The Pups

Harlyn

I’m stuck on what to reply to him, the silence once again fills the car.

“So, this celebration,” he says. He's clearly changing the conversation, sensing I’m worrying about the wedding topic. “Beta Jonathan and Olivia will be returning in a few days.”

I know he’s right but celebrations should wait, we have other pressing issues to solve. “Wayne, maybe we should hold off on celebrations? At least until we figure out the attacks at the east,” I suggest.

“We can deal with that, my love, without compromising on celebrations. The pack needs something to celebrate, and this is the perfect excuse,” Wayne explains, and I nod.

“I still don’t understand this whole rogue king and why he’s returning,” I say, feeling confused by the entire situation.

“I’ve told you everything that I know my love, some rogue kings who have lost their kingdoms and packs do just attack others in the hope they can win and take over,” he explains and grasps my hand. “It’s no real threat.” I nod, accepting his words. I need to trust he is telling me the truth.

Over the years, I have watched him change. He seemed lost, adrift almost when I arrived, all I knew was his wife had died four years before I arrived and he seemed to give up on the pack, and everything else.

Everyone had told me how he seemed to obsess over things that weren’t needed. Somehow though, my arrival and the pup's arrival changed him. We gave him a reason to fight, to change. He’s more open with the pack, as before many didn’t know what he was doing, he kept everything secret.

Together, we changed each other, and that is something I will forever be grateful for. I’m no longer the child I was when I was exiled. The car stops and we walk in, I hear the voices instantly and the pup’s footsteps as they run through the manor.

Lotta squeals as she runs to me. “Mummy!” I kneel, and her arms wrap around me. I can’t stop the smile that instantly builds on my face. It’s amazing just how much I have missed them today.

“My princess, Lotta,” I say as I kiss her cheek.

“Wayne! Wayne is back!” Isaac’s yell has me laughing as he bounds through and jumps into Wayne’s waiting hands. I watch as they hug briefly; it’s amazing how close the pups are to him.

Lotta keeps her arms around me, and I smile at her.

“Did you have fun, sweet Lotta?” I ask, knowing that she would have. Wayne’s sister, Mandy, ensured she had enough events planned for the entire day so they wouldn’t constantly question where we were.

Lotta nods quickly. “We made you this, Mummy,” Lotta says, and she holds out a paper flower she has made.

“Thank you, it’s beautiful.” I kiss her cheek. I hear Isaac telling Wayne about how they spent their day. I look up, waiting for Thorin to join us.

“Thorin?” I call out, and a few seconds later, he enters the room. He quietly walks towards me and wraps his arms around me.

“Hi, Mummy,” he says while smiling.

“Hi, Thorin darling,” I reply. Hugging him tightly, I kiss his cheek. “Did you look after everyone while we were gone?” I ask. He believes he is looking after everyone, but it is the guards who are.

“I did, Mummy, just as you and Wayne asked me to.” We didn’t ask him to, he insisted. I laugh at that. It makes him feel good, however.

I watch as Wayne steps forward and kneels ahead of Thorin. He moves and holds out the gloves-the ones Thorin has been asking for. I watch as his eyes widen with excitement. Thorin takes the gloves and hugs him.

“That isn’t all. For a warrior like you, Carlton has agreed to visit the pack sometime and personally give you a lesson,” Wayne explains.

I’m anxious about others seeing the pups strengths and abilities, but Thorin’s face forces me to push it away. They aren’t like others, and I don’t want anyone to find out about it. Ignoring my worries I smile at Thorin, Carlton is a renowned warrior, and from what I know, he’s only been beaten once in the arenas.

For him to agree to come and give Thorin a personal lesson is big, and I don’t want to ruin it for Thorin. We move in and sit together, Thorin tells me about how his training has gone today, he could have skipped out on training for today, but he enjoys it. Isaac and Lotta enjoy training as well, but not as much as Thorin.

Where they see it as fun, Thorin sees it almost as work, and really does focus on it when the time comes. It explains why he is progressing so quickly, that and because the pups are different.

I watch as Wayne sits with them, joining in their conversations and hugging them. He has adopted them as his own, although nothing official has been done, I know that he treats them how he would his own pups. He protects them like he does me. Everyone in the pack knows not to hurt or upset the pups. Wayne wouldn’t allow it.

My eyes go to the time, I should call Samuel and check in, it’s been long enough, and I don’t want him worried about me.

“I cooked,” Mandy smiles at us and sets the table.

“Thank you, Mandy,” I say as I hug her. Walking through, we sit together and eat, and again, Isaac is the one controlling the conversation. He can’t stop talking about what happened today. Anyone would think we were away for weeks with how long this catch-up is taking.

He doesn’t want to miss a single thing, so he goes through the day from one event to the next. I see Thorin roll his eyes at Isaac, clearly getting bored of the conversations now.

“I’m going to call Uncle Samuel. Does anyone have a message to pass on?” I ask, knowing that they like to give me a message to pass on.

“Can I ring this time?” Thorin looks at me.

“No, darling. You know it’s adult conversation and only lasts for a minute.” We don’t go too deep, and I don’t want Thorin to be told of anything bad.

“I’m an adult,” Thorin states boldly.

He certainly speaks and acts like one. “I know, but I need to speak with him and ensure there are no issues. Do you have a message?” I ask, waiting.

“No, not this time.” He sulks slightly, and I nod. Kissing them, I walk away from the table and watch as they go back to the spot in the living room to play. I have missed Samuel, Colton, and my Mother. Eight years feels like a lifetime without them.