Chapter 227 - 227

"Adam listen to me, stop, stop, it's okay. Look at me. You're fine, you're fine!" Daniel tried to calm down the angry Alpha. 

He was pacing in their room, his feet aching from standing but he just couldn't sit still. They kept getting louder and louder. No matter what he did, no matter how many pills he took, no matter how many hours he slept they were always there, creeping in the corners of his mind haunting them. 

Richard, his father and the previous father had died at the elf war, leaving him alone and unprepared to take over all of the responsibilities. His work truly began then with Daniel and Markus. He had assigned Daniel as his beta, seeing this as a way to recognize him and show to the world how important he was to him. They couldn't be together in such unstable times of change, as everything seemed to treble, careful steps were needed so they kept it a secret. Adam closed down the factory and announced that education now was mandatory until the age of eighteen. He also began building a college, a place where his people would be able to study without the fear of being hunted down by hunters. He allowed people to pursue their dreams and instead of a laboring house he turned their compound into a shelter for those of his kind. The only thing they had to do was pay some short of tax to be able to preserve the huge compound's needs. That was th only thing that Adam had asked of them. 

But with that responsibility came late working hours to the point that his life had only began being working hours. His fragile mind obviously wasn't kind to him and as he kept getting exhausted, more and more he was pushing himself into a bead end, a road with no actual return and he could sense it but he couldn't stop now. Luke was still not ready, they had just received word of hunters entering their area and he had to keep everything together. The only thing that wasn't together was him and the last years it showed. 

"Shut up Daniel. Please just leave me alone, I can't, I can't." he cried as she fell to the ground. He brought his knees to his chest, hiding his face as his tears dumped his jeans. Daniel sighed, filled with immense worry as he slowly tried to approach him. He was sick of repeating the same sentence again and again. It would be alright, things are okay. Things were not okay and both knew it, but what else could he possibly say or do? He wished to cure him but after centuries he had realized there was no other way so now all he could do was just sit there, on the cold floor with him. He brought his body in his embrace, trying hard to keep his tears to himself as he heard Adam sniffle. He couldn't make him feel guilty about this too. "I am sorry. I…" he heard Adam mumble and gave him a bitter smile, even though they weren't looking at each other, the alpha was hiding his face, trying to conceal his emotions even though it was obvious. 

"It's alright. Don't worry but Adam, I really think you need to let that human boy and Luke be. He seems harmless even with that mark on his back and Luke, he cares about him." Daniel said. Adam let down his long legs, not holding them anymore and his head rested on the wall, his grey hair messily falling on his forehead and eyes. He smiled. 

"Luke does not love that kid Daniel. It's as clear as day. Also that human is more dangerous than you think. I do not want him in my pack. He will hurt my son eventually and everything will crumble." 

"You cannot predict the future Adam. Leave them be. You've done enough, Luke is unhappy with you. You used to show him so much love but now you are so cold towards him, I doubt that he believes you love him anymore." 

"It's better that way." Adam stated and took Daniel's hand. He brought it close to his lips and kissed it, a gesture that had become a habit through the years, a shadow of their younger shelves and the etiquette of another time. Adam did find it quite romantic though and loved the blush on Daniel's face as his lips touched his skin. They had many more intimate moments, some of them a lot more intense but small gestures like these always made his heart flutter. It felt as if they were kids once more. "that way he won't be that sad when I leave." 

"Leave? Where will you go?" Daniel asked him, blinking innocently a few times. 

"Oh, in many places." Adam said with a dreamy smile. "I will go back to London and see the places we sneaked out at night, the old factory and my family's mansion. Then I will travel somewhere far away and lay on the golden sand, see the beach. I will also enjoy lots of good food and music." 

"When did we say we were going on a trip and I can't remember?"

"You won't come. You can't come, not yet." 

"What? Are you teasing me again? If you are simply stop it." Daniel whined and Adam laughed. Wholeheartedly the sound echoed on their huge room. He grabbed Daniel, bringing him in his arms and kissed him. Surprising the wolf. "W-what was that?" 

"I love you, you're the only one I trust so please watch after Luke for me? While I travel away, until one day come back to find you again."

"Enough with this joke. You have no time to go on vacation Adam we have work to do." Daniel scolded him and his mate caressed his cheek. 

"I am tired of work, tired of…everything." 

That's what the man had told him back then and Daniel had recklessly agreed. He hadn't understood what the meaning of his travel meant or why after that conversation he said so many times that he would leave one day. His mind could never go to that, to the fact that he would choose to take his own life and he always discarded it as a joke. 

It was a big mistake actually because after a few weeks he really did leave, right in front of Daniel eyes. 

"You see Luke, your father might have been the villain of your story but to Markus and I to many people of this compound for centuries he was a savior. The things he did for us, are actually quite forgotten by the people but don't think for one second that other packs have the privileges that we do. Your father was such a capable man, a true leader and he saved us all from a tyranny you will never know. I am not telling you to forgive him, all I am asking you is to understand that he loved you very much, he loved you more than anyone in this world and he would sacrifice his life for you, he actually did. So when you think of him, please remember him as the man who played hide and seek with you, who bought you toys and took you on his back and not as that haunted leftover of his self. Greet him farewell and just don't hate him too much, okay?" Daniel told the young world with tears staining his cheeks. He tried to smile but he couldn't. He also couldn't see Luke, his face was facing downwards, his long hair hiding his expression. "Is this too much to ask? I guess it could be." 

"Daniel."

"Yes?" 

"How can I forgive him now when he is not even here? How can I stand the thought of him leaving with regret? I…I knew nothing about his suffering, about his pain, I could have helped him!" The boy said and faced his father's mate crying. The man smiled, caressing his cheek. 

"He had no regrets Luke." Daniel lied. "He was so proud of you. All he wanted for you was to see you become the great man you can be. So just live your life and be happy. Always be yourself and go after what you love. Don't be silly like us, drowning in our own lies and secrets okay?"

"But Daniel I…"

"No, I don't want to hear another word. Not now. Just know that your father trusted you, he believed in you. Just remember that when you're facing a hard time. He was a great man but that doesn't mean you can't be one in your own way. So come on." Daniel said and stood up, wiping his eyes. "We have a funeral to attend. The time has come." He told him and Luke took it. He was hesitant at first but he knew it had to be done. He had so many things he wanted to talk about, so many questions but now it wasn't the time for it, Daniel was right. 

They headed outside facing the empty corridor and Daniel placed his palm on Luke's shoulder. 

"You go ahead first, I forgot my speech in my room. I will see you there." He told him and Luke agreed silently, leaving, lost in his own thoughts. 

Daniel went up the stairs, slowly walking towards they floor at the top of the compound. His little heaven, the only place he could freely be himself would now get dusty, have spider webs all over it and be inhabited by ghosts. It was alright though; this room was also a prison. A sign that love could not exist outside these walls. 

On his way he met Markus. His friend was dressed in black, his hair neatly styled for the first time in years. He actually looked decent for once. His best friend had to die to look slightly approachable as it seemed.

"Where are you going?" He asked him and Daniel smile. 

"Back to London." He told him. For a second Markus shook his head and blinked confused. Why would he want to return to their home country alone when a sudden memory hit him. His caramel eyes widened and he sighed, a sad smile on his face.

"Good luck with that." He told his friend 

"Thanks!" Daniel said and waved event though he blond man could not see him. 

He took a few steps, leaving Daniel behind as he took off his glasses. For the first time in years his eyes were watering. He wiped them, surprised with himself and looked around, concerned that someone might see. 

"So, I will be left babysitting again. You fools." He mumbled as he headed to his best friend's funeral.

...

And we are back to the main story. Hope you enjoyed that little flashback !

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