Meanwhile somewhere in the forest, a small dark figure darted among the trees, swift as a shadow . Not far away was a courtyard with an old dilapidated house. In the front courtyard two kids were huddled over something on the ground whispering to themselves. Lloyd arrived home in a panic, slipping past the two and retreating to his room without alarming his sick father, firmly shutting the door behind him.
Alex who had just come out of his father's room had long seen him.
*knock* *knock*
Lloyd heard someone knocking, causing his heart to thump loudly.
"Lloyd? It's me." Alex announced, waiting to get him to open the door.
The door remained closed for a long time, just when it seems no one was going to open it, -click- The lock was opened from inside and Lloyd's distressed appearance was revealed.
"What happened? Did you come across something today?" Alex asked concerned.
"I-"
"Big brother! Where did you go today? Did you bring something fun? Did you find anything delicious today?" Matt's cheerful milky voice rang around the corner, he was led forward by Zave.
Lloyd fell silent. Zave saw his expression and knew something was up.
"Matt, why don't you go and see what's daddy's doing, Lloyd wants to keep what he has for you a surprise, okay?" Zave coaxed him shifting his attention.
"A surprise?" Matt's eyes sparkled as he asked for confirmation.
"Mhm~" Zave smiled, his expression tender.
"Yay~" Matt, skipped to his father's room. His voice fading as he closed the door behind him.
After Matt left, the atmosphere tensed up again. Zave stared at Lloyd then Alex, his gaze shifting several times between the two before finally settling on Lloyd.
"Did you cause trouble out there?" He asked directly after observing the two.
"I-I didn't!" Lloyd panicked, he wasn't so surprised that Zave had realised what's wrong, among the four of them he was the smartest.
"Were you seen?" Zave asked again.
"N-no…yes" Lloyd's voice lowered when he remembered that those annoying kids had seen him.
Zave squinted his eyes, "So you did cause trouble. What did you do?"
"..."
"Were they adults or kids?"
"..." Lloyd remained silent his head lowered.
"Haah… Did anyone get hurt?" Zave was praying in his heart that at least no one was hurt, he knew how strong his brother was, if anything broke out the other party would not have it easy.
"What are you three talking about?" A weak gentle voice sounded behind the three. The three turned around to see their father standing behind them with gentle smile on his face.
Illya stepped out of the room after putting the hyperactive Matt to sleep. Just across the corridor from his, was Lloyd's room. As soon as he opened his door he saw the disturbed expression of his eldest son's face and asked.
"What's wrong baby? Did someone hurt you?" He asked when he saw that Lloyd still had his head lowered and his mood was obviously down.
Zave rolled his eyes at the question, their father still did not realise just how strong Lloyd was. "Daddy-"
Lloyd cut him off when he realised what Zave was about to say. "Daddy, I have something to tell you!" He glanced at Zave then walked towards his father pulling him away. Alex and Zave watched them enter the room and shut the door.
"What do you think happened out there?" Zave asked Alex still facing the direction the two left, his expression thoughtful.
Alex: …
…
"What's wrong baby, what do you want to tell me?" Illya cupped Llyod's face in his palm, lifting his drooping head.
Lloyd averted his eyes, feeling guilty to look directly into his dad's eyes.
"Sweetheart, you can tell me anything. Always, okay?" Illya hugged him resting his chin on his head and rubbing his back soothingly, waiting for him to open up and speak.
"I… I hurt someone today. And… I think they know I'm a black wolf." Lloyd's voice was barely above a whisper. He glanced at his father's expression, his face showing his unease and panic.
"Oh darling, did you shift in front of them?" Illya asked concernedly.
"Mm."
"Oh dear." Illya watched his sons terrified expression, feeling heartbroken, 'If only-no what am I thinking he's not here anymore.'
"Haa, don't worry sweetie, it'll be fine, okay? Daddy will take of it." Illya smiled at him assuredly, patting his cheeks.
Illya called Zave and Alex and instructed them to stay inside and not to go outside no matter whatever happens later. Just as he was speaking to them they heard loud noises outside their courtyard, it sounded like several people were outside. Illya turned his head toward the sound, he glanced briefly out the window then back at his kids who all had worried expressions on their faces.
"It's alright, I'll be right back. Remember not to come out no matter what, hm~?" He flashed a smile at them before leaving the room.
Looking at the angry crowd gathered at his frontyard, Illya didn't show any hint of weakness. He walked gracefully towards them, greeting them with a kind warm smile.
"Oh my, to what do I owe such a lovely visit, hm~?"
The expressions of the crowd turned sour. This was an omega that every alpha had once dreamed about marrying but she was tricked away by another pack, now she's all alone. And although she has four kids now, time had left no trace on her, asides her somewhat thin figure due to health complications. In fact, when she returned with her kids many alphas had wanted to marry her and were willing to adopt the children if she insisted, but the omega refused and decided to live alone in a secluded corner of the forest. No one knew why she would make that choice. Turned out her alpha was a black wolf, and one of the kids was also one.
"Don't give us that, you know why we're here." One female beta spat out contemptuously, she disliked this omega vehemently. Reason being her alpha had once suggested taking him in as a second wife.
In fact not only her many omegas and female betas, despised the omega before them for the same reason.
Before the crowd could erupt in chaos, the pack's alpha raised his hands silencing them.
"Illya, do you know what your son did to our kids today?" He asked, his voice carrying a hint of warmth. The omega before him had not changed one bit, he still had that gentle smile and that gaze that made you feel like you matter the most in this world.
"I am aware and I am willing to apologise on his behalf," Illya's expression was calm and composed, "I'm very sorry on behalf of my cub, the kid was frightened, he didn't attack intentionally and couldn't control his strength." Illya cupped his hands in front of him giving a slight bow.
"Is this about controlling strength-" the female beta words were silenced by the alpha's cold gaze. He turned back to Illya.
"We're not saying it wasn't unintentional. Even if it was, it's rreally going to be trouble if he should attack any of the kids next time or if an accident like that should happen again…"
Illya's expression turned cold, "My child would never attack yours."
The alpha raised both hands taking a tiny step back, "We're not saying he will, it's just a 'what if', if the next time it's not an injury but a death... You see it's not safe that the child is around-"
Before he could finish his words, Illya's expression had turned completely unfriendly, "Are you saying we should leave?"
"No, not you. Just the kids"
"Heh. That's some fancy suggestion you have there, if you don't want my kids around, I've got the message you won't see us anymore." Illya, dropped all friendliness his gaze cold as he scanned the faces of those present. Without waiting for another word he turned around shutting the door in their faces.
The crowd watched, some with bewildered expressions others glad, some scowling in contempt and some sad at the missed chance. They all turned leaving in the direction they came in, nothing achieved but at least they were able to drive them away successfully.
______
The next day, Illya took his kids and headed eastward. They went deeper into the forest. No one spoke on the way, Illya saw the despondent faces of his children. He longed to comfort them, but exhaustion weighed heavy. All he could manage were a few words. "Don't be too sad, we'll be staying at a very special place. Do you want me to tell you about it?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
He was answered with silence, the only one who would have been exhilarated to hear this was currently asleep. That's right Matt, oblivious to the move, was soundly asleep on Lloyd's back, sucking his thumb like it was some delicacy.
Illya smiled, although it was a sad one. The rest of the journey continued in silence, soon enough they arrived in front of a cabin.
Illya looked at the massive cabin before him, this was a keepsake his husband left him, a last resort they could turn to in case of any trouble. His eyes stung as he recalled his husband's words, the directions to this place. He missed him terribly.
Holding Zave's and Alex's hands they entered the cabin. This was going to be their new abode and a fresh start for them.