There were very few things that made Layan, one of the strongest alphas of his generation, not to mention of the present day and leader of the Council that led the packs, uncomfortable. But yes, there were little things that made him uncomfortable and one of them had a name. Priscilla.
The little girl wouldn't take her big, bright silver eyes off him over her father's shoulder. She looked really small in comparison to Hades, but definitely bigger than someone who was all of 7 wolfish years old. She frowned. He expected to get a clear and precise explanation.
-She doesn't bite- he heard Hades' voice accompanying his daughter's look- It's really funny that you're afraid of her, as long as you keep your distance I don't think there will be any problems, if you know what I mean-.
Layan walked behind them, almost a meter away. He had been away for quite some time resolving too many issues and avoiding contact with a certain person. But Hades' words bothered him. He wasn't afraid of Priscilla, that was ridiculous, he had more than 700 years on the she-wolf, he was someone with experience and a solid character, how could he be afraid of someone only 7 years old.
He pressed his lips together. He didn't want to admit it but that was the way it was. Somehow it scared him. No one had ever been so dominant with him, with his presence. Usually it was the other way around, but ever since she had been in Nebraska's belly and felt his power for the first time he had shuddered. She wasn't like the others and with her staring at him so fixedly it only reaffirmed it.
Her eyes and body language only told him that he was hers and no matter what she did she would make him hers. It was even funny. He was nobody's. He was a free soul with too many worries to think about having a family, puppies, a queen. No, he didn't want commitment. Someone like him who had to look out for the safety of thousands couldn't have a weak spot like that. He wouldn't allow it, not for her, not for anyone.
The image of Nebraska flashed in his mind. The one she-wolf who had made him flinch. And precisely the mother of the one who claimed him. He had loved Nebraska, which he said, was a stronger feeling, but he always used as an excuse that it was because she was perfect in many ways. At that point he no longer knew what it had been. She was in claimed by Hades and she was happy. As long as she was happy, so was he.
He had given up his feelings long ago so it didn't hurt anymore. He was strong. He would not allow himself to suffer for someone.
A clearing made in front of them finding the woman who had occupied his thoughts seconds before. Beside her stood two of her sons. He recognized the two younger ones.
Nebraska as soon as she sensed him ran to where they appeared. Her ever-controlled face was furrowed with an expression of deep concern. She stopped and knelt down in front of Priscilla who had just been put down by her father.
-Are you all right?- his voice trembled slightly.
-Yup,- she shook her head.
-You can't leave like that, Priscilla- he knew it was in vain for him to scold his daughter, when it was the first transformation there was no way to control it- next time it happens you have to be with your father or brothers, understood- his hands grabbed the smaller ones- -Yes ma- he let out a shake of his head.
-Yes ma- he let out a smile- I won't do it again if you don't want me to- he didn't know the repercussion of his words.
Hades put a hand on her head.
-No need to hold back Pris- her father's face was full of tenderness as the little girl turned her face up- It was a wolf, it's normal that you want to turn and run away but you're too young, you can't do it alone, no matter the situation- the wolf frowned in Layan's direction.
-It's ok pa- she nodded her head embarrassed- I'm sorry, I made them worry- she embarrassed herself and then found herself wrapped inside her mother's arms who kissed her forehead.
-Now, calm down, let's go see your siblings who are very anxious,- she calmed her down and then noticed who was with them. She hadn't noticed his presence.
-Hi beautiful, it was nice family time,- his smile was relaxed.
-You haven't come to see us in seven years and that's what you have to say,- she stood up taking her daughter's hand and facing him, turning her head away, it was no mystery to anyone that she was upset that he wouldn't even send a message, -You annoyed me enough when you felt like it,- Layan laughed.
Layan guffawed.
-You're the type to hold a grudge. Don't worry, I can live with it.
-Ma, don't scold LaiLai.
A vein throbbed in the red-haired wolf's temple.
-Lai Lai?- the nickname was more than offensive, it was amusing.
-Yes, Lai lai- Alan appeared behind his mother and grabbed his sister, covering her with an article of clothing and carrying her. He left a resounding kiss on her cheek that made her face grimace but she returned it more softly.
-It's what Pris calls you- Noa appeared from the other side with a smile noticing that her sister was fine and with Hades' clothes in her arms who handed them to her receiving a shake of hair in thanks- You can believe it was her first word. Hades was like crazy although I can only find out later who he was referring to, he's a little slow for some things.
-Puppy,- the man reprimanded him and he just stood behind Alan with a grin.
Layan didn't let the moment pass to mock.
-Wow Hades, even your daughter is smart enough to know who is the superior here.
-Fuck you Layan,- Layan snarled at him.
-Hades,- Nebraska scolded him. His daughter was still between them. He had missed a swear word. That night his wife would reprimand him. Since the birth of the she-wolf she had tried to keep him from swearing as much as he used to, still every now and then he'd missed a few and most of them in front of her.
She turned and walked with her children in the direction of where they had their things. Nicolas and Rodrigo, who had just arrived, were waiting for them, getting dressed and were relieved to see their sister in their mother's arms.
Layan passed by Hades' side.
-They have you totally tamed, my friend,- his fangs showed.
-Don't mock, one day you'll be like this,- he retaliated, -And what a cost it won't be my daughter, so you don't get your hopes up.
Layan squeezed his septum, sighing.
-How or in what way do I have to tell you that I have no intention of marrying your daughter? Are you blind or don't you want to see that she is the one who is claiming me,- he made quotation marks in the air.
Hades' brow furrowed.
-Careful not to hurt her, if she comes crying to me I swear we'll be in trouble.
-You're really irritating when you want to be,- Layan crossed his arms over his chest, -and too overprotective, besides we're practically talking about a child, at that age you can hardly analyze who's in front of you.
Hades wanted to agree with him. The red-haired wolf noticed the tension that built up in his shoulders.
-I think there's a lot you need to tell me, Hades.
The alpha pursed his lips.
-Not at the moment,- he said firmly, -Give me some time and when we're sure I'll tell you, as leader of the Council I'm aware that you have to know the subject, but not now...-.
Layan's eyes narrowed.
-It's serious from what I see- he took a deep breath- Three years, in three years I want answers. Don't think I didn't notice some things like her transformation and her size.
-Don't push it,- Hades snorted.
-I'm not and besides, that's not what I came here for. I don't have enough time to give myself a break from the pack. I need to talk to you. In private.
-To come directly to you in person, I don't think that's something I want to hear.
-Rudoc,- was all the elder said to make Hades tense up. The bastard was dead, very dead, they had made sure of that, Layan had taken his body to his pack to study it, so for him to come with news of him was not good news.
-Let's go to my office.
They approached Nebraska with their children.
-Love, I have business to attend to, see you later at the mansion- Hades' tone gave her to understand that it must be something serious so she only nodded.
Nicolas was not the only one who noticed the disappointed expression on Piscila's face. Noa gave him a kiss on the cheek although it went unanswered. The little girl stood and watched as her father and her wolf left.
When they returned two hours later, they were still locked in their office. Nebraska left Priscilla in her room and went back out as the bathroom filled up. The puppy sat on her bed for quite some time staring at her own feet. Her Lai Lai hadn't even paid her any attention at all. Well yes, but it had been before she had known his name. She was young not an idiot.
After a while she got out and closed the tub basin. Her mother used to bathe with her but she was running late so she decided to go get her. He left the room and walked through the huge mansion following the trail of his mother who found him loudly around the corner, but she wasn't alone.
He got excited and almost ran there to only find his mother being hugged by her wolf. But it wasn't the hug that moved her, there was nothing innocent about it. It was those, that tender, gentle, soulful look that the wolf had. The one she knew he might never address to her.