Chapter 404: Friends at last

Chapter 404: Friends at last


The family dispersed and Ian went to meet Thalia in her room.

“Are you feeling better?”

“I'm sad about the loss of our son, but... I need to get over it. I felt the same way when you took Eron away from me.”

Ian started to approach her, but stopped and shoved his hands into his pants pockets.

“I'm so sorry for everything I put you through.”

“Sorry won't bring back what you stole from me, Ian. You're Alpha now. You need to start acting like a man and let go of the child inside you.”

“I've proved to you many times that I'm not a little boy.” He said angrily.

“Even a dog is born knowing how to fuck, Ian. I'm not talking about sex. You're the leader of many now... Although I don't feel that way about you.” She finished thoughtfully.

“What do you mean?”

Thalia closed her eyes.

“When Adam was near, I felt his presence, as if I were the earth and he were the sun. His presence inspired awe, leadership, love and emanated virility. It was impossible not to desire Adam. And even when I didn't yet know that he was Alpha, I always knew that he was someone powerful and I felt safe around him.” Thalia opened her eyes and glared at Ian. “I don't feel any of those things around you. You will never emanate the same authority, power and charisma that came naturally from your father. And yet, I can't let go of the love I feel for you. I know you're a good man, Ian. Much better than your father, but...”

Ian was furious at her words.

“You're right. I agree with you. I'll never be a leader like Adam was. I don't have the ruthlessness for it. And if he were here, Adam would probably let you die. He wouldn't care about your life, when he could have a child. His choice would be the child.”

Thalia looked haunted at Ian.

“You didn't do that!”

“You're here and the child in your womb is dead, isn't it?” Ian said angrily and walked away.

Tears wet Thalia's surprised face. Ian had chosen her life and let their child... She couldn't believe it.

...

A few weeks later...

Ryan was in the kitchen, concentrating on preparing that day's meal. He took an onion and carefully chopped it into equal pieces on the board, then added everything to the steaming, bubbling pot on the stove.

He turned to pick up the plates to put them on the table and faced the green eyes that made him flinch.

“Did I scare you?” Anna asked amused.

“I still find it difficult to deal with your resemblance to Tayme.” He said averting his gaze and turning around at the counter, began to distribute the dishes on the table.

“You've never had a problem with that before.”

“Because she always managed to highlight the differences between the two of you when she was between us.”

Anna crossed her arms.

“If you loved her so much, why didn't you consummate your marriage?”

Ryan went to the cupboard, took out spoons and started distributing them next to the plates.

“Anna, is your task for today finished?” He asked, trying to change the subject.

Anna held up both hands.

“I think the calluses on my hands testify in my favor.”

Ryan picked up the glasses without looking at her and carried them over to the table.

“Can you let everyone know that dinner is ready?”

Anna crossed her arms again and made no move to leave.

“How long are you going to avoid this subject?”

“I'm a man who keeps his promises.”

“I didn't say you don't keep your word.”

“Then know that I've made promises to Tayme, which although she doesn't know, doesn't understand, doesn't see, I'm struggling to keep.”

“Ryan! You're talking as if she's still alive!”

“Why are you so sure she's not alive?”

“She wouldn't go so many weeks without seeing her daughter.”

Ryan finished putting the glasses on the table, turned off the stove and took the steaming cauldron and placed it in the center of the table, then faced Anna.

“If Adam is alive, then so is she...”

“But Adam's dead too! Anna interrupted him. “How long are you going to live in denial? You were also there when we heard the bones breaking and the blood gushing out!”

“You also heard my bones breaking.”

“But there was no blood spurting and werewolves recover quickly.”

“I don't know why you've insisted on bothering me with this subject for all these weeks!” Ryan said, losing patience.

“Oh, you don't know? Ryan, the most innocent man in the world!”

“If you're trying to tell me something, be clear and objective. I'm too tired for games and riddles.”

“To begin with? I want you to tell me why you were such a coward with my daughter when she was alive and now, after her death, you're playing the role of the repentant Magdalene?”

“Was I cowardly with Tayme, Anna? I'm really amazed at your hypocrisy, when did you start caring about her? Because I still remember a little three-year-old girl who was condemned to live away from her family because her mother chose to have a penis between her legs. I remember a little girl who had to face her fears and doubts alone because she didn't have a mother to guide her in the moments she needed it most. I remember the woman who had to find out from someone else that her mother was in love with her husband and her insecurity became even more latent.”

“My mistakes don't justify your mistakes.”

“Should I wait for another sentence, or can I call our family for dinner?”

Anna took a deep breath.

“Avoiding me won't bring them back.”

“But it will make me hate myself less.”

Anna reached over and touched Ryan's shoulder.

“It'll be okay.”

He removed her hand from his shoulder and kissed it, then let go.

“Adam and Tayme's absence makes it very dangerous for the two of us to be alone, Anna. I'm needy and so are you. It's wise to stay away.”

“You're my only comfort, Ryan. Only you know the pain I feel.”

“I can't. I'd feel like I was betraying Tayme and Adam.”

“I'm not proposing that we become lovers, but I need your friendship.”

Ryan accepted Anna's insistence and after that day, whenever he was in the Cave, they spent hours talking.