Forbidden Mate: Awakening

Lily’s mother was feeling sad and worried one afternoon, thinking about her daughter who had been missing for over a month.

She had heard some noises coming from Don’s room and because everyone else wasn’t around, she decided to go check what was happening herself.

She found Don looking distraught and thinking about doing something very drastic. Don’s eyes were filled with pain, and his face flushed with sadness as he brought a small knife to his neck. He was kneeling, facing the mirror, and his cheeks were soaked with tears.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

Rebekah gasped and rushed in..

“Don, no!” Rebekah shouted. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Let me do this! There’s nothing worth living for again. Let me.” He said and pressed the knife to his diaphragm but Rebekah held her hands out.

“This won’t solve anything, Don. This isn’t the way. Please, don’t do this.”

“It’s worse…. it’s worse here… maybe it will be better there…” Don’s eyes let more tears down his cheeks as his hands shook with fear.

“I understand that you’re going through a lot of pain, but you can’t let these dark thoughts take over. Lily wouldn’t want this for you, and neither do I.”

Don’s voice broke as he answered. He sounded so full of self-hate. “I can’t escape the demons inside me. Lily’s presence… they haunt me all the time. I can’t bear the heavy guilt anymore.”

Rebekah, feeling heartbroken for Don, took a deep breath before speaking kindly. “Don, I can’t fully understand how much pain you’re in, but I do know that Lily would want you to keep going, to find a way to heal. She loved you as her brother, Don, and she wouldn’t want to see you suffer like this. I know you believe you caused her…hurt…but you didn’t. It’s not your fault she’s gone now.”

Tears filled Don’s eyes as he listened to Rebekah’s words. “I treated her so badly. I let her down. I failed to protect her, and now I can’t bear the weight of that failure.”

Rebekah’s voice became gentle, her own sadness showing. “We all carry burdens, Don. We all have moments when we feel weak and make mistakes. But those moments don’t define who we are. Lily is still in our hearts. I still have hope she’s out there. You must find the strength to heal and move forward from your own guilt.”

Don looked defeated as his shoulders slumped under the weight of his sadness. “I don’t know if I can be strong. The pain is too much. The guilt is too much. I see her everywhere. It’s like…”

Rebekah reached out and gently held Don’s trembling shoulders. “Lean on us, Don. Lean on your friends and the pack, on those who care about you. We may not have all the answers, but together, we can find a way to heal. You’re not alone in this.”

A moment of quiet sadness enveloped them. The weight of their unspoken grief hung in the air. Don locked eyes with Rebekah and saw a glimpse of hope amidst the darkness.

He had no parents when Henry brought him there and Rebekah had never really acted as a parent to him. He only saw Henry as his father, and unlike Jaxon who had a foster family, he didn’t. Don had always felt intrinsic loneliness so he tried to escape from by passing on his inner grief to others. This was why he always treated Lily the way he did. Because she was the real daughter of Henry and Rebekah, and she had almost everything he actually wanted – a family and real friends. Don always wanted a real family but had never personally thought he experienced that feeling.

Rebekah being there for him really did mean and changed a lot for him.

With a shaky voice, he whispered, “I’ll try. I’ll try to find that strength.”

Rebekah nodded compassionately. “That’s all we can ask, Don. Take it one step at a time, and remember that we’re here to support you. I’m here to support you, Don. You and Jaxon are like the sons I never had…don’t ever think of doing this again, please.”

She placed her hand on the hand the knife is in hand and slowly, they both lowered it down and she threw it across the room.

They sat together on the floor, sharing their pain and their hopes for healing. She hugged him and his pain seemed to lessen in her arms.

Don just wanted a family but he never realised he always had one.

••••••••••••

In Rex’s quiet room, where sadness hung in the air, Tyler stood by his father’s side. He had finally brought himself to see his father after the elders and Lily’s parents persuaded and kind of forced him to. They stood outside whilst Tyler was summoned in by Rex.

Rex, once strong and powerful, now looked weak and tired, but his eyes showed love and weariness as he looked at his son.

“Tyler,” Rex whispered with a weak voice. “Come closer, my son.”

Tyler’s heart hurt as he moved closer, feeling guilty for what had happened with every step he took. He blamed himself for the situation that now threatened to take his father away. He blamed himself every second of the day. He constantly beat himself up for it. He tried to keep the tears in and to look strong in front of his father; that was exactly what Rex would want him to do.

Rex’s gaze softened, showing the love and wisdom of a lifetime. “Tyler, my time in this world is drawing close, but yours is just beginning. I believe in you, my son. You have the strength and courage to lead our pack.”

Tyler’s voice trembled with strong emotions as he struggled to express himself despite the overwhelming sadness he felt. “Dad, I… I’m not sure if I can do what you’ve done. I’ve messed up so many times. It’s because of me…that…”

Rex reached out and gently placed his weak hand on Tyler’s, “We all make mistakes, Tyler. It’s a natural part of being who we are, especially when we’re in a leadership position. What matters is how we learn from those mistakes and grow. Through your experiences, you’ve learned to be humble and compassionate, and those qualities will guide you.”

Tears welled up in Tyler’s eyes as he listened to his father’s wise words. The sorrow he felt made him hang his head “I wish things could have been different, Dad. I wish I could have made you proud.”

A tender smile graced Rex’s lips. “You’ve already made me proud, Tyler. You’ve shown resilience and determination in the face of challenges. Now, it’s time for you to step into your role as the leader of our pack, to guide and protect them with the same love and dedication that I have.”

Tyler’s voice trembled as he spoke, “I promise, father, I will continue your work. I will lead our pack with honesty and strength. I will do my best.”

Rex’s hand held Tyler’s tightly, his voice barely still audible. “I believe in you, my son. Trust your instincts, rely on those who support you, and remember that true leadership is not about having power, but about serving and keeping those you care for safe.”

Tyler felt a mix of sadness and determination as he absorbed his father’s words. He knew he had to carry Rex’s teachings in his heart and strive to become the leader his father had always seen in him. He knew he could never outshine his father’s legacy but he would try.

With a broken voice, he spoke, “Father…I…. I…I’m sorry for everything, for all the times I’ve disrespected you. I’m sorry for..” and he broke down into tears. “I can’t see you go, not yet…without you…Mom’s already gone. I can’t lose you too.” His words choked him.

Rex smiled warmly at him and held his hand tighter, “The Alpha of the BlueMoon pack does not shed tears in adversary, Tyler. He smiles because he knows this adversary will pass and there will always be a new beginning. There’s no need to apologize for anything, my son.”

The room grew quiet as Rex’s breaths became weaker, his energy fading. He looked at Tyler with love and pride, whispering softly, “I’m proud of you, Tyler. Always remember who you are and lead with honor.”

With those final words, Rex’s pulse became slower and his hand grew limp.

“Father…Father? Father?!” Tyler shook his dad’s hand but there was no response. He pressed his teeth together, suppressing the pain that was bubbling inside him.

He carefully closed his father’s eyes shut and knelt beside him, bowing three times to honour his passing.

With a painful grunt, he shouted, “Guards! Guards!”

They came running in. Without Tyler saying anything, they returned out and their voices proclaimed, “The Alpha is dead!!”