3. The Lost Relative

[Erica]

Her eyes fluttered open. However, she couldn't tell if it was day or simply she had woken up in the middle of the night. She definitely felt rested, even though her eyes felt dry and crusty. She rubbed her eyes and padded to the washroom. The mansion was surprisingly equipped with a good water supply. Maybe it's magic, she thought offhandedly as she washed her face. She looked at the medium-sized mirror above the washbasin. Tired, swollen and red-rimmed eyes stared back at her. Her skin looked pale. She hardly recognised herself anymore. 

She exited the washroom and decided to go outside and see if anyone had woken up. The corridor was silent. She padded her way to the hall or the living room where she had first met the others. She was about to enter when she heard hushed voices coming from the room. She stilled and strained her ears to listen.

"I don't want to burden her any further", a male voice said, and Erica could bet that it was the same man who had shown her to her room.

"But she needs to know. Things have been kept from her for so long," Elias argued. 

"What if she...hates me? I mean, I have not been around for Evangeline either-" Erica's breath caught in her throat when she heard her mother's name.

"You couldn't be Lucien. We have been in hiding for a very long time," Elias consoled. 

"Evangeline is my daughter Elias, and she was on the run. I was saved but now with Erica here...who knows what she must be going through".

Erica's ears started ringing, the rest of the conversation drowned out. Her grandfather is alive?

~*~*~

[Xavier]

He stared at Arnold for a moment, unable to believe it. He could hear Mathilda let out a soft gasp. "He is awake?" he repeated unintelligibly. A cocktail of emotions was coursing through his body.  Arnold nodded mutely, gaze laced with worry. He exhaled a slow, shaky breath before nodding. He put the laptop aside and stood up. He hesitated for a moment, trying his best to sort out his emotions before actually meeting his brother for the first time in five years. 

"Xav", Mathilda mumbled, her eyes worriedly regarding him. She lightly placed her hand on his forearm, silently comforting him. He covered her hand with his other hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before the three of them set out to meet Tristan. 

"Alpha Tristan was barely conscious before he tried to speak and Luna queen understood after a while that he was asking for you," Arnold explained as they walked towards the infirmary. "When I last visited him before coming to Xavier, he was unconscious", Mathilda mused. Arnold nodded, "Yes, the doctors and Queen Jade are saying it's no less than a miracle that he regained consciousness so fast". 

"Has he... changed?" Xavier muttered, a little reluctantly. Arnold replied, "Sadly, no. He is still in that half turned form. But Dr. Reese reckons that he will be able to change back once he is strong enough". Xavier remained silent. He had not visited Tristan after bringing him back. No one persuaded or asked him to either. His heartbeat quickened with apprehension as they approached the infirmary. Ava will surely be pissed with him and his father will continue grumbling under his breath. He sighed, missing Leikos at the moment. He had never wished for his presence more. 

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Ava pacing the length of the small corridor in the infirmary, talking to someone over the phone. Her face looked brighter and her form more relaxed than he had seen in the past few years. Well, it had to be since she has finally reunited with her mate. A flash of envy coursed through him. He immediately felt guilty. His jaw clenched as he wondered how she must have survived every day with no news of her mate, no clue about where he could be and what must have she felt when everyone gave up, almost announcing him dead to the world had it not been for his mother's indignant protest. But at least Ava had not been rejected. 

He felt like leaving instantly, even if that would delay her disapproval of him by a day or two. "Ava", he heard Mathilda holler, drawing Ava's attention. Ava's eyes landed on them and soon she was walking towards them and before Xavier knew she had encircled her arms around his waist and was hugging him tightly.  He is taken aback for a moment before returning the embrace. He looks at Arnold and Mathilda, who smiled at him ruefully.

"I am so sorry, Xav," he heard his best friend mumble, her voice muffled into his chest. Xavier swallowed down the lump that was forming in his throat. He gave a light pat on her shoulder, not trusting his voice before she pulled away and stepped back. 

"How is he?" he murmured. "He is...well. I mean compared to how he was yesterday," she informed, giving him a strained smile. Then she held his hands and said, "Xav, I think I know what you might be going through and I am so sorry. But I am here for-" 

Xavier interrupted, "I don't want you to be sorry, Ava. I am happy for you". His voice quivered a little. His voice sounded foreign, even to his ears. Ava's lips tilted up into a small smile before she tugged him lightly and before he knew, he was standing at the foot of Tristan's bed. He gulped, trying not to flinch at his beat-up state. He had been too dazed, too numb.to notice his brother's crippled form. Several tubes were hooked to his body. He noticed iron cuffs on his wrists. Ava must have followed his gaze as she quickly explained, "He had started thrashing and roaring the moment he regained consciousness, so..." 

Xavier turned to look at her, "I see". Except for the four of them, there wasn't anyone else. Ava informed, "I sent the Luna queen and Alpha Sam to take some rest. They have been here since Tristan was brought in. And Dr.Reese will come by an hour or so later". Xavier nodded, grateful for sending his parents to take a rest. Whether it was for them or for him, he didn't want to know. He might not be able to face them just yet, to be able to endure their pitiful looks. 

Ava was about to say more when they heard a groan. Xavier's head snapped towards the direction of the sound. His breath hitched when those amber orbs met his. Recognition flashed through Tristan's gaze, and he blinked once as if silently beckoning Xavier. 

Xavier wordlessly went towards him and stood beside his bed. He distantly heard shuffling and guessed that maybe the other occupants of the room had left. A quick side glance confirmed his assumption. 

"I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier," he murmured, swallowing thickly. He lowers his gaze, "I...just...it's...a lot is going on at the moment and I was selfish enough to wallow in my grief than be a supportive younger brother". Suddenly words seemed difficult. Tristan's gaze remained on him, unwavering and intent. 

"But you need to know that-that you...you helped me to...to find...you, and I am happy", and he really meant it. Tristan opened his mouth. His teeth were jagged, Xavier could still see traces of blood. His fists clenched as he felt anger flare-up. He would make them pay with their lives, whoever they were. 

He heard a gurgling noise and realised Tristan wanted to say something. A wheezing noise sounded from deep within his throat. Xavier placed a hand on Tristan's arm and said placatingly, "It's okay, you don't need to talk. You can speak when you feel well". But Tristan growled in protest, a feeble one. Xavier furrowed his brows. His brother opened his mouth again and this time with a herculean effort he managed to spit out the message. A hollow sound, too feeble to be heard, but Xavier did. A short two-worded message that made Xavier freeze on the spot, "Mate. Mage"

***A/N***

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