272 Meeting My Mother
Calvin’s gaze stayed fixed on her face, his jaw tight with pain. “No healer has been able to help her,” he murmured. “They’ve tried everything. For ten years.”
There was silence… then a jolt of surprise.
He nodded, smiling warmly at me. “I came because I thought it was time we met properly,” he continued. “Also, I would like to request that you give me the opportunity of taking you to dinner someday.”
He paused like he wanted to say more but ended up just nodding before heading off in the opposite direction.
This was the fifth man who had asked me to dinner, and it was already beginning to suffocate me.
When he finally left, I exhaled quietly and made my way back to my room.
“I can’t wait to really meet you one day. To hear your voice.”
“I wanted to ask about Nora and Lolita. My handmaids. Are they… still there?”
Dressed casually in a dark shirt and fitted jeans, with a calm, confident look that made it hard to guess he was an Alpha, he looked like he was in his mid-twenties, with neat dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and eyes that seemed to observe everything without missing a beat.
“Not yet,” he said softly. “You’re still learning. You don’t even know the full range of what you’re capable of. If anything goes wrong…” His voice trailed off, but I saw the fear in his eyes.
But it didn’t feel silly for long.
I swallowed back the lump in my throat.
“Good morning,” I greeted, rising to my feet.
“I have a few meetings to attend,” he said quietly. “Pack matters. I’ll come check on you later, alright?”
“Morning,” he replied as he stepped further into the room. “How was your night?”
The room was dimly lit by a few flickering candles placed around the corners. It was silent… heavy… like time stood still here.
I gave him a small nod, still watching him carefully. “You too, Alpha Joel.”
I felt a smile tug at the corner of my lips.
I sat on the edge of my bed, replaying her peaceful face in my mind when a soft knock pulled me out of my thoughts.
Fear of losing me.
I blinked rapidly and ended the link before I’d do something silly.
It overwhelmed me.
“I owe you an apology,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I wasn’t able to make it to your welcome celebration. I was caught up in urgent matters at my pack. I hope you’ll forgive my absence.”
Calvin stood beside me, his voice low. “Meet our mother.”
And in the center, was a bed.
A maid peeked in.
“Yes. I miss them.”
He paused.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
I took a breath and focused.
Fear of losing her completely.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was anxious but also… strangely eager. He led the way, and I followed him through a quiet hallway. The air grew cooler the deeper we walked, and the walls dimmed with shadow as we turned into a passage I hadn’t seen before.
I gave a faint smile.
“Then I’ll send them to you immediately. Just tell the men at the border to let them through.”
Finally, we reached a door at the very end.
I smiled and lied, “It was great.”
“Alright,” I said, smoothing my hair. “I’ll be there in a moment.”
My chest ached. Ten years of being like this.
How was I supposed to survive this life?
Calvin flashed me a weak smile before leading me out of the room.
I turned to him slowly. “What if I try? What if I use my abilities? Maybe I can reach her. Maybe I can pull her back.”
My breath caught.
Too much.
I nodded, understanding. I wasn’t ready yet–not if trying meant risking everything.
My breath caught in my throat as I drew closer.
“I promise,” I whispered, “I’ll bring you back. Just hold on a little longer.”
“Hi,” I whispered, my thumb brushing lightly over her fingers. “I’m Olivia… your daughter. I’ve waited so long to meet you.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you. I just…”
I turned back to her and stepped closer to the bed. Slowly, I reached out and gently took her hand in mine. It was warm.
His voice came softly. “Yeah… they’re still here.”
I blinked through the sting in my eyes. “Can’t she be healed?” I asked quietly.
A big smile spread across my face. For a moment, I didn’t feel so alone anymore.
“Anything for you, Oli,” Lennox replied gently.
My heart began to pound fast and loud, like it was trying to escape my chest. A fluttery sensation stirred in my stomach, wild and uncontrollable… like butterflies taking flight.
I blinked, confused. “Alpha Joel?”
Then… a silly thought crossed my mind.
I missed Nora’s laugh. Lolita’s teasing. I missed having someone around who saw me for me—not for what I represented.
I hesitated.
A knock landed on my door, and I instantly knew it was Calvin.
Our mother?
There–lying still and lifeless on the bed–was a woman.
“Olivia,” he said warmly. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
A tear slid down my cheek, landing softly on her blanket.
My eyes widened as I looked at him, then back at the woman who looked like she was having a peaceful sleep.
My heart skipped a beat.
He nodded slowly, maybe sensing something behind my smile. “Come with me. I want you to meet Mother.”
“Can you hear me?”
Her face.
I curled my knees to my chest and leaned against the headboard, staring at the wall.
“Lennox…?”
These titles.
I sat on the edge of the bed and looked around. The space felt beautiful but unfamiliar. Like it belonged to someone else.
I hesitated, glancing at Calvin, then back at her.
He was handsome.
When we stepped into the lighter part of the hallway, Calvin turned to me.
Just hearing his voice…
I made my way downstairs and entered the large sitting room.
In my dreams.
The truth? It wasn’t.
“Olivia?” Lennox responded… sounding shocked to hear from me.
The moment he called me by my nickname, something in me shifted.
Just knowing he still cared enough to do something for me…
My steps slowed slightly.
As Joel and I exchanged a few more polite words, I kept my smile intact, though my thoughts were elsewhere. He was kind, charming even… but I barely knew him, and his invitation to dinner, while flattering, felt like another weight being placed on my already burdened shoulders.
My steps slowed.
At the rooftop.
He looked at me then gently shook his head.
But I couldn’t tell Calvin that.
I paused.
“Do you… want them with you?”
“Come in,” I called softly.
With one last squeeze of her hand, I stepped back.
This attention.
There was a quiet beat before he answered again.
This was her.
I’d seen it before.
Calvin pushed it open gently, and the scent of herbs and age washed over us as we stepped inside.
She nodded. “He’s waiting in the living room.”
“It’s alright,” I said politely. “Alphas are usually busy.”
Seeing her… our mother… had shifted something deep inside me. She was real. She was here. And now I understood why Calvin carried so much weight in his heart.
I nodded, giving him a small smile. “Okay.”
The room was quiet. Too quiet.
The door creaked open, and Calvin stepped in with a warm smile spreading across his face the moment his eyes met mine. I was starting to get used to that smile–the way it lit up like just seeing me made his whole day better.
All night, I’d tossed and turned, thoughts of the triplets haunting my mind. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake them off. Their faces, their voices, their touch… it was like a ghost that wouldn’t leave.
“You’re my only hope, Olivia,” he added. “But not now. Please. Finish your training first.”
The moment I stepped inside, I let out a tired sigh.
I sighed. Calvin had told me to get used to this.
My voice trembled through the mind link.
He chuckled. “Please–just Joel. No need for titles.”
I returned to my room, my thoughts heavy.
A tall man stood near the window, hands in his pockets. He turned when he heard me enter.
It was old, carved with strange symbols I couldn’t read.
He smiled politely and stepped forward.
“Lady Olivia,” she said with a small bow, “Alpha Joel of the Stone Pack is here to see you.”
These constant meetings with Alphas and strangers, all expecting something from me just because I was “special.”
I raised a brow slightly but kept my tone neutral. “I’ll think about it.”
Olivia’s POV
“She’s not dead,” he continued. “She’s in a spiritual coma. Has been like this for the past ten years.”