Chapter 5: Fatal Rejection

COLBY'S POV

As my last word lingered in my ears, I felt a rush of heat to my cheeks. Had I really said that to him? Had I really called him ‘dear’? I'd only met him today, and I'd already made a fool of myself. What would he think of me now? A freak? Or worse, a whore? I trembled as I considered the possibility. I had to see him again, to explain that I hadn't meant to say that. Even if it made me feel awkward, it was the right thing to do. It was the only way.

I had fucked up big time. I could not afford to lose a friend I just met. Never.

As I entered the room, a cacophony of scents assaulted my senses. First, it was a sharp smell of lavender, mingled with the musky scent of human sweat. Underlying it all was a hint of iron, the metallic scent of blood. As I took it all in, I couldn't help but think of how this room had just witnessed the miracle of new life.

But my nostrils caught a particular scent that dominated the room. It was a mix of sweet and tart, like wild berries ripening in the sun. It was both intoxicating and refreshing, filling the room with its sweet and heady fragrance.

“Whose scent is that?” I asked myself, but the moment I sighted the baby in mother's arms, I knew I had gotten the answer I needed.

Mother turned to father with a tired smile. “Isn’t he cute?” She asked. Her face was drained of color, and dark circles hung beneath her eyes. Her hair was disheveled, an a bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, dampening her edges. Despite her exhaustion, she still managed to exude an air of beauty.

“Now this is what I'm talking about!” Father let out a booming laugh, punching his fist into the air. “An alpha!” he exclaimed. “At last, I, Fenris, have an alpha son!”

“Yes.” Mother replied with a gentle smile. “I never knew you can be this dramatic.”

Father wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, but not close enough to suffocate the baby on her arms. “Alyssa you bring out the best in me. You're my light. My essence. My mate. And my everything. In the next world, I would love to have you as my mate again.” He praised her, showering her sweat-soaked nape with slurpy kisses that made her giggle.

“Stop it Fenris.” Mother said, feigning disinterest, but I knew in my heart that she was enjoying it.

Nonetheless, father did not stop what he was doing.

After a series of mother's uncontrolled giggling, he finally stopped and looked into her eyes.

“You’ve given me hope and have restored my reputation. What else can I ask for? Thank you for giving me this bundle of joy. I love you, Alyssa, and I'll love you in this life and the next.” He professed.

Mother rested her head on father's shoulder and sighed, content in the warmth of his embrace. “I love you too Fenris. I'm so blessed by the moon goddess to have you as my mate.”

I stood rooted at the door, watching as they displayed their unfeigned affection for each other. Beside them was Gerard's mother. She stood by the corner, smiling to herself as she folded bloodstained shawls and put them inside a small basket. She was very beautiful. Now I knew where Gerard got his cute looks.

But one thing unsettled me. None of them had noticed me. I did not know if I should feel thankful for that or sad.

Their moment was broken by the soft cooing of the baby, who had been watching them with wide eyes.

“It looks like someone is getting jealous of our attention.” Father said with a chuckle.

Mother laughed and looked at the baby. “I’m sorry little one. But your father is to blame.”

Father laughed hard till his eyes watered. “You aren't serious Alyssa.” He cleaned his eyes, and brought out his hands. “Can I hold him?” He requested.

“You are my mate, and he is your son. Equation solved.” Mother joked, stealing yet again, another boisterous laughter from father. She gently gave the child to father, and the moment the baby landed in father's arms, he broke into a piercing cry.

“Ssssh. I'm here. Daddy is right here.” Father cooed, rocking the baby gently in his arms. He even sang ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ for the baby.

Envy butchered my heart as I watched father acting so kind and affectionate with the baby. This was all I'd ever wanted. Nothing more. Since I was born, father had never been this way with me. All he gave me were pain, insults and hatred. But I never asked to be born this way. Did I? Why then was I treated like this? Was this fair? Was it?

I struggled to keep my sad emotions in check. After all, I was here to congratulate mother. But I failed. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t stop the tears that kept pouring out from my eyes ceaselessly.

“What are we going name him?” Father asked without removing his eyes from the baby, as he rubbed it's forehead gently.

“Alan. We’ll name him Alan.” Mother answered.

I stiffened as those words left mother's lips. Did she say Alan? Oh no! She remembered. She remembered the name I suggested for the baby. That was so loving of her. This little act of her's made me feel like I had made a huge accomplishment in life.

“Alan it is then.” Father hurriedly agreed.

I hadn't realized that I was crying out loud, until father, mother, and Gerard's mother all turned to look at me.

Father's mood suddenly turned sour. “You again?” He said, pointing at me like I was an unwanted stranger. I could feel the tension rising in the room.

“Come here, Colby.” Mother said, beckoning to me with her stretched out hand.

Father turned sharply at her direction. “Come where?” He growled, his tone sounding dangerous. The sound of his growl startled baby Alan, who started crying.

Gerard’s mother wore a straight face, so it was difficult to tell what was running through her mind. Seeing that things were about to get worse, she hurried to father and took the baby from him.

“Here of course,” Mother said. “He should come see his baby brother. He has every right to.” Mother challenged, and father's eyes darkened with rage.

“Do not start again, Alyssa. I thought we had settled this?” He said, his voice low and threatening.

“I can't stand by and watch my son being treated like an outcast.” Mother said, her voice cracking with emotion.

“Don’t you dare me, Alyssa.” He warned.

This were the same persons that were acting all lovey-dovey to each other some minutes ago. Now they had turned to cat and mouse. And it was all my fault.

Mother ignored him. “Come here, Colby.” She called me again.

Her words did something to me, and I slowly advanced toward her like a hypnotic. I had almost neared her when father's strong fist came flying toward me, hitting me square in the face. Instantly, my eyes cleared.

I toppled backward, and fell to the ground, hitting my lips on the sharp edge of the bedstand in the process. The taste of blood fueled my mouth, and I spat it onto the floor in a pool of crimson.

“FENRIS STOP!!” Mother shrieked, her voice rising to a fever pitch.

It was father's turn to ignore her. His eyes, glowing red with anger, were fixed on me. “Get away from here. NOW!!” He roared.

This was the moment that changed everything for Varo and me.

The harsh realization dawned on us, and it was then we knew that father would never love and accept us. Something inside me snapped, and I felt Varo’s presence roaring to the surface. And with a roar of my own, I shifted, giving Varo control.

And that was it.

Boom! He took off at a dead sprint, leaving father and mother behind.