Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama-Chapter 225: It was a wonderful feeling… Being loved!

Narrator POV

The moon goddess lowered her head, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Does it matter?" she whispered.

"It does to me," Kragen said woodenly. "Why did you really come here?"

"I...I missed you, Kragen," she smiled through the tears that rolled down her cheeks, "I missed our fights, and having you barge into my office several times a day to make unrealistic demands," she chuckled. "Above all, I truly missed you. Is that so hard to believe?" she asked when she saw uncertainty flicker in Kragen’s features. "You’re my son, Kragen... despite our differences... I love you!".

A lump formed in Kragen’s throat as he stared at his mother. How many times had he longed to hear those words? And yet, now that he had, they felt hollow. As a child, he had to put up with living with a father who didn’t remember birthdays or give compliments. He knew he had a mother somewhere but he refused to give up hope that one day his mom would come and ruffle his hair and look at him with smiling eyes finally professing how much she loved him.

It happened nearly 10 centuries later...But it felt so unwanted.

"Love?" he said bitterly. "What good is the love of a goddess who stands by and watches her subjects die?"

Exasperation flashed in her eyes as she stared at Kragen "For once, can we not talk about anything but us?" she bristled "I love you, Kragen... that’s what I’m trying to say. Maybe if you just listened to me for a moment, you’d see that...".

"Your love means nothing to me, Mother," Kragen interrupted her with a cold expression. "The only reason why you’re battling with the FATES, trying to defend me before them and constantly defiling ethereal principles is because I am your child. These people too... they have parents who want to grow old with their children still by their side but not everyone is like the moon goddess. They only have a little say in the existence of their children,".

Pain flashed in the Moon Goddess’s eyes. "You don’t understand the burden I bear, Kragen. The choices I must make for the greater good. I do not have time to be sentimental,".

"Yet you’re sentimental for your son?" Kragen fired back "That’s double standards, Mom... and it’s fine because I’m going to give my life for Noah. If there’s no way to heal him, I’d have to make a deal with the FATES, I think they’re more agreeable than you’d ever be,".

"What!" Tears sprung in the corner of the moon goddess’s eyes as she stared at Kragen "Don’t be a fool, Kragen. You know who the FATES are, don’t you dare. I forbid you to approach them,".

"Why?" Kragen scoffed "Because you know I am precious?" he asked "Don’t worry, Mother... Dad can easily take over from where I stopped and will do all of your bidding, so you don’t have to worry and you two can make another child and stow the child away until...".

Thwack!

A slap landed on Kragen’s cheek from the moon goddess. As soon as she did that, her eyes filled up with regret. She tried to reach out for Kragen but he took a step backwards.

"I’m so sorry!" the moon goddess said frantically "I didn’t mean to hit you, darling. "I’m sorry, please forgive me," she cried.

"It’s fine!" Kragen laughed "I expected nothing less," he turned and started to leave when the moon goddess reached for his hand, pulling him back.

"Kragen, please... my son," she cried "I’m sorry but you do not understand. It’s complicated. You cannot imagine the sacrifice I had to give to have you. There was a time when I had no choice. The first time I heard your gentle tugs in my stomach, I fell in love and I couldn’t bear to part with you. So... You cannot imagine how hard it was for me to watch you grow up from afar. To not be with the person I love,".

"More excuses!" Kragen sighed "Great!"

"They’re not excuses," the moon goddess sighed. "They’re sacrifices,".

"Then help me understand," Kragen pleaded "Help me see what these sacrifices are that cannot be replicated to help, Noah. Help me accept that anytime you make a decision, it’s always for the ’greater good’ that seems too cruel,".

Tears streamed down the moon goddess’s face as she remained mute, unable to meet her son’s gaze. The scene looked familiar... these were the exact words, Fenrir snr – Kragen’s father had asked her years ago. When they had to make the ultimate decision to save their son’s life...

She hesitated, not knowing if now was the right time to tell Kragen that Noah was only a placeholder and that it was Selene who would take his place... if he was ready to know why she would do anything to protect him. When she spoke, her voice, was soft, almost a whisper.

"There are things in motion, Kragen. Events that will shape the future of our world, put an end to the Dark Moon Curse. Noah’s death... it’s a catalyst. A necessary tragedy that will set other events in motion and will balance out the world, hopefully,".

Kragen felt a chill run down his spine. "What events are you talking about? What could justify Noah’s death?"

The moon goddess shook her head. "I can’t tell you more. But know this – he would be happy when he dies. He did a lot of good deeds and will be rewarded greatly by the universe. Please... can you just let it go now and for my sake stop meeting the FATES, they’re cunning. They’re already looking for every means possible to have you punished. Please... you have to listen to me,".

"I will not listen to you, Mother..." he turned away, unable to bear the compassion in her eyes. "That’s not good enough," he said his voice breaking. "You cannot convince me otherwise; I will not watch Selene go through another painful phase... never... she doesn’t deserve it. She’s my friend, mom...." He turned to her again. "I can’t do that to her,".

He felt her hand on his shoulder, he wanted to move away... from it for fear that she would convince him but the touch was so comforting that he felt himself leaning into it. "My son," she said softly. "I know your heart aches but sometimes, the greatest acts of love require the greatest sacrifices,".

Instantly, Kragen shrugged off her touch, his eyes flaring with anger. "Don’t speak to me of sacrifice. You sit in your comfortable space from up there, moving us like pieces on a game board. You don’t know the meaning of true sacrifice,".

She recoiled as if struck. For a moment, she felt as if her heart would tear into several pieces... "You think I don’t understand sacrifice?" she whispered "Every day, I make choices that tear at my very essence. I’ve watched civilizations crumble; heroes fall and innocents suffer – all for the greater balance. I gave you away to protect you... Don’t you dare tell me I don’t understand sacrifice,".

Her words hung in the air between them, filled with unspoken grief. Kragen felt his anger deflate, replaced by a deep, aching sadness. For the first time, he saw her pain... it was so profound that it took his breath away.

"I’m sorry," he said quietly. "I didn’t mean...".

"I know," she said giving him a gentle smile. "Your compassion for these creatures has always been your greatest strength and your greatest weakness. We’re told as gods that we shouldn’t have any weak links... we shouldn’t have things that will make us so sentimental to not be able to part away with... I was all of that for years. I never got attached to anyone... no matter how special I made them not until you...Can’t you see, Kragen... you’re my weakness and the FATES know this. They will not stop until they use you against me,".

"What do you mean?" Kragen asked staring at his mother with confusion.

"Now is not the time for you to know the real truth behind your birth. And I can’t save Noah," she said quietly "But perhaps... perhaps there is something I can do,".

Kragen looked at her, with hope dancing in his eyes, despite his efforts to quell it. "What do you mean?"

She turned to face him, her eyes glowing... "I can ease the pain of the sickness and make it easy for him to enjoy his final days with his family. I can also try to extend his years to live happily with them but no promise,".

She knew it was a lie... but she couldn’t tell him that everything lies in Selene’s hand. on the day of the birth of their son, she would make a switch and sacrifice her life for Noah.

"Y-You can do that?" Kragen stammered.

She nodded silently and produced a small vial which she offered to him. It wasn’t what Kragen had hoped for but he knew it was more than she usually offered. He nodded unable to speak past the lump in his throat. He was filled with gratitude.

"I’ll do anything for you, Kragen," she cupped his face in her hands. "My beloved son, I know you may never fully understand or forgive me for the choices I must make, but know that I love you, always,".

Before Kragen could respond, she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. A warmth spread through him, soothing the ache in his heart.

When he opened his eyes, she was gone... he wanted so badly to ask for a hug... maybe next time. A smile spread on his face as he gazed at the vial... So, this was what it meant to be a parent? To not be able to say No to your kids no matter what?

Well, it was a wonderful feeling... Being loved!