First clash

“What?!”

“You heard me, son.” Francis said with conviction.

For the past years, they had not spoken like this. Face to face. As much as Francis would love to spend some time with Ice, his son have developed a very successful strategy of avoiding any possible conversation between them. He knew that Ice hated him and he could not blame the boy for doing so.

While he was an adequate and a very good provider, he was absent for most of his son’s life. That was something that money cannot buy and lost time will never be reimbursed.

He was so busy serving the people with his profession and he was dedicated to the pack that he didn’t notice the rift that was between him and Ice had turned into a gaping hole over the years.

The boy used to adore him. Back in the day, Francis was so eager to finish his shift to spend the remainder of the day with his very pregnant wife. They were looking forward for the boy to complete their little family. Things had turned out pretty bad when Ice’s mother died giving birth to the boy. He was devastated and guilt-ridden when he knew he could have been there. Instead, he answered to a call in the emergency room to save a dying boy.

He managed to save the boy but not his wife.

The rift was of his own doing. To this day, he was still guilty of his wife’s death and he could not bear looking at Ice who was a daily reminder of his life’s bad choices. His son was his late wife’s splitting image. Looking at him is painful.

“That is absurd! Why do I have to go to America?” Ice’s face turned magenta in red. He was fuming and did not like the idea presented to him.

“Because that is where Henry’s daughter is.”

“That’s it? The Reds again, huh? So, he has a daughter, and let me guess, he was an asshole like you too. You guys leave your kids behind. When will you even learn to say no to them? Can’t you see what they are doing with you? You are a respected man--but when it comes to them---you are a slave! Ready whenever there is an order! You disgust me...”

A blow landed on Ice’s face.

“You do not question me. You will do as you are told. You will leave tomorrow.” Francis stood up straight. Ignoring the questioning eyes that his son was giving him. He refuses to meet the eyes that were reminiscent of his beautiful wife.

Ice sat there, jaws clenched and fists balled. His face numb, but he did not want his father to know that it hurts. For an old man, Francis can throw a punch. His wolf abilities are top of the tier and Ice will not give his father the satisfaction of pitying him.

“Very well. What do I need to do? Surely, your little lady will need something, otherwise, you won’t be sending someone her age.”

Francis smiled inside. He was glad that his son was man enough to take on the challenge and smart enough to deduce that he was hand picked for the occasion because they are from the same age bracket. His son had the brains and the brawl because he knew that he did not held back from the punch. Normal humans would definitely be out cold.

“ Be a friend to her. She needs to come back here, STAT.”

***

The following day, Ice was on a plane to the land of the free. He packed lightly. Francis was no longer home when he woke up but he got a letter that said that it was all taken care of and that he had nothing to worry but his mission. His card was loaded and it was never a surprise but this time, the limit was removed. He smiled to himself. At least, his dad knew what to do when he plans to send him abroad on such a short notice.

The flight was long but he managed to sleep it off. It was an eight hour and forty minutes trip. The staff was extra friendly because he is Ice and his good looks made the entire crew swoon.

Carrying nothing but his backpack and his phone, Ice turned heads the moment he stepped out of the aircraft. He was wearing his usual ensemble, white shirt, jeans and his trusty boots. America was too hot for him so he ditched the jacket.

He was welcomed by Pierre. A family friend and his father’s trusted man.

“Welcome back sir.”

“I am tired and I want this over and done with. Where can we find the little princess?”

“She’s at school, sir.” Pierre said with a hint of surprise.” Er, John Hewitt High School. Sir Douglas tried...”

“He did, huh? But he failed?”

“He will be assisting you here sir.”

“Well, I want to go back to Britain ASAP. Let’s go get her.” Ice walked fast and Pierre tried to catch up with his long strides.

“Sir? Don’t you want to get something to eat or freshen up?”

“Do I look like I need to?” Ice snapped at the man.

“N-no. Of course not.”

Pierre knew that Ice was no longer a child and Francis had warned the man that Ice would be stubborn and strong willed. However, his father forgot to mention that Ice was a brat. He took him to the parking lot and drove off for John Hewitt High School. When they arrived, it was lunch time and a throng of students were out and about the campus. They all stopped and stared when Ice came out of the car.

Ice did not mind the oggling. He was used to it back home.

He spotted a group of girls under a tree and approached them.

“Hi.”

“Look here, what do we have here? Hello.” One of the girls stood up and offered her hand to which, Ice only stared but did not take. “I am Belle, are you lost, baby boy?”

The rest of the girls giggled as the girl named Belle made a cute face. Ice remained unbothered and looked bored. The British girls can do better than that.

“I am looking for Allie McAllister.”

“Pff. You must be one of those who thinks she is a royal.” She smirked, as if she ate something bitter at the mere mention of the name.

“Where is she?”

“Hmm. She might be in the library. Nerds hang there. You sure you don’t want to hang out with me?”

“No.”

The girl was offended, she was humiliated in front of her peers but that was none of Ice’s business. He asked another student who was more tolerable than the last one to take him and Pierre in the library. Allie was not hard to find. That blazing red hair is visible miles away from Ice.

He stomped his way to her table where she was buried in books. She didn’t even noticed him approaching. Ice noticed how old fashioned and worn her clothes look. He had a lot of questions on his mind but that could wait. If he had to drag the little Royal to the airport to get him home in no time, he’d do it.

Ice coughed. Allie did not budge, her head remained low and her hair curtained her face.

He took a thick book and slammed it against the wooden desk. It startled her and when she looked up, Ice swears to Fenrir, that his soul left his body for a moment. Her parents named her properly. Her eyes were ember.

“What do you want?!I am in no mood for jokes! I am having a very bad day!” She snarled at him. Her fiery red eyes almost rendered him speechless. For the first time, Ice was at a loss for words.