando stood alone with the gem, the room feeling empty.
Fernando sat in his study long after the sun had set, the room lit only by a few candles and the low fire in the hearth. The parchments on his desk remained untouched, his quill idle beside the inkwell. The moonshard gem Alberto had given him rested in his palm, its faint blue glow the only movement in the quiet space. He turned it over and over, the smooth surface cool against his skin. Alberto's words echoed in his mind: "You will need this very soon." The impending blood moon, Alberto's departure for the forest, the weight of the mate's duel he had called for, it all pressed on him like an oncoming storm.
A knock sounded at the door, sharp and impatient.
Before Fernando could respond, the door opened. Darius entered immediately, his stride purposeful, a stack of files clutched under one arm. He walked straight to the table and dropped them down with a heavy thud, the tabs neatly labeled in his precise handwriting: border reports, supply inventories, training schedules.
Fernando looked up, brow furrowed. "Darius."
Darius straightened, expression calm but resolute. "I will be taking a break from pack activities."
Fernando stared at him, stunned. "You cannot. You are the beta."
Darius laughed, the sound short and without humor. "Even if I am the beta, I am allowed to have a week break after working for years without one."
Fernando leaned back in his chair, the moonshard gem still in his hand. "The pack needs you. The borders, the duel preparations—"
Darius cut him off gently but firmly. "The pack will survive a week. The reports are updated. The schedules are set. The elites are drilling. You have capable captains."
Fernando's voice rose slightly. "This is not the time."
Darius met his gaze. "It is exactly the time. You have pushed everyone, including yourself. I need distance."
Fernando stood, placing the gem on the desk. "From what?"
Darius smiled faintly. "From everything. From watching you hurt the one person who would die for you. From the politics. From the weight."
Fernando's jaw tightened. "You blame me."
Darius shook his head. "I blame the situation. But I need air."
Fernando walked around the desk. "Stay. We will talk this through."
Darius turned toward the door. "There is nothing to talk through right now."
Fernando watched as Darius walked away, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
The study felt emptier.
Fernando sat again, staring at the files Darius had left.
The pack continued outside, but the beta's absence loomed.