From the moment Ajax had been discovered awake, the chaos in his life reached levels he had never been in before.
It was 'Alpha' this and, 'Alpha' that -- and it made him uncomfortable.
"You are technically the acting Alpha. You must stop protesting this, my young Prince." Jhinto said with the wisdom and softness of a grandfather.
"Metas is the Alpha. I don't want to be called that. Can't I just be called Sub-Alpha or something?"
"No. If Metas doesn't wake up-"
"Metas is going to wake up, so don't finish that sentence. All of them will. It's just going to take a little more time for them to untangle their dreams. It's...weird... it was like all of our brains were strands of yarn woven together into a massive mess." Ajax cut off the old male before he said something he didn't want to hear or acknowledge.
"Oh? Would you be fine with giving me a transcription of your experience later, my Al--Sub-Alpha?" The mage asked gently and with a smile to match.
"Yeah, of course - but let's wait until my brother, my wife, and my sister in law wake up. Also...where is Jyriah? I'd really like to see Jyriah please..." he wanted to avoid sounding like a leader at all costs. If he took the title from Metas, then his younger (but massively larger) brother would lose the respect of the clan.
He'd die to protect Metas' title, even from himself. They were all counting on him to see their vision through, and having let his Alpha down once, he would make sure it didn't happen again.
"I can fetch him for you, my Prince. Should I also gather your other friends? Most of them have been living here in the castle to help stave off those who want to take the throne." Jhinto revealed.
"Do we have names of those usurpers?"
"Yes, my Prince. They've been placed in the dungeons. Would you like to sentence them?" The mage asked with respect.
"No. Let's let them have what they want. When Metas wakes up, they can challenge him for the title like any other wolf would. If their lives are meaningless to them, then let everyone see." Ajax replied bitterly.
"Of course, sire." Jhinto said and gave a short bow.
"Now, please got get Jyriah. He's the only face I'd like to see right now..." Ajax repeated his request and gave a hard sigh.
"At once, sire." The old mage answered.
"Don't call me sire, please. Just... Ajax..or...Prince is fine. Sire and Alpha are Metas' titles."
Ajax couldn't see it- but Jhinto smiled warmly at his words, and nodded sagely. "Of course, Prince Ajax. You are a far better brother than most. I'll be sure to tell Alpha Metas of your valor."
Once Jhinto left, Ajax broke down quietly in soft sobs and took Lara's soft, unmarred hand. He hissed her knuckled and whispered promises into her fingers, and he even reached out to put a hand on her taut belly that had grown enough to be noticeable on her slender figure.
"Snow, I need you to wake up. I can't do this without you. I love you so very much, and I love our pup with all my heart, even though they aren't here yet. I'm going to be the male you need me to be. No more kid stuff. I'm ready to be your husband, I'm ready to be a father, and I'm ready to protect Metas' throne and title. We made it, babe. Now wake up and enjoy it with me." He pleaded with eyes filled with hot tears.
Something had awakened in him in that crater - something bigger than he could have ever imagined. He felt like a new wolf the moment he regained his senses, and it was like shedding into a new skin.
He wanted to reflect on more, but there was a knock that interrupted him.
"Hey, I heard your lazy ass finally got up," Jyriah joked half-heartedly and leaned against the side of the entryway.
"Damn, am I glad to see you, Jyriah." Ajax greeted with a tired grin.
"Likewise. So uhm... First question - are you as mad as I am that Lyrica lied to us?....Again..." The coal-fire male asked immediately.
"I just woke up and hadn't even processed that fact yet. I'll give you an answer when I get there. Have her parents come by at all?"
"Oh, duh - sorry about that...and yes. They came by to see both of you, actually. You know, it's really funny. They looked down on you for so long, and now that they know you're actually royalty, they're all sobs and wha-wha's about you being out." Jyriah revealed with a wide smile.
"Seriously? That's fucking amazing, and terrible. I was just as good for Lara then, as I am now."
"Yeah, that's what Joss said. He was pretty pissed off when they made some comment about how they were surprised at your abilities. I say you make them squirm about offending you for a while."
"Lara would murder me. I can't do that. Besides, it's kind of how things worked up here in the past. Now it's going to be different."
"How's the whole defending off the usurpers thing?" Ajax followed up.
"Joss wrote a magical barrier around the front that stops those with ill intentions from coming through. He's improved a lot since we've gotten back. He's really brightened up Syri's days." Jyriah answered with a bit of sorrow in his tone.
"Ah, shit - how is she doing? I can't imagine it's been good..." The silver-haired male asked with a sad face and voice.
"Well, you know - as good as any kid who lost both of their parents so young. She really wants to talk to Myranda since she was also a pup when our parents died.... Do you think she'll..." Jyriah couldn't even finish his sentence.
"Yes. She will. They all will. I promise." Ajax replied with a smile that was strong, and he hoped he could infect his coal-fire haired friend with the same feeling.