Rise of the Underdogs: KADEN

Facing Jasper

“So, now that we’ve broken the ice, so to speak, can I ask how I should approach your brother?”

Akita’s gaze lingered, the intensity in her eyes reflecting my own uncertainty. She seemed to be searching for sincerity in my words, perhaps weighing whether I truly understood the gravity of what I was asking. “You’re really serious? I’m not ‘too young’ or ‘too immature’ for you?”

The question about her age and maturity hung between us, not as a challenge, but as a vulnerable admission. For a moment, I hesitated, then offered a quiet reassurance: “I don’t like to burn the bridges that could prove vital later on. It’s not worth losing possible lifesavers when a decent apology can salvage the moment.”

My cautious approach was not just about self-preservation. It was about respecting the delicate balance between trust and risk.

Akita’s voice dropped to a tender whisper as she revealed her feelings: “My wolf, Sivu, is telling me to trust you. Telling me that you’re honourable, kind, and possibly the best thing that will ever happen to me.” Her words carried both vulnerability and hope, bridging the uncertainty between us.

Rising to her feet, Akita gently brushed a few lingering snowflakes from her coat. She moved forward, stepping into a shaft of light that filtered through the tree branches above, casting a soft glow over her. The gesture seemed to signal her willingness to open up, guided by the trust she felt from Sivu’s instincts.

“Jazzy is inside, alone, which is the best time to talk to him. He was recently granted Gamma status, so tread lightly,” she said, her tone carrying both a cautionary edge and a note of encouragement. As she spoke, she let her long coat slip from her shoulders, and only then did I realize she’d been naked beneath it. She explained, “I was running laps when I caught your scent.” There was a faint smile as she added, “I like it, by the way. It’s woodsy, earthen, and strong.”

As Akita shifted into her wolf form, I was captivated by the way her fur caught the light. The interplay of white and pale blue created a stunning, ethereal effect that seemed almost magical in the soft glow filtering through the branches overhead. The golden colour of her ears stood out distinctly, resembling a natural crown poised at the very summit of her head. The sight was both regal and graceful, reflecting Akita’s unique presence and the trust she had begun to extend to me.

Her ear flickered at the faint sound of laughter drifting through the forest. She tilted her head, alert, as her nose worked restlessly to trace the scent of whoever she had been pursuing before my arrival rerouted her attention. The subtle movements spoke of instincts honed by countless hunts, her focus momentarily divided between the echoes in the woods and the new dynamic unfolding between us. Each twitch and tilt revealed her readiness, as well as the lingering pull of unfinished business just beyond the trees.

‘Gimme.’ Oh, there goes my internal child.

‘No.’ I clamped down, not wanting to give Sivu a reason to change her mind.

Malachite’s quiet whine cut through the air, filled with longing and awe. ‘She’s so… Heavenly. She’s a living angel. I want her.’ His voice was thick with yearning, the sincerity in his words echoing through our shared mind. The way he spoke of Akita betrayed just how deeply he was affected. Not just by her beauty, but by the grace and strength she radiated with every gesture.

I responded with gentle firmness, trying to temper his longing with reason. ‘Can’t always have what you want,’ I reminded him, letting the lesson settle between us. A quiet acceptance of reality’s boundaries. Still, I added with reassurance, ‘But we will always have what we need.’ The words were less a consolation and more a promise, a reminder that sometimes the universe provides exactly what is necessary. Even if it doesn’t always align with our deepest desires.

Raising my hand, I offered a wave to the white shadow moving with a stealth refined by her life in the wilds of her homeland. The untamed spirit in her eyes was unmistakable. A reflection of the ice, snow, and boundless freedom that shaped her. This wildness was woven into her very being. It was not merely a trait, but an essential part of who she was.

If I wanted my future Princess by my side, I would have to learn to embrace and adapt to these elements. The cold, the openness, and the spirit of freedom. It would require more than admiration; it demanded a willingness to share in the world she called home.

Letting out a slow breath, I steadied myself before glancing up at the front door where Jasper awaited me. A brief chill swept over me, and I felt the colour drain from my cheeks, but I managed to offer him a small, reassuring nod. Determined not to hesitate, I took the steps two at a time, closing the distance quickly, and extended my hand in greeting.

“Congrats on the upgrade in status, Gamma,” I said, acknowledging his recent achievement with a note of genuine respect.

He responded by arching a single white brow, his tone tinged with mild reproach. “I thought I asked you not to approach on your own?”

I leaned against the rail of the landing, gathering my thoughts. “You did,” I admitted, “but I’ve… I’ve been reading, watching, talking to others like you. I mean, people from the Arctic Shield pack.” I hesitated for a moment, then continued, “I was coming here to talk to you, actually, but I ran into her first.”

Leaning in beside me, Jasper grinned and let out a quick, amused breath. “Kettle’s boiled. What’s your poison?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Coffee, straight and black. Unlike my brother.” My words came out automatically, almost a reflex. “I can make it myself. I don’t need to be coddled.”

Jasper’s eyebrows rose at my response. “A rejection of coddling from a royal? That’s new,” he murmured, his tone gentle. He led me inside, removed the steaming kettle from the burner, and switched off the stove. After pouring a cup of tea for himself, Jasper leaned against the counter and studied me as I prepared my coffee. The scene was quiet, comfortable, marked by the mutual respect between us.

He watched me for a moment before commenting, “Huh. You really do tend to domesticate yourself, don’t you? So, you said you’ve been learning? What did that entail?”

With a polite gesture toward the table, I asked, “May I?” I respected Jasper’s space and routine since he was basically a teen father to his five siblings.

Jasper’s response was immediate, his voice carrying that unpredictable calmness. He was steady and forceful, much like a Warhammer striking its mark. “By all means,” he replied, giving permission while maintaining his characteristic control over the atmosphere. He then arched an eyebrow, a subtle spark of amusement in his gaze. “You often toss Dre under the bus like that?” he asked, referencing my earlier, light-hearted jab at my brother.

Flashing Jasper a mischievous grin, I replied in a low voice, “As often as I can.” The playful admission lingered between us for a moment before I shifted to the heart of the matter. My tone grew more earnest as I explained, “As for the learning process, I wanted to know the culture, the language, and the rules of engagement. You know, so I could handle this properly and without misappropriation or misunderstanding.”

I wanted Jasper to understand that my efforts were deliberate and thoughtful. Immersing myself in the Arctic Shield pack’s ways was not just about fitting in. It was about ensuring that I respected their traditions and boundaries. By studying their customs, familiarizing myself with their language, and learning how to interact respectfully, I aimed to bridge gaps and avoid any unintentional offence or misconception.

He tilted his head, “You may date her. Chaperoned for the first while.”

That… That was not what I was expecting to hear.

“Why the change?”

He smirked, “Luna Izaria has been” he stopped, staring into his mug like it held answers to questions unasked. “She’s been chatting with Eileen and Akita. Both women have reported back that you’ve been curious about how to handle this little meeting. I have to say, though. I never thought you’d get that close.”

I blinked, “Close enough for what?”

Jasper’s tone lowered, carrying a weight of significance as he explained, “For her to tell you she was born during Quviasukvik – the turning of the world into the new year.” He paused, letting the importance of the tradition settle between us. “She’s a high school student, too.” His words underscored both the cultural meaning behind her birth and her current stage in life, highlighting why the situation required thoughtful consideration and respect.

“I graduated almost two years ago,” I said, not realizing how the commentary could sound to someone like him. “I can help her with her homework and stuff. I don’t want to cross any lines that don’t need crossing just yet. I was hoping to get your permission, and it’s been received. Gratefully. What about the razing your kin do to newcomers?”

“Who told you about that?” He asked.

“Read about it. Spoke to a few of the other guys that said you and your brothers guided them to Shadow Storm. Then Akita brought it up outside,” I advised, hoping the honesty would work in my favour.

Eventually, he cracked a genuine smile. “Of course. I should have known that anyone who grew up with Neil and Colton would have some tricks up his sleeve. Then the trial period has begun. When should I expect your next visit?”

“Next weekend, if it’s not too much of an issue. I mean…”

“I know what you mean, Kaden. I can’t guarantee your safety from my brothers, but know that I will be watching you with my sister.” He stated before calmly finishing his tea.