My pride

My pride

Saviour’s POV

The night is almost over. Every hunter? Caught. My men? Barely hurt.

And the reason is so obvious that it's alarming.
Solan… sixteen-year-old Solan… captured most of them without a scratch.

I can still see it. The way my son moved, the way he fought. I've never seen that side of him.
It's the first time I saw his wolf and I felt like I was looking at a trained alpha… having fun.

Like running through blades and arrows was fun for him. Not a challenge, not a battle.

My heart clenches because I know my son wasn't even fighting. He was playing, yet he did all that.

He looked untouchable.

My hands clench the armrest as I try to calm down.

When the door opens I exhale, trying to act normal around Aul who calmly steps in.

“You’re shaking,” he says, nodding at my leg.
I drop a hand on it, hoping that'll stop the tremble.
“And you look upset.” He adds.

I shake my head. “I’m fine.” I say.

“No,” Aul counters. “You’re not. Tell me what’s troubling you.”

I stare back at him, my chest heavy. “I’m not afraid of him.” I start, knowing Aul already knows what I'm talking about. “I could never be afraid of my son. But tonight…” My throat tightens.

Aul nods, resting his back as he allows me talk.

“Aul, I’ve never seen anything like that. Not in all my years. He handled them without breaking a sweat. Seven hunters, armed. He just… he looked like he was having fun. It was all a game to him.”

“He does have the blood of an alpha… and he's a white wolf. Of course he's strong.” Aul states.

“That’s not the point. Werewolves don’t fight like that. He's still young. Too young to be so fearless, Aul. What kind of wolf doesn’t fear for his own life?” I say.

Aul stays silent, looking thoughtful. “Maybe one who talks audibly.”

I lean forward with a frown. Solan indeed mentioned that.

“Or it could be that after surviving that attack, your son has learned to trust his strength more.”

I rub my face with both hands, groaning low in my throat. “I fear this is where I lose him.” I finally confess.

“And you said you weren't scared.” Aul scoffs.

“Is this the moment our bond begins to sever? I don’t know how to guide him anymore, Aul. I'm supposed to train him, to teach him, lead him. And now… he clearly doesn’t need me anymore. He’s so strong I'm almost certain I have nothing else to offer him.” I choke out, hating how the truth hurts.

Aul studies me for a long time, he eyes growing soft.

“I thought I had at least four more years with him.” I whisper, my chest aching. “But now… now what do I have to offer a wolf like that? What can a father give when his son doesn’t need his strength anymore?”
The true absence of this knowledge frightens me even more. I have no idea how to keep myself relevant in my son's life.

Aul sighs, “Your strength is not the only thing you have to give, Saviour.”

I want to believe him, but how can I? I'm not as good as other fathers. I only have my skills to give.

My eyes drift to the door at the sound of a light knock.
Another hesitant knock follows soon after before the door is gently pushed open.
“Dad,” Solan stops when he sees Aul.

“Come in.” I say, wondering why he's here. He should be resting. I know he's strong but his muscles might protest by morning.

Aul rises slowly. “I’ll leave you both.” he says, stepping out.

The door clicks shut behind him as Solan sits down.

He doesn't hold my gaze, even when he's sitting opposite me. What truly unsettles me is how his hands, which are clasped together on the table, fidget.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, taking me by surprise. “I should’ve listened.” He continues. “I should’ve stayed back but I couldn't control my wolf.”

Finally he holds my gaze, looking sorry.

I frown. “Why are you apologizing?”
He blinks, confused.

Reserving some firmess in my voice, I lean forward. “Solan, if you hadn’t caught those hunters, only the goddess knows how bad tonight would’ve been. You did what none of us could have. You saved the pack.”

“But you…” He stops, his face falling. “You looked disappointed.”

My chest tightens and I shake my head quickly. “No, Solan, I wasn't disappointed.” I say, keeping eye contact. “I was… worried. But disappointed? Never. You were… incredible. You surpassed my expectations.” I let out in one breath, needing him to know how amazing he is.”

His eyes brighten up and with a little smile, he pulls his chair closer, dragging it until he’s right beside me. Then he sits down again and before I can say a word, he rests his head on my shoulder.

“I felt so good,” he murmurs, his smile growing. “So free. It felt like the world disappeared and it was just me… in space.”

I swallow, my heart beating louder. “Especially when the wind runs through your fur,” I say softly.

He lifts his head. “Yes! Exactly that.” He exclaims with a wide grin, his eyes lighting up. “It’s like… like flying. I didn’t even care about the hunters half the time. I just wanted to keep running.”

I laugh softly, finding his joy pleasant to watch. “I know that feeling.”

Solan doesn't stop there. He goes on and on, speaking with happiness… something he has lacked for a while now.

His eyes light up with dramatic expressions and I just sit there, listening.

Slowly the knot in my chest loosens as my fear disappears. Because I just realized something.
My son doesn’t only need my strength. He doesn’t only need my trainings.
He needs someone to listen, someone to share his joy, his fear, his wonder. He needs a father, not just an alpha.

And I can give him that.
I’m not losing him.
My son, my pride.

And now that we have the hunters, we will get to the bottom of all these.