The colour drains from my face as I gaze at the man at the door. “H-his what…”
“Jadi is your son,” John says, the sting of this news not any lighter the second time around.
Jadi trembles in place, his companion approaching to offer solace yet uncertain whether to touch him or respect his need for space. Concurrently, a multitude of emotions assails me, with shame being the most dominant. How could I be oblivious to the existence of my son? How can a mother forget her child? HOW?
My chest flames with wrath as I push myself onto my feet, gazing down at the master behind this mess.
“H-how could you?” I shout at him, John’s face staying irritably calm as he looks up at me. “How could you not tell me I have a son?”
“He was on enemy territory-”
“And? What authority did you possess to conceal my son from me!?” I respond, enraged at the notion of Jadi maturing without my presence.
“What good would knowing have done for you?” John replies calmly, though I hear the slight tremor in his voice. “I didn’t know if he was actually alive when you first woke up. I sent Melina to Scarlett Haven on a hunch that he was alive, but even then it was difficult to determine who Jadi really was. No one had ever seen him before. There were no records, no birth certificates, no school applications, nothing to indicate he existed. Just rumors. There weren’t even photographs of him at his supposed memorial when your ex-Alpha announced your deaths!” he argues.
Regaining his composure, John adjusts his posture in the seat and inhales deeply. “Upon learning that Melina was assigned a pup to nurture, I did not anticipate he could be the concealed heir. Orphans frequently arise as a consequence of war, and I was not astonished that they entrusted a motherless pup to Melina. I had no intention of subjecting you to the anguish of his memory without confirmation of Jadi’s existence.”
“How long?” I enquired, as John raised an eyebrow at me.
“What is the duration of what?”
“How long did you plan to keep this from me? How long did you know my son was still alive?” I growl at him.
His face turns very grave and after a lengthy pause, he finally says. “Not long, but I never stopped looking for him, hoping one day I could bring him home to you.”
Upon this revelation, Jadi pivots to confront us, a hint of astonishment evident in his gaze.
“I observed Scarlett Haven for years, meticulously analysing patterns and scrutinising my adversary. After extensive observation, I discerned that Melina and Jadi were under constant surveillance. They operated near the pack house, were perpetually confined to the territory, and refrained from participating in pack runs. The former Gamma acted as Jadi’s shadow, never intervening to halt any mistreatment Jadi endured, yet always vigilant.”
My heart falls at the suggestion of abuse. Had my son been in anguish all these years?
I see Jadi, his gaze averted in embarrassment due to the revelation of his mistreatment. In such moments, I loathe myself with every fibre of my being for feeling so completely ineffectual in my condition.
“Again, I had no way to verify if Jadi was actually your son. Just a hunch. But about three or four weeks ago,” John continues, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Something unexpected happened. Jadi and Melina were cast out as rogues… and for some reason, the Gamma and his scouts were sent to keep their eyes on them. I knew then that Jadi was special to Scarlett Haven and I sent my own team to watch over him. They were able to collect DNA samples from a hair found in a motel room he stayed in and I compared it to you. It was a match. My team has been watching him ever since, following him all the way here, to the Ivory Kingdom.”
A knowing smile forms on John’s lips as he shakes his head in self-reflection.
‘Considering his talent, I am certain he is aware of my desires… just as he comprehends my genuine feelings for you, Ry’, he states softly. ‘I am not an impeccable man… I have committed numerous errors concerning you, dear. I did not plan to fall in love with you. I did not intend to develop such profound care for someone I ought to despise. Yet, I do… and I am suffering significantly as a result.
I am uncertain how to interpret this situation, as my emotions and intellect are in conflict with my recollections.
“I apologise for withholding information from you for so long, Ry,” John murmurs softly. “However, I feared you might attempt to locate him independently and jeopardise your safety in the process…”
“You had no authority to withhold this from me,” I lament, dabbing at my eyes to suppress the tears. “No authority.”
“I know,” John answers, unwilling to look at me. “Which is why I did not object to you coming along.”
“You are a coward and a liar!” I cry, my head hammering from all the thoughts in my head.
“I am,” he shrugs. “And I am not ashamed to admit that a part of me fears you’ll see Noel one day and still feel your bond with him or that you’ll leave Matt and I for your Jadi.”
I can’t tolerate it when he’s so calm and sensible.
“I have robbed you of 20 years with your son. Don’t let your anger and hatred towards me rob you of any more,” he says, rising to his feet. “I have come here with the purpose of ending this war and giving you all a chance at a happy life together, but I can’t do that alone. Nearly three decades of war has left my army quite vulnerable.”
“You want him to join your army,” I mutter my realization.
“I intend to demonstrate to Noel that he squandered his optimal opportunity to prevail in this conflict,” John retorts.
