Chapter Two: Time to Move On
1350 Words
Dylan
I lay in bed tossing and turning. My heart clenching in pain, and a cold sweat dripping from my forehead. Meg rolled over and snuggled into my side. The mate bond pulled us closer together as she tried to comfort me. I could almost hear Niky’s sobs as if they were right next to me. I twitched uncomfortably but tried to be as still as possible as to not disturb my mate.
Meg groaned and sat up and I sighed. “She’s crying again isn’t she?”
“I’m sorry baby.” I whisper. The guilt eating me alive for the bond I share with Niky.
“Why are you sorry?” Meg looked at me in confusion. “Our sister is hurting, and we need to help her.”
I nodded and climbed out of bed. Meg followed me, and we crept down the hallway to Niky’s room. About a year ago, we all moved into the castle. Claire wanted Niky close since she had lost her mate, and in turn she was losing her mind. Niky’s three kids suffered from the loss, and she was unable to help them. Meg and our four children, Atlas, Adam, Declan, and Tasha, moved into the castle since my Trybrid bond wouldn’t allow me to be so far away.
Ethan and Macy became the Alpha and Luna of Blue Moon, and they now have three children, Kali, Ausitn, and Allistair. Amber and Mason moved to Faylan to be closer to Mason’s family with their children, Lindsay and Emerson. Last I heard Maya is still living in New York with her mate Jennifer, and Alex is living in California with his mate Melissa, and his two children Holly and Cameron.
I opened the door to Niky’s room and the tugging in my chest pulsed harder when I saw Niky curled up in the fetal position. She wasn’t crying anymore, but the pain was evident from how rigidly she slept. I heard Meg gasp before she shoved past me and crawled into bed with our best friend. I walked over slowly and curled up on the opposite side of Niky pulling her to me.
The next time I woke Niky was sitting up and blinking at Meg and I in confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“I could feel your pain Nik.” I groan as I sit up. “It was making it impossible for me to sleep.”
“Oh god Dylan.” She gasped. “I’m so sorry. I had a nightmare that Justin didn’t want me anymore, and I guess it just got to me.”
I c****d my head at the lie. I had seen the dream myself, and I knew that it hadn’t just been a bad dream. I didn’t know what was going on with Justin, but I had seen the way he had stopped and watched her leave. The lone tear that fell down his face. My heart was breaking for him in that moment, but I couldn't understand why he would be so cold to his soulmate.
Nik and I climbed out of her bed and left the room so that Meg could sleep. With her being in the surgical program sleep was rare for her. “Nik.” I touched her arm to stop her. “I know you are lying.”
“Lying.” She squeaked. “Who’s lying?”
“You are.” I glared at her. “About your dream.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I saw it to Nik.”
“You did.” I softened at her harsh whisper. Blocking the bond with Meg, so I wouldn’t wake her, I pulled Niky to me as she began to cry. “It wasn’t a dream was it?” She sobbed into my chest.
“No, I don’t think it was.” I sighed.
“I’m sorry.” Niky sniffled and pulled back. “I am such a mess. I need to pull myself together Skye has an appointment today.”
“For her heart?”
“Yeah, they are going to run some tests to see if she is still worthy of a donor heart.” Niky swiped at the tears that kept falling.
“I’m sure she is.” I nodded. “You can use my bathroom to shower, and I will go make breakfast.”
“Mom already made breakfast. You have to work in an hour Dylan, take a shower and get ready. I will use my bathroom.” I opened my mouth to argue but she stopped me. “Go Dylan. I will be fine, now go.”
I nodded and left her there to go get ready. Sure, enough breakfast was made, the kids were at the table and eating, and Claire was talking to my Mom when I walked in. Niky and Meg were nowhere to be seen, but that was okay.
“Oh Dylan?” Claire’s strong British accent stopped me in my tracks. “How is she?”
“She’s doing okay.” I nodded. “She’s getting ready for Skye’s appointment.”
“You mean I am ready for Skye’s appointment.” Niky shoved past me, and Meg stopped to kiss my cheek. I watched as Niky kissed each of her kids on the head and then sat down to eat. Little Skye happily played with her waffles oblivious to the tension in the room.
“Is Skye going to get a new heart?” My son, Adam asked.
“Shh.” Atlas whispered.
“We hope so boys.” Meg told them.
“Daddy?”
My fork stopped halfway to my mouth. The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. My attention shifted to Skye who was no longer playing with her food but was now staring at the wall next to the door. She reached out her chubby little hands. “Daddy?”
“Skye baby.” My Mom rushed to her as she began to fuss. Mom picked her up and cradled her whispering soothing words.
Nik stared blankly at the wall, and Claire rushed to her trying to get Niky to respond. I could feel the blood rushing in my ears as Hannah said, “Here we go again.” Though it sounded far away. I stared at the wall waiting for- well I don’t know. Finally, just a flash and I saw the wall shift. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could have sworn I saw my brother standing there.
“That was her first word.” Niky’s voice cut through the fog. I heard Claire breathe a sigh of relief and noticed that neither my mother nor Skye were in the room anymore.
“Yes, it was Mom.” Ben agreed. “And it just had to be that word.”
“it’s okay Ben.” Niky sighed. “I can’t freeze up every time he is mentioned. That is the last thing your father would have wanted for me.”
“I agree.” Meg let out a shaky breath. “We all know Justin wanted better for you.”
Hannah gasped and looked nervously at her mother again, but Niky smiled. “Justin.” His name rolled of her tongue. “Oh, how I miss him. Maybe-“ She shook her head.
“Maybe what?” I asked.
“Maybe I should go to his grave.” Niky looked down at her half eaten waffle. “Maybe then I can move on and stop being in so much pain.”
“I could go with you.” I suggested.
“No!” She replied quickly. “I think that is something I will need to do on my own.”
“Okay.” I looked at my watch. “s**t. I’m going to be late.” I jumped up. Meg stood and kissed me, I waved goodbye to everyone and ran out the door. My thoughts kept wandering back to Skye. Could she have seen her father?
- Writer
