I Reject You

Chapter 24

I still remember my childhood like yesterday.  Mostly because it was kinda perfect.

Although I was an omega, the workload was very little mostly because I was a child. I had everything - school, friends, Taylor. I was really happy.

Even teenage wasn't that bad if I think about it. Sure I had a few ups and downs here and there, but that's okay.

I couldn't say the same about Ashler though. He had gone through a lot. At such a tender age he had so many responsibilities and expectations to meet. 

I feel like such a potato!

I made another promise to myself to personally make sure that all those years which Ashler had lost as a teenager are made up for.

After a while when the food was prepared, Lily helped me carry it and lay it out on the dining table.

"Where is everybody?" I asked her.

"Come dear I'll show you." She said, walking in front of me.

We walked for a little while and reached a room with a wooden door.

As soon she pushed the door open, I was hit with the strong smell of disinfectants and medicines.

You know like the one we get in hospitals?

As I looked in the front, I noticed Lily sitting on the couch and Ashler's back turned towards me. They still hadn't noticed us coming in.

I don't know why but I felt a little nervous entering. Maybe it was because I could feel Ashler's emotions as well through the mate bond.

I noticed a man lying on the bed next to where Ashler was sitting. His eyes were shut, he had an IV tube attached to his arm and a nasal cannula placed on his nose as well. There was a ventilator next to him which was beeping after every second.

Immediately I recognized him as Ashler's father. Even though he looked older, some of their features actually matched.

I walked closer and saw Ashler holding his father's hands. He wasn't speaking anything, but he had unshed tears in his eyes.

I think my heart just broke a little.

"I think you must've figured it by now that he's my mate and the former Alpha of Golden Furs pack." Martha spoke next to me.

On hearing her voice Lily and Ashler turned to look at us. Our eyes met for a brief second before he turned his attention back to his sick father.

"Yeah. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to him?" I asked her carefully.

"The doctors were not able to figure it out properly but it's some sort of cancer. By the time we applied for medication, it was too late. The cancer had already spread in his entire body. There is no cure for his condition, but none of us are ready to give up yet." Martha smiled sadly.

I really had no idea how to comfort her but I said, "You are a great mate and mother Martha. I'm sure he thinks the same."

She gently pushed me towards Ashler and went towards the other side of the bed. She ran her fingers through her mate's hair and whispered, "You'll be okay, darling."

She gave him another longing look and walked out of the room, holding her tears back.

Everyday must be such a struggle for her watching her husband helplessly but trying to stay strong at the same time.  

"I'll just go with her." Lily said standing up, maybe to give us some privacy.

I sat next to him and looked into his eyes. He wasn't looking at me but I knew that was only because he was trying really hard not to cry.