Love me in the Shadows of Our Memories (🇬🇧)

Chapter 28 -The Beginning of a new journey

The end of a journey is not always the destination

Doubts and fears may overcome you along the way

Don't let them stray you from the path.

Enjoy the journey and be proud of every step.

Remain patient with yourself, and you will grow.

Magnus

In the first two days after Alec set off for Kansas City, Magnus successfully distracted himself from the thought that Alec would be away for a whole week. During the day, he spent much of the time at the infirmary, taking care of patients or discussing how they wanted to continue his medical training with Tessa.

Despite Alec's doubts, Magnus hadn't been swayed from his decision to take this step. He now understood why Alec was worried, but Magnus needed something he could do for himself. He hoped Alec would understand and support his decision when he returned.

As busy as the time at the infirmary was, the time afterwards was much quieter. Thankfully, he managed to fill the first evening, organizing a movie night with his two children. Yesterday evening, Maia came over to visit. Together with the twins, they had played an old board game they had found in one of the common rooms until it was time for Cahya and Jarin to go to bed. So Magnus hadn't had much time to miss Alec. But today, on the third day, he didn't have to be at the infirmary until the evening and had the whole day to himself. His pups were at school and would meet up with two classmates in the afternoon. So he had to find a way to distract himself.

Magnus had planned to spend the morning in one of the training rooms to get his former fitness level back on track. But to do that, he would have to get out of bed first. Unfortunately, he lacked any motivation to do so.

His mood was at its lowest, and his heart ached with longing for Alec. Even though they hadn't properly resolved their argument yet, Magnus wished for nothing more than for Alec to be with him now.

Magnus crawled out of bed and searched for Alec's hoodie that he had given him. He found the hoodie on a hook in the bathroom. He buried his face in it and breathed in Alec's spicy scent before putting it on, instantly comforted by the familiar warmth. Then he shuffled back to his bed and collected blankets, pillows, and clothes that he stumbled upon on the way. He carried everything into his bedroom and arranged the soft fabrics on the floor next to his bed to form a nest. In the end, his pillow and blanket also ended up in it.

Magnus crawled into his nest and curled up. The scent of Alec and his pups and his own scent enveloped him, and he snuggled even deeper into the warm cocoon of blankets and pillows. A long sigh escaped his lips, and he closed his eyes. The calming effect of the nest alleviated some of the heavy feeling in his chest, but the longing for his alpha remained. Magnus sniffled. God, he missed Alec terribly. How was he going to survive the remaining days? He buried his face deeper into the soft fabric of Alec's hoodie, and Magnus could almost imagine that the alpha was right there with him.

A soft sob escaped his throat, and tears gathered behind his closed eyelids. If only he could hear his voice. If only he knew that Alec was okay and that the journey to Kansas City had gone smoothly.

A tear escaped and rolled down his face until it was absorbed by the dark fabric of Alec's hoodie. Magnus felt silly and childish. Alec would be back in a few days. Yet, the tedious and slow passing of time felt like an eternity without him, a daily relentless ache of longing. Magnus couldn't shake the feeling that time itself had slowed to a crawl in Alec's absence, amplifying his yearning for him.

He didn't know how long he'd lay in his nest, but eventually, even that wasn't enough to comfort him. With a heavy sigh, Magnus tried to calm his emotions. He wiped away the tears and took a deep breath. He had to do something. After all, he couldn't hide within his blankets all day.