The room fell into a deep, deep silent with only the sound of breathing that could be heard.
Eren and the woman kept staring at each other silently, while the rest of them were watching curiously, yet no one dared to ask what was happening.
Gradually, Levi grabbed Eren's shoulder and turned him around to face the raven. Levi was looking at him with curiosity. As if knowing what the gesture meant, Eren spoke with a low whisper, "Levi… this is my mother."
Steel-blue eyes stared at the woman that Eren claimed as his mother, "But I thought you said—"
"Carla Jaeger. I would recognise my own mother anytime, Levi…" Eren said assuredly.
Levi nodded in understanding and silently opened the door where the two suspected rogues had been held in.
Once it opened, the woman, Carla, was slowly approaching Eren. She put her palms on Eren's cheek, lightly squeezing them before she rested her head against Eren, and started to sob, "My baby…"
"You're alive," Eren whispered before he began to cry in relief, "Mom, mother, I thought—"
"Yes, I am alive. I am glad that you too," Carla said with closed eyes, only to snapped them back open with sudden realisation, "Where are Armin and Mikasa? Oh please tell me that they—"
"They alive, they are here."
As if on cue, Armin and Mikasa arrived with Jean who guided them to the dungeon and immediately back to his night duty on guarding the castle.
Mikasa ran and immediately hugged Carla with all her might as she whispered, "How?"
Carla let go of the hug and turned her head toward the other woman with long brown hair and soft amber eyes who kept herself silent up until now, "I would be dead had it not because of her. Rose-Maria."
Suddenly, Levi interrupted, "I am sorry. But I think it would be more comfortable if we head upstairs and move into the living room."
"You are the Alpha of the pack? Would you please let your doctor pack to check up on Rose? She's been hit on her stomach, hard. I am worried about the baby inside her. I know it's not that major, but still…" Carla pleaded. Her mother instinct was kicking in.
"I will bring the doctor pack," Farlan volunteered.
"I am coming with Farlan," Isabel retorted. She then turned to Levi, "Oluo, Eld, and Gunther already back into guarding the territory, by the way."
Levi nodded thankfully at Farlan and Isabel. When they walked away in hurry, Levi turned to Eren, "Shall we head upstairs too?"
"Yeah, okay. Come on, mom," Eren guided her mother with Mikasa, while Levi and Armin followed behind with Rose-Maria.
—
—
One check-up from Petra later, everyone can let out a relief sigh since Rose-Maria and the baby was okay. Of course she and the baby would be okay, they both were-creatures after all. After making sure of that, they were gathering in the living room, all warm and cozy, except for Petra who went back to her room.
"Mom, tell me how you survived the attack," Eren ushered his mother once they were all seated nicely on the comfortable sofa.
Carla nodded and turned to Levi, "Alpha, if you allow me to explain?"
"Please do, Carla. Also, just call me Levi."
Carla looked at Rose-Maria and gave each other knowing look before she started, "I was dying from all the fighting, you know? But I remember that my Eren, Mikasa, and Armin were out there, alive. I knew that for sure. So I tried my best not to die just yet and tried to run away."
She sighed and continued, "I was able to run far enough, leaving all the dead behind, but two of the enemies turned out to be not too far behind me, trying to catch me. They caught me, of course. I fought for my life, but two big, bad werewolves versus one dying werewolf was nothing fair…"
"I'm sure I was going to die right then and there, somewhere around the deep, dark forest. But then, out of nowhere, Rose came and fought them. I help, of course, with all the strength I've had left. It was a coincidence, she was there, and it sort of happened."
"With her help, we took down the two werewolves that were trying to catch me. After that, a few things are kinda hazy. I ended up following Rose as a loner."
"Wow, and you are pregnant at that time, right?" Eren asked Rose-Maria in disbelief.
"Two months pregnant," Rose-Maria nodded proudly while rubbing her tummy.
"You are so tough," Isabel said in awe, while Mikasa and Armin hummed in agreement.
"It's nothing, really. I, uh, I used to be the Luna of a small pack, so each of us need to be able to protect ourselves and each other," She smiled a little, yet it looked so sad.
"What happen with your pack, if I may ask?" Farlan asked in half-concern half-curiosity.
"Nothing happen, they still living their life with my brother who took the place as an Alpha of the pack. I can no longer be the Luna, not when my Alpha mate is no longer here with me."
"What do you mean?" Levi raised an eyebrow.
"My dear Alpha mate died from the almost-non-existent wolf hunter. My brother and I killed the hunter, of course. But I can't lead the pack without my mate. Yes, I am that weak. I only keep on living for the little one inside me," She spoke sadly, rubbing her tummy lovingly.
"In the end, I chose to be a loner because I can't live where the memories of my mate are lingering on almost everywhere. Guess that's better rather than being dead, so they let me go, the pack members and my family let me go."
"Don't you miss them? The rest of your family?" This time, Armin asked.
"Of course I miss them. Maybe someday I will come back, when I no longer tied so tight with the feelings of my mate."
Gradually, Eren reached out and grabbed Rose-Maria's hand who sat across him, "What happened to you was awful, yet you manage them and here you are. I wish for the best in your life. Also, thank you for saving my mother. I will be forever in your debt."
"And so do I," Mikasa butt in.
"It is not a problem, really," Rose-Maria chuckled bashfully.
"Rose-Maria, I am terribly sorry about all of this, really. Not to mention about what happened earlier. You two must understand that we were just being cautious," Levi finally said while looking back and forth at Carla and Rose-Maria.
"How can you apologise to them but not to us three when we were accused as rogues too?" Eren pouted and nudged Levi's arm playfully. At that, Armin and Mikasa nodded eagerly in unison.
Just before Levi was about to answered, Carla eyed the Alpha and her son carefully, "Correct me if I am wrong, but am I missing something while I was away?"
Eren blinked rapidly, dumfounded. He then blushed furiously and fidgeted on his seat next to Levi, "About that, mom. Yeah, uh, you know… Well, Levi and I—"
"Levi is Eren's mate, mom. Now Eren is a Luna— wait! I mean, uh, Alpha. Eren is the Alpha of this pack along with Levi," Mikasa answered.
Carla gasped in disbelief, "Oh my! Really?"
"Um, yes. I… hope it's okay with you?" Eren asked nervously.
"I— of course! Oh my, this is great! You finally found your mate!" Carla ran to Eren and hugged him tightly.
"I also already got my first shift, mom," Eren said sheepishly.
"That's great, baby! Tell me what else am I missing out?"
"Um, Levi's pack and Erwin's pack is going to help us to take back our land. Erwin is the Alpha of our pack alliance, by the way."
Upon hearing that, Carla's face fell, "Taking back our land?"
"Yeah. I, no, we will exterminate them all. What they do for their living; killing other pack members and raiding their goods, those are needed to stop. We can't let them attacking another pack, don't you think so, mom?"
"But it's basically starting pack wars. Even though you got all the backups, it's hard to fight them. More members could be killed," Carla shook her head.
"With all due respect, Eren's mother, if we don't fight them, more packs would be their next victims. We are aware of the outcome, losing a few of our pack members from the future fight is the risk that we are willing to take," Farlan spoke in his Beta's authority.
"Remember who killed dad, who killed your mate," Eren said darkly.
At the mention of her mate, Grisha Jaeger, Carla's breath hitched. She slowly put her hand on top of Mikasa's, where they sat side by side, and gripped on her step-daughter's hand tightly. Staring at particularly nothing, Carla murmured, "Tell me this plan of yours about taking back the Wild Titan Pack's land."
Levi straightened his position on his seat as he and Farlan started to take turn in explaining their plan and situations.
After a few moments of giving the details, Carla nodded in understanding and looked up at Levi, "I will help."
"Of course you will," Eren groaned in frustration, yet he didn't oppose his mother's decision.
Meanwhile, Levi hummed thoughtfully, "I thought so. I just hope you'll understand the consequences. Even though I will absolutely try my best, there is no guarantee that I will keep everyone safe and sound during the future attack."
Carla gave him a firm nod, but then, Rose-Maria interrupted, "I'll help too."
"Rose?"
"No, seriously. We need to put a stop at this kind of act. I will help. And I don't want anyone to complain about me being pregnant, because both my baby and I are strong."
"You can't just sit there and watch, can you? You always wanted to help anyone in needs," Carla chuckled.
"I only help what I considered good people, or werewolf," Rose-Maria stated.
"Does that mean you two will join this pack?" Isabel piped up.
"Oh, no, no. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to help, but I'm still going to living my life as a lone-wolf, at least for now," Rose-Maria politely refused.
"Well, if you ever change your mind, our pack will accept you gladly," Isabel offered her a beaming smile.
"What about you, mom?" Eren asked.
"I don't know, I feel like I am forever tied with the Wild Titan Pack, but I am glad that you, Mikasa, and Armin found another pack. Plus, Eren found his mate here, so I couldn't be happier," Carla let out a breathy chuckle.
"Then, you guys will stay here as a loner?" Eren asked again.
"They will stay as an important guest of our alliance. Loners or not, when they are here, they will be treated no less than a member, because they are here to help us," Levi stated, and everyone nodded in understanding at that.
After a second of pause, he added, "Alright, since all settled and cleared up, shall we end the night? Farlan and Isabel, would you guide Rose-Maria and Carla to our guest room?"
"Can I stay some more to talk to my mom?" Eren asked.
"Don't stay up too long, okay?" Levi caressed Eren's hair and got up from his seat, "I will excuse myself and make a call with Erwin about this situation, probably wake Kenny up and tell all of these situations before I am retire for the night. Carla and Rose-Maria, please do not hesitate to tell any of us if you need something. Good night, everyone."
"Thank you, Alpha Levi. Good night to you," Rose-Maria gave a slight bow. Later after that, she turned to Carla, "I'd love to stay but I need to rest for the baby."
"Good night, Rose," Carla nodded.
"It's nice to meet you guys, by the way. Let's catch up someday to get to know each other, okay?" Rose-Maria smiled hopefully at the trio, and when they gave their okay, she excused herself followed by Farlan and Isabel who was going to guide Rose-Maria into her room.
"She seems really nice," Armin spoke up.
"She really is. I feel like seeing my old self in her, it's weird but I like having her around. Maybe because we are both a lone-wolf," Carla replied.
Eren then got up and sat beside Carla while holding his mother's hand lovingly, "She looks so gentle, yet so strong. She's like a sister I'd never have."
At that, Mikasa slapped Eren's arm. Armin and Carla were chuckling at the sight, while Eren winced for a bit but then he gave Mikasa the sweetest cheeky smile, "But of course, I love you the most, Mikasa. You are my numero-uno sister forever and ever!"
"Yeah, that's what I thought," The raven girl hummed in approval.
"Well!" Carla clapped her hands, making the trio paid attention to her. She then smiled before continued, "Now tell me what I am missing out in details!"
So they talked, about how the trio were ended up in the Shadow Corps Pack's territory from the very beginning and up until now as they sat next to each other in a nostalgic feeling from being reunited.
—
—
It's been a few hours since Levi excused himself for the night, and now he was laying on the bed, waiting for his mate to returned. As if on cue, he heard the bedchamber's door creaked open to reveal a tired Eren. But what made him alert was the additional sight of Carla tailing behind the brunette.
Levi immediately got up and jogged to the door, approaching his mate and his mother-in-law, if Levi could say for himself.
Carla, however, chuckled at the flustered and confused look on Levi's face, "I just want to say thank you for everything you've done to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. Especially for being a great mate for Eren, I can't thank you enough. I leave my son in your good hands and wish for all the good things."
"I, uh, thank you for raising Eren," Levi internally face-palmed at that.
Eren chuckled at the flustered Levi. He clung onto his mate and gave his mother a sleepy look, "Well now that you already thanked him, we all can finally rest. You know where your room is, right, mom?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, Eren. Good night," Carla ruffled Eren's fluffy hair lovingly before she turned to Levi, "I hope we could talk some more. After all, I want to get to know my son-in-law some more."
"Of course, Carla."
"Well, it's almost dawn but goodnight anyway, boys. Don't be too loud at this kind of time, alright?"
"Mom!" Eren squeaked, feeling all flustered while Levi was being taken aback and cough awkwardly. Carla only chuckled at the two young men before she went into her room that Farlan pointed out earlier.
Then, Levi sneakily wrapped his arms around Eren and guided them awkwardly to their bed, "We should sleep."
As they both flopped down onto the soft bed, Eren let out a low hum, "You haven't sleep yet? Are you waiting for me to come back?"
"Mhm," Levi hummed as he roamed his hands inside Eren's shirt.
"I thought you said we should sleep?"
Levi was about to open his mouth and gave Eren a reply with his low and husky tone, but then, both of them felt the rush of pack links that came through them. Later did they know that it was Ymir who mind-linked them, right before dawn.
'Uh, Alpha?' Ymir voice came through mind-link.
Levi abruptly got up and let out a snarl, "What is it now, really!"
It seemed like the night hadn't end just yet.
—
—
Chapter End Notes:
I feel like this is a boring chapter, but at least now we all know that Carla is alive, which is nice~
Guys, let me give you a friendly reminder (again). Call My Name is merely a story that I MADE UP, a fantasy, a fiction, everything that impossible in real world is possible in here. Please, don't compare or even mixing up a story like this with how our real world works.
Now, I am going to talk about Rose-Maria who fought bad werewolves for Carla and wanting to help fighting the Armored Colossal Pack while she is pregnant. In real world? That is going to be dangerous for her and her baby, right? Or so I thought. But in my story, in this very fanfiction alternate universe fantasy, not only Rose-Maria, but all the pregnant she-wolves are able to do it as long as they didn't MAJORLY injure themselves, especially around the stomach. They and their babies will still be fine because they are not like any normal human or normal wolf, no, they are werewolf.
I am so sorry for the ranting, but if you find my story doesn't make any sense, then feel free to walk away, okay? I am tired of people telling me that this is some kind of weird shit and it is NOT to their liking. For all of you who gives me all your love, your lovely support for me to keep writing, your encouraging comments, your funny comments, your useful opinion, your helpful correction of my writing mistakes, and all the positivism, I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! c: