I acknowledge his correctness, although I am uncertain how to eliminate the persistent thoughts. They have consistently mocked and derided me, reinforcing my subordinate position.
“I can increase my volume,” Jimmy suggests with a shrug. I can be really noisy.
As I shut the kitchen cupboards and complete washing the countertops, I hear Ricky and Bray descend the stairs, both attired and prepared to go bowling.
A warmth envelops my chest as I gaze down at young Bray, attired in a grey t-shirt and cargo shorts. Similar to myself.
Ricky elucidates, quoting, “I desire to resemble Daddy today,” upon observing my silence. I trust that is acceptable. He declined to dress differently, so I acquiesced.
Unable to articulate his joy, Jimmy yips and leaps like a dog, his tail waving vigorously from side to side.
He somewhat resembles us, Jimmy remarks. By narrowing your eyes.
“Mother, do we resemble each other?” Bray enquires, hastening to position himself alongside me.
Ricky smiles at her son, although her eyes become somewhat teary as she averts her gaze. Concerned that she could be distressed, I instruct Bray to locate Melina in her room so we can depart while I console Ricky.
“Apologies,” she murmurs as I approach from behind and encircle her waist with my arms. “Bray has never had a father, and he was thrilled to resemble you.” I simply do not want you to feel compelled to assume the role of his father. He represents a significant duty, and if it becomes overwhelming, there is no disgrace in disengaging. You may depart immediately, and I will not hold it against you. He is not your child.
Before she can utter another word, I pivot her to face me and gaze into her eyes.
“Mine,” I assert unequivocally. “He belongs to me.”
Ricky merely blinks at me, utterly taken aback by my remarks, yet I persist because I wish for her to understand. I want her to understand the depth of my affection for our dog.
“I did not have a father during my upbringing, so I am uncertain about what to anticipate or how to proceed.” “However, what I do know is that I love K-Bray,” I say while cupping her face. “I desire to be a part of his life; therefore, if you permit it, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be his father.”
“What is the status of Jimmy?” Ricky murmurs. “Does he share the same sentiments?” “
Jimmy readily pushes me aside to provide his own answer.
“Mine,” he asserts with a growl before retreating and relinquishing control to me.
Ricky silently acknowledges, assimilating this information.
“He is mine, Ta-Ricky.” “Even if we possess our own puppy,” I elucidate. “K-Bray will always be mine.”
I have located Me-lina!” Bray cries as he runs down the hall while pulling poor Melina along with him. She smiles giddily as the young child tugs her towards us. “Are we able to depart now, Jadi?” He enquires, halting directly before me.
I bring Bray into my arms and smooth back his hair with my fingertips, while Ricky wipes her eyes before Bray notices her tears.
“Father,” I rectify him. “You may refer to me as Dad.”
Rocco (Gamma of Noel)
“We have reliable information that several formidable silver wolves reside within a pack called River Moon,” I articulate over the phone.
“Have you observed him?” Alpha Noel enquires. “Have you truly observed him?” “
“Not precisely, sir.” We are en route there.
“Then why are you wasting my time?” Noel growls. “Contact me when you have that boy on the initial flight back to King County, or do not return at all!” “
The Alpha terminates the call before I can reply, and I place my phone back into my pocket with a deep sigh.
The previous week has been a harrowing ordeal in the search for Jadi, as no one is aware of a Moonlit wolf’s arrival in San Francisco. We traversed multiple packs, anticipating that a scout in the vicinity would have observed him or Melina, yet our efforts were futile. No one had encountered a Moonlit wolf until a few days prior.
During my attendance at an Alpha conference in the Bay Area as a guest Gamma with the Redwood pack, I received news of a schism between the largest pack in Northern California, River Moon, and a formidable pack from France known as Lune de Minuit. I would have been indifferent were it not for one minor thing.
The division had been anticipated for some time, but the catalyst for it was almost unbelievable: a guest Moonlit wolf at the River Moon pack urinated on the kid of the French Alpha. Subsequently, Lune de Minuit proclaimed its longstanding ally as its adversary.
Upon more study, I discovered that River Moon is the leading pack of the newly founded Ivory Phoenix monarchy, comprising high-ranking Silver wolves. Regrettably, with their recent separation from Lune de Minuit, securing an appointment with River Moon’s King has become exceedingly difficult, and my contacts in California have been unable to facilitate a meeting with any member of the Ivory Phoenix Royal family.
I have no alternative but to seek an audience with any of the pack members at their entrance. Equipped solely with a Royal order mandating Jadi’s return and the two inept wolves in training assigned to me. Jaxton and Korbin have been a nuisance all week, but my primary concern is the decree. Noel may have disowned his son, yet Jadi remains a subject of King Arthur’s realm. Jadi cannot amalgamate with another pack unless he is expelled as a rogue by his King. I merely hope the Ivory Phoenix adheres to the decree and relinquishes him without contention. King Arthur will not concede without resistance on this issue.
“I have designated several of my men to accompany you to the River Moon pack,” states Alpha Ryan of the Redwood Pack. River Moon is a reputable and esteemed pack. Under no circumstances should you create disturbances. He cautions, “They are equipped with exceptionally skilled silver wolves, and you do not wish to have them as adversaries.”
