THE STOLEN PIECE

CHAPTER 12 - OTHER ISSUES

GABRIEL

I looked at the kid and smiled.

    -You are right, we can’t keep the King waiting.

I stood up and walked, I petted his head and winked at him. He hugged Eva and I went looking for my Dad. He was always in the training field, training was now the whole day, the groups were more and smaller, so everyone could be observed, Dad supervised the training and that was the only responsibility he still held. He and Mom stayed there from the first training until the last. They watched closely every warrior and helped them personally, they even called for other packs to bring their warriors so they could train with us. Mom trained some of the leaders so they could return to their pack and train the rest of the warriors that couldn’t come, even Simon was training the trackers. I saw my dad. He was indeed in the training field.

    -Dad you wanted to see me?

He looked at me.

    -Yes, wait until training ends.

    -Then, I will be over there waiting.

I walked and sat next to a tree, I saw Mom and Dad training the warriors, they were strict and hard on them, Mom wasn’t tolerating any mistake and Dad was fighting at his best. The warrior that was training was about to faint. Finally, my Dad ended training and all of the warriors fell into the ground painting of exhaustion. My Dad took a towel and cleaned the sweat from his forehead, he then walked to where I was.

    -Walk with me, Gabe.

I stood up and walked with him.

    -As you see the warriors are getting better but they are still not at the rate of our own warriors.

    -I know, but aren’t you being too hard on them?

    -Gabriel you have been handling all of the pack issues, but I think it’s time to pass you the issues of the kingdom.

    -Dad I already handle those issues, I take care of the visits and the need…

    -I wasn’t referring to those issues.

I was confused, what other issues? he only handles the training, even I am the one that arranges the visits of the other packs here for that training.

    -There are some things you still don’t know, but you are ready to know… or more like the kingdom needs your help.

    -What are you talking about Dad?

    -We have been attacked by other packs.

    -Are the rogues back? The wendigos?

    -No, these attacks are from our own kind.

    -That can’t be possible Dad.

    -Well it is, apparently they are not that many, but they straight are high, and they don’t make mistakes, their attacks are fast and planned, many small packs have fallen by their attacks, and most of the time there are no survivors.

A cold shiver ran across my body. No survivors? What pack would kill pups… In battles, females and males are treated as equal, but the kids and pregnant women have the special treatment they can’t properly shift, so it’s not fair to fight… The kingdom knows this truth and respects it, why didn’t the other pack know it?

    -As you see the situation is really dangerous, and most are approached with caution, and discreteness. We must not let the kingdom run in fear. 

    -So the training…

    -Yes they are for the kingdom, for their safety, and that they can be ready if they are attacked.

    -That’s why you and Mom are being so strict with the warriors.

    -Yes, we need to be that strict, this new pack it’s really skilled and we can’t let them keep killing our people.

    -So they know?

    -No, just the alphas and some high ranks of the packs know.

    -Why am I only learning this?

    -I think it’s the right time and I thought we could control the problem years ago, but it keeps getting out of our hands.

    -Dad I…

    -I will officially give you the title of Alpha King, in a few days, so it was imperative that you knew about this. We will talk about the details after your ceremony. I wanted to give you the title after you found your mate but…

Laughs of kids distracted my Dad, Eva was playing with the kids and the laughs were so loud, they could be heard in all of the pack. 

    -Well at least I know you will not be alone, Eva has to turn into a fine woman.

    -Yes she has but…

    -I know she is not your mate, and I would never pressure you, but believe me when I say you would need the help. Now go back to your house and rest for the day.

He kept walking and I stayed there. I saw Eva playing with the kids, she looked at me with confusion. I smiled at her and pointed at the house. She smiled back and nodded, one kid pulled her and she then returned to the game. I walked home and as I entered I saw clothes everywhere. “He is at it again.” Zeus’ voice was tired, he kept trying to understand what Dad told us, and just like me, he needed to rest.

-Sam, I’m home.

I heard noises and then I saw a woman landing in the backyard and then running away. I sat on the couch and turned the TV on.

-Hi Gabe, I didn’t hear you come in, I was sleeping.

-If you say so… but pick your clothes from the entrance before the girls return, they have already told you to stop sleeping around, and tell your friends to be more careful she landed in the flowers Eva planted, you know how she adores those plants.

-Come on brother, you should also understand me, we are trapped here and it’s not my fault other females come and look for my company.

-You say that, but it’s not going to be fun if you have a child with one of them.

-Don’t worry that it’s not going to happen, I’m always careful, this beautiful hair will only be on me and I don’t have a plan to share it.

I saw his hair, it was just above the shoulders. Mom cut it some weeks ago during training with her claws and Sam cried so much, he had his hair almost to his elbows, and now the cut was uneven, but he didn’t want anyone near his hair so he kept it uneven. Mom said she did it to made sure that Sam wouldn’t have to be fighting protecting his hair, which he did all the time, making him slower and clumsier with his moves. He was finally getting to his usual self and that meant more strange girls entering and leaving the house, he had gained quite fame in the kingdom, and with that fame the hate of many males that discovered that their mate had been with another male. I already told him that, but he still didn’t listen. Then I heard the sound of the door opening.

    -Sorry for the mess Eva I was picking my clothes up.

I turned and saw Sam picking the clothes, Eva got down and picked a tiny pink shirt.

    -I didn’t know you were into this kind of style Sam.

    -You know… I saw a poor girl, well I assume she was poor because she had a huge lack of clothing, but as I was saying she was in a hurry and I think this type of clothing could fit her well.

Sam gulped and stood up.

    -But you can’t keep giving your clothes away to all the girls that I have seen running lately right?

She stood up and walked until she was about to enter the kitchen.

    -Since you are home early what would you want for lunch?

    -I would like some pasta.

    -Okay, I will start making it right away, you just relax Gabe.

She went into the kitchen, and Sam sat next to me.

    -I had a rough day and she comes and makes it even harder for me. Can she at least ask how my day went? Or ask me what I want to eat? You are here sitting watching TV and I've been attacked and you just receive the cuddles.

“His selfish attitude is coming back more and more each day.” Zeus was right, Sam was getting out of control, acting like a spoiled brat. I decided to ignore all of his comments.

    -Eva is Maria coming for lunch?

    -No, she told me that she would eat at the hospital, I will send Sam with food for her.

    -WHY ME? GABE IS ALSO HERE AND HE IS DOING NOTHING!

I heard steps and saw Eva walking with a big spoon.

    -Because I say so, if you don’t like the idea then you can go and look for some food somewhere else. 

    -I will deliver the food but I am not going to help in the kitchen.

Sam stood up and went into his room. I continue watching the TV, the human channels were so strange, people going crazy over a person singing, people killing others for money, and others cheating on their spouses. I lived between them for some years, but kids were simpler, or at least the life we had in the town was simpler, nothing like the stuff I was seeing lately on T.V.

    -Is the program interesting?

    -Not quite, humans are really strange.

    -And you lived with them for some time, I thought you got them at least a bit.

    -The majority of my friends were werewolves even then, Maria was the one that had human friends, she even used to see them… Until she started taking the serum.

    -Why? It’s not like she looked less human or something.

    -Well she didn’t… Wanted to be away from our pack.

I almost forgot and told Eva about Lucas and Maria. Maria made us promise that we would not tell about their relationship, the only ones that know are Xavier, Alpha Louis, and my family. No one else knows and Maria wants it this way.

    -So she stopped contacting them even by phone?

    -I think so, but you could ask her.

    -By the way, your brother Elliot told me to tell you he would come tomorrow for dinner and he wants chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

    -Since he left the house he has been getting busier with the time.

    -He is your brother.

    -You are in no position to say that, Sam has the meanest attitude, he is playing around with all the females he can and doesn’t respect our house.

    -Our house?

I smiled at her, she looked so cute saying that.

    -Come on Gabe, this is my house too.

    -I just recall you moving here without an invitation.

    -You want me to leave?

    -I think you belong here even more than any of us, you are the one that keeps these houses running.

    -At least you acknowledge it. 

She smiled and went back into the kitchen. The house started smelling delicious, the scent of the pasta was so strong that even Sam came back and sat on the couch, with a grumpy face but I could see his eyes wandering in the kitchen.

    -Eva can you pack my portion also, I will eat with Maria at the hospital. 

He then took a bag that was near the couch. Maria gave him a lunchbox, Sam took it and then started walking.

    -Don’t forget to look under the couch.

Sam got down and took the small pink clothing from the floor, I was amazed, Eva saw it even without her werewolf senses.

    -And if they crush my flowers again I will take action.

    -How did you know it was…

    -I saw the flowers on her hair while she ran.

Eva smiled at Sam with a big smile and a triumphant look. He just looked down and exited the house.

    -Can you help me with the table, Gabe?

    -Yes.

I arranged the table, it was quite fast, the table for two wasn't a big deal.

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SAMUEL

I can’t believe they treat me like a delivery boy. Just because Gabe is older he always has the best treatment, at least in the house, Eva always makes the food he likes and even ask him about what he would like for dessert, when will we eat hamburgers and have apple pie for dessert? Why no one asks what I want! I heard a noise and saw the girl that was with me hid between the trees. I looked around and no one was seeing us, I walked to her and handed her the stuff I picked from the house.

    -Thanks, I couldn’t let my dad see me like this.

    -You came here with your Dad!

    -Yes.

    -You are already 18 right?

    -Yes I’m…

    -I don’t need to know, I actually need to deliver some food so I must go now.

    -Wait!

    -I can't be sorry, but it was great meeting you!

I walked fast and ignored her voice calling me. “Why are females so clingy, we had a good time and that’s it, we don’t need to stay in touch.” “Finn you are overreacting.” “Sam we haven't had a single female that hasn’t screamed at us made a tantrum, or tried to be our partner.” Finn had a point, but I had seen the movies Maria and Eva liked and all females acted that way, so I guess they didn’t know another way. I arrived at the hospital and the scent of alcohol and blood was everywhere. Maria was stitching a boy’s forehead. It looked painful but the kid was just sitting there. 

    -Doesn’t he feel pain at all?

    -Of course, he does, but I applied anesthesia, so he doesn’t feel the stitches.

    -I don’t know why you like this place, the scent is awful and the view is always scary.

    -I like it here.

    -Why? The scent is awful.

I covered my nose with one hand and with the other I opened the lunchbox and until the scent of the pasta filled my lungs I stopped holding my nose. I started eating pasta.

    -I’m useful here.

    -You are right, could you imagine what would happen if you were as good here as in the kitchen?