Spoilt Pup
Within two days of staying with her new family, Elina’s recovery had been swift. She darted around the estate laughing, with Damon close behind.
“Catch me if you can, Damon!” Elina shouted, her laughter echoing across the courtyard.
“You wish!” Damon grinned, running faster, his racing instincts kicking in. “I’m faster than you, I bet!”
“Not today!” Elina retorted, dodging a low branch and giggling.
From the study window, Damian watched quietly, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“She’s energetic,” Lucian said, standing beside him. “And surprisingly fast for her age.”
Damian nodded. “Good. She’s learning to survive.” He paused, eyes narrowing. “But let’s keep her close. No wandering near dangerous packs yet.”
“Understood, Alpha,” Lucian replied.
Ella had ensured that everyone in the estate treated Elina exactly like her own son, giving her the same love, care, and attention.
Two days later, a letter arrived from Alpha Brothstone. Lucian unfolded it carefully, scanning the words.
“Read it aloud,” Damian instructed Lucian.
Lucian cleared his throat. “‘Alpha Damian, after investigating my pack, I discovered the truth about Amelia and her household. They have been banished from Brothstone Pack. I commend you for your fair treatment of all, and we remain loyal to your leadership.’”
Lucian refold the letter aloud, while Damian remained silent, deep in thought. After a pause, his eyes darkened. “A mere banishment isn’t enough for someone as wicked as Amelia,” he said quietly. “She will likely take the safest route to avoid the rogues’ clan. He turned to Liam, who had quietly entered the room. “Liam—set traps along the paths she is likely to take. I want the opportunity to deal with her when the time comes.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Liam immediately bowed and left the study to carry out the Alpha’s instructions.
The room webt quiet until Ella stepped into the study, her steps measured but purposeful. “I’ve noticed something about Elina,” she said, her voice soft but serious. “She has a leaf-shaped birthmark at her waistline… and I can’t shake the feeling that she resembles someone I knew long ago.”
Damian’s gaze flickered briefly, but he said nothing. Lucian, however, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “I feel it too,” he admitted. “There’s something… familiar about her. Sometimes I feel like I see a younger version of Rina in Elina.”
Damian finally spoke, his tone calm but authoritative. “Lucian, assign a special female warrior with the gift of healing to begin training Elina. She will learn alongside Damon under your supervision. As for the child’s resemblance to Rina, investigate Theo quietly. But do not reveal Elina’s survival to him. As long as Theo shows no signs of searching for her, she will remain under our protection.”
“Understood, Alpha.”Lucian nodded in agreement, and Ella smiled softly, understanding the weight of Damian’s decision, “She’s adjusting well… and I think she’s finally happy.”
Just as Ella was about to leave the study, two energetic voices echoed through the room. Elina and Damon came running, laughing and holding hands, their joy uncontained.
Elina stopped mid-run and called out, “Father!” before rushing forward to wrap herself around Damian’s chest.
Damian chuckled, holding her tightly. “Well, hello there, little princess.”
Damon, a little shy but smiling, followed. “Greets, Father… We have been waiting for as promised"
Damian laughed, the sound deep and warm, as he held her tightly. Lucian opened his mouth to intervene, but Damian waved him off with a smile. It was a rare moment of pure happiness, and no one dared interrupt it. "Little princess, what do you think about starting your training tomorrow?" Damian asked, and Elina’s sparkling eyes said it all.
"It will be an honor, Alpha!" Elina replied with a slight bow, then hug his chest, squealed with excitement. “I can’t wait to start my training!” Damon leaned closer, grinning from ear to ear.
Damian laughed, ruffling her hair. “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, your training begins.“ he said. “You’ll learn from uncle Lucian and your special instructor. But for now…” He scooped up Elina, holding her close, and took Damon’s hand. “We enjoy the day together.” Together, they left the study, laughter echoing down the halls as Damian told a silly joke. For the first time in years, the estate felt alive with warmth, love, and the promise of a bright future.
\---
Meanwhile... Dam-Nighade
The training yard was alive with morning energy. Lambert pouted, stomping his small feet.
“I don’t want to train today, Uncle Matt! It’s too hard!” he cried, tears brimming in his eyes.
Matt knelt down, trying to keep his patience. “Lambert, if you want to grow strong like your father, you must push yourself. You can’t grow by playing all the time.”
“But it hurts! I don’t like it!” Lambert wailed, clutching his knees.
Mina, who decided to see how hwr son is being trained, today, watched from the sidelines, and immediately storm over, her face red. “Beta Matt! Stop being so harsh! He’s a child, not a soldier!”
Matt lowered his head respectfully. “ My Luna, he certainly can't continue like this! He is the future alpha and the standard can't be lowered just for him"
"And so what? My only child should die from exhaustion because of that?" She glared at him.
Matt breathe deeply, his patience obviously getting thin."Yes, Luna Mina, I understand. I’ll ease up today.” He finally said.
Lambert jumped in relief and ran to his mother, clinging to her. “Mama! Thank you!”
Suddenly, Theo arrived just as Lambert’s cries quieted, eyes narrowing as he saw his son happily playing. “What’s going on here?” he demanded.
Mina straightened, arms crossed. “Matt was pushing him too hard. He was crying, so I told him to stop.”
Theo’s jaw tightened. “This is exactly why he won’t be strong. He needs discipline, Mina! You can’t keep spoiling him.”
Matt spoke up carefully, sensing the tension. “Alpha Theo, please understand. Lambert isn’t lazy. He’s simply too young to endure the full training yet. I’ve been protecting him, but he’ll improve gradually.”
Theo stared at Lambert, who now bounced a small ball in his hands, and then back at Matt. “I… I see. You’re saying… I don’t need to be stricter?”
“Yes,” Matt replied gently. “But we must be patient. Forcing him too soon will only break his spirit.”
Lambert suddenly whined and ran to Mina. “Mama! Don’t let them make me run again!”
Mina glared at Theo. “See? Even Matt agrees with me! Don’t push him too hard.”
Theo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I… I just want him to be strong. If he can’t endure now, how can he protect the pack later?”
Matt nodded. “Exactly why we pace his training. Today, he played because he was exhausted. Tomorrow, we resume—carefully.”
Theo looked at his son, then at Matt. He felt a mix of frustration and understanding. “Very well… but mark my words. Lambert will learn discipline. I will not allow weakness.”
Lambert clapped happily, oblivious to the heavy conversation. “Yay! I get to play today!”
Mina muttered under her breath, a sly smile on her lips. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”
Theo glanced at Matt, sighing. “I just… I can’t let him remain spoiled forever.”
Matt smiled quietly. “Alpha Theo, that’s why I’m here. We’ll guide him together.”
Theo nodded slowly, watching Lambert laugh with his mother. Deep down, he knew the journey ahead would be difficult—but for now, he let the moment of peace linger.