But it was amusing how we rode downhill and then took a trail back uphill. Our male truly enjoyed it giggling with glee filled with enthusiasm, he adored the scenery and the different colours that struck him.
Whilst Deimos parks by the open ground I unfasten my seatbelt and wipe the drool that makes its sticky path down Kal’s chin with a soft towel. “Content now that you have acquired what you have wished, my male?” I question fingers tickling his belly whilst he bounces on his bum upon my lap.
Deimos removes the key from the ignition a small gentle glance he gives his male. “I told you, my female. He shall beckon you always, you are his mother after all.”
“Rather only when he wishes to get something done for him.” A flash of fang I offer the little one with a low vibrating growl from deep within my chest. Kal startles and flinches at my antics. We wait patiently for what he might do. He merely peers up at his father with his innocent large greens and then peeps back at me with slow movements he crawls up my lap to lay his head delicately on my chest cuddling in, he settles. He feels feeble tension this is his way of comfort.
“No, because he needs you.” Deimos murmurs as he exits the car and I follow closely behind carrying our male whose eyes wander around taking in all that his senses are overwhelmed with.
He picks up the bouquet from the back and seals back the tailgate of the truck. “Ready?” He questions, there is a feeling of uneasiness within him yet he fights it for he believes that all shall be well.
“Ready.” I answer back with an unhesitant determination that bounds me. This is finally happening, we had been putting it off for so long yet now seems to be a perfect time. For now, we can truly declare ourselves as a family.
Gathering my hand in his he guides me through a track free of grass and weeds only a stone path lays. “We must climb a little, shall I carry him?”
“No, it is alright. I can manage. Are you nervous?” I inquire to Deimos who is keenly watching my steps guarding me, making sure I do not trip or fall.
“A little.” He utters gripping my hand tighter weaving through the path taking me through in a way that shall be easier for me.
“Don’t be. We are here with you, are we not?”
“Of course, that is why I said ‘little’ my female. If you were not present I would have perhaps taken further time to do it. You give me strength.” He says whilst offering me an affectionate smile.
He climbs the final step first turning around bending down he helps me up, my eyes find a closed space with two tombstones that lay side by side in the middle. It is placed within a circle formed by thick tall trees. The tombs are clean and look anew, with no signs of vines or moss. Deimos must send our wolves to take care of his parents all the time.
He strides towards them with weakness, steps strained and he falters at times. But his eyes are strong and he carries himself with pride. Pride of his blessings. I follow behind him whilst trying to control the little one who wishes to be set free, he adores fresh pastures. He loves playing upon them rolling in the dirt is something he can never get enough of.
As I stand beside him I read their names aloud. “Alpha Ares. Luna Aphrodite.” They possess beautiful names, I wonder how they looked like. I only get glimpses of them with what Deimos tells me yet it would have been wonderful to meet them in person.
He clears his throat nervousness floods him and I clutch his hand tighter squeezing it, a show of my strength that I willingly give to him. Breathtakingly gleaming emeralds meet mine and he delivers to me a delicate smile of gratefulness.
“Father. Mother.” He begins bowing lowly to them showing his respect. “Forgive me for my tardiness to our meeting, I apologize for making you both wait. I… I was unprepared to face you both, I found myself to be unworthy to speak with you. I thought I did not grow to be the male you wished for me to be. I never desired to return here to come to see you two. But she came into my life and she made me want to. Come, meet my female.” There is a formality in the way he speaks to them, he is different less of his true self. Had he not spoken to his parents all those years after their death?
His palm briskly places itself on my lower back pushing me slowly towards the tombstones. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you both.” I declare with a quick bow towards them. “My name is Lumina, your male named me.”
“Indeed I did. I found a female just as how mother was to you, father. A light in my darkness.” He mutters his eyes smiling with him whilst he admires me. “She is just like you, mother fierce stubborn and strong. She adores flowers as you did, she reminds me of you in every way. She holds pieces of you in her. I feel at peace when she is with me.” He speaks, voice low and smooth. I see the way he regards her tomb, the way he interacts with her. He truly loves her.
“Kal, stop it.” I hiss to our male as he pulls on the strands of my hair pulling it down thrusting it in his mouth.
Deimos chuckles softly taking Kal from me setting him over his hip. “And this naughty one is Kal.” He kneels upon the grass floor carrying Kal closer to the tombs. “He is our male, going to become a one-year-old soon. Father, look at me. I am a father now. I looked up to you and respected you whilst I was young but I do not wish to possess the relationship we had with my male. I want to love him, for who he is and not for whom he should be. Perhaps you are proud of me, perhaps you aren’t. But I am happy. I have my family and that is all that matters to me.”
I kneel next to him nudging him with my cheek as he gathers me into his arms nose tucked into the side of my neck. He pulls in my scent and the beats of his heart calm, his inner storm breathes. “Our pack has changed. Not for worse but for better. I wish for my male to have a better life than I did. For my female to not be oppressed by my ways like mother was. I merely wish our pack to always be a place of peace. I have a different duty now, more than being worthy in the eyes of my pack. My duty is to my family.”
“We will make sure to protect and honour the pack, we shall make sure your presence is always felt by our wolves. Your ways shall not be destroyed and your traditions that bring forth love and comfort shall be illuminated. We will do it. Together.” I declare my tone strong and unwavering.
“Together.” Deimos nods placing his forehead upon mine, eyes closed we indulge in the overwhelming feeling of a sudden presence that catches us by surprise. A soothing presence as if the three of us were being closely held. We feel it, that feeling of being welcomed. Their souls have come to show us their happiness.
A violent sudden breeze makes its way within the area, leaves break from trees to float through the air making its straight path to us brushing past our flesh gently. The trees rustle and dance to the music of the powerful wild wind. Kal springs up capturing a leaf that sways with purpose towards him, he brings it to his nose sniffing it peering at it with wonder. This leaf is for him, a gift given to him by his grandparents. The fruit of nature.
“They love you, Deimos.” I whisper placing my lips lightly over his mark. I offer comfort to a male who had to lose his loved ones at a tender age, to a male with his insecurities.