Rejected and Claimed by her Alpha Triplets-Chapter 301 - a way

301

~Thorne’s POV

I felt my face heat up even more, and I glanced at Elara. She met my eyes and gave me a small nod, her expression teasing but kind.

Seraphine’s eyes softened again, and she shook her head. "Ah... I suppose I shouldn’t scold you both too much. It’s just... It’s been too long. I’ve missed seeing you, and now, to hear your excuses..." She laughed again, the sound light and musical. "Alright, enough teasing. Let’s eat, drink, and talk properly. I want to hear everything you’ve been through."

We ate in silence, letting the food settle and the quiet of the morning surround us. Then, I took a deep breath, my eyes meeting Seraphine’s, and I spoke, my voice soft but steady. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Mother... I..." I paused, swallowed hard, then said it fully, "I’m sorry. I should have called you mother sooner."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked stunned, as if she hadn’t expected those words. Then, slowly, she nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Thorne..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "It’s... It’s okay. You... you’ve never needed to say it."

"I’ve been difficult," I admitted, my fingers tightening around my spoon. "I pushed you away... but you never hated me. I.... I just... I didn’t understand how to reach you."

Her lips trembled, and she looked down, silently crying for a few seconds. Then she shook her head, lifting her gaze to mine. "It’s fine," she said softly. "I knew how hurt you were as a child... your father... forbidding you from knowing your mother... I understood. I never stopped loving you."

"I’m sorry again," I said, my throat tight. "For everything."

She waved her hand gently. "It’s okay, Thorne. Really. You’ve always had a heavy burden."

I stayed quiet for a long moment, just staring at her, the weight of all those years pressing on me. Then I asked, my voice hesitant, "Could you... Tell me more about her? My mother?"

Seraphine smiled faintly, as if my words brought back memories she had almost forgotten. "You make me remember him, your father," she said softly. Then she shook her head and started, "I honestly had no idea who your mother was in full... only that your father never stopped talking about her, even when he forbade you from knowing anything."

I leaned closer, my eyes fixed on Seraphine, every word she said sinking deep into me. Elara stayed at my side, her hand brushing mine lightly, giving me a quiet comfort that I didn’t know I needed.

"He never loved me," Seraphine repeated, her voice low, almost a whisper. Her eyes darkened with memories I couldn’t begin to understand. "Or... I should say, he had no room in his heart for me. His heart belonged only to your mother. I was just... a Luna in the pack, nothing more. Always jealous of her... always."

My chest tightened. The words cut deeper than I expected. I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly around the edge of the chair. I could feel guilt twisting inside me, a tight, painful coil.

"He refused... he refused to... have a child with me," she continued, softer this time, almost like she was talking to herself. "Because of her. He... he loved her too much."

I couldn’t move. My mouth felt dry. I couldn’t imagine the loneliness, the longing, the quiet pain she must have felt for so many years. And yet, she never hated him, or me.

I looked down at my own hands, feeling ashamed. The weight of my father’s selfishness, his choices, pressed down on me in a way I hadn’t fully understood before.

Seraphine noticed my expression and let out a quiet, almost sad laugh. "It’s alright, Thorne. I accepted it... because I loved him in my own way, and I love you too. I always have. That was enough for me."

I exhaled slowly, trying to let her words reach the corners of my heart that had hardened over the years. The mixture of sorrow and relief tangled inside me.

After a moment, my voice broke through the quiet, trembling slightly. "Did... did my father ever mention having another child? Someone apart from me?"

She nodded slowly, her silver eyes distant as if she were reaching back into a painful memory. "Yes... he did. But you were separated from them. He had to choose between you and the other child. He chose you... because you were a boy."

Her words landed heavily on my chest. I felt as though the air had thickened, pressing down on me with the weight of a thousand unspoken truths. My hand tightened around the hem of my cloak, knuckles whitening, though I didn’t realize it.

"And... what happened to the other child?" I asked softly, my voice trembling slightly despite my effort to keep it steady.

Seraphine shook her head slowly, her gaze far away. "He... he felt guilty until he passed. If he had tried harder... maybe your twin sister would still be alive. But... it was never meant to be."

I closed my eyes, letting her words wash over me. The guilt, the anger, the sorrow... it all collided inside me. Elara stayed silent, just letting me process everything.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "Mom... I... I actually came across someone," I said slowly, feeling the weight of the words. "Someone who... resembles me so much. It was uncanny. I couldn’t... I couldn’t ignore it."

Seraphine’s eyes immediately softened, but concern crept in. "Resembles you? Where... where is she?" Her voice was quiet, but there was a sharp edge of worry underneath.

I shook my head slightly. "You’ll see... once I find her again. I can’t explain fully now. It’s something I have to do myself."

She studied me for a moment, her silver gaze piercing, as if trying to read the truth of my words. Then, she leaned back and let out a soft sigh. "Very well... very well." She motioned toward the food. "Let’s eat. You’re too tense, Thorne. And Elara... you too."

Elara smiled softly, nudging my arm with hers. "See? You can eat first, Thorne. We’ll talk after."

I nodded, trying to shake off the tension. As we began to eat, Seraphine’s tone shifted, gentle but firm. "Now... about the matter of a grandchild. This is important. The pack cannot rely solely on duty and service. You both must think about the future... the heir."

I glanced at Elara, seeing the faint blush on her cheeks. She nodded slightly, acknowledging the weight of the words.

Seraphine continued, her voice steady. "It is not enough to fulfill your roles as leaders, as caretakers of the pack. You must also ensure its future. The pack needs someone to carry on the bloodline. Someone who will continue the strength of our family."

I swallowed hard, duty had always been my priority, but she was right, there had to be balance. We could not let the pack fall into emptiness because we focused only on responsibilities.

Elara reached out, placing her hand over mine. "We understand, mother. We... we’ll find a way. Together."