Stars Above Lonely Nights — Michael Brown novel Chapter 85

Nova POV:

Sitting there I try to calm my racing heart as I feel my cheeks burning, glaring at Jax he simply sits there with a smug smirk on his face although thankfully he did warn his brothers to stay quiet.

His mother’s earlier excitement had disappeared as sadness filled her features making my heart clench for her.

“I spoke to your father” she says, her voice strong despite her inner conflict.

“Are you ok?” Jax asks quietly his deep voice soothing to listen to.

“I’d rather people don’t ask me that after what I’ve learnt, I should be the one asking you” she says lowering her head in shame.

“Ma…don’t” Jax says standing up and walking round to embrace her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She whispers into his chest.

“Because I didn’t want to upset you, I could deal with it and I did. I couldn’t come between you and Pa” he says with quiet confidence.

“Just because you could deal with it doesn’t mean you should have” she points out standing back with a frown. “None of you should have.”

“We only had his verbal displeasure to deal with because of Jax” Evan admits.

“I know, I heard” his mother replies. “I never did understand why he went off on you boys so much, when the incident happened before you went away I begged for you to stay. I can’t think of anyone else who wouldn’t have reacted the way you did. When I spoke to your pa about it he wouldn’t budge, I’m so sorry boys.”

“Men” Axels says rolling his eyes with a laugh.

“My pups” she says jabbing a finger into his chest.

“We were happy to go” Evan says quietly as Amelia’s eyes fill with hurt, “I’m sorry ma it’s nothing against you. But we couldn’t reach our full potential here with everything that had happened and we wanted a clean slate so to say, Alpha Henry has been amazing as you know.”

“Oh I do loves, it’s just hurts as your parents we have failed” she sobs as tears fall down her face.

“You haven’t failed, don’t think we aren’t aware that it was you who reached out to Alpha Henry for us ma, you ensured we were going to somewhere that would benefit us” Axel exclaims passionately.

“But I am sorry to you all” she says looking round the room, “and Nova my dear..it’s not how I wanted you to meet us properly.”

“You have nothing to apologise for Amelia”. I assure her with a smile.

“I don’t want to hear you apologise anymore to us ma” Jax says with conviction, “I mean it. I’m sorry you had to find out this way but he needed to learn. I gave him too many chances as it is. Mila will be home this evening and I think a girly day tomorrow to organise the Luna ceremony is just what you need.”

“I know son, I know” Amelia says.

“Jax you’d be so proud of ma, she reminded us we don’t want to get on her wrong side” Axel laughs as his eyes beam with pride.

“FUCK OFF DAVID” Evan mimicks making Axel chuckle and his mum smile sheepishly.

“I may have gotten a bit emotional” she admits.

“Theo didn’t know what to say” Evan says trying to hide a smile.

“You two seem overly happy with this” Jax says suddenly looking between the two twins suspiciously.

“They got a hit in” his mother says with a shrug, “goddess knows that man deserves it.”

“About time” Jax mutters smirking at me.

“Where has he gone if you don’t mind me asking Amelia?” I ask softly.

“I sent him home” she admits. “I don’t want him around and I would like to be able to concentrate on the Luna ceremony..if you’ll still have me organise it that is?”

“Yes” Jax says standing up and leading me to the door, “let’s just get it done shall we.”

Nodding I take his outstretched hand and together we walk to the hospital. Stopping and chatting to pack members on the way as they mention how much they are looking forwards to the pack run this evening.

“Why don’t we announce the Luna ceremony before the run?” Jax suggests. “We’ve had no time for a pack meeting so I’m going to combine everything this evening.”

“I like that plan” I reply as we pass the guards down the corridor to Caroline’s room.

“Luca and Alpha Axton will speak to us once we are done here, Luca wanted to be here for you but I thought perhaps it would be better less people for now. You can tell him everything after, I don’t want you thinking you have to keep anything from him” Jax says.

“No I agree, less people is a good idea” I say as my nerves grow. “Deep breaths Nova” Kia whispers to me as I regain my composure.

“Hello Alpha, Luna” the doctor says bowing his head as we reach her door.

“Good afternoon, how is she?” Jax asks his voice lacking emotion and his face giving nothing away.

“Frail and old, but stronger than she was” he says with a shrug. “She’s well enough to answer your questions, just don’t be physical in your interrogation as she is still extremely weak.”

“Ok thank you Doctor” Jax says before swinging the door open and striding through. Taking a deep breath I clear my mind and follow him.

My eyes immediately meet the bright blue ones of my grandmother, who is gazing at me with an expressionless face.

“Caroline” I hear Jax snarl as I stand beside him.

“Alpha Jax I presume” she says without looking away from me before a cold smile crossed her face, “and my granddaughter..Athena.”