The Perfect Family
1697 Words
Enzo’s POV
All I ever wanted was a marriage like my parents.
They were the epitome of a healthy and loving relationship. They were affectionate and patient with each other. Dad looked at Mom like she was the most magnificent woman in the world and Mom treated Dad like he was everything she had ever wanted.
What made their love even better was that they loved me a lot too. We were like the perfect family.
A powerful Alpha, his loving Luna and a future Alpha excited to prove himself to his future pack.
My life was too good.
“What do you think the Grim Hounds will be like?” Grey, my future Beta asked me.
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I just hope they’re cool. Ooh and I hope I can find my mate. I’m so ready to meet my future Luna.”
“You’re a romantic,” Grey snorted. “You’re only eighteen, do you really think you’ll find someone this soon?”
“If the Moon Goddess is kind to me, yes.”
“Oh the Moon Goddess has been more than nice to you, believe me. I mean she gave you me as your Beta.”
“Yes, how lucky I will be.” I chuckled. “I gotta go help my Mom set up. I’ll see you later.”
I ran off to the packhouse.
Mom seemed really strange. She was kind of fidgety and wasn’t her usual light self.
“Is something wrong Mom?” I asked.
“Oh, um…I guess I’m just a little nervous about The Grim Hounds coming here.”
“Why? I thought we had a good alliance with them.”
“We do, it’s just…oh it’s nothing, sweetie, really. It’s just my job as Luna to be a little worried sometimes.”
“What are The Grim Hounds like?” I questioned. “Are they just like us?”
“More than you think. Honey I need you to be really nice to their future Alpha okay?” Mom asked.
“What’s his name again?”
“Rafe. He’s a very nice young man. He’s only a year younger than you, but I’m sure he still has so much to learn. You could be a great role model for him.”
“Sure,” I shrugged. “I’ll be nice.”
Mom gently touched my face. “You are such a good boy, Lorenzo.”
“Come on Mom, you know I don’t like being called that.”
“I know, but I gave you the name so I think I should be allowed to call you it sometimes, don’t you?”
A smile came to my face. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“I love you so much, you know that right? You and your father are my life.”
“I love you too, Mom. Are you…are you sure that nothing is wrong?”
“Everything will be fine,” Mom hugged me. “Everything will work out for the best, I just know it.”
--
“How do we know we can trust The Grim Hounds Dad?” I asked the morning we were set to arrive.
“Because your mother was a Grim Hound.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Yes. Twenty years ago this pack met with them, and your mother and I fell deeply in love. I thought we told you.”
“All you ever say is you looked into Mom’s eyes and that was it for you. You never thought about another woman again.” I smiled.
“Ah, well, that’s how it happened,” Dad chuckled. “You know she even lived with them for a year when you were a baby.”
“Why?”
“Your grandpa was very sick and your mom wanted to be there for him. She’s always had the most beautiful heart.”
“Wait, is that where mom goes on her special trips too?” I questioned.
“Sure is. She likes checking in on her friends and family.”
“So will I be meeting some family today?”
“I think this is more of a professional visit, so maybe not,” Dad said. “But hey, we’ll make sure you meet some family soon okay?”
“Sure. And maybe I’ll make really good friends with Rafe too. It’s good for two future Alphas to be friends right?” I asked eagerly.
“It is. Enzo, you are already thinking like an Alpha. I’m so incredibly proud of you, do you know that?”
“I always hope I make you proud, Dad. I want to be just like you when I’m Alpha and I want a Luna to love me like Mom loves you.”
“You’ll have it, son. And hey, maybe you’ll find your mate this week.”
“I sure hope so. I’m so ready to fall in love.”
--
I knew I was going to like Rafe the moment I saw him.
There was something oddly familiar about him. It was something in his eyes I think, and his smile too. I think he and I would get along great.
“Where is the Luna?” I whispered to Dad.
“Oh Alpha Emmanuel doesn’t have a Luna.”
“So who is Rafe’s mother?”
“She’s unfortunately passed away.”
“Oh.”
I couldn’t imagine not having my mom around. That must be so hard.
Alpha Emmanuel and Rafe finally reached us.
“Ariana, you look beautiful!” Alpha Emmanuel said to my mom.
They hugged tightly. It seemed they were good friends.
“You look great too Emmanuel,” She said as they pulled out of the hug. “And Rafe!”
She touched his face before kissing his cheek and hugging him.
“It’s so good to see you,” Rafe smiled.
“You too sweetie, you’re looking so grown up!”
“I’m a man now.”
I liked how sweet my mom was being to him. I’m sure Rafe didn’t have many women in his life and they clearly knew each other well. She must be like an aunt to him.
“Emmanuel, so good to see you again,” Dad grinned as they shook hands. “And this is the Rafe I hear about so much!”
“So nice to meet you, Alpha Antonio.” Rafe shook his hand.
“This is my son, Enzo, future Alpha of the Bloodrose Banes.”
“Hey, good to meet you,” I shook Rafe’s hand.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Enzo. It’s great to finally meet you. I think we have a lot in common.”
“That’s great! I’m excited to get to know you too.” I smiled.
“I think you boys will get along wonderfully,” Mom grinned. “I have a great feeling about this.”
The adults went to talk business and Rafe came with me to meet up with Grey.
“This is Grey, my future Beta. He’s like my brother.” I informed Rafe.
“That’s cool. I don’t think my future Beta likes me very much.” Rafe laughed.
“I don’t really like Enzo either. He’s kind of the worst.” Grey joked.
“Oh shut up!” I shoved him gently. “So, Rafe, how was the trip?”
“A pretty easy one. We didn’t have to transform to fight at all, so that was nice.”
“Real cool.” I nodded.
“So um…your Mom is really cool,” Rafe stated. “What’s it like having her around all the time?”
I felt horrible for Rafe. Only having one parent must be rough.
“It’s really great. My mom is the best, honestly. My dad is too. I’m really lucky to have both of them.”
“Yeah, you really are.” Rafe sighed. “But it’s nice to be here and get a glimpse of what your life is like. I’ve always been kind of jealous.”
“No need to be,” I shrugged. “I mean my life is great, but we’re both going to be Alphas. We’ll always have our alliance too. We can be like…brothers.”
“That would be really nice, Enzo. I’ve always wanted a brother.”
“Yeah, me too.”
--
I really liked Rafe.
He was kind of weird sometimes with all the comments he made about my family and how lucky I was, but I figured he was just lonely.
Mom still seemed incredibly jittery and unlike herself. I couldn’t help but wonder why. Maybe she felt weird being around some people from her old pack. That’s what Dad said anyway.
I had never seen my parents so strained and distant. I was getting kind of worried, but Grey told me not to worry too much. He said they would be fine just like always.
One night, voices woke me up. I could barely hear them, so I exited my room. I snuck to the living room and saw my mom and Alpha Emmanuel seemingly arguing.
“Ariana, how long do you think this can go on?” Alpha Emmanuel hissed.
“I don’t know, but…they can never know!”
“This isn’t fair to Rafe at all, you know that! Do you even care?”
“Of course I do!” Mom insisted.
“You sure don’t act like it! You barely see him!”
“I see him as much as I can, Emmanuel! I’m trying my best!”
Alpha Emmanuel sighed and rubbed her shoulders. “I know, my love, I know.”
My love? Why was he calling my mom that?
“Rafe knows how much I love him right?” Mom asked. “That he means so much to me?”
“Yes, but this trip has been hard for him, Ariana. He feels a strong connection to Enzo. He’s unsure if he can keep the secret anymore. He wants to know his brother more than anything.”
Wait…Rafe was my brother?
- Writer
