5 Chapter 4

The clan was roaring with excitement. So far, they'd been sleeping late just talking excitedly about what they'd do once they landed on China in a few weeks time. That's where the FireWing Ancestor who chose the next Phoenix was. His spirit thrived there since they had am altar for them there. The one that they had back in the Sahara desert had been destroyed years ago by hunters who thought that the altar was responsible for their powers which was not true. As long as their ancestors thrived, then they had no problem.

This was their first time to go to the altar and see for themselves the Ancestral Phoenix. This was their first time when they'd attend this ceremony of the next Phoenix being chosen of course the ceremony took place once every five or six hundred years.

"We could fly to China like the way our great grandparents did". Leon a member of the clan said one evening. They were around a bon fire which they'd created themselves and the kids were huddled together in a bird pile.

"Of course we'll be flying to China". His wife, Irene replied with a smirk on her face

Everyone laughed at that. They were all happy but still under the happiness and excitement, they still couldn't pretend that something was missing to make it complete... Not something, but a particular someone who had practically moved to his work place and they hadn't seen him in months. But still, they lived. Yes they did.. they did live even with that void in their hearts they were all trying to close it but some things, can't be easily forgotten and assumed.

"I didn't mean that kind of flying". Leon protested even though he was smiling.

"We know but that would exhaust the kids. They'd be so worn out even to attend the ceremony". Amina said.

"We aren't that strong as our ancestors you know". Irene said. They all nodded in agreement.

"Are the other Phoenician tribes going as well?". Ninah asked.

"Not until later this year. You know their ceremonies are utterly different from ours but who cares?. It doesn't concern us anyways". Amina answered with a shrug.

"Right". Everyone said in unison.

•••••

"Mommy, nighty night!". Gregory exclaimed as Ninah tucked him in bed. She smiled at that. Yes, she was now giving out genuine smiles because of him or life reminded her that she still had a reason to smile even in the absence of her husband.

"Nighty night love". Ninah said before leaning down to kiss his forehead.

"I am Lucky.. Call me lucky". Gregory replied with a pouty tone making her chuckle.

Ever since that day at the nursery, he refused to be called by his real name "Gregory". He wanted to be referred to as "Lucky" to remind himself of how lucky he was to have his mother. How his mother was to have him.

"Yes you are son. I love you". She muttered.

"I love you too mommy". Gregory, now Lucky said.

"No matter what happens, promise me that you'll never ever forget me". Ninah said causing her Son's brows to furrow in confusion with the sudden change of mood.

Nonetheless, he still answered, "I promise mama. I can never forget about you".

"That's my boy. Now sleep". She whispered before leaning down again to press a kiss on his forehead then left his room for hers which was next.

The opened door to her room sent her alert than ever. Her room was always closed. No one else went in her room without her permission, not even Lucky who was now asleep in the other room. She quietly mumbled to herself a protection spell before tiptoeing in the room. At some point that would have seemed silly or funny reminding her of some cartoons her son watched from time to time when a particular character would tiptoe in the room to avoid the other character, what was the cartoon again? Oh yeah, Tom and Jerry... isn't it?.

Weird. She thought as she opened the door which cricked a little due to the sudden movement causing her to curse under her breathe. The room was dark, she couldn't make out anything in there even with the soft moon rays that penetrated through the window curtains illuminating the room but not enough light to show what was in the room.

"Why are you spying in your room?". A massive masculine voice which was familiar... very familiar asked from behind her. Ninah jumped at the voice as she jolted to face the source, mixed up feelings and emotions erupting in her as she faced the love of her life, the one man she treasured most and adored... The man she had missed and craved for these past few months.

Hot tears pricked down her cheeks as she faced Plutonic. Eyes never leaving his which gleamed in apology for not being around and also the love he hadn't proclaimed to her as they'd been used to do before all these started. He was dressed in one of those sweatpants and tanktops that she'd clean every other week to keep them clean. Did she really clean them to keep them clean?... Or to pretend that he was around and so she cleaned them to keep herself sane?... Actually she didn't really know why and she didn't want to lie to herself either.

They stood there looking at each other.. perhaps waiting for one of them to back down from the glaring match they were in or to at least say something and break the deafening silence and tension that was building up.

"Gaby told me you were there". Plutonic finally said taking in short audible intakes of air.

"Oh yeah. I was there". Ninah responded with a slight nod. He was here because he'd heard that she had been there in his office which was good but then, he was told today about it? Today, a week after that day? Did he even remember about the meeting with the wolves?.

"I am sorry, I was in a meeting that was pretty tense and tight". He said as he took a step in front but instinctively she took a step back. Plutonic couldn't blame her, he wasn't always there. It was all his fault and no one else's. He stopped and looked at her, his hands aching to stretch forward and hold her in his arms but he was afraid of her backing away further. He was afraid of pushing her away. He ached to hold her close and coo sweet, soothing words at her. God, he did miss her.. he did crave and miss her but what was he to do? His wife, his mate was treating him like a stranger and he deserved it.

"Ninah, when's the meeting with the wolves?". He asked.

Right, he didn't even remember that the meeting with the wolves had already passed just a few days ago. The look of disbelief in her eyes made him think twice, the meeting had already passed and he hadn't attended it. Again. He had not only failed his wife and son but also his clan. He was the worst and he deserved all the bad things thus he prepared himself for Ninah's reprimand or scoldings, insults (which he never heard her use before), perhaps she'd hit him so as to vent out and he promised himself not to fight back, to let her do whatever she wanted so long as she ended up being happy and he being at her safe side.

Ninah didn't need to be a Phoenix or a werewolf to know how Plutonic was feeling. She could clearly see the guilt and regret that flashed his face. She could see the hurt in his eyes when she'd taken a step back from him. She wasn't the only one suffering here, that she could see... That she realized and she wished it wasn't too late. Plutonic was hurting just like she was. There were dark circles under his eyes, very dark circles that didn't blend well with his skin color, he was exhausted, tired and in need of rest. Lot's of rest from all those sleepless nights he had.

Gosh, how long had this man stayed up with no enough rest or sleep?. There was longing in his eyes and she wished to lunge forward and pull him into a tight embrace. She needed his hands on her, She needed him and it was natural, right?. After all, Plutonic was her husband.

Plutonic was about to talk perhaps move also and go to his... now her room because they hadn't shared it for a while now.. he was to take his pillow and move to the guest room for the night because now it was becoming awkward between them and he didn't want the situation to worsen. He'd never felt this way.. The sadness and all.. was it heartbreak?... well, he deserved it.

He didn't deserve her love as well as he didn't deserve her talking to him. She didn't speak to him further and he didn't push it but what he never expected was Ninah lunging forward and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into a chaste kiss.

God, he'd missed this.. He didn't waste any more time as he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer. Perhaps, he didn't deserve the bad things alone. This was good, he deserved it.