That same evening, Erick had just returned home, his backpack on his back. Before heading home, he had sent Amber and Hamish to their home first. He was like a driver for the both of them. He did not mind driving for the both of them since one is his mate and the other lived just next door to him.
Opening the door, he could smell dinner had just served in the kitchen.
"Mom! I'm home!" he yelled out as he brushed the snow from his jacket. He then took off his jacket and hung it on a coat rack.
"Welcome home, dear! Go freshen up before going for dinner!" came her reply from the kitchen. She was probably still busy cooking since Erick could still smell the food being cooked.
"Alright," he shouted back before rushing up to his room to take a shower.
His father hasn't arrived at home yet but he did say that he would be home for dinner so he probably will be coming home soon.
Before going down to the kitchen, Erick shot a quick message to Amber, informing her that he had arrived home safely. Since Amber had accepted him as a shifter, Erick had become more open towards his feelings where he no longer feels restricted in showing his love. And one way was to text her every time he had arrived or leave his home.
His mother once teased him about it when she found out. She said that he never does that to her. He just ignored her.
Just as he walked in the kitchen, his father had just arrived, still in his uniform. There were little snowflakes on his shoulder and head. Their eyes met.
"Welcome home, dad," Erick greeted.
Lachlan nodded as he brushed away the snow from his clothes and took off his wet boots. He then went up to the master bedroom to take a shower.
Lachlan had just entered his room when Luella walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a cloth. "Was that your father?" she asked.
Erick nodded as he entered the kitchen. On the dining table, there was food being placed on top of it; philly cheesesteaks, lamb pot pie, mashed potatoes, charred broccoli with melted cheese and tomato soup.
He quickly went to wash his hands and then sat at the table, waiting for his father. His mother placed a jug of orange juice and sat down as well.
While waiting for her husband, she started a conversation with her son, asking how was school, his mate and so forth.
Like most male teenagers, Erick just nodded and said a few words to his mother, his mind already thinking which of the food should he eat first.
Seeing the distracted look on her son's face, Luella grabbed a wooden serving spoon and smacked him on the shoulder, scolding him and demanding to give her some attention.
Erick immediately talked more than before. Saying how his game was on hold due to the upcoming exams and how he was swamped with assignments.
Shortly after, Lachlan walked into the kitchen at the sight of his son talking animatedly with Luella. A small smile formed on the Alpha's lips as he watched on, warmly.
After dropping a kiss on top of Luella's head, he sat at the head of the table and they began to eat.
The conversation at the table was comfortable and nice as they began to talk with one another about how their day has been. Lachlan gave his son a knowing look, indicating that they can have their conversation at his office.
Erick nodded as he ate his dinner.
Once dinner was over, instead of going straight to his father's office, Erick stayed behind to help his mother clear the dishes. Lachlan, too, helped with the clean-up.
Luella then made some hot coffee for her husband once the dishes and the table were cleaned.
Lachlan went to his office with Erick trailing behind him.
A couple of minutes later, the two Kendall males were inside Lachlan's office. Luella had already served him his coffee, which was sitting on his table.
The two men sat across each other. Lachlan behind his desk while Erick sat across him.
Lachlan leaned forward in his seat and said, "So, what was so important that you had to talk to me in private?"
Erick was quiet at first. He then looked at his father in the eyes. Lachlan was surprised to see his son's eyes had turned to amber. And that there was a glimpse of sharp fangs inside his mouth. It was then he realized that Erick has the ability to change to Dane, without fully shifting.
Was this the power of a lycan?
"Greetings, Alpha."
"Dane."
"I presume that Erick had told you about something?" Dane enquired.
Lachlan thought it was a bit weird to be talking to his son, yet he was not his son at the same time. "He did tell me that he wanted to tell me something but not yet," he answered.
Dane nodded as he leaned against the chair, crossing his arms across his chest. "As I've told Erick before. During that incident with the warlocks, I can smell something familiar from one of them. The older warlock."
��Something familiar."
Dane let out a sigh. "Yes, not all of my memories are back yet so there are still some parts of it that are still foggy," he admitted. "But when I battled that warlock, the scent was not strong yet I could scent it. It was something… familial."
Lachlan was surprised. "Lycan?" he said softly, hesitant. He felt a bit anxious about the answer.
Dane rubbed his eyes then ran a hand through his hand, suddenly looking very tired. "Sort of… but… I'm not sure. Something about that smell seems off."
Lachlan was surprised once more. He did not expect that a lycan such as Dane would be unsure when it comes to his assumptions and opinions.
"But that warlock," Dane suddenly said, his face solemn. "It wouldn't do us any good to underestimate him. Back then, he did not go all out. One might say that he was testing us.
And that he will be back soon. There was something that he wanted. Now that his captives, the granddaughter of the Cairin pack and the son of the Cesaro Alpha had escaped, he's probably be waiting to capture them once more."
"Them?" Lachlan repeated.
Dane nodded. "Not only them."
"Who?"
"Me."
-----
It has been days since she was finally back in her hometown. To be exact, it has been years since she last stepped in this town and everything was very unfamiliar to her.
When the Alpha of the Cesaro packs and the rest of the packmates had escorted her back to her hometown, Makena could feel emotions swarming her whole body; happiness because she was finally home and sad because she just found out that her mother had passed away years ago.
After finally stepping on the soils of the Cairin Oaks, she could sense thunderous footsteps heading in her direction. She was terrified, at first. She was not used to a crowd.
Seeing that Riedrich just pushed her in and then waved her goodbye, she could not voice out any word of protest as he suddenly disappeared from her sight, along with his packmates.
Standing alone at the entrance of the Cairin Oaks, she could only wait for the thunderous footsteps to arrive.
Before she could hide, a huge man instantly appeared in front of her. He has a large body, quite fit for his age. He looked as if he was in his sixties but Makena knew that he was probably much older, looking at how his eyes told her. His hair was trimmed short, lush with a salt and pepper tint. His eyes looked so clear but what surprised Makena was the tears that were sliding down from them.
Just as Makena was about to take a step back, she was enveloped in a tight hug. "My child… my dear grandchild…" he said tearfully. "Welcome back."
Hours later, Makena was in her room, sitting on a chair as she looked out the window. It was snowing and the town was nearly blanketed in white goodness, looking pure and beautiful. But none of these were on her mind.
Earlier, she and her grandfather had a long talk. Before, she had heard about how her pack was enchanted with spells, making them unable to join the mission. She had heard how they were cursed where the warlocks could see through their eyes.
Hence why she was worried when she was in the room with her grandfather and that the Beta was there with them. The warlock might have listened to their conversation.
However, her grandfather had reassured her with a satisfied grin, saying that the spell was broken just before Makena returned to the Oaks. Everyone in the pack who had been enchanted with the spells had their eyes blinded for a while, causing panic. But soon after, their sight returned, brighter and clearer. It was then they knew, with great relief, that the spells were broken. Adding with the return of Makena, the Cairin pack was in great spirits for days.
Now in her room, she sat down, looking out the window, watching the snowfall as her mind was filled of a shifter mate she met back then. Inside her, Rae was furious when they were separated; him to the Kendall pack and her following the Cesaro pack to her pack.
Rae had been bugging her to follow their mate back to the Kendall pack but Makena thought it was better for her to meet her pack first.
Now, sitting there, looking out of the window, she has done what she wanted to do; meet the packs and spend time with her grandfather.
But why does she still feel empty? Was this how one misses her mate?