The Alphas Nightmare

Chapter 10

After what felt like an eternity of traveling the vast distances and confronting countless hurdles, we finally arrived at the kingdom. The sight of the towering castle surrounded by lush green fields filled me with a sense of warmth and familiarity, successfully eliminating a portion of the fatigue from our rigorous journey. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a familiar face, our old friend Stollus.

Stollus eagerly approached our car, his footprints embedding themselves in the dew-kissed soil, as if marking our nostalgic reunion. He made his way to my door with eager steps, his hand carefully opening the door for me. The care he exhibited, coupled with the genuine happiness reflecting in his eyes, reminded me of the good old times.

As soon as the door swung open, I was greeted by Stollus's hazel eyes shining with unrestrained joy. Without wasting another moment, I stepped out of the car and rushed towards him, throwing my arms around him in a warm embrace. The hug represented not just a greeting, it was two old friends reuniting after many moons.

"Ah Luna," he exclaimed, a nostalgic sigh escaping his lips, "It's good to have you back!" His words echoed in our surroundings, filling the air with feelings of old times, comfort, and homecoming.

Yet, the name he used was what I am called in our pack, but not here in my parents' kingdom. I pulled back from the hug, a gentle smile firm on my lips. "Stollus," I replied, not missing a beat, "don't call me that." A moment of silence followed before I added, "Nevada is fine". The seriousness of my request did not seem to dampen his spirits, however, as he smiled and nodded, "Sorry Nevada."

Just as my conversation with Stollus was wrapping up, Daniel, who had been behind me, got out of the car. He strolled over to us, a friendly smile enhancing his features. With a swift, confident stride, he approached Stollus, reaching out to shake his hand. The robust cordial handshake shared between them, represented more than a mere greeting - it signified a reconnection of friendships.

It was from Stollus that I eagerly inquired about the whereabouts of my parents. Stollus, with his firm yet calm voice, informed us that my parents were already stationed in my father's office. The office has seen countless important discussions and decisions. Adding to the joy, he also said that they were in the office with the twins. The very thought of surprising them all at once was much like the grand finale of a symphony. We timed our arrival just right. I couldn't help but feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach at the anticipation of their surprised faces.

“Stollus, could you possibly take our things up into my bedroom so that I'm free to go and surprise them?”, I asked hopeful.

His reply came in a swift, “Not at all, Nevada.” He said, with nothing but the utmost respect.

Daniel and I parted ways with Stollus beside the car, leaving him to willingly take our baggage. We sped up towards the castle like two eager children racing towards a candy store. Damn near running up every step towards the castle, I could feel a symphony of emotions playing inside me.

Swift and silent, like two shadows merging into the towering structure, we made our way into the castle, praying we were not seen. The eerie silence of the castle reverberated against its stone walls, making it seem like the whole house was holding its breath, aware of our secret mission. My heart's desire was to let my parents and our siblings be the first ones to witness our arrival. It was a surprise meant for them.

When we got to the door of my father's office, a melodious sound filled my ears, cracking my usual dull demeanor to let in a rush of emotion. It was as if the universe had aligned in my favor to reveal a moment I didn't realize I had been longing to experience until it surfaced behind his office door.

Lost in the world of their own, the twins, those two bundles of joy, were wrapped up in a playful atmosphere. You could clearly hear Carolina and Denvers feet running back and forth playing with mom, their beacon of fun and play. I could hear them distinctively, their laughter echoing out of the office and through the hallway, drawing attention to the otherwise mundane office setup, shifting the atmosphere entirely.

It was their laughter that made me pause, smile and then laugh right along with them. And then there was Denver. His silence was his persona, but it was far from making him any less special. For he may not communicate much with words, but Denver sure did encapsulate the room with his contagious laughter. The sound of his chuckles filled the room, bouncing off the walls, painting a picture of pure joy.

What was it about a child's laughter that made it so enchanting? The innocence, the unabashed joy, or the freedom with which they laughed? I couldn't pinpoint exactly, but it never failed to make the room feel lighter, the day brighter and their occurrences seem miraculous. Every giggle that erupted from their tiny bellies, every squeal, every chuckle was like the sun's rays dispersing through the morning mist — warm, enlightening, and above all, breathtakingly beautiful.

The sound of their laughter was like a symphony — unpredictable but harmonious, simple yet so very profound. It had a magical touch to it, an ability to transcend past the layers of adult worries and reach the core, bringing out so much happiness within me, welcoming me back to the castle.

And as contagious as it was, it was also a burst of sheer happiness, a moment to cherish. And as I stood there outside of the office, taking in the heartwarming sound, I couldn't help but get pulled into this whirlpool of euphoria, basking in the infectious joy radiating from the sound of their laughter.

With bated breath and a nervous flutter in my stomach, I knocked three times on the heavy mahogany door that led to my father’s home office. Each knock resounded through the silence of the castle hallways. From behind the door, my father's voice roared out in potent command, the thunderous tenor only a well-practiced businessman possessed - “Come in!”

Obediently, I pressed down the brass knob and pushed the door open, stepping into the warm embrace of my family's frenzied play time with the twins. The twins saw me first. Their identical faces lit up like twin beacons of joy as they recognized me, their squeals of delight echoing around the small room. Carolina, the more boisterous of the two, couldn't contain her exhilaration as she screamed out, “Nevada’s home!” The excitement in her voice was infectious, filling the room with palpable anticipation.

Just like two synchronized divers, both of them disentangled themselves from the pile of toys they were halfway through destroying and my mother and came skidding up towards me and Daniel. Denver, with all the bravery of a daring explorer, veered towards Daniel, hurling himself into Daniel's arms with complete trust, compelling him to pick him up playfully.

Upon seeing this scene, my mother's doe-like eyes instantly welled up with tears of joy. She threw caution to the wind and rushed towards me like a gazelle, wrapping her slender arms tightly around me, welcoming me back home with genuine glee. Feeling Carolina's little hands hugging my leg, clinging to me with a strength that belied her petite form, filled my heart with an inexplicable sense of joy and belonging.

My father, barely visible amongst his unending piles of documents, worked his way over to greet both me and Daniel. With a firm, hearty handshake, he welcomed Daniel, patting him on the back good-naturedly, his eyes alight with a proud smile, the kind only a doting dad can wear.

Once my mother had her fill of embracing me, her and my father initiated a swift exchange of sides, like a carefully choreographed dance routine. My mother’s warm welcome was extended towards Daniel as my father enveloped me in a bear hug; the kind of hug that makes you forget all your worries, the kind of hug that only a daddy can give to his daughter. The kind of hug that remains etched in your memory, stashed away under the pile of 'best hugs ever.'

After having a heartwarming reunion and a lively conversation with my parents, exchanging stories about our latest endeavors, the contemplative Daniel and I expertly navigated our way through the familiar yet nostalgic corridors to my childhood bedroom. The room carried overtones of the past and its walls seemed to echo stories of glory days that were now etched in my memory. Of course, the room had changed a bit, attuned to the progressive nature of the kingdom, a reflection of the constant changing times. We busied ourselves with unpacking our belongings, cautiously placing our treasures in our temporary new home for the next 3 days.

Then, it was time to freshen up for what my mother promised to be a grand feast. A thrilling shiver of anticipation weaved its way down my spine as I imagined the tantalizing array of food that would be displayed in the royal dining area. Knowing my adorable mother, I was well aware that our visit was a good enough excuse for her to put together an impromptu party, a skill in which she took immense pride. It's an endearing trait of hers, I've come to realize, always seeking an opportunity to rejoice and fill the castle with laughter, music, and the sweet aroma of her favorite dishes. Her parties are never just about food; they are a manifestation of her affection, her way of showering love to those she cares about.

After tidying ourselves up, we journeyed back down the spectacular winding staircase, each step descending into a cloud of familiar scents that were undeniably the signature touch of the castle's chefs. My stomach was already echoing my excited anticipation; and I absolutely couldn't wait to eat the food that surely awaited us.

I've always been an ardent lover of fine food, just like my mother, and the chefs at the castle never fail to astound me with their extraordinary culinary skills and with their ability to transform humble ingredients into a symphony of flavors. As we approached the lavishly decorated dining hall, I knew that this evening undoubtedly promised an exquisite dining experience, surrounded by good company and exceptional food. The thought itself was enough to stir up a whirlwind of giddy excitement within me.

Even though I loved being back here with my family and loved ones, I couldn't help but long for the solace of our pack house. We have parties only once a year and I was really looking forward to what Daniel had in store for me for my birthday when we got home.