Chapter 9

Zeke and Beatriz Forenbach sat at the kitchen table, sipping on their morning coffee when the phone rang. Beatriz answered, her eyebrows furrowing as she listened to the voice on the other end.

"What? Is Azure okay?" Zeke asked, noticing his wife's concern.

"It's the university. They're saying Azure got into a fight," Beatriz replied, looking worried.

Zeke shook his head, disappointment etched on his face. "I had a feeling that his demeanor was going to get into trouble one day. Ugh, that boy,”

Beatriz shot her husband a look, one that clearly communicated her annoyance with his dismissive attitude. "Let's not jump to conclusions, Zeke. We don't even know what happened yet."

After one hour, Francine and Azure got back home from University. Zeke's mind immediately went to the worst-case scenario, picturing his son starting a brawl for no reason.

“Francine! Azure! What the hell happened?” Beatriz asked in a worried tone.

Francine’s voice was shaky as she explained what had really happened. "A group of young men were harassing me, cornering me and touching me. I was so scared. But Azure saw what was happening and he jumped in. He fought them off and got me out of there safely," she said, her voice trembling.

Zeke and Beatriz listened intently as Francine recounted the terrifying experience. They could hear the fear in her voice and the gratitude for their adoptive “son” heroism.

After she hung up, Beatriz turned to her husband, a soft smile on her lips. "I told you not to jump to conclusions, Zeke. Azure is a hero."

Zeke nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Yeah, he's a good kid."

Zeke couldn't stop thinking about what Francine had told them. He kept replaying the scenario in his head, picturing his son stepping in to protect someone he cared about.

Azure looked at Zeke, worry etched on his face. "I know I messed up, Lycan King. I'm sorry."

But Zeke shook his head, a small smile forming on his lips. "No, Azure. You did something really brave today. You protected someone in your family. That's what being a man is all about."

Azure looked at the Lycan King, his eyes shining with pride. "Thanks, Lycan King. I was just doing what I thought was right. It’s my honor to save the Luna Princess,”

Zeke clapped Azure on the back, his heart swelling with love and admiration for the young man standing in front of him. "That's all we can ever ask of you, Azure. Just do what you think is right."

Zeke and Beatriz were furious. They wanted those young men who harassed Francine to be kicked out of school immediately. They couldn't imagine how anyone could treat their precious daughter in such a disgusting manner.

But Francine had a different approach. She didn't want to make things worse by escalating the situation. She just wanted to move on from the incident and put it behind her.

"Please, mom, dad, don't do anything drastic," Francine pleaded with Zeke and Beatriz. "Azure already taught them a lesson. Let's just leave it at that."

Zeke and Beatriz exchanged a look, unsure of what to do. They didn't want to make things worse, but they also didn't want to let these young men get away with their behavior.

"Maybe Francine is right," Beatriz finally said. "She doesn't want to cause any more trouble. Let’s respect that,”

Zeke sighed, knowing his wife was probably right. "Fine. We won't do anything. But those young men better watch their backs. If they ever mess with Francine again, they'll regret it."

Despite their anger, Zeke and Beatriz couldn't help but feel grateful that Azure was there to protect Francine. They knew Azure had a good heart and they were proud of him for standing up for what was right. He protected Francine.

"Nevertheless, I'm glad you're okay, sweetheart," Beatriz said, her voice softening. "And I'm proud of you, Azure. You did the right thing."

Azure smiled, his face flushing with pride. "Thanks, Luna Queen. I couldn't just stand by and watch them do that to her."

Beatriz laughed out loud. “You’ve already been living with us for months. You should start calling us mom and dad. Lycan King and Luna Queen sounds very formal,”

Zeke put his arm around his son, a sense of warmth spreading through his chest. "My wife is right, Azure. But yes, we’re proud of you. You should always do what's right."

As the family sat together, grateful for their safety and the love they shared, Zeke couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of pride in his adoptive son. He knew Azure would always be there to protect the people he cared about, no matter the cost. And that was all Zeke and Beatriz could ever ask for.

Unbeknownst to Zeke, Beatriz, and Azure, Francine's older brother, Royce, had come home from work and was quietly listening to their conversation. Royce had never been particularly fond of Azure, but hearing about how he had protected his sister had given him a newfound appreciation for the young man.

Later that night, as he was heading out to the balcony to get some fresh air, Royce spotted Azure standing there. He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should approach him, but ultimately decided to go for it.

"Hey," Royce said, stepping out onto the balcony.

Azure turned to look at him, surprised to see Francine's brother there. He rolled his eyes. “Tss. What are you doing here, annoying creature?”

Royce took a deep breath, still feeling a little awkward about the whole situation. "I just wanted to say thanks. For what you did for Francine. I know we haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but...I appreciate it."

Azure's face softened, touched by Royce's words. "Of course. I'd do anything for Francine. And for your parents too,”

Royce nodded, feeling a sense of warmth spreading through his chest. He had always been protective of his sister, but seeing how much Azure cared for her made him feel like he could finally let his guard down a little.

"I'm sorry I've been a dick to you in the past," Royce said, his voice tinged with regret. "I guess I just… didn't really get you. But seeing how you handled that situation with Francine, it… it meant a lot to me."

Azure nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had always respected Royce, since he was Zeke’s son. Even if they hadn't always seen eye-to-eye, and it was nice to finally have his approval.

"It's all good, Royce," Azure said. 

Royce nodded as well. "I get it. And hey, maybe we can finally start to get along, huh?"

Azure grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Royce that he had never felt before. "Yeah, maybe we can."

As the two young men stood on the balcony, the tension between them finally melting away, they both felt a sense of gratitude for the bonds of family and the power of forgiveness. And in that moment, they knew that they would always have each other's backs, no matter what.

As Royce and Azure talked, they realized that they had more in common than they thought. They bonded over their love for Francine and their desire to protect her from harm.

"You know," Royce said, a smile spreading across his face. "I think I'm starting to see why my sister is fond of you. You're a good guy, Azure."

Azure chuckled, feeling a sense of warmth in his chest. "Thanks, Royce. I just try to do the right thing, you know?"

Royce nodded, feeling a newfound respect for the young man in front of him. "Yeah, I get that. And from now on, I'm going to treat you like a brother."

Azure's eyes widened in surprise, touched by Royce's gesture. "Hah, really, huh? That means a lot, Royce."

Royce shrugged, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Azure that he had never felt before. "Yeah, well...I figure we're going to share a lot of memories now that you are permanently living with us. Might as well get along, right?"

Azure grinned, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had always wanted to be on good terms with Francine's family, but he had never expected Royce to be so accepting.

"Definitely," Azure said. "And hey, if you ever need anything, just let me know. I've got your back, too."

As the two young men stood on the balcony, their conversation turning to other topics, they knew that their friendship had started to blossom. They didn't know what the future held, but they knew that they would always be there for each other, through thick and thin. As brothers.

And as Azure looked up at the starry sky above them, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the bonds of family and the power of forgiveness. Because in the end, it was those bonds that would keep them together, no matter what life threw their way.

The next morning, as the Forenbach family gathered in the dining room for breakfast, they were surprised to see Royce and Azure chatting amiably. Zeke and Beatriz exchanged curious glances, wondering what had brought about this sudden change in their son's attitude towards Azure.

"Good morning, everyone," Azure said cheerfully, taking a seat at the table. "Sleep well?"

"Morning, Azure," Francine replied, smiling at him. "You look like you're in a good mood today."

Azure grinned, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. "Yeah, I am. Royce and I had a good talk last night."

Zeke and Beatriz raised their eyebrows in surprise, still not quite believing what they were hearing. "Royce?" Zeke asked. "As in, our Royce?"

Azure nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the shock on their faces. "Yeah. We talked things out, and I think we're on the same page now."

Beatriz couldn't help but smile, feeling relieved that her daughter's relationship wasn't causing any more tension in the household. "Well, that's wonderful news," she said, pouring coffee for everyone. "I'm glad to hear it."

Royce and Azure continued to chat throughout breakfast, their conversation ranging from academics to training, and some silly stuffs. Zeke and Beatriz watched with amazement, still not quite believing that these two young men who had once been at each other's throats were now getting along so well.

At one point, Francine couldn't resist teasing them. "You two look like a couple of lovebirds," she said, grinning mischievously.

Royce and Azure both made faces of disgust, but their attempts at looking tough were undermined by the laughter in their eyes.

"Oh, shut up, Fran," Royce said, playfully nudging her with his elbow.

Azure grinned, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. He was happy to be getting along with Royce, but more than that, he was grateful for the sense of family he felt with the Forenbachs. They had welcomed him into their home with open arms, and he knew that he would always be there for them, no matter what.

As they finished their breakfast and started to clear the table, Royce asked Azure if he wanted to watch him do his physical training. 

“Sure, I want to see how you do it,”

Francine pouted her lips. “Can I come with you, big brother? Azure?”

Royce laughed. “Sure, you can come with us, Francine.”

Royce led Azure and Francine into the depths of the forest, where the trees grew thick and tall, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Azure felt a thrill of excitement and anticipation as he followed Royce's lead, eager to see what lay ahead.

As they walked deeper into the woods, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs filled the air, and Azure felt his senses sharpening, his instincts coming to the forefront of his mind.

Finally, they arrived at a clearing, where Royce began to shift into his wolf form, his body transforming into a sleek and powerful creature with fur as black as the night sky.

Azure watched in amazement as Royce began to move, his movements fluid and graceful as he ran and jumped through the forest, his senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement.

For a moment, Azure felt a pang of jealousy, wishing that he too could shift into a wolf and run through the woods with the same effortless grace as Royce. But then he realized that he didn't need to be a wolf to be powerful, to be strong, to be worthy.

As he watched Francine and Royce interact, their sibling bond strong and unbreakable, Azure felt a sense of contentment settle over him. He may not be as strong as Royce, but he had something just as valuable - the love and support of the people around him.

And as the sun began to set over the forest, casting a golden glow over the trees, Azure realized that he was exactly what he wanted; he wanted power. He wanted power to protect his loved ones.