Hearty Remorse

[~CORAL~]

I stare at Rune, waiting for him to respond but time only seems to pass by as we both stand, stalemate.

“I’m so sorry, Coral. I try to stop him—”

“That’s alright, Leon. It wasn't your fault.” I redirect my gaze to Rune. “I won’t ask again, Rune. Why are you here?” I ask, sternly.

The air about us is starting to thicken with tension as Leon, Kiara and her mother were left to watch from the corner. They look a bit shaken, wide eyes and still holding onto themselves.

Well, I can’t actually blame them, it’s quite frightening when you can’t do anything but watch your father and husband get plummeted on the ground in front of you.

Rune’s throat bobs as he swallows. He stares at me as though he was afraid to speak and it's hard to not notice the physical change in his appearance, though subtle.

His porcelain pale skin looks a little drained, his eyes were a bit drab and sunken, his dark shoulder-length hair, disheveled. I'd like to say that my eyes are deceiving me, but he looks a bit thin and I can’t help but worry about his unruly appearance.

Right now, in my presence was a very different person, so detached from his original self.

I bit down on the question, focusing my attention on his gloomy gaze. My heart thugs again at the sight of him.

Why did he look that way?

I almost ask just to sate my growing curiosity but I had to remind myself that I was angry at them because they’d lied and they ended up hurting more than just me.

I shoot a brow up at Rune, urging him to speak, “Didn’t you come here to see me? Or did you cause all this commotion just for nothing.”

When he didn't say a word, only staring at me, I sigh, getting fed up as I start heading up the stairs.

“You have to come home.” It was the hoarse nature of his voice filled with angst that had me halting in my tracks. “We need you, Cor.”

I turn to face him, looking down at him from my heightened position. I ignore the sullen look in his purple orbs that pulls at my heart’s string.

“Why should I? You didn’t think I’d go back just because you need me.”

“I know… that you’re still hurting and angry and you also don’t want to be around us right now and we– I can’t apologize enough for that but he really do need you,” Rune gulps in fear and I feel there’s more to what he has to say. “He needs you, Cor… or he’ll die.”

His last words struck deep into my core. An icy chill cut through my spine and fear held a vise grip on my heart.

“Wha-What do you mean he’ll die? Who are you talking about?”

“It’s… It’s Rae.” I felt my heart splatter at the mention of oldest brother’s name. “He’s—”

I don’t wait for Rune to disclose the rest of the information to me. My legs carry me with the speed of light and I shift into my wolf form, racing down the path that leads me home.

The gentle breeze swooshes as I pick up the pace and I feel Rune right before he comes up beside me. He too had shifted into his wolf, his dark fur with traces of silver flowed smoothly as he tags along.

It doesn’t take long before we reach home. The door is partly open, I don't question it nor did I question the quietness of the house when I push through to get inside.

My paws patter on the wooden floor board as I maneuver my way up the stairs. I leave Rune behind, not listening to his call from the hallway.

I sprint down the corridor and stairs till I’m at the second floor where our rooms are stationed and I make a left turn and head for his bedroom.

Raegan’s thick scent engulfs me as I make a break into his bedchamber. It’s dark and cozy despite the heating sun, his scent is everywhere but he’s not in the room.

His presence is nowhere to be found.

A growl slipped past my teeth at the thought that Rune had deliberately deceived me into thinking Raegan was fatally sick just so that I would come back home.

He probably knew that despite my anger towards them that my concern for Raegan holds no bonds.

I was closer to Raegan than I was to the two of them but we still shared a special relationship as siblings. Or at least that’s what I thought. In their eyes, I was probably more than just that or perhaps I was never at all.

I wasn’t exactly sure what the answer was anymore. It was a thought that plagued my mind.

“He’s not in here.” I turn to see Damian standing at the entrance of Regan's bedroom. His Ember eyes glows like a campfire in the dark.

One of his hands was tucked into his pocket as he watches me, a piece of white cloth anchored over the other. His gaze bore a certain drabness to it and his shoulders seems tense as though he was overworked.

Rune’s not with him when I take a look behind him. He must have figured out that much because a small smile stretch the corner of his lips.

“Rune’s with Raegan if that's what you're curious about.” He says with clear amusement, tossing the material at me. “Here, put this on. I’ll take you to them.” He says gently though his voice sounds soggy.

I take the initiative to shift back into my human form when he steps out of the room and I put on the garment he brought me; it's my favorite dress, a soft, cotton cream colour floor length dress with one arm off-the-shoulder and a delicate green vine embroidery design on the hem, shoulders and waistline area.

Damian is by the doorway as I step out, waiting on me. When he sees me, his gaze lingers a little longer as it takes a leisure tour on my body and I start to feel slightly overwhelmed by growing heat in his gaze.

“Um, can we go now?” I inject softly, twirling the long length of my red hair around my finger.

He snaps out of his daze and coughs then nods before turning on his heels. He leads the way to Raegan and I follow quietly behind him.

A frown masks my face when I take note of the direction he was heading to. It was…

“He’s been sleeping in your bedroom since you left.” Damian reveals before I could question.

I blink in stunned awe at his comment before stepping into my room.

“Mother?”

My parents turn swiftly at the sound of my voice and mother is off her feet in an instance, knocking off the stool she was sitting on. Her warmth quickly engulfs me.

“Oh, my little flower, is it really you?”

“Yes, mother.” I smile, sinking into her warm embrace. I sure have missed this feeling.

“I’ve missed you so much honey,” She says as she pulls apart.

She takes my face into the palm of her hands, weighing my face as her gaze lays scrutiny on me. “You look thin.” Her comment warms my heart. “Have you not been eating? Never mind that, do you want me to make something for you… your favorite dish perhaps—”

“Mother…” I capture her attention and her soft gaze holds mine. “I’m fine, mother. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Nonsense. You know I always worry. Anyway… we weren’t expecting to see you. Did something happen?”

I shake my head, nibbling my bottom lip. “No, nothing. It’s just…” My gaze wander to my bed, where Raegan was asleep.

Mother’s soft gaze softens and she glaand she smiles at me, soothing the back of my hand with her thumbs. “Oh, honey, I know... I’m sure he'll recover soon.”

I nod at mother's words but I couldn't take my eyes off Raegan. I couldn't help but ask the silent question.

“But, why’s he in wolf form?”