Alpha Longin's home...
He was sitting next to his wife, Chloe, who was crying bitterly after learning of her husband's decision to send Adrian to find a mate outside the pack.
Longin said sadly, "Stop crying... This is the best decision for him."
But Chloe reacted angrily, her tears still flowing:
"No! I won't stop until you reverse your decision! How can you expect me to give up on him? I've lost enough because of you in the past!"
Longin stood up angrily and said sharply yet pleadingly, "I told you before, I didn't know all this was going to happen!"
Chloe laughed with sarcasm mixed with pain, then said in a hoarse voice,
"Really? You didn't know? You baited our child to trap the Rogues, and in the end, you couldn't even catch them! You sacrificed my son, and now you're trying to sacrifice Adrian, who was my only consolation after that ordeal."
Longin looked away in shame and said in a hushed voice, "How long are you going to hold this against me? How long are you going to hold me responsible for his death? If I had known it would end this way..."
Chloe interrupted him angrily, sobbing,
"Don't say those words! I'm tired of hearing them! You took my baby to that area, knowing the Rogues go there! He was just a baby who couldn't do anything but cry." Her words came out with conviction and sadness.
"As for you, you were busy proving your strength to everyone! Now you fear for Adrian because you see him as a younger version of yourself, even though he's not your real son!"
Longin's voice trembled between anger and shame, and he replied in a choked voice,
"Enough! You don't feel what I feel! He was killed right before my eyes, and I couldn't save him! Do you realize how much pain and shame I live with every day?! He was my son too! His death changed me, broke me... and I still blame myself for it every moment! But you do nothing but press on my wounds, as if I've forgotten, as if I need to be reminded!" He was as hurt as she was—perhaps even more—but he was always trying to hold it together.
He then stormed out of the house, leaving Chloe drowning in her own tears, feeling more let down than ever. Losing her sense of security with her mate wasn't easy, and losing one of her children at the hands of the one who was supposed to be her strength and protector was even harder.
---
In the forest...
Arkon was carrying some clothes, following Adrian's scent trail. But before he reached him, his nose picked up the scent of blood...
He moved closer, only to find Sivak lying on the ground next to the carcass of a wild boar. Arkon noticed traces of dried blood on his face, just above one of his eyes.
Knowing that Sivak was listening, Arkon said, "Why are you doing this to yourself? What would you have done if that boar had struck you in the eye?"
Sivak's response came to him telepathically: "You also underestimate my power."
Arkon sighed, correcting himself, "I didn't mean to, but the wound is very close to your eye..."
There was silence between them for a moment.
Minutes later, Adrian returned to his human form and put on the pants Arkon had brought him before asking, "Why do you come looking for me every time?"
Arkon smiled sadly and said, "Because you were by my side in my worst moments—when I was alone, homeless, abandoned by my family... At a time when everyone else left me, you were my only family."
Arkon looked at him gratefully, then changed his tone to add some humor to the atmosphere:
"Besides, aren't we friends? What's this about now? Everyone thinks you want to be alone, but I know you just need someone to listen to you, someone who understands you... Isn't that what a friend is for?"
Adrian smiled as he said, "I feel like you're the only one who understands me... My father wants me to go out and find a mate or a lover."
Arkon's eyes widened in feigned shock, and he joked, "Really? You're also being asked to look for a mate? Don't worry then, you're not the only one suffering!"
Adrian chuckled, then looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Did my father talk to you about this?"
Arkon replied jokingly, "Man, I don't know where you're getting all this intelligence from!"
Adrian narrowed his eyes and said warningly, "Are you planning to throw a party at my expense?"
Arkon played dumb, crossing his arms over his chest in feigned surprise:
"Me? Throwing a party for you? I must be out of my mind!"
Adrian exhaled sharply and warned, "Arkon..."
Arkon threw up his hands in surrender and laughed, "Okay, okay, I'll shut up... But how do you feel now?"
Adrian chuckled as he replied sarcastically, "You finally remembered to ask me? What a great friend you are!"
Arkon, in a dramatic tone, crossed his arms over his chest:
"I don't know what you'd do without me—your life would be so boring!" He finished his words with an arrogant smirk.
Adrian sighed in exasperation, running a hand through his hair:
"We're never going to finish this drama, are we?"
Arkon smirked slightly, then spoke with seriousness,
"Okay, I'll shut up now... But have you thought about what your parents told you?"
Adrian's voice was quiet but decisive, "Yes, I will go... but not to look for a mate, just to get away from the pack."
Arkon watched him carefully, "Adrian... I think your father is right this time. How long are you going to be like this? You have the right to live your life."
Adrian sighed sadly, as if trying to escape the words, "You're also asking me to forget her..."
Arkon, looking directly at him, said seriously, "I never told you to forget her, and I never will... But you have to live. She will never be erased from your memory or your heart, but life goes on, and you need a partner to share your joys and sorrows with. Someone to be by your side in your darkest moments, before your happiest ones."
Adrian was silent, his eyes lowered slightly before he raised his head and said with a hint of sarcasm, "I didn't know you had become so wise, Arkon."
Arkon gave a sad smile, "We all have our pain. Some face it and overcome it, while others remain trapped in it. In the end, you have two choices... Either you live your life and enjoy it despite the wounds, or you let life pass you by while you're stuck in the past."
Adrian sighed before patting his friend on the shoulder, "What's done is done. Try to get over it."
Arkon raised an eyebrow as he stared at him, humor hidden behind a sad look, "Look who's talking about moving on..."
Adrian gritted his teeth and smirked, "You... Screw you, I'll never get over you, my dear friend."
Then he stood up and said firmly, "Let's go back now. The day after tomorrow, we leave. Prepare everything you want to take with you."
The two stood, walking side by side, until Arkon broke the silence with his usual banter, "See? My influence on you is so great—I don't know what you would do without me."
Adrian chuckled, and Arkon joined in, as they made their way back to the pack.