Kraig woke up and was initially confused by not recognizing where he was, until the delicious smell of cut grass after rain, mixed with freshly baked chocolate cake, hit his nostrils and intoxicated his thoughts. Delina.
He sat on the bed, which creaked under his weight. She was a regular bed, perfect for Delina, too small for him. It didn't even fit his shins. Delina's portrait was still on the bed and he picked it up to look at the smiling face of the female he so wanted to see again. He ran his finger over her image, wondering when they would meet again.
After getting up, he deposited the portrait back on the nightstand, went downstairs and into the kitchen, where the wonderful smell of bacon and eggs came from. He could hear the bacon crackling.
Elinor was in front of the stove, her back to the door, but she knew Kraig was there in the doorway, watching her.
"Sit down." She said, like a bossy mother. Kraig looked around and came to the conclusion that she could only have been talking to him. So he obeyed.
She set a huge plate in front of him, laden with food. Toast, bacon, eggs, cheese.
"Thank you, Mrs. Saito." He thanked her. She didn't say anything, just went back to the stove. Kraig ate in silence.
After finish eating, he got up and put the plate in the sink. He didn't know how to wash dishes very well, so he was conflicted about whether he should do it his way or whether he shouldn't even try.
"You can let me wash it myself."
"Mrs. Saito, thank you for the food and I am so sorry for everything. I didn't want to hurt Delina like that. I thought it was the bes-"
"Your father already talked to me, Kraig. Now, I think you better go, or he'll be worried."
"Right." He walked towards the kitchen door but before stepping over the threshold, he spoke without turning around. "I will bring her back, Mrs. Saito."
He walked out of the house and saw that Kendrik's car wasn't there, which meant he and Nora were already gone. Kraig didn't bother to check the time. With the end of classes, he had other activities to carry out, such as heavier training and an internship with his father. However, since the disappearance of his female, Kraig had done nothing but look for her and cry around the corners.
Bernard was in the office and saw on the security camera when his son parked the car. He walked out the door and walked calmly, reaching the main hallway and seeing Kraig climbing the first few steps of the stairs that led to the second floor, to the boy's bedroom.
"Next time, let them know you're going to sleep out." Bernard said in a grave tone. Kraig stopped between one step and the next.
"Was inadvertently." He replied and continued to climb.
"You need to be more responsible, Kraig."
"I already told you it was unintentional!" The boy said impatiently. He wasn't interested in talking to anyone, let alone being lectured.
"Lower your voice when talking to me!" Bernard spoke up, almost growling. "I am your father and your Alpha! Office, now!"
The ceremony hadn't been finished, so Bernard was still Alpha. Even though this same blood coursed through Kraig's veins, he was submissive to his father. Therefore, the boy lowered his head and followed the orders given to him.
Bernard waited for Kraig to enter the office, following behind him and closing the door. He walked over to his desk, sitting in the chair back there. He motioned for Kraig to sit in the chair opposite the table.
"Here's the thing, Kraig." He said, placing both hands, intertwined, on the table. His gaze was stern. "I understand that you are in pain. I know very well what it's like to lose our mate. And, coupled with that, there is still your guilt for not only rejecting her, but also psychologically and emotionally abusing her. But you need to get on with your life, and be responsible."
"Dad, I can't." Kraig replied, looking down for a moment, before looking back at his father, his eyes brimming with tears. "I have to focus on her, on finding her, on getting her to forgive me for being an idiot."
"You need to focus on your pack, on yourself." Kraig's eyes flashed with anger and Bernard raised his hand. "I'm not telling you to give up on her. I'm just trying to make you see things straight. If you don't feed, if you don't train and strengthen yourself, not just as a wolf, but as an Alpha, this pack is doomed. Is that what you want to offer her? Yes, because once the rogues realize that our rangers are all too tired and too busy with other matters than tending to our borders, they will attack and we won't be able to fight back. How do you expect to look for Delina like that?"
"But..."
"Let me finish. You need to be okay and create a good environment for her. You need to show her that you've really matured and that she's not going to have to deal with the same silly, stupid boy who rejected her. Furthermore, my son, you are responsible for many lives. All these wolves that are here, in this territory, depend on you and your leadership."
Kraig was silent for a few minutes, taking in everything his father had said. As much as it hurted, Kraig knew Bernard was right. He couldn't hide forever, only going out to look for Delina. And when he find her, then what? How would he show her that he was a male worthy of her? No. He had to build a perfect pack for her. Safe enough to take care of her. If she was human and more fragile, then he had to protect her. As Luna, and most of all, as the queen of his heart and soul.
Kraig remembered when his mother died. Bernard stayed there, strong, moving on with his life. Kraig hated him for this, as he believed his father did not feel the loss of Isla. However, one night, he heard a sobbing and followed the sound of wailing that was heartbreaking. Bernard was sitting in a corner of the office, on the floor, with his knees up to his chest and his hands covering his face as he sobbed. In that moment, Kraig understood that his father wasn't being insensitive, he was just being the Alpha.
"Thanks, Dad." I will be better. For the pack. For her."
"That's my son!" Bernard cheered, grinning at his son. The determination in Kraig's eyes told Bernard the boy was ready to do whatever was necessary.