Chapter 35: Thirty five
Remus
As I step into the packhouse with Rhea beside me, the air feels thick, heavier than usual. The silence is deafening, and I can feel the eyes of every pack member on us, though no one dares to meet my gaze for too long. They've heard the news. Everyone knows about the miscarriage, and I hate the way they look at us, with pity in their eyes, whispers on their lips. It feels like a shadow has fallen over our home, one I'm not sure how to lift.
Rhea is beside me, pale and distant, her face betraying the exhaustion and emotional burden she's carrying. She hasn't said much since we left the hospital, but I know her. I can see through the mask she's trying to wear. She's always been strong, but even she has her limits.
Right now, she's fragile, and I don't know how to help her, how to ease this pain that's not just physical but deeper than that. It's something I can't fight off or heal for her, and it's killing me inside.
We walked towards the stairs to our chamber. The awkward nods, the quiet side-glances. No one says anything, but it's clear they don't know how to act around us anymore. The pack is on edge, and I'm torn between anger and guilt. Anger at my mother, at how her words pushed Rhea into this state, and guilt that I didn't do enough to protect her from it.
We head to our chamber, hoping for some peace, but I know we won't find it. As soon as we enter, Rhea's mother and sister are already there. Her mother, always calm and nurturing, stands by the window, her eyes full of concern but her face as serene as ever.
Aria, on the other hand, is a storm waiting to erupt. Her emotions are always written all over her face, and right now, she's barely holding herself back. Her protective nature is on full display, and I know the moment she sees me, there's going to be trouble.
"Remus," Aria starts, her voice sharp and accusing, "How could you let this happen? How could you let your mother say those things to Rhea, knowing what she's been going through?"
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my own temper in check. I understand her anger, but this isn't the time for fighting. "Aria," I say, my voice firm but low, "I didn't let anything happen. I'm handling it."
"Handling it?" she snaps, her eyes blazing. "Your mother is always crossing the line, Remus. Rhea has suffered enough! If you don't stand up to her, I will."
Her words hit like a punch to the gut. I know she's right, but it's not that simple. I look over at Rhea, who's sitting quietly on the bed, her eyes distant, as if she's trying to block out the world. She hasn't said a word, but the sadness and hurt are clear in every line of her body.
"I'm not going to let my mother hurt her anymore," I say, my voice stronger now. "I love Rhea, and I'm going to protect her. But there's more going on here than you realize. This isn't just about my mother. The pack… there are expectations, pressures. It's complicated."
Aria scoffs, crossing her arms. "It's not complicated. It's your responsibility. Rhea's your mate, and it's your job to keep her safe from this, from all of it."
Before I can respond, Rhea's mother steps in, her voice calm but carrying a weight of wisdom. "This isn't a battle to win with anger, Aria. Remus, the pack needs stability, yes, but it also needs respect. You have to lead by example, not just in strength, but in how you protect your mate emotionally. This situation... it's fragile, and how you handle it will set the tone for the rest of the pack."
Her words hang in the air, and I feel the weight of them pressing down on me. She's right, of course, but knowing what I have to do and actually doing it are two very different things. I've always been able to solve problems with action, with force, but this… this requires a different kind of strength.
Just as I'm about to respond, the door swings open, and my mother walks in, her usual air of superiority wrapped around her like a cloak. My heart sinks. I wasn't ready for this, not now, not in front of Rhea's family.
She doesn't even acknowledge them as she strides in, her eyes on me. "I heard you brought her back already," she says, her tone clipped. "She should be resting more. But don't forget, Remus, we need a strong heir for the pack. I hope she understands what's really important now."
The moment those words leave her mouth, I feel the room shift. Aria explodes, stepping forward before I can stop her. "How dare you!" she shouts, her voice shaking with fury. "How dare you talk about my sister like that after everything she's been through? You have no right!"
I step between them, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalates, but my mother's eyes narrow, her cold gaze locking onto Aria. "This is pack business," she says dismissively. "You wouldn't understand."
"I understand enough to know you're hurting Rhea!" Aria fires back. "All you care about is the pack's future, but what about her? What about what she's going through right now?"
My mother opens her mouth to respond, but I cut her off, my voice cold and hard. "Enough, Mother. You're out of line. I won't tolerate you disrespecting Rhea or her family again."
She's taken aback, her mouth snapping shut as she stares at me. For the first time in a long time, she's speechless. But her eyes… her eyes burn with anger, and I know this isn't over. Not by a long shot.
As if on cue, the sound of murmurs from the hall outside reaches us. I glance toward the door and see pack members gathering, sensing the brewing storm. They've heard the argument. It's no longer a private affair, and I know that whatever happens next will spread like wildfire.
Before I can speak again, one of the pack's high-ranking officials steps into the room, his expression serious. He's always been loyal to my mother, and I can see where this is going before he even opens his mouth.
"With all due respect, Alpha," he says, his voice firm, "your mother is right. The pack needs an heir. It's time for Rhea to fulfill her duties as Luna."
The room goes deathly quiet. Aria looks like she's about to lunge at him, but Rhea's mother steps forward, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's arm. "This is not your fight, Aria," she says softly, her calm voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Her words surprise everyone, including me. Even the pack official seems thrown off by her composure. But I can't let this go on any longer.
"I will not allow this kind of talk in my packhouse," I say, my voice rising above the whispers outside. "Rhea's health and well-being come first. Anyone who thinks otherwise can leave the pack. Now!"
My words hang heavy in the air, and the official lowers his head, stepping back without another word. The pack members in the hallway disperse, leaving us in a tense silence.
My mother's face is a mask of fury, but she knows better than to challenge me in front of the pack. Without another word, she turns on her heel and storms out, her presence leaving a bitter taste in the room. I can feel the tension lingering, the damage done, but for now, the immediate threat is gone.
I turn back to Rhea, who has been silent throughout the entire ordeal. Her face is pale, her eyes distant, and I can see the toll all of this is taking on her. She looks like she's about to break, and it shatters something inside me.
I take her hand gently, leading her back to our room, away from the chaos. Once we're alone, she finally speaks, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how much more of this I can take, Remus."
Her words cut deep, and I pull her into my arms, holding her close. "I'm going to fix this," I promise, my voice thick with emotion. "I don't care what it takes. You're my priority, Rhea."
We sit in silence for a while, the influence of everything that's happened pressing down on us both. Just when I think we might have a moment of peace, my phone buzzes. I pull it from my pocket, glancing at the screen.
It's an unknown number. The message is short, but the threat is clear:
"This is far from over. Watch your back, Alpha."
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