Chapter 1: The Claude Family

The breeze of crisp air spread the scent of leaves and trees. At the same time, the leaves turned brown, and some fell to be blown by the cold wind. The chirp of flying birds flew to the south, heading to the warmer area to prepare for the winter. 

As the Moon Band pack area was in the midland, they enjoyed colder air than the lowland and less risk of experiencing flood when the high tide. The Claudes lived peacefully in a small house there. Gerald and Viona Claude woke already, while little Sophia was still asleep. It was six a.m. 

Gerald glanced at Viona and kissed her forehead. "I'm going to meet our Alpha today. Please take care of yourself and Sophia well." 

"Yes, my darling. Take care and go home safely." Viona circled her arms on her husband's waist, kissed Gerald's chest and inhaled his scent. "I'll be missing you at home."

Gerald caressed Viona's hair and smiled. "Me too, my love, always." He stared at Sophia. "Sophia is growing up. How old is she now?"

"Eight, but she is still your spoiled little girl."

Gerald chuckled, leading Viona outside so his laugh wouldn't wake Sophia. "Time flies so fast. I still remember when she was born. She's eight already."

"Yes." Viona nodded and smiled. "Soon, she will be eighteen and get a mate. Then, we will get grandchildren."

Both of them glanced at each other and grinned. Gerald placed his chin on the top of Viona's head. 

"I hope I can see Sophia's pup."

"Why do you say that? Of course, you can."

Gerald tightened his hug on Viona. "Our Alpha …." He let out a sigh.

"Yes?"

"Nevermind."

Viona snuggled her head on her husband's chest. "You are the best Delta our pack has. Never worry about anything."

"If our Alpha could think clearly, I wouldn't worry about anything. But he can easily hear and trust those who blow the empty news. That's the problem. He dislikes me, so I'm afraid he will find a way to get rid of me."

Viona shook her head. "If something bad happened, we could always leave. Yet, I think all is well."

"I hope so." Gerald glanced at Sophia's room, closed his eyes, then kissed Viona's forehead again. "I had a strange, vivid dream two days ago."

"Oh? Care to tell me what it was about?"

Gerald was quiet for a while. "I was wearing white clothes. But then, I saw you cry, and I couldn't come to you. I couldn't see Sophia either."

"It was just a dream."

"I don't know. I have felt uneasy since then."

Viona shook her head and smiled. "Everything will be okay. Now, go to meet our Alpha."

"He may still be asleep. I don't know why he asked me to meet him at 6.30 a.m. today." But then Gerald walked to the front door. "If I need to go to another pack, please hug Sophia for me."

"Yes, my love."

After Gerald left the house, Viona sat on the sofa and closed her eyes. She had a nightmare too yesterday, but she didn't want to add to her husband's burden. So instead, Viona hugged herself and whispered a prayer to Magna, their deity. 

'Magna, please protect my husband, my pup, and myself. We can only rely on Your protection. So, Magna, please let nothing bad happen to my husband, my pup, and me. Thank You for Your blessings.'

Then Viona walked to Sophia's room. She entered the room quietly. "Sophia, sweetie, wake up. It's morning already."

Sophia rolled her body. "Um …." 

"Sophia, Momma has cooked sweet cake for you. You like chocolate almond cake, don't you?"

"I'm sleepy, Momma."

Viona smiled then went to the kitchen and brought a few baked cakes on a plate to Sophia's room. The smell of the cake filled the room. 

Sophia sniffed and opened her eyes. "Momma, not fair."

"What?" Viona asked while grinning a little. 

"You know I love chocolate almond cake so much. I'm still sleepy, but I woke up after you brought the cake here."

Viona reached out her hand to Sophia's head and stroked her hair. "Sweetie, go take a bath. Momma will wait for you in the dining room."

"Yes, Momma."

Then Viona took a piece of cake. "Because you're a good pup, you can eat one now."

Sophia took the cake and kissed Viona's cheek. "Momma's the best." She ate the cake immediately. Her cheeks were round because she chewed the cake.

Viona smiled and brought the plate to the dining room. She also prepared milk and cereal on the table. Finally, after a half-hour, Sophia came to the dining room. 

"Momma, smell me."

"Ah, good pup! You have taken a bath." Viona kissed Sophia's forehead and pulled a chair next to her. "Come, sit here. We'll have our breakfast."

"Where's Daddy?"

"Daddy went to see our Alpha."

There was no conversation anymore as Viona and Sophia enjoyed their breakfasts. Once or twice, Viona wiped Sophia's corner lips or cheeks as the cereal, cake, or splash of milk covered her face. 

"Sophia?"

"Yes, Momma?"

"Please be careful in a few days ahead. Don't play too far!"

"Yes, Momma. I want to pick some berries for your jam. Then I'll go home."

Viona was torn between permitting Sophia or not, but picking berries was one of Sophia's regular activities during autumn. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then Viona smiled after seeing how Sophia was waiting for her answer. 

"Yes, sweetie, you can go. But please, don't go too far and too long. You must go home after an hour."

"Yes, Momma."

After Viona and Sophia finished their breakfast, Sophia took the mugs to the kitchen. Viona brought the plates and cutleries. Sophia waited until Viona washed all the dining utensils, then she wiped them dry. Afterward, Viona stored everything in the cupboard.

Sophia grabbed a small basket and then ran to her mother. "Momma, I'm leaving."

"Yes, sweetie. Please remember what I said."

"I remember."

"Oh? Please repeat what I said."

Sophia patted her pointer finger to her lips. "Don't go too far. Only an hour."

"Good pup!" Viona embraced her only child. "Now, kiss Momma."

Sophia kissed her mother. 

It was hard to let Sophia go, but Viona finally sighed. "Go home soon."

"Yes, Momma. Bye!" Sophia waved her hand, ran to the door, and left the house.