The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

125 Mother

~Amelia~

Leo wasn't in bed when I woke up. Someone was knocking on the door. I did not know who it was but did not appreciate the disturbance.

I had planned to sleep longer this morning, but it seemed that wouldn't happen. I looked at the clock. It was almost eight in the morning.

"Amelia, Amelia," I heard Alexei's voice, and I wondered why he was banging on my door. I really missed our bungalow in Mountain. I couldn't wait for this thing to be over. There was nothing private about the place. I grumbled and felt a bit irritated.

"I am coming." I managed, and the banging stopped.

I got off the bed and went to the door.

I opened it and walked away from the door to brush my teeth. Whatever Alexei had to tell me could wait. I did not like having morning breath.

"Amelia," He said, and I raised my hands, signalling him to wait while I walked towards the bathroom.

I did not take too long to brush my teeth and rinse my mouth. I exited the bathroom, and he was still standing by the door. I did not spend up to five minutes, so it was fair.

"Good morning, big brother," I said, sounding slightly irritated, and he chuckled.

"Good morning. I apologise for disturbing you, but Leo seemed busy and asked me to handle it." He said, and I frowned at him, wondering what he had to handle.

He sighed and walked towards me. I noticed he was trying to find the right words, and that did not sit well with me. Such behaviour always indicates something serious. What could be serious that Leo could not tell me himself but sent Alexei to convey to me?

"Someone is here to see you," he said, and I frowned at him. I wondered who would come searching for me at the estate early in the morning. I was a guest at the Volkov Estate. Everyone I know who cared about me was in the estate. I wondered who would be there.

"Who?" I asked, and he sighed. There was difficulty and contemplation in his eyes. I could see that Alexei did not appreciate Leo putting him up to whatever he had to say.

"Your mother," he said, and I stepped backwards. I was in shock, and Alexei rushed towards me. He helped me sit on the couch while I tried to steady my breath.

"Take it easy, Amelia. It is expected she will search for you after the broadcast yesterday. She has been in hiding because of Yuri." He said, and he really sucked at giving shocking news.

"She is freshening up as we speak. She came here disguised as a madwoman. Please take it easy," He told me, and I just looked at him. Why would she come disguised as a madwoman? But then he did say she was hiding.

"Let me freshen up," I said, and he nodded.

"Clay and I will keep her company in the common lounge. Tamia said we could use the place. You can join us there when you are ready. Please do not take long," Alexei said, and I frowned at him.

"Do you know her?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"She sent my mother and me money when we were hiding in the north. She was a great support to our father and our family. She would send me and Clay extra funds, and she and Father would write letters. Until they attacked them in the West and killed Father, and she had to give you up and go

into hiding. I tried to find her but gave up, not knowing what she looked like. You, on the other hand. It was difficult finding you too, but unlike you, she was aware of the dangers, and she hid well," He said and chuckled. There was a pain in his laugh, but I chose to ignore it.

There was fondness in his voice while he spoke of the woman he claimed was my mother, and I knew he was reminiscing. Too bad I did not have such memories. I had none.

"I will freshen up and join you two," I said and got up. Alexei held my hand and looked at me, pleading.

"Please take it easy on her. She did not have it easy either. I would give anything for my mother to be here. She wouldn't be alive if she did not go into hiding and stay away from you," He said, and I nodded.

He wasn't to tell me how to react. I could understand his sentiments, but she abandoned me with her Omega. What if I was kidnapped and killed? I went through shit. She should have taken me with her; we would have hidden together. I could not share the same sentiments as Alexei, but there was no need to tell him that.

I felt uneasy. I was angry and nervous at the same time. I tried to relax so I did not get to the point that it wouldn't affect my baby, but I couldn't. My body was going crazy. I stood under the shower and hugged myself, hoping the warm water would soothe my pain. Where was Leo? Why would he leave me to handle this alone? I seemed tough most of the time, but I did not want to face her alone.

Although this would have been good news, I felt angry. I felt she did what she did out of convenience. I felt robbed.

"Leo," I tried to link him, and there was silence.

"Leo," I said, feeling for him again. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"Amelia," he responded, and I exhaled.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"A bad rash. At the Infirmary. They have given us medication, and we are waiting for the itch and inflammation to subside. I am also a bit drowsy." He said, and I remembered the AgK32.

Erik did say the rash was a side effect, but he had said it would be mild. The lying bastard.

"Everyone is there?" I asked him, and it took a bit before he answered.

"Yes, including Sylvester. Everyone that was given the drug except for Devin, I heard he went through his last night, but he is better now," Leo said, and I knew the last part was for my benefit.

It would be best if I did not trouble him with my problems. Facing my mother alone would have to do.

I exited the shower, wore a simple cream dress, and headed to the common room.

"How are you feel, Amelia?" I heard Tamia's voice in my head. Since when was she able to link me?

"How come?" I asked instead of replying to her question.

"Leo joined Sylvester's pack yesterday. They all did, so they could link each other during the fight in the woods. It is only temporary until this Yuri business is done. Once it is over, it will be back to the way it was," She explained, and I sighed.

Since Leo was my Alpha and Sylvester was now his Alpha, it was expected that Tamia would be able to link me. It also meant I could Link Linda too.

"I am fine," I replied, and she was silent.

"I heard your mother is here," She said, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the speed at which news travelled. She was queen, so nothing would move past her, but I wished I was allowed to share the news instead.

"So I heard. I am off to join her in the common room," I said, and she was silent.

"Take it easy, Amelia. No one will disturb you. I have assigned an omega to attend to her. They will serve you breakfast there. If you need support, you can call on us," She said, and I was grateful for the support. Tamia had been kind to me since we met. She was indeed an amazing person.

"Thank you, Tamia. I really appreciate it," I linked her back, and she closed the connection. I wanted to link Linda and request she joins me, but I believed I would have to do this alone.

I moved toward the lounge, my heart thumping in my chest. I did not know what to expect and how best to react, but I knew it was only wise that I remained calm for all our sakes.

I heard Alexei and Clay's voices when I got to the lounge. They sounded delighted to see her even though I believed they were seeing her for the first time, but they seemed to have much to discuss.

They stopped talking when I entered, and she was on a couch in the lounge.

She wore a simple white dress, and her hair was wet, so I figured she had showered at the estate.

She stood up and looked at me. I could see a mix of emotions in her eyes. Worry, fear, joy, it was much, and tears lingered in them too.

She was indeed a gorgeous woman.

Raven black hair and brilliant blue eyes. I looked nothing like her.

Time had been gentle on her, and she did not look her age at all. It also meant that she did not suffer. I hated being a bitter bitch, but I felt rage surge. I tried to relax. Alexei and Clay excused us quietly.

We stared at each. I did not know what to say, so I held my tongue.

"I am sorry," She said, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was the first to break the silence, so I held my tongue.

"I could not run with you because I did not know my fate. I wanted you to be somewhere they wouldn't search for you. I told Karen to take you somewhere I wouldn't find you. I did not want to give you up if they ever caught me. I later found that Yuri got to her. She was killed. I would have remained and searched for you, but I couldn't. Too many people had my pictures, and I did not want to lead them to you. My properties and resources had been seized. I had nothing. The head Alpha of the West had taken everything from me to smoke me out. I was stranded and hopeless. I could not do much hiding and trying to survive. Please, Amelia," She said nervously, rushing through her words.

It seemed she had much to say and needed me to hear her out. It also seemed she was afraid I might say something hurtful to her. I held my tongue to allow her the opportunity to say all she could without interruption. I had always been a good listener. I planned to put it to good use.

"All this while, I never stop thinking of you. The only things that kept me going were the hope of finding you and my hope for revenge until yesterday when I saw you and your brothers on the television. Please. I have no excuse; I just wanted to see you," She said, wiping away her tears. She was shaking nervously. I could see her fear. Even though she was an Alpha breed, the fear radiated.

I looked at her for a while.

I could not be sentimental over something I do not understand. I could not be emotional about someone I did not know. I was suddenly numb. Maybe now that I had life growing inside me, I would understand the bond better, but staring at her, I felt nothing.

There was so much to do; I did not want to waste time voicing emotions that no longer mattered to me. She wasn't there when I needed her the most. I was alone. I grew up alone, and I moved about alone. It was hard, but I survived until I found Leo, and I wasn't alone anymore. I had a family now. There was no point lashing out.

"I cannot say anything that would make you happy, but I am glad to see you. At least I know what you look like, and Yuri didn't get to you…."I said, and she did not let me finish my sentence when she rushed at me and wrapped her arms around me.

"Amelia," she said, holding me tightly and weeping. I stood still. Reluctant to wrap my arms around her. I was numb.

"I am so sorry. They watched me for so long that I could not search for you. They hoped I would lead them to you, so I could not search. When I finally slipped off their radar, I dared not resurface again. I have been living like a madwoman for many years now. Hoping, one day, I will find you and your brothers. Please, Amelia," She said, and I did not know what she was begging for, but I lifted my hands and wrapped my arms around her.

She needed comfort to ease her aching heart. I wanted to be calm, so numbness would do for me now.

She broke the hug eventually and led me to sit with her on the couch while the Omegas served food.

No matter how I felt, I knew I needed to eat. I wasn't in the mood to catch up, but I will try.

While we ate, Alexei and Clay joined us.

It was clear they could not stay away. The way they looked at my mother made me feel cheated. Whatever she had with them, she did not have with me. It was a pity. Though this was their first time seeing each other, she was a mother to them.

Yuri had robbed me deeply. He deserved what was coming, and I hoped Leo would allow me to join them because I wanted my pound of flesh from the bastard. If anyone had to pay for all my trouble, it was Yuri and his cult, and I planned to make him pay painfully.