Chapter 192
Chapter 192: Marathon
The next morning when Christian woke up he was surprised to find himself in his own bed. What he was not surprised by was terrible headache that refused to let him go and the time on the clock beside his bed showing 1:00pm on the watch. How had not anyone called him yet? Shouldn’t the guests from Silver Cross Pack here already? He wondered.
He tried to recall what happened last night, but just like always his process gave him extra headache instead of his lost memories. He remembers running into Sebastian the night before, which would explain why he was back to his room. After joining the pack Sebastian was allowed to enter the pack house as he pleased without much difficulty.
What was difficult was Christian hiding his feelings when they were on patrol together every time Sebastian returned to the Pack for the vacation. Luckily, he managed to do it so well (or so he thought). Taking a long shower and brushing his teeth when he started to get ready he felt his brother trying to link him.
[Thank God you are finally awake.] A relieved Caleb replied from the other end. [I told the Carson’s that you had to leave town for urgent business, but you will be back anytime soon] Caleb complained.
[That doesn’t sound so bad] Christian commented.
[That was 3 hours ago dumbass. You are getting engaged today... this is not a joke!] Caleb screamed in his head and the residual hangover did not make it easier on Christian to bear with it.
[Shut up!] Christian retaliated immediately. [I’ll be there in a few minutes. Tell them I am here, I just need a bit of time to freshen up]
.....
[I will do that. If someone asks what ’emergency’ you had to deal with, I’m not gonna help ya. Think of a proper excuse, will you?] Caleb scolded before disconnecting the link.
Groaning out of frustration he exited from his room. On his way out he ran into none other than Sebastian who was sitting on the front porch and seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, “Sebastian”! Christian called him. Christian caught a hint of reluctance as Sebastian turned his head to look at Christian. “Thanks for bringing me home.”Christian shouted.
Somehow the brow crease on Sebastian’s forehead persisted as he spoke, “Do you remember... anything from last night?” Sebastian asked him.
Christian frowned. He thought once more to the brim of getting a headache before shaking his head, “Not really. Why what did I do?” He asked. Sebastian blinked but nothing came out of his mouth. “Wait, did I vomit on you? Again?” Christian’s eyes widened.
Sebastian shook his head gently before saying, “Don’t worry about it”. The point is he wasn’t sure if he was ready to confront it yet. He still hasn’t figured out what was the best thing to do in this situation. “You are sure about this right?” Sebastian asked him. “This wedding?”
“Absolutely” Christian nodded, “Why do you ask?”
Sebastian fumbled but said, “You got really drunk last night, I was wondering if you’re having second thoughts or not.” He claimed. Luckily he was good at acting so he managed to sell it.
“Oh yeah. Don’t worry about it” Christian brushed it off.
“Just... Don’t do anything you regret” Sebastian advised him. Christian nodded awkwardly and left for his destination leaving Sebastian behind. “I wish I could forget what happened” he mumbled with displeasure.
As Sebastian sat there in solitude things started to come back to him. Everything that happened with them and how he was supposed to deal with it. He didn’t want to bring up the drunken confession but somehow he himself had a hard time forgetting it.
As for Christian, he finally went to the ceremony hall and greeted his about to be parents-in-law. “I am sorry for my delay Alpha Carson. Luna” he bowed slightly out of respect.”
“Oh honey, don’t be so formal with us. You can call us Darlene and Robert” she shook Christian’s hand and greeted him politely.
“Alright then. Thanks, Darlene” Christian tried.
“You’re such a gentleman. I’m happy you will my daughter’s husband.” She smiled, but somehow hearing her say those words made Christian uncomfortable. Brushing it off he smiled whey she introduced him with her other children.
“Delphine is getting ready, but you’ve already met her. These are my other children. She is Daisy, my youngest child.”
“Hi” she smiled at him which Christian reciprocated. From her scent, Christian could make out that she was a beta just like her mom. She had a round face that resembled her older sister a lot. They could easily pass for twins despite their age difference of 7 years.
“And there, talking to your younger brother is my one and only son, Raymond” she pointed at him. “He is an alpha too, like Delphine” she informed him.
“The One from London” Christian asked.
“Yes” she smiled. “He stays there to be with his mate”.
They chatted for a bit, getting to know each other and all. Their pairing was so systematic that their real interaction with each other was very less. Somewhere in their conversation but Mr and Mrs Wrisberg joined the conversation. Taking this opportunity he escaped the elders to look for his brother.
“Caleb, you’ve done a wonderful job” Christian praised his brother.
“I know. When it comes to parties I have a sixth sense.” Caleb mumbled taking a look around the entire hall. “Oh Ray, this is my brother” Caleb introduced Christian.
“My brother in law” Ray narrowed his eyes at Christian. Frowning upon his reaction he wondered what to say next, but an energetic charming voice cut off their conversation.
“Dad” there came Connor running at Caleb. The moment he saw Ray he stiffened and stuck more closely to Caleb.
“Oh you have a son” a smile appeared on Ray’s face as he looked at connor. His coy face was replaced with Joy as he looked at Young Connor who seemed wary of Ray.
“Come on, don’t hide” Caleb tried to bring him out but failed to do so. Turning back to Ray, he said awkwardly, “I am sorry, he is a bit shy”.
“It’s alright. I used to be shy when I was young” Ray chuckled. “Let’s see how my daughter turns out” he snorted.
“Your daughter”? Caleb mused. “Yeah, my wife is pregnant. She is too... far along to travel. Hopefully I will be back before she delivers” he chuckled. “By the way, it was nice meeting you” he told Christian before disappearing into the crowd.
“You okay”? Caleb asked Christian who seemed a bit lost.
“Yeah” Christian nodded. “It’s just that, everyone seems to be moving on”.
“What do you mean”? Caleb frowned.
“You have a son, that guy over there...” Christian pointed at Raymond, “He is a twenty four year old guy and he too is going to be a Dad. Me? I’m 31 and not yet married. You see how I have been stuck in my life”.
“Well, first of all, when I got Connor I was even younger than that guy” Caleb sighed. “And secondly, it’s not a hard and fast rule that you have to be married at 30. Just because everyone has moved on doesn’t mean you are left behind. You’re moving at your own pace. Everyone does!”. Caleb scolded.
“Yeah, well I need to speed up” Christian scoffed.
“I doubt that. Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon” Caleb said. “The more you mess with your pace, the more the chances are of you screwing up”. Christian didn’t reply to him but he simply looked away. “I’ll get changed, you get ready as well” Caleb informed his brother before taking Connor away with him out of the hall.