“Well, that’s not the same for me. You are like my son, Gio.” Deimos stops dodging and speaks his truth gently as Giovanni tackles him to the ground, fist raised in the air ready to hit. Deimos watches him calmly carrying his weight.
Giovanni’s chest heaves, teeth grinding together. He lifts his fist higher to strike, nose scrunched up, tears welling in his agony filled eyes, but slowly calms down retracting his fist as held back tears finally flow free down his face. Clenching his jaw he gets off Deimos and puts some space between them.
Deimos gets up quickly and walks slowly towards the crying juvenile. “Gio.” He calls out as if you would to a pup trying to touch his back.
“Don’t touch me!” Giovanni screams turning back to look at Deimos. Tears streaming uncontrollably down his chin, eyes red and swollen. They hold so much hidden pain that is appearing in the light now.
“Gio.” Deimos urges him gently closing the distance between them.
“Your son?” Giovanni scoffs. “Where were you when mamma and papa died? Where were you when I had no one to lean on? Where were you at their funeral? Where were you when… when I needed you the most?” The words are sobbed out.
“Mi dispiace, Gio. Perdonami.” Deimos speaks out, eyes engulfed by heartbreak. His heart breaks for this juvenile.
“I h-had to raise G-Gia all on my own. And every time I felt like I was drowning, you… you came to my mind. But you weren’t there to save me.” Giovanni says palm clamped over his mouth to control his loud sobs.
“Mi dispiace.” Are the only words that leave Deimos’s lips.
“And you barge in here not to see or comfort me but to train me. Your sense of duty surprises me.” Giovanni spits the words out. Anger consumes him once more like wildfire.
Deimos quickly grabs him in a hug and as Giovanni scratches, screams to get away from the stronghold of his uncle my male pleads with him.
“Though it may not seem like it, I came here to see you and be with you, Gio. It’s all my fault for not being there for you. I was wrong. Your parents must be proud to see how well you have grown up on your own with Gia. I… I am proud as well. Forgive me.” Deimos whispers as Giovanni stops fighting and sobs in his arms.
His fists bang harshly upon Deimos’s chest while whispering, “Ti odio, zio.” Over and over again. Deimos doesn’t say anything and keeps holding the pain-filled wailing juvenile.
Deimos’s eyes find mine and I nod with a soft smile grazing my lips. He has done well. Clutching Gia tighter in my arms I carry her up the stairs. I want to put her to bed so she sleeps peacefully. With every step I take, she stirs not liking the movement.
Entering the hall my eyes find several doors. As I go closer I see engraved names upon them. The first door says ‘Alessandro & Bella’. This must have been the chamber of the previous Alpha and Luna. I walk quickly past Giovanni’s room to find Gia’s adjoined to it.
Stepping in, I stride directly to her cot and place her down softly. She whines but settles as soon as warm softness envelopes her. My eyes glide around the room to find lots of pictures of her and Giovanni.
One of the pictures capture my eyes, Giovanni is holding a laughing toothless Gia in his arms both covered with birthday cake. He has raised her well. She cries a lot for her age probably because she is still developing at her own pace.
As I look out the window I find Deimos and Giovanni sitting on the grass engaging in what seems like a serious conversation. Yes, they definitely need to talk it out.
My legs demand rest after standing for so long. I sit on the rocking chair next to Gianna’s cot and my mind begins to wander. Is this what it would feel like if I were a mother? Is this how I would decorate my pup’s room? What would we name… wait would it be a male or a female? Deimos would probably want a male since we need an heir but I can give him a female as well. Two pups. I smile.
Closing my eyes, I allow the chair to rock me. Family. I picture Deimos holding a pup in his arms whilst my stomach is big and swollen with another. Would we be a happy family? I think we will. Deimos has grown so much as a male to me. He would be an amazing father as well.
As these thoughts consume my mind, unknowingly I drift off to sleep. My mind at peace but filled with dreams of a tiny family surrounded by warmth and happiness.
I startle and getup quickly to the sound of Gianna’s wailing. The cloud of haze disappears and I am alert. The blanket covering my body falls onto the ground. Blanket? Who covered me?
“Hush now. I am here.” I stumble trying to reach her in the little light coming through the open door. “Had a good sleep, sweetheart?” I ask her gently chuckling.
Her tiny fists are raised in the air whilst her mouth is open wide allowing soft whimpers and whines. She wants to be carried. I quickly pick her up and put her on my chest. She immediately calms down as her nose sniffs my scent.
“M-Mamma.” She says and I stop in my tracks, eyes wide. Did she just call me mamma? My heart pounds in my chest to her words.
“Gia. I am not your mamma.” I try to reason with her but she snuggles into me deeper.
“Mamma.” She says again. I quickly turn to the sound of a gasp behind me.