10 years

Devin pov.

“Dad. Look what I can do!” 

I watched David do a somersault on his bed. I chuckled. He sure was such a joy. If not for him, I would have gone feral after I lost my mate 9 years ago.

“Wow. That is so cool. High five.” I replied with much enthusiasm and raised my hand so that he could high five me with his tiny little hand.

His baby blue eyes twinkled in excitement as he giggled and jumped on his mattress to give me a high five. He was a lot like his mother. His eyes, his smile and his funny personality reminded me of my beloved mate every single moment of my life. 

“Daddy, are we going to see mommy tomorrow?” he asked as he jumped on his mattress. I smiled and nodded. 

“Yes. We are. We must. You are turning 10 tomorrow. So it is a big day isn’t it?” I said. 

“Yes!!!!” he did a little punch in the air, making me chuckle inwardly. He may have never seen his mother, but I have made sure that he acknowledges her. I take her to her grave every year on his birthday and pray for her soul. People may be unaware of it but I secretly pray that I meet her soon on the other side.

I only wanted to be here until David grows up strong enough so that he can take care of himself and the pack on his own. I will make sure he learns everything he needs to as his father and alpha. I will train him to the best I can and make sure that he will be the next best alpha of this time. 

“Come on bud. It is time for you to sleep.” I said.

He quickly lay on the bed and I covered his little body with the quilt. He smiled at me revealing the little dimple on his left cheek, just like Marsha.

I caressed his hair and kissed his forehead. This had been our routine each and every night ever since he was born. And each and every night he would giggle and try to mess my hair in return. But tonight, it never came. I furrowed my eyebrows at him. He was awfully silent tonight. 

“Is everything ok buddy?” I asked. He smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in it. Ok so something was definitely up. 

I took a stool and sat down beside him. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees and relaxed. 

“Ok. Now tell me. What is wrong?” I asked. 

He sighed and shrugged. He looked away and lowered his eyes, making me even more curious.

“David. You can tell me anything. I will listen. It is ok just tell me.” I tried to make him talk. He didn’t open his mouth, but a little tear escaped from the corner of his right eye. He tried to hide it from me. But what can he hide from his own father?

“David? What is it? Is someone or something bothering you? Are you unhappy?” I asked. His reaction has made me worried. What is it that is making him cry silent tears? What is it that he feels difficult to share with me? He was the most loved pup in this pack. He may not have his mother with him, but me, my parents, my beta and everyone else loves him. Even his maternal grandparents visit him every weekend. Everyone loves him. 

“Daddy.... Am I bad?” he asked, surprising me. I shook my head. What made him think that he was bad?

I voiced my thoughts. “Why are you even asking that?” My question made him cry. Tears started to flow down his cheeks with no control.

“Daddy.” He gasped in between his sobs. “Elder Arnold said that I was bad. That was why my mama died on the day I was born.” He was barely able to say that before bursting into tears. He was now crying hard, his sobs and gasps echoed in the room. 

His words seemed like poison to my ears. I felt numb and stupefied. How can he say that to a little boy? I scooped my son into my hands and tried to comfort him the best i I could.

“Hey. Hey. He was lying. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you to the moon and back. Don’t you ever think like that ok?” I continued to hold him close to me. He sobbed uncontrollably in my arms, soaking my shirt with his tears.

“Everyone will die when time comes. It cannot be avoided. Your mother died because it was time for her to go. And I am glad that she gave me a little bundle of joy that is you. If not for you, I would have gone mad with her death.” I told him honestly. 

He raised his little head and looked into my eyes. “Daddy. Was she your mate?” he asked innocently. I smiled at his question. 

“Yes.” I told him. 

“What is a mate?” he asked and tilted his head to the side. I laughed. That was a gesture Marsha also used to have when she was really curious about something. 

“You are so much like your mother David.” I told him and he smiled. He always loved it when he was told that he was like his mother. 

“To answer your question, a mate is your other half. Your soulmate. She will complete you and when both of you are together you will be at your best.” I told him. I pinched his little nose and said.

“When you find your mate, you must treat her with care and respect. A soulmate is a gift to be cherished. She will be your equal. And since you will be alpha, your mate will be Luna of the pack.” 

“Was mommy Luna in this pack?” he asked. I nodded. He frowned. It only meant that he was thinking deeply about it. 

“Does that mean the pack doesn’t have a Luna now?” he asked. This time, a stabbing pain in my chest made it difficult for me to answer. I looked away and fought the tears that threatened to fall. It has been ten years since that fateful day, but I had not gotten over her untimely death. Some wolves among us find their second chance mate. But to be honest, I don’t want another mate. I just want Marsha and no one else. 

“Daddy?” David’s soft voice took me out of my thoughts. “Did I make you sad?” he asked sadly.

I chuckled, trying my best to hide my sadness. “No bud. You make me happy. It is just that sometimes I still miss your mommy.” I told him, careful not to make him question his self worth.

He yawned and I saw his eyelids were slowly getting heavy. 

“Good night daddy. I will be a good boy.” He said sleepily and turned to one side. 

I smiled and stared at him. He was such a sweet little pup. How could Arnold be so cold towards him? He was just a child.

I walked out of the room and stormed into the council room. Luckily all the elders were still there.

“Arnold! I demand an explanation.” I demanded in my alpha tone, earning the attention of all five of them. 

“What is the need of trying to make my son question his self worth? Why did you have to tell him that he was the reason that his mother died?” I boomed.

He simply narrowed his eyes at me. My alpha tone doesn’t work on him. He and the other members have been the elders for decades. The council consists of a high member of each leading pack in the continent. Their main office is in this pack but they visit all the packs from time to time. They have been around long enough to see the rise and fall of many leaders. And so they are a bit difficult to be intimidated by.

“I said so because I wanted to. That child is cursed and is a bad omen....” 

I don’t know what came over me, I was strangling him with all my might.

“Don’t you dare repeat those words ever again Arnold.” I hissed at him. “You may be an elder, but you all are self appointed.” I continued.

“Enough!” Elder Barron boomed and I let Arnold go.

“Arnold, keep your comments to yourself. And Devin, it is punishable by death for attacking a council member.” He said and I scoffed.

“You don’t care about what he has done?” I asked, my frustration clear in my tone. 

He shook his head. “That is the reason why I am letting it go this time.” He said. I glared at the five of them who were dressed in grey robes that fully covered them from head to toe. 

Arnold had managed to pull himself together. “You will learn it the hard way Devin.” He croaked.

I scoffed at him and turned around to leave. What does he know about my child anyway? He is a bitter elder who needs to retire from his position. Perhaps then, someone better can be appointed.