4

The soft light of Saturday morning's dawn filtered through the window of Ethan's room, casting a warm glow across the walls. With a contented sigh, he stretched out his limbs, relishing the comfort of his bed for a few moments longer before reluctantly rising to greet the new day.

As he went through the motions of his morning routine, he couldn't shake the lingering memories of the previous night—the playful banter, the shared laughter, the fleeting connection he had shared with Amaalie. Her presence still lingered in his thoughts, a gentle reminder of the unexpected bond they had formed beneath the moonlit sky.

Pushing aside his musings, he dressed quickly and made his way downstairs to join his family for breakfast. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon greeted him as he entered the kitchen, filling him with a sense of warmth and familiarity.

His parents, the Alpha and Luna of the pack, were already seated at the table, engaged in quiet conversation as they sipped their morning beverages. His older brother, Caleb, sat across from them, his expression serious as he perused a stack of papers spread out before him.

"Good morning, Ethan," his mother greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners with affection. "Sleep well?"

Ethan returned her smile with a nod, taking a seat at the table. "Morning, Mom," he replied, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Yeah, I slept fine, thanks."

Caleb glanced up from his papers, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Morning, little brother," he said with a nod of acknowledgement. "Got any plans for the day?"

Ethan shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. "Not really," he admitted. "Just the usual routine, I suppose. Training session with the pack, maybe some patrol duty later on."

His father, the alpha, nodded in approval. "Good," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "We need to stay vigilant, especially with the recent reports of rogue activity in the area."

Ethan nodded in agreement, his thoughts briefly drifting back to Amaalie and the dangers she faced as a cat in wolf territory. He pushed aside his concerns, focusing instead on the task at hand—protecting his pack and upholding the traditions of their community.

As they settled into their meal, the conversation flowed effortlessly between them, the familiar rhythm of family life grounding him in the present moment. 

Ethan took a sip of his coffee, trying to appear nonchalant as he broached the topic that had been weighing on his mind since his encounter with Amaalie. "Hey, Dad," he began casually, "I was just wondering... what's the deal with Cats and wolves? I mean, why is there such a strong dislike between our species?"

His father regarded him with a thoughtful expression, setting down his cup of coffee before addressing Ethan's question. "Ah, Cats," he said with a sigh, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Their history with wolves is... complicated, to say the least."

Ethan leaned forward, eager to hear more. "Complicated how?" he prompted, his curiosity piqued.

His father took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. "Well, it all goes back to ancient times," he explained. "Cats and wolves have always been natural rivals, competing for territory and resources. There's a long-standing animosity between our species that dates back centuries."

Ethan nodded, absorbing this information. "But why?" he pressed, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I mean, we're both predators, aren't we? Shouldn't we be able to coexist?"

His father sighed, a weary sadness clouding his eyes. "In an ideal world, perhaps," he conceded. "But the reality is that there's a lot of mistrust and resentment between our species. Cats have always been seen as... unpredictable, and elusive. They live by their own rules, and answer to no one. And that doesn't sit well with wolves, who value loyalty and unity above all else."

Ethan frowned, troubled by his father's words. "But surely not all Cats are like that," he argued.

His father nodded in agreement. "True," he admitted. "There are always exceptions to the rule. But the fact remains that the history between our species is stained with bloodshed and conflict. It's not easy to overcome centuries of animosity, no matter how much we might want to."

Ethan sighed, feeling a sense of frustration at the seemingly insurmountable divide between cats and wolves. "So, what do we do?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

His father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. "We do what we've always done," he said firmly. "We strive to be better. To rise above our differences and find common ground. It won't be easy, but if we're willing to put in the effort, perhaps we can forge a path to peace."

Ethan nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination stirring within him. "I'll do my part," he vowed, his gaze steady and resolute. "I won't let the mistakes of the past dictate the future. I'll work towards understanding, towards acceptance."

His father's smile widened, pride shining in his eyes. "That's my boy," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "Together, we can build a future where Cats and wolves can coexist in harmony. It won't happen overnight, but with patience and perseverance, anything is possible."

Ethan's father took a casual sip of his coffee, his eyes closed in apparent relaxation. However, his words cut through the air with precision, betraying a keen awareness that belied his outward demeanour.

"So, Ethan," he began nonchalantly, "I couldn't help but notice a certain... interest in Cats lately. Anything to do with that unfamiliar scent you've been carrying around?"

Ethan's heart skipped a beat at his father's pointed question, his mind racing to come up with a suitable response. He tried to maintain his composure, masking his surprise with a carefully crafted expression of innocence.

"Oh, uh..." he stammered, trying to buy himself some time as he searched for the right words. "It's nothing, Dad. Just... curiosity, I guess. You know how it is."

His father raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing through Ethan's flimsy excuse. "Curiosity, huh?" he remarked, a hint of scepticism in his voice. "Yet I could've sworn Mikey and Sarah came by the other day saying something about an unknown girl catching your attention."

Ethan's heart sank at his father's astute observation, his carefully constructed facade crumbling under the weight of the truth. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling exposed beneath his father's penetrating gaze.

"I..." he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words. "Okay, fine. I may have... encountered someone in the forest the other night."

His father's eyebrow arched higher, a silent prompt for him to continue. Ethan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confession that he knew was inevitable.

"She's a Cat," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Her name is Amaalie."

His father's expression softened, a mixture of concern and understanding flickering in his eyes. "A Cat, you say?" he repeated, his tone gentler now. "And what exactly were you doing in the forest with a Cat, Ethan?"

Ethan swallowed hard, his throat dry with apprehension. "We were just talking," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "She... she seemed different, Dad. Not like other cats I've met. I don't know, there was just something about her..."

His father regarded him with a thoughtful expression, his gaze searching Ethan's face for any sign of deception. After a long moment, he sighed, a resigned acceptance settling over him.

"I understand, Ethan," he said quietly. " Just... tread lightly, alright? And if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Ethan nodded, a sense of gratitude flooding through him at his father's understanding. "Thanks, Dad," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I appreciate it."

Huh… that went much better than he could've ever thought.

"So when are you bringing your forbidden girlfriend over, Eth?" 

"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!! SHUT UP!" But… that wouldn't be such a bad thing.