Chapter 32 #2
Shadi wipes his tears with the back of his hand, “The information was wrong. The bureau followed a false lead, hoping to locate the lost key. All the clues my sister deciphered led to an empty throne room. The entire expedition was for nothing. The losses accrued were for nothing. My sister lost her life, her chance to have a family of her own, for nothing! It was a trap set up to weaken the royal families. And the whole thing was covered up. The bureau didn’t want people to learn of the shameful defeat these two,” he yells, turning his body to face Annabella and Christopher, “had at the hands of cultists. My sister’s death was labeled as an error in the field, as though she was to blame for the loss of her own life, all for the sake of keeping up appearances. ”
Christopher slams his hands on the table and rises, “Shadi, it is not as simple as-”
“Quiet!” Shadi yells, chest heaving, “You don’t get to try and justify it. You and Annabella tried to throw money at us, to try and pay for your failures. You took advantage of the fact that Bahera and I had nothing, no way to provide for Hakeem. You wanted our silence.”
Annabella shouts her interjection, ruby mana thickening the air, “We wanted to give the boy a chance. He lost his mother, thanks to our shortcomings. We don’t deny that, Shadi.
We wanted to help, to give the boy options in life.
To give him the life Hiba, who was our dear friend, would never get the chance to give him.
We have respected your wishes, Shadi, to keep our distance from your family, the memories too cruel to face.
I don’t understand, after all we’ve done to try and make amends, why do you still resent us so fervently? ”
“You want to know why, Annabella?” Shadi can’t stop the tears from rolling down his sun tanned cheeks, “I will tell you why. Because, my sister should’ve come home that day.
She wasn’t a fighter and the two of you were, and are still, some of the most powerful people in the realms. The bureau should’ve been prepared for an ambush.
You two should have been able to protect yourselves and your team.
HIBA SHOULD HAVE COME BACK TO ME THAT DAY INSTEAD OF-”
Shadi’s explosive rant is cut off by Eddie’s sharp tone, face twisted in anger. “Mr. Al-Najim! I suggest you choose your next words wisely.”
Shadi’s eyes widen and his hand slaps across his mouth as he realizes what he was about to say, how it could be interpreted.
He slowly turns his body, tears rolling down his face, to see Hakeem clinging onto Jackson.
His nephew didn’t dare look at him, he couldn’t fault him for it.
“Hakeem I- I didn’t mean- I never meant to imply… ”
Jackson pulls Eddie back to him and Hakeem, leaving them behind as he steps up to Shadi. “Mr. Al-Najim, if I may be so bold. I am all too familiar with the feeling of losing a loved one. I have no doubt in my mind you love Hakeem, but that doesn’t erase the pain of losing your sister.”
Shadi goes silent, his face turned away in shame.
Hakeem pulls away from Eddie and moves past Jackson to place a gentle hand on his uncle’s shoulder.
“Khalo Shadi,” Shadi risks a glance to his nephew, whose eyes are glossy yet filled with a kindness he feels undeserved to, “all these years, why did you insist I never call you Baba or Khalto Bahera Mama? You raised me with love like a parent should but you always insisted I never use those titles. Is it because you-”
“No!” Shadi cut off his nephew before he could finish that cruel thought.
“Hakeem, I am so grateful to have you in my life. I never wished you were never born. I…I just…I had you refer to us as your aunt and uncle because, in some bizarre way, I convinced myself it meant Hiba would walk into the house alive and well someday. I never blamed you for what happened. I just-it was the only way I could cope.”
Christopher walks around his desk to stand beside Annabella. “It was easier to blame us than to risk your sorrow turning to resentment towards Hakeem. I understand. I know we can never make it up to you, Shadi. I do hope now that our boys have come together, we can heal and move forward, together.”
Jackson takes Eddie’s hand and steps forward, “There’s still one thing I don’t understand. Why did you want me and Eddie here for this as well? This feels like a private matter.”
Annabella holds up a piece of paper from the desk with two fingers, “Because there was something we had kept from all three of you. Nothing damning, but we had to keep it a secret to ensure fate could take its course.”
Eddie squeezes Jackson’s hand, “And that is?”
Annabella sighs, “Brenda Lee left a final prophecy before passing, one that was delivered to the three of us separately. It stated that the three of you,” She gestures to the boys, “were destined to meet. With the terms of her will concerning Jackson’s inheritance of the apartment, it was the perfect opportunity to secure all three of your futures.
We never expected it to produce such,” she smiles fondly, “fortuitous results.
We never wanted to force any of you on a path, so it was set up where the choice was still your own to make.
And it seems to have been the right one.
“Jackson, you’ve opened your heart after so many years.
Eddie, you seem to be awakening a power you thought lost to you ages ago.
Hakeem, you have found two people who seem to care for you deeply, granting your mother’s final request that Christopher and I could never have hoped to fulfill on our own. ”
“May you have all the love we could never give.”
Shadi places his hands on Hakeem’s arms, his own shoulder shuddering from overwhelming emotions.
“I’m sorry if my stubbornness has hurt you in any way over the years, Hakeem.
I knew I owed it to you and Hiba to at least make sure you saw that flier, to give you the choice to meet Jackson and Eddie.
I wonder if you could have found happiness earlier if it wasn’t for me. ”
Hakeem pulls his uncle into a hug, a few stray tears rolling down his soft cheeks.
“Khalo Shadi, I promise you, all my life has led me here. You and Khalto Bahera gave me an amazing life, and two cousins who became my best friends growing up. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thank you for loving me all these years. ”
Shadi returns to the hug in full, voice cracking, “You are easy to love, Hakeem.”
Jackson relaxes next to Eddie, tension leaving his shoulders. “Why am I not surprised this all began with Brenda. That woman will be the undeath of me,” he says in an exhale.
Eddie chuckles as he kisses the top of Jackson’s head. “I’m glad though. I don’t think I would change a thing if it meant risking what we have.”
Hakeem goes over to them, wrapping his arms around his boyfriends, “All the chaos was worth it.”
Jackson chuckles and kisses him on the cheek, “Absolutely.”
“So,” says Jackson, “are there any other family secrets me and my darling boyfriends need to be aware of?” Christopher, Annabella and Shadi shake their heads.
“Marvelous! Hakeem and I will join Janice and company in the living room. Eddie, you go get ready for the run. I have a feeling the excitement for the night isn’t over just yet. ”
Eddie looks down to Hakeem, “Will you be okay, sweety? I know it was a lot to take in.”
Hakeem pulls him in for a kiss, smiling against Eddie’s lips, “A lot of information, yes. But nothing blatantly negative. I will be fine, I have Jackson with me and my family if any more feelings bubble up. You go for the run, ya hubiy.” Shadi raises an eyebrow at the nickname but chooses to say nothing.
* * *
Jackson and Hakeem join the rest of the group as the LaLune siblings and Christopher change into their enchanted running clothes.
The group enjoys coffee, tea and fruit in front of wide double glass doors that overlook the back of the manor.
They can see the start of the run from their spot indoors, out of the way from the wolf pack’s running path.
When asked why Meghan doesn’t shift and join them, she simply replies with a preference to drinks and snacks.
h simply replies with a preference to drinks and snacks.
The group shares a laugh of agreement, though Bahera and Janice exchange knowing glances when Meghan places a tentative hand over her belly, a bashful smile across her freckled face.
Perhaps news for a later date?
Jackson holds Hakeem’s hand in his, “You sure you’re okay, hunny bun?”
Hakeem rests his head on Jackson’s shoulder, a soft smile across his face. “I am, promise. Just a lot on my mind. In the end, I am happy it was fated for us to meet. I can’t imagine life without you or Eddie. I wish so much hurt didn’t have to happen for us to come together.”
Jackson kisses his head of soft curls, “I know. All we can do now is work towards a future together.”
Hakeem sighs and nuzzles in closer, liking the sound of that. “Together.”
* * *
Back in the Winter realm, deep in Castle Nocturne, Lady Eloise stares out a large window at the full moon.
Her book sits open in her lap, sharp nails tapping on the page.
Her expression remains neutral, her brows furrowed in thought.
“I hope you boys are ready. I could only say so much. As bright as your futures are, you know the old saying.” Her eyes dart to the page bathed in moonlight.
“Forged under the full moon’s light.
From mortal flesh and beastly blight.
Let silvered chains tether beast to man,
for without the other one cannot be.
Till peace be made within,
The Lycan will never be free.”
“The first shift is always the hardest.”
* * *