Vermillion season (5)- Wolf Family

"You brought back a company," Elonzo laughed as he saw Alara walking back with a gloomy face.

"It won't leave me," she sighed.

*Mmbeek!*

Elonzo burst out laughing again as he approached the gloath to get a better look. The gloath was also surprisingly ecstatic with the sight of Elonzo and jumped right into the red-headed man's arms.

"It's adorable, why don't you take care of it?" Elonzo stroked the thick, silver fur of the gloath before continuing with a smirk,"You two even looked alike."

"We don't," Alara denied.

"Well, I suppose this one is a natural sunshine, an opposite of you who only smiled out of politeness."

Alara remained quiet, ignoring the comment while scanning around the camp for a specific figure. As she walked inside, Elonzo followed on her right, carrying the gloath in his big arms. The little gloath wagged it's small tail without fail.

"Hadn't Melissa returned?"

"Oh, she sure did! Quite the chaotic return, too. She's emptying her storage, saying that she's off for a vacation."

"I gave her two days off. There's nothing much to do around here, either. It's better to let her do what she wants."

From afar, Alara could see heaps of items being arranged in the supply tent. From weapons to cooking ingredients, everything is being sorted out properly. Melissa had already gone somewhere else right after she cleared out the supplies.

"Hey! Don't slack off! You three, at the back! Run another lap!"

A fierce voice echoed from the large plains not so far from the camp. Division Captain Gerald Brightwater was seen training the troops that joined the expedition. He is the heir of Marquess Brightwater, who had long since became the General for the Devontae Army. At the early age of 24, he managed to become a Division Captain through his own hardwork. Never had he asked for his father's support but managed to make his own way through from a mere squire to where he is now.

Noticing the approaching Leader, he immediately ordered, "Everyone, get up! Make haste will you?! Greet the Leader!"

"Yes, Captain! Greetings, Leader!" The other knights immediately got up from their training positions on the ground.

Seeing the three knights still running the lap, the captain hissed before yelling, "You dumbasses, get your ass here. right. now!"

The three knights hastily approached the Division Leader, catching their breath while they're at it. Alara had known those three since a few years back. They are the spoiled sons of nobles that was knighted in hope that they will be more mature. Fortunately, being under Sir Gerald's care, there won't even be a time where they could cause a problem.

"…Good work today, too, Sir Gerald, and all of you, honourable knights of Devontae."

"You flatter us, Leader. This is nothing compared to what you had achieved," Sir Gerald kept his gaze on the ground, slightly bowing because of it.

Alara gave a slight smile before continuing,"Don't be too humble, Sir Gerald. Your leadership had always amazed me. Not to mention your excellent reputation and capabilities. You've done very well, Sir Gerald."

Hearing that, Sir Gerald flinched a bit and replied rather quietly, "Not at all….Leader."

After getting a good look at the sweating knights, Alara gestured to leave. Sir Gerald immediately gave a salute, followed by the others.

Stepping back into the camp, Alara began to check upon the well-being of the people. The elderly that saw her walking by gave a sweet smile, a few people gave their gratitude to her while some just completely ignored her. She could see a few children playing at the end of the camp before a little girl caught her eyes.

The little girl didn't play with her peers. She only sat alone by the side, doing her own thing. There are a few kids that approached her, only to get bored and left. However, not all the kids stopped only at that.

"That weirdo doesn't have a mom!" A freckled boy yelled.

"That's why she's so gloomy!" His chubby friend agreed.

The two mischievous boys approached the girl again and began to disturb her. The freckled pulled her braided hair while the chubby one kicked off her little bag.

"Are you deaf? You have no mom and you're deaf! What a loser!" The freckled one kept pulling her hair.

The girl remained quiet. However, her eyes began to well up in tears. Alara wanted to stop those naughty boys but something was helding her back from doing so. She gripped her fist tightly, took a step forward reluctantly but immediately stopped when she heard a man's voice.

"You kids! Stop that already!" The man yelled and rushed to the scene.

The brunette man swiftly lifted the little girl and stepped away from the scared little bullies.

"Daddy…." The little girl hugged her father.

"It's alright, Mia," Briar soothed his daughter before scolding the boys," And you two, that was not a good thing to do to your friend, you know?"

The trembling freckled boy pointed at Mia before saying,"S-she's the one that made us angry first!"

"What was it that she did?"

"She didn't listen to us!" The chubby boy interrupted.

"And why should she listen to you when you treat her so meanly?"

The boys became at lost of words. The other kids had all left to another place back when they first started the commotion, leaving only the two of them. Feeling guilty, the two children cried their heart out and ran away.

Once the boys left, the man let out an angry huff before asking, "Is my lovely daughter alright?" Briar brushed Mia's undone braid as he did that.

"Daddy…t-they say… Mia…have no mommy…" the little girl whimpered.

"Mia do have mommy! Mommy always watches us from the heaven. They can't see her but we can feel mommy, right?"

The little girl nodded weakly, as if not persuaded by her father's words. Seeing his sullen daughter, a father would do anything to make her happy again.

"Hup!"

Briar lifted Mia up to the sky, making the little girl surprised. The surprised face slowly turned to a smile as the father began to sing. The little girl also began to sing with her father after a while. Putting his daughter down, he twirled her around as the singing continued.

Alara gritted her teeth. This song, she recognised it. How could she not, it's the song that she had listened to almost daily back then.

'Mommy wolf, mommy wolf~

Mommy who is brave and strong~

When there is a scary bug~

Mommy will come like a thug~

Then there's Daddy wolf~

Daddy that cooks all day long~

If mom craves for anything~

Daddy made the best of things~

Then come baby wolf~

One that found where she belongs~

Came her to the couple wolf~

Made them all feel like a floof!'

Once the song ended, the small family still continued to humm the melody and laughter filled the air. Briar picked up Mia again and entered the camp, not noticing Alara who was watching from afar.

The song was made as a joke at first. However, it turned out to be their routine whenever they were together. Now, it became their source of strength, especially for little Mia.

After they went out of sight, Alara smiled bitterly before muttering to herself, "…Rita, your family is safe."