She cradles his damaged face and kisses his forehead, yet I can discern in her eyes that she herself doubts her own words.
“Shall we have our lunch together?” She compels a smile, while young Jadi nods his head.
The woman rejects Rocco while they both savour their lunch together. Jadi consumes his food with great quietude, exercising caution to avoid loud chewing or creating a mess. The woman predominantly engages in conversation, elucidating the several birds she seen during her exercise earlier that day.
The door abruptly swings open, and a tall man enters forcefully. He measures approximately 6 feet 4 inches, his prominent muscles and broad shoulders scarcely fitting into his dark suit. A scar is present directly beneath his ear. His dark hair is slicked back, and his eyes are nearly black with rage.
“Could you elucidate the reason for summoning me here, Ellie?” He rebukes the woman. “I have a meeting scheduled in 15 minutes.”
“Our son has a present for you,” she responds nonchalantly.
Is she his mother? I am curious. However, what is the status of Melina?
The man gazes at Jadi, who is quaking in his seat.
“Proceed, Jadi,” Ellie prods him by the arm. “Demonstrate to Father what you have created for him on his special occasion.”
Jadi gazes at his father with trepidation nevertheless complies with his mother, rising from his seat and hesitantly extending the card to his father.
The stranger looms over Jadi, gazing with flared nostrils while Jadi cowers to minimise his presence. The terrified child lowers his head, his hand trembling uncontrollably as he extends the card.
“You will make eye contact when speaking to me, boy,” the man asserts, while Jadi remains still.
The man subsequently elevates his arm and strikes Jadi in the face, causing Jadi to collapse to the ground with a faint cry. Ellie rises immediately, vociferously confronting the man.
“Noel, you beast!” She growls, pushing him, yet he seems unmoved. “He was merely displaying his card to you!”
“He averted his gaze from me!” Soel responds sharply. “A true man maintains eye contact when conversing with another man.”
“He is merely a boy!” Ellie contends, assisting Jadi to rise.
“A boy destined to lead this pack, Olivia,” Noel bellows, beckoning Jadi to approach. “I will not leave a feeble Alpha to succeed me.” Comprehend?”
The young youngster composes himself as he once more approaches his father. He maintains an elevated posture, his newly split lip trembling slightly as he extends the card towards the tall man. Tears well in his eyes, yet young Jadi perseveres, suppressing them with all his strength to avoid further inciting his father’s anger. He exhales laboriously, suppressing the cries he yearns to release.
Despite his trembling legs and tear-streaked cheeks, Jadi confronts his father, eliciting a flood of pride in my heart at his remarkable strength and bravery.
“Was that particularly challenging?” Noel enquires derisively, gazing at the card with some repulsion. “Peruse it.”
Noel
“If he cannot articulate the words, then he is unworthy of addressing me as father,” Noel retorts.
The memory dissipates into oblivion, leaving me isolated in darkness, my heart fracturing from what I have just observed. More agonising than the recollection is the acknowledgement that I have been harsh to a man who has matured feeling unwanted by a someone who ought to have valued him.
Upon opening my eyes, I observe Jadi gazing vacantly at the floor, his expression entirely devoid of emotion. I am at a loss for words to provide him solace, as my mind remains overwhelmed by the influx of knowledge I received.
He was confined to his own group. Melina is not his progenitor. He is an Alpha, whereas his father is a fiend.
However, numerous questions continue to circulate in my mind. What is the whereabouts of his biological mother? Who is Melina? What caused him to become a rogue after being the Heir to the title? Did his pack collapse?
Observing Jadi in complete silence, I know that these enquiries are inconsequential. What is crucial is his willingness to reveal his own self, which suffices for the present. Eventually, I shall get further knowledge about him.
Silently, I ascend into his lap, Jadi inhaling sharply as I nestle into his embrace. I nestle my face in the curve of his neck, encircling his waist with my arms. He remains silent, yet permits me to embrace him, resting his forehead upon my shoulder. We embrace for several minutes, providing solace via our presence.
Ultimately, I withdraw and cradle his cheeks, desiring him to comprehend that I intended this with utmost sincerity.
“You are the most courageous man I have ever encountered,” I whisper, pressing my forehead against his. “I sincerely apologise for your experience.”
Initially, shock traverses his visage before he comprehends my statement, prompting him to bite his lower lip to suppress his feelings. His eyes brim with tears, yet he blinks them back, striving to maintain his composure.
