赤裸裸的滑稽故事

The sound of the door opening brought Axel back to his senses. He massaged his temples and sat back in his chair.

Caleb closed the door behind him and looked back at his brother-in-law.

He was worn down, and not just because of Wyatt. Caleb still wasn’t sure what had happened with Corrine. But from his own experience with Fiona’s accident when Cain died, he had a good idea.

Axel hadn’t reacted to the news.

When the siblings arrived at the hospital, Caleb had pulled them into the small break room. Ashleigh had begun with questions, asking what had happened, why he needed them to come… she had even brought up Wyatt, asking if he had heard from or seen him.

It had taken a sheer force of will on Caleb’s part to get the words out. To tell the love of his life that her father was dead. To confirm to her that yes, he was sure it was him. That there was no mistake, no doubt.

Wyatt was dead.

He watched the news break her last glimmer of hope. The pain and heartbreak seeped into her eyes as her body gave out, and the guttural scream left her lips. It hurt to watch her go through it, but he wouldn’t have been elsewhere.

She screamed, she cried, she begged him to take it back.

In the end, she had exhausted herself and passed out from the overwhelming force of her grief.

But Axel… he had said nothing, done nothing.

Caleb was worried.

When he learned about Cain, he took a dark path. He pulled away from the people that cared about him. He ignored the needs of others. He made mistakes that cost people their lives.

He didn’t want to see Axel make the same mistakes.

“What did you need to tell me?” Axel said with a sigh.

Caleb watched him rub his temples with a wince.

“Headache?” he asked.

“It’s nothing,” he said. “As I said, Ash and I have both been awake all night. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Axel,” Caleb began, sitting down across from Axel. “I know we’ve not been close, but I want you to know I am here.”

Axel scoffed gently. He locked eyes with Caleb.

Caleb saw a flash of frustration, not the anger he expected. Just a sad frustration.

“I’m not looking to connect with you,” Axel replied, “not over this.”

Caleb lowered his eyes and nodded.

Axel sighed.

“Thank you,” he said gently.

“Of course,” Caleb replied.

“So,” Axel said. “What is it that you wanted to tell me?”

Caleb sat up and took a deep breath.

“I need to tell you about how I found him,” he began.

Axel sighed, feeling the ache in his head growing stronger.

“Caleb,” he said softly. “I think… it would be better to have this conversation after I have had a chance to rest.”

He stood up from his chair.

“Right now, I need to call the hospital back home and find out how my mom is. Then I need to take my father home,” he paused, clenching his jaw, and swallowing down the heavy feeling. “Please, take care of Ashleigh. After she gets some sleep, bring her home. If mom is awake and able, the pyre will be held tonight. If not, it will need to be tomorrow.”

“Axel,” Caleb called as Axel made his way to the door.

“Caleb, please…” Axel said, gripping the handle of the door, grinding his teeth.

He wasn’t ready to hear how his father was found. Of the injuries he had suffered of how he had gotten them. He wasn’t prepared to think of who had given them.

His father’s sad smile came back to his mind, as did the rest of the memory.

“How can we smile when the wolf that killed Papa hasn’t been caught?” Young Axel asked.

Wyatt took a shaky breath and then blew it out slowly as he continued to walk once more, heading toward their home.

“We mourn, we grieve, and we celebrate,” Wyatt whispered, “That is how we honor the one we lost. But, once we have honored them, said goodbye, and blessed their journey back to the Goddess… only then do we seek justice.”

“Why?” Young Axel asked.

“Because the one that stole Papa’s life has no right to his memory.”

Axel would honor his father with the traditions he cherished, follow his rules, and make sure that he was remembered for the man he was, the Alpha he was.

An Alpha’s pyre was a time of mourning, a time of grief. His feast celebrated his life, a special night of joy and gratitude.

But when the feast was over…on the dawning of the new day, Axel would focus on what needed to be done.

Until then, he needed to have a clear head.

“I appreciate that you want to give me the information that you have, that you are trying to help,” Axel said. “But until my father has begun his journey to the Goddess, until he has been honored… I can’t pursue the ones responsible. Or give them my focus.”

Axel turned the handle and pulled on the door.

“He wasn’t alone,” Caleb said.

Axel paused. He looked back with furrowed brows. The look on Caleb’s face surprised him. It was concerned.

“What do you mean?”

Caleb swallowed.

“He was brought home, Axel,” Caleb said. “He tried to help a group of children escape a bad situation, but he was injured.”

“Then the children brought him home?” Axel asked.

“No,” Caleb said, with a shake of his head. He licked his lips. “Axel… someone else came home with him. She also was injured badly.”

Axel felt the sinking feeling in his stomach. His knees were shaky.

“Axel…” Caleb continued. “Alice is the one that brought Wyatt home.”

The room once more fell silent, Axel could see that Caleb’s lips were moving, but he couldn’t hear the words. He couldn’t understand what he was saying.

Axel closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing, but he couldn’t hear it. He couldn’t feel it. His heartbeat was pounding in his ears, loud and fast.

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

Alice…. Was she here?

His heart was slowing, getting quieter.

She had brought his father home? How?

Softer and softer until his heartbeat became quiet.

Was this real? Was his father dead? Was his mate back?

The beat of the heart changed… just slightly. Softer, quieter, weaker.

Axel opened his eyes. Caleb called his name, but all Axel could hear was the soft beat of another heart. It was weak, but it was hers.