It is likely to be an intense confrontation; although his mother may be the Luna, Mason possesses royal lineage, enabling him to compel submission from nearly anyone, should he desire it. He was typically so relaxed and content with being the Pack’s Beta and second-in-command that he never undertook the task. Caelan could be placed down if he desired.
Today was likely to be the exception to the rule, and his own mother was within Mason’s view. Caelan resolved to remain uninvolved, understanding the wisdom in avoiding interference between Mason and that which he cherished most. Allowing them to resolve their own problems was all he could accomplish. There would be repercussions; he anticipated managing them.
Caelan gazed at the woman in question, Daisy. Reclining in the hospital bed, wound dressings affixed to her slumbering form. This was not the first instance he had encountered this, although the previous occasion, in a similar manner, had been his responsibility, and he was aware of it. He would never absolve himself for that day.
Neither he nor his wolf had anticipated the event, and by the time they realised it, it was too late; her naked and shattered body lay on the ground before him as he knelt beside her nearly lifeless form. Overwhelmed by anguish and sorrow, incapable of understanding. Paralysed by the sight of her shattered form, his hands reached out to make contact, yet he refrained, unable to touch her. It was his responsibility, and he was aware of it even at that time. Had no authority to contact her.
His parents were present, witnessing him navigate the pack-house Hudson with complete control as he hurried to reach her. They had pursued him, instinctively aware that something was amiss. They stood there shouting at him, instructing him to lift her, but he was unable to do so.
His wolf had been howling in anguish within him, already aware that Amelia was irretrievably lost; their bond had been violently severed as he sprinted through the pack house at full Alpha Wolf speed in an attempt to reach her before she fell, yet not even Hudson had been swift enough, and likely would not have been of assistance either.
Would have eliminated both, but Hudson was indifferent to that outcome. His sole intention was to reach his Mate in an attempt to rescue her. Mason arrived at a sprint, abruptly stopped, swayed while grasping his chest, and gazed down at her. He managed to compose himself, retrieved her body, and fled to the pack hospital, while Caelan remained on his knees, gazing at the pool of blood where she had lain.
Caelan had no recollection of the journey to the hospital. The shock had erased it from his memory. I just remembered that Mason had violently turned against him, resulting in a fierce confrontation where they both transformed and attempted to kill each other in the hallway of the pack’s hospital, outside the emergency room.
Both had been tranquillized by his father, the Alpha at that time, and they awoke in the cells, with his father and Mason’s father seated in chairs, observing them.
Caelan moved the chair his mother had occupied to the bedside and seated himself beside her. This was not the first instance of his behaviour. “I apologize,” he murmured. He had failed to protect her on two occasions. Since her return home, prompted by his insistence. Compelled her to be present, indeed. Once more, it was his responsibility that she lay injured in a hospital bed. Although it was not executed by his own hands, it was a consequence of his own actions.
Maurice entered and regarded him. “Did I not inform you that I despised tending to this girl, Alpha?”
Caelan affirmed that he had indeed done so. Merely a week prior, immediately adjacent to this room. “I apologize,” he expressed to the man, as there was nothing further he could articulate.
“This is not your responsibility, Caelan.”
“Indeed, it is,” he contended. “She had an agreement to reside abroad for the next two years.” I rendered it null and void and personally returned her here.
“This does not imply that you are to blame.”
“Indeed, it does,” he reiterated his disagreement with the man.
“Caelan…” Alpha, it would have merely postponed this for two years; likely, this is unrelated to you. Another matter is occurring.
He surmised it was logical; there appeared to be no rationale for her father to assault or attempt to murder her. To his knowledge, she had not communicated with him in the last ten years. Exclude these two interactions. The man had been incarcerated until two days prior, suggesting he had immediately sought her out upon his release from the pack-house.
This knowledge, nonetheless, did not alleviate his internal guilt. He extended his hand and grasped hers. His gaze remained fixed on her, undeterred even by Maurice’s conversation.
“I will remove the tube shortly; Amelia is currently administering care, albeit at a gradual pace due to the mild sedation.”
Caelan enquired, “When do you anticipate her awakening?””
“When I deliberately cease the sedation infusion.” Alpha.
Caelan’s gaze shifted to the bag of fluids suspended by her bed before turning to Maurice, “Are you still administering sedation to her?””
“Indeed, it is for the best.” The Luna sanctioned it.
He found it intriguing and pondered, “When will you cease it?”
“Probably when Mason returns,” he remarked, “or if that occurs before I leave for home in the morning.”
Caelan sighed and acquiesced, stating, “Fine.” He refrained from disputing the matter, recognising that she would probably prefer Mason’s presence over his upon regaining consciousness.
Caelan’s Perspective
Mason returned to Luna’s medical suite in the hospital just before midnight. He appeared equally irritated as he had two hours prior; whatever transpired between his mother and his Beta did not seem to appease him in the slightest.
“And what?”“
“What is the matter?”Mason has returned.
“Who emerged victorious?”Caelan enquired of him.
“Neither of us,” he replied, shaking his head. “A current impasse.” I will accompany her.
“I am well, Joe.”
Observed Mason!Her gaze fixed intently on him; Caelan remained unmoved. “This will also result in a stalemate, Joe.”
Mason merely nodded and positioned a chair opposite her. “When is that tube scheduled for release?””
“In the morning, I presume Maurice has returned home for the night; she is stable.”
