The air was tensed in the Rogue pack house, as everyone who stayed behind was silent, not knowing what the outcome of the hunt would be.
Michelle seemed to be in extra tension, as Arya had noticed. Whether it was because her mate was out hunting or because of who he was hunting, she couldn't tell.
It was almost dusk, when the hunting party finally returned, and the females and pups were so happy and relieved when they saw their mates and fathers return, but they also knew that something had gone terribly wrong, as their faces told them that things didn't go as planned.
Michelle walked towards Rodriguez, both happily and cautiously, but the anger on his face made her stop on her tracks.
"Daddy, Daddy, what happened?" Came a small voice.
Rodriguez looked at the pup, who was pulling at his father's pants, looking at him.
The man stood looking down at his son, then at his alpha, as if silently asking what to say.
Rodriguez sat at his usual chair, and the crowd became quiet. They knew very well that their Alpha sitting on that chair meant he had a very important announcement.
"You all know we were out searching for any suspicious wolf who might have been working with Alfa Flowerew of the Moonsglow pack. We did find two men running away, but Alfa came and saved them at the very last minute, which only confirmed my doubts," Rodriguez said, and everyone gasped.
"I have another very important thing to tell you all; Arya has been living with us for some time now, and most of you must be wondering why." Rodriguez stopped and looked around, and the faces of his pack members told him he wasn't wrong. "It is because Arya is my blood sister!"
More gasps, followed by whispers spread across the crowd. They had known their alpha and suspected that without any good reason, he'd have kicked her out by now. So this was the reason!
"I'm very sure by the way Alfa spoke to me that those two weren't the only moles he had planted in here. There are more, or will be in the future. I have sworn to kill every mole that he plants here, and I need your help. If you have seen any suspicious person in or around this territory, do inform me. Any help can lead to my sister's safety. If you have any questions, ask them now. You know the rule of this pack; all clarification is to be made when the announcement is made!" He continued.
"My Alpha, forgive me, but will Miss Arya's human family accept you into their lives, like you have accepted miss Arya into yours?" An older man asked.
There was silence. He didn't know the answer to that question.
"Alpha Rodriguez, by your permission, can I answer that question?" Arya asked, turning to face him.
He looked up at her, then simply nodded.
"Sir, my aunt and uncle know about him, and they want to meet him. They also know that during the random rogue attack on Moonsglow pack a month ago, the rogue Alpha saved their children's lives. The only way to find out if they fully accept him is for him to visit them in the human world. It's the only place they can not pretend," Arya said, and almost everyone nodded.
"Arya, I don't know about that..." Rodriguez began, but that same old man interrupted, "Forgive my boldness, my Alpha, but she is correct."
As if on queue, Arya's phone rang. It was Kimberly. She excused herself, walked a little away from the meeting, and picked it up.
"Hey, Aunt Kim, how's everything?" She asked.
"Bobo, I have a request. Please come visit, and please try to bring your brother with you. Your uncle has asked me a million times when you both are visiting, and I can't take it anymore!" Kimberly sounded desperate.
"Aunt Kim, I'll come as soon as I can, but as for Rodriguez... I'm not sure..."
"Bobo, if you want, let me talk to him. Maybe if he listens to how desperately we want to see and meet him, he will come."
"I can't do that right now..." "Tell her we're coming tomorrow. I will go!" Rodriguez interrupted, and Arya almost jumped out of her skin.
"God, Rodriguez! You nearly gave me a heart attack! You shouldn't sneak up on people like that, let alone listen to their conversations!"
Rodriguez just raised his eyebrows and smirked. Then he walked away, and Arya remembered she was still on the phone.
"Aunt Kim, he said he will come tomorrow," she said.
"Oh, thank heavens. I'll call Marcus and Natalie too. They'll be glad to meet him," came a relieved voice.
"But let me tell them myself. They have seen him before, and I must remind them that he had saved their lives."
"Works for us."
The next day, Arya and Rodriguez arrived into town a little after ten thirty in the morning in the car that belonged to Rodriguez.
Arya pointed to a house and said, "See that house? It's mine. Uncle Pete helped me buy it."
"Looks nice."
That was the only reply she got. Arya realized that Rodriguez was pretty nervous.
"You know, for an alpha of a large pack, you sure are not as dangerous as others make you out to be!" Arya commented.
"You don't understand. I've never interacted with a human before. I'm dead scared."
"Don't worry. They're not bad. You will also get to meet our cousins, Marcus and Natalie."
"The humans in that pack, right?"
"Right!"
"What if they don't like me?"
This was the first time Arya had seen the vulnerable part of this alpha. The child who wanted acceptance. She did feel sorry for him but couldn't show it.
"They are already dying to meet you. They are going to love you. Just be yourself," Arya tried to encourage him.
By now, they had reached their destination, and Arya told him where to park. They went to the front door, and Arya knocked.
Pete opened the door, looking very happy to see them. "Arya, thank God you came. This must be my nephew," he said, reaching out his hand.
Rodriguez took his hand and shook it. "Rodriguez," he introduced himself.
"I'm Pete. Please come in. Kimmy went to pick up Mar and Nats. They must be arriving anytime now. Please sit," Pete said, gesturing to the sofa.
Arya and Rodriguez sat down, and Pete gave them some juice. "So, Rodriguez, how are you?"
"I'm good," he replied nervously.
"You know, there's so many things I want to say, and ask, but seeing you alive and sitting here, I'm just grateful that you're okay," Pete said, staring him up and down.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Pete excused himself and went to open the door.
They both heard voices and then in walked three people, two of whom stared at Rodriguez with wide eyes.