𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 ☽ 𝙍𝙝𝙮𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙨 (𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥)

𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶

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CHAPTER NINETEEN
(RHYDIAN'S POV)
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Rhydian couldn't remember a time where he had felt this happy. After being apart of the football team and winning the match, something about it made him feel like he actually belonged. The more time he spent in Stoneybridge, the more time he spent with his friends...the more time he spent with Aden, he felt more and more like he had found his home.

But then his mum showed up and ever since, he'd been questioning everything. Where did he belong? In the human world where he'd grown up all his life? Where he had friends...a pack? Or out in the wild? With his mum?

After it all, it only seemed right to go with his mum. To be with his family. He just didn't know that his choice would feel so...heartbreaking.

Rhydian sighed as he walked out of the school after having gotten changed from the game. As soon as he did, he saw Maddy and Aden waiting on him and he felt his heart sink...knowing that he was about to say goodbye to them.

"Man of the match." Maddy chuckled.

"You were great out there, Rhydian," Aden smiled at him, "I don't think I've ever seen you so happy."

Maddy nodded in agreement, "In human form that is."

"It was a buzz," He acknowledged, "Winning, being part of the team."

And it had been. After spending the majority of his life apart from everyone, staying to himself and just watching life go on around him...it felt nice to feel apart of things. To feel almost...normal.

"You know," Maddy reminded him, "It's not too late to change your mind."

They both looked at him hopefully, which made it even harder. Because when Rhydian looked past Mads and Aden, his something caught his eyes in the distance. Both Maddy and Aden looked back to see his mum standing there, waiting for him.

This is it. He thought to himself.

Maddy turned around and looked at him, "Or is this where we say goodbye?"

Rhydian sighed, "It's my choice, Maddy."

She looked at him, anger washing over her, "I hate goodbyes anyway!"

She yelled at him and then ran off back towards the school, leaving the Rhydian and Aden standing there. Rhydian watched Maddy sadly until she was out of sight. After a moment, he looked at Aden wearily, wondering if she would do the same. If she was angry with him too.

But he watched Aden glance back at his mum, and then she looked back to him. He could see the sadness in her eyes and he wondered if she felt the same ache in his chest that he was feeling. If she felt like she was being torn apart on the inside like he was.

"You, um..." Aden cleared her throat to hide her voice cracking, "You take care of yourself out there, yeah? I wont be around to save your arse every time you get into trouble."

She chuckled, trying to make light of the moment. But Rhydian only gave her a sad smile in return, "You're not angry like Maddy?"

"She's not angry, not really...she just...she's going to miss you. As am I." Aden told him, "But I want you to do what makes you happy, Rhydian. And if your happiness is with your mum out in the wild, I want that for you."