Chapter 14: Chapter 14

MEL:

Finally, I park the car in front of a beautiful mansion that is almost as big as Atlas cast Castleam delighted mainly with the rustic and sophisticated atmosphere of the environment that, incredible as it may seem, preserves the vegetation around it.

—Your parents have great taste – I get out of the car and hand the keys to the Atlas – it must be wonderful growing up in such an environment.

—Really, I don't know how many times I've run through this forest — he says coming to my side and encircling my waist with one of his hands, while he points with the other.

—It looks pretty long, perfect for a pubescent wolf to run around and de—stress the 'rage' – I nudge him playfully – speaking of which, how old are you? — I realize I forgot about that detail.

—You don't want to know – he says taking me with him towards the entrance – there are only a few hundred more than you – winks at me and I barely have time to process before the door suddenly opens and a woman comes out pulling me into a hug.

But what?

—Finally, you arrived, I heard the noise of the car and I couldn't help myself with anxiety – I hear your voice and I'm surprised to come face to face with a super smiling Kath – you look beautiful Mel, I couldn't contain myself when I found out at that party that you were my partner puppy — finishes stroking my hair.

How could I forget? Kath had said that she was the mother of the ultimate and if I'd thought a little more about anything other than my dearest mate, I would have remembered.

—It's great to see you again Kath – I mean it – who would have thought such a coincidence? The world is really small — we laugh together.

—Wait, do you know each other? – we look at Atlas who is confused.

—Yes, she's that girl who found Hick in the square — Kath clarifies giving me a grateful look.

—So you're the girl that Hick... HENRIQUE – we are startled by Atlas's scream that comes in like a hurricane.

I look at Kath who now has a smile on her face as if the situation is super funny, while I keep my pot face.

What have I missed?

—Come on darling, we have to avoid a — tragedy— even without understanding, I accompany her, seeing an Atlas all red screaming at the bottom of the stairs.

—HENRIQUE JACKSON MARTIN COME DOWN HERE! – I can hear some footsteps moving down the hall.

—Pala de glial Atlas no one here is south. What are you... — The little boy who was sulking down the stairs stops talking as soon as he sees me, widening his eyes and smiling beautifully as he runs to meet me.

I go down with my arms open, staying at his height and already prepared for the impact that almost makes me fall backward.

—I miss you toothpick — I say, distributing kisses all over his face, seeing him blush in embarrassment.

That's cute.

—Mel! I didn't know your villa, so I couldn't even put on a better loupinha – I look at your pajamas full of Mcqueen cars and I can't help the expression of contemplation.

—This drawing is one of my favorites – I point to his pajamas and I see his little eyes sparkle happily – you can bet you look like a hunk… I mean, a wolf – I wink, smiling and touching his little nose.

It's a matter of seconds, in the blink of an eye the straw was no longer in front of me but on the sofa where it was attacked by a red Atlas.

He tickled the stick as he spoke:

— You little brat, first you're hitting on and now you're making out with my female right in front of me – increases the intensity.

—Pa— pa— pala Atlas – says the stick while laughing.

I shake my head smiling at the scene and nod at Kath indicating my next move.

I sneak up on my partner hoping to save the stick, but when I start tickling him, I don't see him move a muscle.

I try again hoping to have some effect, but nothing happens, no reaction.

I watch as he turns towards me with narrowed eyes and I get ready to run. Unfortunately, I'm stopped by two strong arms that grab me and place me on an empty sofa, soon placing themselves on top of me, starting the blessed tickling attack.

—Tickling not Atlas – I say laughing and trying to get rid of his attack, but the son of a bitch only feels more encouraged to torture me.

— Atlas doesn't touch my Mel – said the stick teasing his brother and in return, he was again pulled for more tickling along with me.

I don’t know how this man can tickle two people so masterfully.

— Come eat kids,— says Kath, whom I didn't even realize had left, from what is probably the dining room.

I feel when Atlas releases us, but still keeps his eyes menacingly in our direction.

— I'm going to release them for now – he settles down – and you stop grabbing my companion – he helps me to get up, wrapping my waist again, while he takes the toothpick to his lap with one of his arms.

—But I met her first – I see the little one sulk and Atlas snort in displeasure.

I laugh.

They tease each other but famously love each other.

(...)

After a lot of tantrums, on both sides, we had lunch with a wonderful meal prepared by Kath. We had an amazing time talking, too bad Mr. Jackson not being present as he had a kingdom meeting that afternoon.

—And when do you intend to make your relationship official? – Kath asks, cutting a piece of the parmigiana steak – I can't wait for my grandchildren to arrive, I'm already getting old – I laugh at her exaggerated way of being, after all, if there's one thing this woman doesn't look like, it's old age.

— Only when she's ready Mom – passes the napkin over her lips – but I'll set up an appropriate meeting with the other alphas and make it clear who my supreme Luna is – he finishes in a decided tone.

— And how exactly does it work to make it official?— Is it like a wedding? – I ask uncertainly, I don't know if I was prepared for a step as big as that.

— Well, you being mates are already basically married dear – Kath says laughing – but to make it official you need to have the mating, this will trigger your mark and connect you for the rest of your life – shows the beautiful mark, similar to a tattoo of a wolf on his right shoulder.

Too much information to process.

First, I'm technically almost married, which as scary as it sounds doesn't entirely displease me. In the meantime when I'm with my partner I already feel incredibly attached to him.

Comrades thing.

Second, all I have to do is give myself to him and we'll be linked forever, something super similar to the old days where the girl was — deflowered— and the boy had to take responsibility through marriage.

I take a deep breath and realizing my discomfort Kath says:

— Didn't you say you wanted to show your new toy to Mel’s son? – he gets up calling the attention of the little stick who seems to liven up when he remembers – let's get it – he gently pulls the boy with him.

— I'll be right back Mel, I have supplies – he says smiling and they head towards the second floor, where his room is probably located.

I look at Atlas who wastes no time before coming to me. He pushes my chair away, turning me to face him and then he bends down to try to be at my height – he ends up being even a few good centimeters taller – looking at me intently.

— Did I say something that made you uncomfortable? — She asks seriously, with a worried air.

— It wasn't that, I'm just thinking that things are going too fast – I bite my lips nervously – I grew up seeing marriage as something we need to think about very carefully before making that decision before we go through dating, engagement...

— Do humans need that much time to decide on mates?— he asks intrigued – here we grew up with the dream of knowing, protecting, and loving our partners.

— But what about the experience, how would you react if, for example, you realized that you married an unbearable person? – I ask really curious.

— Well, the first step is to try to reach an agreement between the two, to know how to recognize and accept each other’s flaws, shaping us for a life together – he plays with a lock of my hair – but if it doesn’t work, what is it? extremely rare among companions, he has the option of rejection – finishes and clears his throat a little agitated.

I smile at her nervousness and squeeze the hand that was still wrapped around my hair.

— So tell me, what are my faults? I need to — shape— myself for our future married life – I say in a joking tone and I see that he visibly feels more relaxed.

He puts his hand on his chin like he's seriously thinking about it.

— In fact, you only have one defect, mate – I squint my eyes in his direction, waiting for him to finish and he leans over to whisper in my ear:

— It's damn tempting — I feel him sniff inhaling my scent and I can't help the shiver that goes through my body.

I was so dispersed in the man in front of me that I could only hear the straw coming down the stairs because he was shouting — I'm coming, Mel— excitedly.

My eyes widened when I realized that we were still at her mother's house and it would be very embarrassing if she caught us like that. I push Atlas away, directing him a look to return to his place and he goes begrudgingly mumbling.

The little stick's voice was even closer and when he arrives with two little hands behind his back making suspense, I know he has the — surprise— hidden there.

Kath is at his side, also with one hand hidden, and smiles at the mystery of the little one.

— Guess what I have here Mel – he asks so eagerly that he barely stays in place.

— Hmm... let me think – I imitate the gesture Atlas made earlier and pretend to think seriously about it – any toy related to cars? – kick.

— YES! McQueen and Sally – he shouts excitedly and I watch as he takes the carts off his back.

— Wow, you're going to let me play with you, aren't you?— – I purposely make the biggest face of expectation and he vibrates even more in the place.

— Of course, I brought Sally to you, because she's the prettiest of all – I smile taking the light blue cart that is extended towards me and imitating the roar of a powerful engine encouraging you to do the same.

— It's all very nice and nice, but where's mine?— – Atlas approaches, extending his hand and looking provocatively at the chopstick, who chuckles before taking the other one that was being hidden by Kath and putting it in his hand.

My eyes widened, holding back a laugh when I realized that the cart was the Mater.

I watch as Atlas's provocative pose melts away, looking indignantly at the chopstick.

—Why do you guys get a nice car and I get this old wagon? – I can't contain the laugh that is accompanied by the straw and Kath.

— He just had him on his side – he winks and pulls me towards the living room where we spent the afternoon playing with sticks, while we still listened to Atlas's grumbles about his — useless old wagon that couldn't even run— making us laugh.