The next morning, Kylo woke up feeling a sense of unease. Despite the comfort he had found in his siblings' embrace the previous night, a new wave of disappointment washed over him. He knew he should be preparing for school, packing his bag and heading off to see Luna, his closest friend. But instead, he was confined to the house, pulled out of the school system, and now facing the prospect of homeschooling.
He rolled over in bed, not wanting to get up. What was the point? The excitement and anticipation of school had been replaced with a sense of confinement and loneliness. He missed the bustling hallways, the laughter of his friends, and the chance to share his day with Luna. The thought of homeschooling felt isolating.
He wasn't alone for long. Taliyah came into his room and sat on his bed. "Are you going to get up?" she asked.
"No, go away," he replied, turning his back to her.
"I might not get what you are going through, but I think you are being dramatic," she said as she walked away.
Kylo was annoyed. What did she know? She was just four years old.
Shortly after Taliyah left, Kato entered the room. He approached Kylo with a gentle demeanor, hoping to offer some comfort. "Hey, Kylo, how are you feeling?" he asked softly.
Kylo sighed and buried his face deeper into his pillow. "I just want to be left alone," he mumbled.
Kato hesitated, understanding the delicate balance between showing concern and respecting Kylo's wish for solitude. "I get it, Kylo. I'll be downstairs if you need anything," he said, leaving the room quietly.
As the door closed, Kylo felt a mix of emotions. He appreciated Kato's understanding, but the weight of his situation still pressed down on him. He just wanted to escape, even if it was only in his dreams.
Selene came next, and Kylo knew it was his sister's way of getting him to get up. She stood by the doorway for a moment, her presence gentle yet firm.
"Kylo," she called softly, "it's time to get up. I know this is hard for you, but we need to start the day."
Kylo groaned but slowly rolled over to face her. He could see the concern in her eyes, and it made him feel slightly guilty.
"I don't want to," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Well, Mom said you have to," she replied, her tone gently insisting. Kylo frowned, frustration mingling with his exhaustion.
"I know," he sighed, reluctantly pushing himself up to sit on the edge of the bed. "It's just... everything feels so heavy."
Selene walked over and sat beside him, her hand resting lightly on his back. "I know it does," she said, her voice filled with compassion. "But we'll get through this together, okay? One step at a time."
Kylo nodded as Selene left the room. Slowly, he got dressed, the heaviness of his thoughts weighing him down with every movement. He headed downstairs, not in the mood to talk but knowing his mom would insist on conversation. The lingering frustration with her decision only intensified his reluctance.
As he reached the kitchen, Kylo saw his mother preparing breakfast. She glanced up and smiled warmly, though there was a hint of worry in her eyes. "Morning, Kylo," she said, her voice carrying the familiar comfort of home.
Kylo managed a half-hearted smile in return. "Morning, Mom," he replied, taking a seat at the table.
His mother placed a plate of pancakes in front of him, hoping to lift his spirits even just a little.
"I know you're still upset with us, but we're doing this for your own good," she said gently, sitting down next to him. "When you are done, I set out your school work over there."
Kylo glanced over to where his mother pointed, seeing a stack of books and papers neatly arranged on the counter. He sighed, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him once again. "Alright, Mom," he murmured, trying to muster the energy to face the tasks ahead.
She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly before standing up to continue her morning routine. "Remember, we're here to help you. If you need anything, just let us know."
Kylo nodded, his mind already drifting to the assignments waiting for him. He picked up his fork and took a bite of the pancakes, appreciating the small comfort they offered. Despite his reluctance, he knew he had to push through.
After finishing his breakfast, he decided to try and reach out to Luna, hoping for some solace. He closed his eyes and focused, attempting to establish a mind link. But no matter how hard he tried, Luna wasn't letting him in. The barrier she had put up frustrated him even more, adding to the sense of isolation that had been consuming him. He felt utterly lost.
The familiar connection that had always brought him comfort was now inaccessible, leaving him adrift in his own thoughts. Kylo sighed deeply, the weight of loneliness pressing down on him as he forced himself to tackle the schoolwork laid out before him. Each page seemed heavier than the last, the words blurring together as his mind drifted back to Luna and the distance that now separated them.
Kylo didn't understand how Luna could just give up that easily. She was supposed to be his guardian, the one person he could always count on. He didn't understand why she had given up so quickly. It had only been a day, but he was hating every second of it. The sense of abandonment gnawed at him, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
He stared at his schoolwork, frustration bubbling up inside him. The assignments felt like meaningless tasks in the grand scheme of things. How was he supposed to focus on his reading or math when his entire world seemed to be falling apart?
His thoughts kept drifting back to Luna, to the bond they shared and how it now felt shattered. He remembered all the times she had been there for him, guiding him through challenges, offering wisdom and support. It seemed inconceivable that she would abandon him now, when he needed her the most.
Kylo closed his eyes, trying once more to reach out to Luna through their mind link. But again, he encountered that impenetrable barrier. The frustration and pain of the failed attempts were overwhelming. He slammed his fist against the table, the sound of the impact echoing through the quiet kitchen.
His mother glanced over, concern etched on her face, but she didn't say anything. She knew better than to push him when he was in this state. Instead, she worked quietly, giving him the space he needed to process his emotions.
Kylo took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself. He had to find a way to get through this, even if it felt impossible. He had to believe that Luna hadn't given up on him completely, that there was a reason for her distance, a reason he couldn't see yet. With that small glimmer of hope, he forced himself to pick up his pencil and begin his schoolwork, determined to push through the day, one step at a time.
Kylo did what he could, but his heart was just not in it. As he headed back to his room, Skye sighed as she watched Kylo retreat upstairs, her heart heavy with concern. She knew how much Luna meant to him, and seeing him struggle with her absence was painful. However, she also had her hands full with the impending visit; Everest and Emma would be arriving any minute, and the triplets were excited to spend time with their baby cousin.
The arrival of a baby always brought a mix of chaos and joy. Skye hoped that the distraction might help Kylo, even if just a little. She knew he needed all the support he could get, but she also understood that sometimes, people needed to find their own way through their struggles.
As she busied herself with preparations, Skye made a mental note to talk with Kylo later. For now, she focused on making the visit enjoyable for everyone, hoping that the laughter and play would lighten the heavy atmosphere that had settled over their home.
Everest arrived with Emma, and the triplets were immediately captivated by their baby cousin. The sounds of play and laughter filled the house, providing a temporary relief from the tension that had gripped their home.
Amidst the joyful chaos, Everest approached Skye with a concerned expression. "How is Kylo doing?" he asked softly.
Skye sighed, glancing towards the stairs where Kylo had retreated earlier. "He's struggling," she admitted. "Luna's absence has hit him hard. He's having a tough time coping with it."
"Are you sure you are doing the right thing by separating them?" Everest asked softly, her voice tinged with concern and a hint of doubt.
"I don't know honestly, what Luna did scares us so badly, Eve," Skye confessed, her voice shaky with emotion. "This bond is stronger than we all anticipated. We are just worried he is going to rely too much on Luna and not think for himself."
"I get it, Skye, but is keeping them apart the answer? I mean, look at how it's affecting him after just one day. Is it worth it?" she asked.
Skye closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "I know, it's heart-wrenching to see him like this. But we have to think long-term. What Luna did, it shook us to the core. We need to make sure Kylo can stand on his own two feet without being overly dependent on her. It's a delicate balance, and we might not have all the answers yet."
Everest nodded, clearly contemplating Skye's words. "It was the first time she asked him to shift, right?" she inquired, her eyes searching Skye's face for any sign of doubt.
"Yes, it was," Skye confirmed. "We didn't expect it to be so intense. And to be honest, we're still trying to figure out the limits. We don't know if there's a set amount she can ask him to shift before he loses control to his wolf side."
"I don't get why it is like this for him, Chase never went through this and neither did you," Everest remarked thoughtfully.
Skye nodded thoughtfully. "Chase is a full Ultima Alpha, and Kylo was born half human, so his wolf side is stronger and also half Ultima. I'm not exactly sure I get it completely or why his connection to Luna is so strong. Wild knows more about this, but he is in Africa for a few more days. He promised to come see us when he gets back."
Everest's expression softened with understanding. "It makes sense now why this is so challenging for Kylo. Being half human and half Ultima must be difficult enough, but with Luna's influence, it adds another layer of complexity. I just hope we're making the right choices for him."
Skye sighed, a mixture of worry and hope in her eyes. "I hope so too. It's just so hard to see him in so much pain. But maybe Wild can shed some light on this when he returns. Until then, we have to do the best we can with what we know."
As Skye and Everest made lunch for the triplets, Skye couldn't shake the lingering doubt from her mind. She watched the children play with Emma, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves outside. It was moments like these that she clung to, hoping that the decisions they were making would eventually lead to better days. Everest seemed to sense her unease and offered a gentle smile, a silent reassurance that they were doing their best given the circumstances. Skye hoped Wild's return would bring clarity and a path forward for Kylo. Until then, she focused on the simple joy of the triplets' play, finding solace in their innocent happiness.
"Auntie Everest, Emma needs a change," Taliyah said with a giggle as she pointed to her baby cousin.
Everest chuckled softly and set down the spoon she was using to stir the pot. "Alright, I'll take care of it," she replied, giving Taliyah a playful wink. She walked over to the play area, gently picking up Emma, who was beginning to fuss.
Skye knew that in a month she would have 3 new babies to take care of, she just hoped the triplets were just as good to them as they were to their cousin. The thought of the expanding family filled her with both excitement and trepidation. She wanted to be the pillar of strength and love that they all needed, but at times, the weight of her responsibilities felt overwhelming.
Skye looked to the triplets. "Go wash up for lunch and someone tell Kylo lunch is ready," she said.
They ran upstairs to wash their hands and Kato stopped to tell Kylo.
Kato knocked gently before pushing open Kylo's door. "Kylo? Lunch is ready," he called out, but the room was empty. A wave of anxiety washed over him as he looked around the neatly arranged room, the bed perfectly made, the window slightly ajar, allowing a cool breeze to flow in.
Kato ran downstairs, his face pale with worry. "Mom, Kylo is gone," he said, his voice trembling.
Skye's heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a quick glance with Everest, who had just finished changing Emma. "What do you mean he's gone?" Skye asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I checked his room, but he's not there, and the window is open," Kato explained, his anxiety evident.
Skye's breath caught in her throat as she tried to steady herself. "Skye, breathe," Everest said calmly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Call Chase. I'm sure Kylo is fine."
Skye nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for her phone. She dialed Chase's number, praying for a quick answer. The seconds felt like hours, but finally, Chase's familiar voice came through the receiver.
"Chase, Kylo is missing," she said, her voice thick with worry.
"He's not missing. I have him, Skye. I didn't know he left without telling you, but he is fine, okay?" Chase reassured his wife.
Relief washed over Skye, but it was quickly replaced by concern. "Thank God," she whispered, her voice still shaking. "Chase, he's struggling. Help him, please," Skye said as she hung up, feeling a mixture of gratitude and worry. She turned to Everest, who was watching her intently, waiting for an update.
"He's with Chase," Skye announced, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and confusion. "I'm not sure how it happened, but he is okay."
Everest breathed a deep sigh of relief, the tension in the room gradually dissipating. "Thank goodness," he muttered, pulling Skye into a comforting embrace.