Part 3
1479 Words
Alec was a bundle of nerves as he silently walked to the study. A place he had been far too many times in the past. The Alpha clamped his mouth down as he recalled the last time he had been in the study room. His eyes screwed shut, the distant memory playing in his brain.
It was a weekend, and his father—Silas Romano, perched on the chair, kept himself busy with the pack duties. At the mere age of twenty-one, Alec decided he wanted to move out and study. The Alpha constantly desired a city life, to live in busy streets and mingle with a noisy crowd. He applied for further studies, and fortunately for him, they selected him right away. Alec suspected that it might be something to do with his last name. Long story short, he showed his father the application, and that's the last time they talked.
He scrunched up his nose, trying to keep a weak smile on his face though he failed spectacularly. The Alpha grimaces, trying to tamp down the bad memories he's got from there. Shaking his head, he took a step further and knocked on the wooden door.
"Come in."
He froze at the familiar voice. Five years. It's been five long years since he heard his father's gruff voice. Silas Romano was a prideful Alpha who refused to talk to him. Not even on the phone.
Alec pushed at the door and stepped in, his eyes trained on the ground beneath his feet. The carpet was plush, new, something he had never seen before. So many things had changed in five years.
Before he could lift his head, the pattering of footsteps inching towards him got louder. A set of arms wrapped around his body, face pressed in his chest. The Alpha sucked a sharp breath, inhaling the smell of lilies.
"Mom!" He breathed, sinking further in the embrace, closing his eyes shut.
His mother occasionally visited him in New York, unable to distance himself from her son. They even talked on the phone, much to his father's disappointment. She always hugged him the same way, warm and tight. The last time he saw her, they met in Edward and Ethans, his cousin's house.
"Oh, how I missed you!" She sniffled softly, her tears clinging to his shirt.
Guilt swarmed his belly. Only if he had called her sooner or visited. Alec cursed himself under his breath, patting her back before taking a step back.
"Sorry, mom."
"You have nothing to apologise for" His mother patted his cheek.
Alec huffed and reached up to his messy curls falling into his eyes no matter how many times he pushed them behind his ear. His nails scratched down his cheek, feeling light stubble on his jaw.
"Amy, let him take a breath atleast."
The Luna rolled her eyes, pushing herself on the couch, "Who's being dramatic now?"
"Still you."
Alec shifted his attention to the Pack Alpha, his father. His mouth parted at sight in front of him. Five long years have not been kind of him, it seemed. The Pack Alpha no longer had a grin on his face like he used to; those green eyes were dim with sorrow, silver hair marring his jawline. He developed a double chin as well, his neck almost hidden under the shirt. His arms sagged as he tried to steady himself in that favourite chair of his.
"D-Dad"
"Please sit."
Alec put his elbows on his knees and rested his face in his cupped hands, just gawking at his father. He almost wants to pinch himself raw, quite sure this was all in his head. After the way he left off things, Alec thought that his father would never want to see him again.
Silas blinked at him, worried. "Are you alright, son?"
The Alpha sniffed, shaking his head. Tears dribbled down his eyes, but he didn't care. How could he be so selfish? Alec thought he was following his dream by abandoning his family, his pack members. "I'm so sorry."
Why was his father not yelling at him? Calling him names? He deserved it.
"What are you sorry for?"
Alec exhaled shakily, picking his head up to look at his father. It appeared as if he's staring at the older version of himself. "For abandoning my pack, my family. I couldn't even be useful during the war!"
Just thinking about it bought back all the guilt he pushed in the corner of his brain. When Alec left the pack-house, he's angry and decided not to turn his back. Apparently, his father felt the same, so when the pack was attacked a few months ago, they didn't call him. The Alpha did not get the news until it was too late, and they barely managed to win that one.
Silas sighed. "You didn't know about it. Besides, if you want to blame anyone for that, you should blame me."
"No, dad—"
"It's my fault. I was too proud to call you."
The Luna cleared her throat. "It's all in the past now. Let's not talk about it anymore. Alec, we are both glad that you're back."
Silas hummed. "Yes. Your mother is right. Why don't you go eat something, and we can talk about it later?"
The Alpha absentmindedly nodded his head and stood up. He pressed his lips together, fully convinced that they were hiding something. Why would they not want to talk about war? What might have gone down? Alec needed to find out.
***
A distant feminine voice rang through the house, and the clicking noise of heeled boots echoed against the walls. Alec followed the sound, searching for that brisk, loud voice. Before he could take any step further, a tall, thin woman walked up to him, drying up her wet hands with the apron that's tightly tied around her waist. The Alpha straightened up, quickly pushing his fringe behind his ear and soothing out the hopeless wrinkles on his shirt.
"Alec?" Martha wetly laughed, tears pooling in her eyes. "It's been so long!"
Martha has been their housekeeper and chef for as long as he could recall. Not only that but the older woman used to take care of him all the time. The Alpha grew up only eating the food prepared by her. She's also one of the people who wanted him to study abroad but at the same time missed him a lot.
The Alpha nodded his head, hugging her. "Yeah"
"We all missed you", She choked.
"I missed all of you."
Martha took a step back, crossing her arms over her bosom. "You look so weak, my child. Did no one feed you in New York?"
A laugh escaped his throat. Trust her to ask the most random questions. Also, why would anyone take care of him when he lived all alone? Alec got lonely most of the times, but he reminded himself to be strong.
"I lived all alone, Martha."
"Well, not anymore. Let's go. I made your favourite lunch today."
He keeps his tired sigh at bay and nodded gently. Alec was nowhere near hungry, not after the talk with his parents. Even though they forgave him, the Alpha was upset with himself.
Martha quickly asked the maids to bring out all the dishes she cooked. He sat all alone on the chair, looking around. Most of them had breakfast very late, and the remaining of them were training. Charles had to look after his supermarket, so the beta took his leave.
The housekeeper beamed at him. "I hope you will like all of these"
Alec didn't dare say anything, and instead, he nibbles at the garlic bread without many convictions. The Alpha glanced around at the platter of chicken placed before him and felt sorry that he wasn't in the proper state of mind to appreciate it. He's never been the one to decline food made by his favourite chef.
"Are you not going to eat?" Martha asked sharply, her eyes narrowing.
"Sorry", He gulped. "I'm not very hungry. I ran from New York."
"You must be tired then," The housekeeper affectionately patted his shoulder, closing a lid over his plate. "Get some sleep. I'll reheat this food later."
"Thank you, Martha."
"And don't forget to be on time for your feast."
"Feast?" Alec raised his brow.
"Our Pack Alpha asked everyone to gather around to celebrate your return."
"But I thought—" Alec chewed on his bottom lip, brows knitted together.
"He loves you in his way, Alec."
The chair scraped against the ground while his breath was shaky with each inhale he took. Alec stood up and picked his bag, waving at her before disappearing into his room. Once inside the familiar warmth of his old room, the Alpha let out a sigh.
He eyed the bed, and his drooping shoulders and puffy eyes urged him to get into it and sleep his misery away, but another part within doesn't want to. Eventually, the first one won, and he threw himself on the bed, closing his eyes and letting sleep take him.
***
- Writer
