51 Solitary pups
Scarlet had been moved to another group, just as promised, and she was settled on not causing more trouble. Her mommy had cried after she fought with that annoying kid, so she had to endure it and focus on not repeating her mistakes.
Also, Nate said he would help her mommy, so she didn't need to think any further about that boy's words. Her mommy was a good person, and Nate would have explained it to everyone one day.
Jaden had followed his sister, and the twins would spend most of the time playing among themselves. The rest of the pups weren't as interesting, and they didn't seem willing to approach them either. If not when asking for a fight, of course.
The pups were free to walk around in the kindergarten, changing groups and interacting with each other, so the teachers weren't concerned when a pup couldn't be seen in their group: they probably were just playing in another. That helped the twins keep their roaming secret, and they didn't want to attract any more attention to themselves by causing a ruckus. Walking in the company was fun and could turn out useful in the future.
Just when Scarlet was accepting that it would be a boring morning, a familiar figure approached her. She sighed, remembering all the drama of the last few days.
«My mommy told me not to talk with annoying people,» she said before the boy could open his mouth and say something unforgivable. «So you should go back and do your job. I'm busy here.»
«Why isn't your dad with you?» the boy asked, instead of letting go.
He was still curious.
Jaden lifted his head from the toys, moving his eyes from Scarlet to the other kid. Since he didn't sense any danger, he returned to playing, paying a little attention to the exchange.
«Who told you that?» Scarlet replied. «My daddy is with us. Just, he's not that useful, so I don't talk about him much.»
«Not that useful? Oh, my dad is important in the pack. When I grow up, I will be like him and assist the Alpha.»
«Okay... Oh, well, I prefer a useless daddy. Also, he promised to learn how to help my mommy.»
«Who is your dad, then? Is he in the pack?»
Scarlet nodded. Nate was in the pack, but what was his position? Was he important? Ah, probably not that much.
«I don't know what he does,» she admitted with a shrug. «But he is a bad person because my mommy left him.»
«Why are you saying bad things about him? Aren't you afraid?»
«Afraid? Oh, my mommy will protect me.»
What was there to be afraid of? Nate was harmless, except when he was aiming at taking her mommy away.
«She doesn't look like a bad person,» the boy said. «But if she left your dad, then he must be one.»
«Yes, I agree,» Scarlet nodded.
The boy sat down next to her, still curious about the change in her attitude.
«But I don't believe you're telling the truth,» he said. After all, she didn't mention any dad before that day. «Are you making it up to cover for your mother? The whole daddy thing?»
«Making up? Oh, I wish I was without daddy,» she sighed dramatically. «I wish he was just a dream, but he's real.»
«I don't believe you.»
«You can see him today. He will come to pick me up. I have to spend the day with him today.» Her pursed lips expressed her concern and unhappiness. Her tone was plain as if she was talking about some business deal or work appointment and not a day with her father.
«You shouldn't lie: it is no good.»
«Oh, I am not lying. My daddy will come to pick me up. You can see him then and decide whether I'm lying or not.»
Jaden stopped playing but pretended to be distracted and said no word. He didn't like that conversation: why was his sister advertising Nate like that? Why was she accepting to spend the day with him?
She was warming up to that tall man, and it was dangerous. She had been the first one to attack him, among them two, and she was already forgetting everything!
«Also...» Scarlet added, realising she had talked badly about Nate for the whole time. What if he heard about it? Not that she cared about his feelings, but it was better to avoid complaining with a stranger. «Also, my daddy is very handsome.»
«Handsome? Now confess: you're making him up!»
«He's also the CEO.»
«What?» the boy said, tilting his head.
«He's the boss, and everyone does what he says. Women like bosses, but my mommy isn't that easy to conquer.»
«Now you're talking too much! Do you even know who our boss is?»
«Yes, of course.»
Jaden's lips turned downwards. His sister was almost lost, praising that man without any use. He wasn't there to hear them, so why overdo it?
He preferred it when she growled and fought to that. Was he going to be alone, defending his mommy?
«He's the boss and very handsome. However, we don't need him, so he's useless. I don't need a daddy, but my mommy said I have to spend time with him. If my mommy says so, then I will do it. But it will be boring for sure...»
It was as if she was doing a favour to Nate by spending the afternoon with him.
The other boy was confused, but he couldn't come up with an answer. The girl in front of him was too calm, completely opposite to how she had snapped as soon as he said a few words.
He played with the toys in front of him for a minute or two, and then he got up and left. It wasn't that fun to tease that girl.
Scarlet and Jaden weren't very skilled in communication with other pups, and it was too early for them to make friends. Their heads were filled with worries about Nate, so it was no big surprise they didn't find any buddies. It was a battle for another time, for when they were sure their mommy was safe and theirs.
