CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59

Triton took several steps closer to her, his gaze lingered around her abdomen region. It was covered by the dress she wore and looked flat.

Trevor stretched out his hand, stopping his brother from getting any closer to Maria.

"She lost it after the accident."

Maria was beyond confused as she was in the middle of words that she couldn’t understand. No one had ever told her that she was pregnant. The only thing she knew was that she had memory loss.

"I don’t understand. Trevor, was I ever pregnant."

"You sent me letters," Triton answered instead. "I was still overwhelmed from the..." He paused for a while and swallowed hard, as if the next word made him taste something bitter. "...rejection. I refused to read your letter till a week passed and when I took action, you were already gone in the waters."

She turned towards Trevor and looked him in the eye. "Why didn’t you ever tell me about this?"

He took a deep breath and rubbed his forehead wearily. "I forgot, and didn’t think it was necessary."

He was already wondering if she was upset about losing the pregnancy. He remembered when Alice revealed that his mate had suffered a pregnancy trauma. He was angry at the man that impregnated her, but also satisfied that the baby was gone. Little did he know that the man who he had cursed that day for impregnating his mate was his own brother.

"I’m so sorry," Trevor added.

There was a slight look of despair on Triton’s face. He knew that he had lost any chance of being with Maria. She wasn’t his mate anymore, and she had lost the pregnancy, which was the only string that could connect them. As Triton looked at Trevor, he felt jealous, but there was nothing he could do to help it.

"What about father?" Trevor asked after the brief moment of silence.

"The old man is still concerned about politics and treasures." Triton responded with a chuckle. "He has been on my neck to get married."

Trevor inhaled deeply and his eyes became a bit moist. He didn’t want to remember the ugly incident that caused him to be cast out by his father.

"Does he still speak about me?" Trevor asked in a forlorn tone.

"He does, but never positively."

Triton continued. "You don’t have to worry about the old man, I still consider you a brother."

Trevor clasped his hands and let out a sarcastic laugh. "The last time you came here, you were full of threats and fights and even ridiculed me, now you claim we’re brothers. Are you just trying to comfort me in my last days?"

"Don’t say that?" Maria touched his palm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "These aren’t your last days."

"I know we’ve had differences, and I was just angry that you backed out."

"The nurse isn’t around. I’ve checked everywhere." Devon said, interrupting their moment of brotherly reconciliation.

"Have you checked at the sick homes? She can’t possibly leave." Maria suggested, while still pressing her palm against Trevor’s.

Devon informed them further, "Someone said they saw her leaving the borders before sunrise."

A crease formed around Trevor’s forehead. "That’s strange," he muttered. He turned towards Maria. "Did she tell you she was leaving?"

Maria shook her head. "No. And she wouldn’t even leave with the ongoing blight."

The other nurse, Callum, arrived later. Since Alice wasn’t around, he was the one called. He had to check Sam and Triton for any signs of the blight on them.

"No signs of it," He informed them after examining Sam and Trevor. "I think the blight doesn’t affect foreigners."

"You mean it only affects us who are rogues?"

"Yes," Callum affirmed. "Because the signs of the blight start showing early immediately you enter the forest, but there’s nothing on them."

Maria’s eyes brightened. "That means there is a chance I can return to my pack."

"Yes. You can follow us when we’re leaving." Sam chipped in, saying something for the first time since he was there.

Trevor’s mood dulled. The thought of Maria leaving him was too much for him to bear. She hadn’t been with him for a long while, but had brightened everything in his life. He pressed his hand tighter into hers, feeling the warmth. As a rogue, it was obvious he wouldn’t be able to accompany them because of the blight in the forest.

Maria was recovering who she was, and low-key, he wished she didn’t, so she could remain close to him, but that was a selfish wish. She was a leader, she had to return to her pack, to reclaim her alpha position from her sister.

They settled at the table, and ate their small breakfast. The conversation was light, centering around Trevor and Triton talking of what had been happening in their lands. It seemed like both brothers were reconciling.

Maria chipped in questions at some times, eager to know more about herself. She wanted to know how it felt being an alpha’s daughter, and how the pack was.

"How was my burial?" She asked the most awkward question ever.

"Normal at least. It was compulsory for me to attend since you know...you were pregnant with my child."

"Oh," Maria muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed at the mention of the last part.

"What does my sister look like? How is she?" Maria was curious to know about this junior sister who was supposed to take her place. She wondered if her sister was free spirited and jovial like Kelin. Since she met Kelin, she had wished to have the girl as a younger sister.

"She looks normal, but I really say what kind of person she is." Triton said in response. He contemplated if he should tell her that her sister had stolen her suitor and it had been the topic on everyone’s lips, even among packs.

Sam was quiet most of the time. He looked younger than Triton, like a younger brother. When it was over, he helped clear the plates.

He walked towards the back door that led outside and leaned against the halfwall as he stared into the bright sky.

He heard muffled sobs from a corner. He followed the sound and met a girl, seated on the ground with her feet curled to her chest in a fetal position.

She raised her head that was buried in her thighs as she saw him, revealing her teary face and reddened eyes.

Sam was moved to sympathy at the sight and wondered what could be the reason for her crying. He squatted next to her and extended his hand for a handshake.

She hesitated a bit, and her hand trembled as she placed it in his.

"I’m Sam." He said with a bright smile.

"I’m Kelin." Her voice was husky from the crying.

He leaned towards the wall and faced her, this time sitting on the ground instead of squatting.

"That’s a lovely name. Can I ask why you’re out here crying or is it just ladies’ problems?"

Kelin forced a dry laugh. "It’s ladies’ problems because I don’t think any man would be bothered about something so trivial." She wiped her tears with the hem of her dress. "I’d still tell you anyway."

"Tell me,"

"Today is my birthday." Kelin muttered, and he saw her fight the urge to release more tears. "I’m a rogue, born a rogue, with no wolf and no hopes of getting a mate. My life is ruined."

"That’s not bad at all. You shouldn’t be crying on your birthday." Sam reaches out to clean the tears rolling down her face with the towel from his pocket.

"You mind telling me how old you are?"

"I just turned seventeen." Kelin admitted.

"I didn’t get my wolf till I was eighteen. There’s still a lot of hope for you," Sam tried to cheer her.

"But I’m a rogue. Is there even a chance I’d get all these blessings that packborns get?"

"I’m sure you would."

She smiled faintly at Sam’s encouragement.

"How old are you?" She asked him.

"Nineteen."

She covered her hand with her mouth. "You’re lying right?"

He shook his head. "I know I look bigger than my age. That’s one of the reasons Alpha Triton even wanted me to be his beta."

"You’re a beta? How does it feel being second in command?" Kelin’s dull eyes had lit up.

He shrugged his shoulders. "It feels great, makes me feel important and respected, although I still have bad days, but I don’t cry about them." He nudged Kelin with his elbows as he teased her.

"I got appointed as Triton’s beta when I got my wolf at 18. His former beta had..." He paused for a while. "Had died."

"Sorry about that." Kelin muttered.

"It’s fine. At least now I get to take his place," Sam chuckled dryly, making Kelin laugh from his dark humour.

He stood up and stretched his hand towards her, assisting her to her feet.

"Happy seventeenth birthday, Kelin. Come inside, let’s celebrate you."

She didn’t hesitate before placing her hand in his and he led her inside.