Zethar;

I look away from him as I speak.

"He says Father hasn’t been well for a while," I reply, and silence follows.

"And he’s only telling us now?" Zephan asks in bewilderment, and I shrug.

"That’s like him," I reply, and he falls silent. Because he knows I’m right.

It is indeed like him. Our youngest brother has always carried more than he should without complaint. And truthfully, the fact that he’s speaking up now makes me slightly worried. Because she never would unless she’s realised he can’t handle it alone.

Elián shifts slightly where he sits.

"Is it serious?" he asks— his voice is softer than usual. Almost even careful. Like he’s trying not to disturb something fragile, and I turn to him.

I don’t rush to answer this question... Because truthfully, I don’t know if it’s serious.

And that’s beside the fact that I haven’t allowed myself to know.

"It’s enough for me to go back."I finally break the silence, looking back at my Aunt, and her gaze sharpens just slightly.

Suddenly, I feel a shiver run down my spine when I recognise that look. She... she knows.

She hears what I am not saying, and she... she can see what I’m trying to hide...

She annoyingly always seems to.

"And you’re leaving for this reason?" she asks, and I blink at her.

This isn’t exactly a question. It’s a test... More like a silent message she’s passing to me.

She knows what I’m doing.

"Yes," I reply, and she stares blankly at me.

I look away from her and take a breath.

"I’m returning to the capital," I add matter-of-factly, so they do not think this is a topic up for debate.

However, the moment the words leave my mouth, Elián rises from his seat. The movement is so fast, he wobbles, and I watch the way Koda immediately steadies him, keeping a hand hovering, ready to catch him if he falters.

Elián ignores it and stares right at me.

"Do you really have to?" He asks, and my brows crease when I notice something in his voice now.

Something that wasn’t there before.

"You can’t just leave." He adds, and I blink at him.

I stare at the way his brows have drawn together... At the tension in his shoulders. At the faint flush in his cheeks that has nothing to do with health and everything to do with emotion.

I didn’t think my leaving would matter to him. So... why does he look... so upset about it?

I mean... I’m not taking Zephan or Koda with me. I’ll be going alone. He has no reason to be upset.

"I have to," I reply, despite my thoughts, and his mouth falls open.

Immediately, he looks at Zephan, who is also staring at me, and then he pouts again as he turns back to me.

"For how long?" he asks, and I swallow.

I look away without answering... Because I don’t have an answer that won’t make this worse.

He’s barely halfway into the pregnancy, and it’s so painfully obvious that I’m not needed. I can’t possibly stay for the nine months, feeling ike a useless house accessory.

I plan to be away for as long as I can... I... want to go somewhere I’ll be needed.

If only he needed me too... I’d be here, I’d stay here. I’d be at his beck and call every second, but he has no use for me, so... What would I be here for?

And... why would I be in a rush to come back?

"I’ll come back when things are settled in the capital," I finally reply, and no one says anything.

My response is vague. Deliberately so.

I hoped it would be enough, but Elián shakes his head in disagreement.

"That’s not an answer. If you go now, when next will we see you?" He says, and I stare at him in silence.

"Soon." I lie, and he blinks at me in silence.

His beautiful eyes hold a sense of fear that reaches for and grabs parts of my instincts.

"I need all the help I can get..." He whispers like he knows something he hasn’t told, and my brows crease.

He then walks over to me, and I watch as he waddles a bit.

He’s holding up impressively. Bear cubs take a lot of strength from their mothers. It’s amazing to see how well he’s carrying this pregnancy.

Koda must be so proud.

He stops right in front of me and takes my hands in his.

"I need you here, Zethar. I know you need to go, but really... don’t stay long. Please. I need you all..." He whispers, and I blink at him in confusion.

Why does he sound like he’s scared something will happen in my absence??

He stops just a few inches away, and I swallow when I see the way his eyes search my face, like he’s trying to find something I’m not letting him see.

"You’re not going to stay long... are you?" he asks again, and I take a deep breath.

Instead of giving him an answer, I reach out and ruffle his hair gently.

The gesture is simple... soothing for me, and I watch as he shuts his eyes and leans into my touch.

I then caress his cheek softly and smile at him.

"I feel like if I say the wrong words, you’d bite me again." I tease, and I see a shade of pink paint his cheeks.

"I stopped biting a while back!" He snaps, and I smile.

I stare at his delicate form for a while, and once again, my heart aches for how useful I am to him.

I know he needs comfort, and love... and support, yet there’s... just nothing I can do for him.

Whatever he needs, both my brothers are there to give.

He’s never once needed help and came to me.

That hurts badly. And I can’t sit back and pretend like I’m fine and it’s all good.

I don’t know how to hide my emotions.

It’s a matter of time before they all realise how pointless I feel my presence here is.