SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Forty-one
Amethyst’s Pov:
It’s been 5 years since Celine’s birth and recently, Joseph has taken a turn for the worse. Every morning, the first thing I do is make sure he is still alive. I do not believe he will be lucky enough to see Celine’s sixth birthday. Although I was certain Celine was aware of his decline, I was unsure if she understood what was wrong.
Thankfully, she didn’t seem to have the gift of foresight as Abigail, Abigail’s mother, and I all possessed. Lately, Celine seemed to have lost focus regarding her studies. Although her true training would start at ten. Once Joseph learned of Amelia, he understood my worry about Celine failing to take my title. Instantly, he supported the early training to give her a head start.
Usually, we trained after my studies with those who were old enough for the training to become priestesses, but lately; she failed to show up and today was no exception. “Celine?” I growled as I searched the pack house for her. “Celine, let your father rest. You are late for your studies again,” I snapped, finding her hiding under our bed.
“I, I just wanted to see dad for a bit. I miss him,” she cried, coming out from her hiding spot. Her words made my heart skip a beat. Joseph and Celine were close from the moment she was born.
“Princess, go practice your last lesson. I need to speak to mommy alone. We will play soon, I promise,” Joseph said, hugging her. Her little eyes lit up at his words, and determination covered her face before she left the room. Angered by Joseph’s lack of support, I crossed my arms across my chest and prepared for a fight. We both realized that she was fighting against a near Goddess for my title.
“My love, come sit beside me a moment,” Joseph demanded with a strength I’ve not seen in a long time. It forced me to let my guard down. As I took my seat next to him on the bed, he took my hand into his, melting the remaining anger away.
“Please Amethyst, I don’t have long left. I appreciate we agreed to start her training early, but my time is running out. It is my wish to spend as much time with you both as I can before I must go. You both have enriched my lives so much; I wish to show you both as much love as possible. If Celine remembers me, I do not want her to remember me as an invalid who she needed to stay away from, but a man who loved her dearly. One who was always there for her and cherished our time together. I want her to remember how much I love her and that you both are my entire world. I can’t do that, Amethyst, if you keep her away from me. Please, let her studies wait,” Joseph choked out. Tears threatened to escape his eyes.
“I am sorry, Joseph. None of that ever occurred to me. I just wanted you to rest, to be ok. I never intended to keep Celine from you. Just for you to be comfortable so you can get well. I need you to recover,” I sobbed as he pulled me to him. “We both know that’s not possible. It’s best we enjoy what time I have left with you,” he whispered, stroking my hair. “I am not ready for you to go,” I bawled uncontrollably.
For a long time, neither of us said anything. He let me cry and face the reality he accepted long ago. Rage flooded my heart, causing Joseph’s grip to tighten slightly. “I am not ready to leave you, but this is the curse of my mother, but it was also her blessing. Please remember that Amethyst. If she had not given me her heart, we both realize I died before that battle,” he stated, causing my heart to plummet. “I… I thought I was the only one that remembered that,” I stammered out, completely shocked by his words. The look in his eyes told me I was wrong.
“From here on until your time with us is over, Celine’s studies will be on hold. It is my wish for her to remember you as the loving father you are. I don’t want you to be just a story I tell her,” I finally agreed. His warm lips teased my forehead, filling my soul with a warmth that only he could bring to me. “I truly am the luckiest man who ever lived,” he smiled.
Timothy’s Pov:
For weeks, Amethyst has taken a step back so she and Celine could spend as much time as possible with Joseph before he passes. It’s clear his time isn’t long in this world.
My heart ached for Amethyst as I recalled the pain of losing my mate, our children, and how long it took to recover from their loss. Madeline and Alessa have also done their best to help fill the gaps left by their absences.
“Wolf, we need to discuss what happens when the witch’s mate dies. There is no Beta old enough to fill the role,” Madeline put forth, knowing I was avoiding this topic. “I will take back over that roll. There is no one better to teach Celine how to be Timothy’s Beta better than me,” Amethyst snapped before I could reply.
“So be it,” I replied as gently as possible. Lately, when Amethyst attended these meetings, she was in the foulest of moods. “Of course, sister, I meant no disrespect.” Madeline bowed.
“I know Madeline. I am so sorry. This whole situation has my nerves frayed. Joseph has asked me to come and finish putting his affairs in order for him. He wants nothing more right now than to make sure that the pack is looked after,” Amethyst sighed, crumpling into a chair, exhausted.
“That’s because he is a good Beta and an even better man,” I smiled. She held my stare, her eyes searching to make sure my words were true. Joseph was an exemplary Beta. As far as having to watch another man love the woman I was helplessly in love with, I could not have asked for someone better than Joseph.
“Thank you, Timothy, really,” she whispered, standing trying to hide the tears in her eyes. Without warning, her face twisted in anguish, letting out a heart wrenching scream. One I knew all too well. The sound of a mate feeling their bond sever. I barely made it to Amethyst before she hit the floor.
Her terrified eyes found mine as tears streamed out of them. The sensation of her racing heart and labored breathing made it impossible to think of anything else. Somehow her pain flooded me just as a mate’s would, causing me to stagger slightly. Madeline rushed over to help steady Amethyst. Alessa shot her mother a curious glance before she assisted her. “He can’t be gone,” she screamed as the walls shook from her pain.
Madeline looked at me for guidance. For the first time since I realized how much I love Amethyst, I didn’t know what to do. “Take her to her mate,” mother’s compassionate voice rang out from behind me.
Frozen in the spot, I watched as Madeline and Alessa took Amethyst away. A sharp pain shot from the back of my head as the Girl’s hand met my skull.
“You jobbernowl, go after them. It’s your duty to be there, not only because you love her but because you are the leader of this pack and one of your ranked members has passed. Now go,” the Girl hissed.
“Uhm… right,” was all I could mutter as I raced after them. As I approached Amethyst’s room her pain filled wails flooded the normally serene halls of our shared home. Carefully I entered the room, taking in a sight I wished I never needed to witness.
Madeline’s vicious glare grabbed my attention first. Another cry rang out. The sound forced my heart into my throat. My mother held Celine as she cried in a desperate attempt to comfort the small child. The Girl stroked Celine’s hair, her eyes locked to Amethyst who was clutching Joseph, her face buried in his chest. Alessa stood behind Amethyst, looking as helpless as I felt. With all the strength I could muster, I walked to Amethyst and rubbed her back. For the first time, I was at a loss for words.