Chapter 26: A Gang of Three

EVA

Every mom thinks her kids are the most beautiful in the world, even if they aren’t. I saw it with my own mom, who always gushed over Caleb. And according to my dad, she did the same when I was born. Parents are supposed to think their kids are beautiful, no matter what. That’s what good parents do.

But I have to say it. My Lucia was beautiful.

She wasn’t a pretty newborn, and that was okay. The boys weren’t exactly handsome either. I didn’t expect them to be, not after spending nine months swimming in a belly and then squeezing their way out.

But Luz wasn’t a newborn anymore.

My one-year-old little gem was glowing, and there was no name more fitting for her than the one Estella gave her the day she was born—another girl with a bright name but an uncertain future.

Everything looked bright as I watched Estella holding my baby girl in her slender arms, making funny faces at her, while Caleb and Sarah bickered.

It was funny watching them, knowing what would happen in a few years.

For now, Estella, my brother, and Sara were a cute “gang of three,” as I liked to call it. They had been almost inseparable for the past year.

They visited us often. Well, Estella was there every day, for Lucia and Max.

It was only a matter of time before she overcame her fear, even though she hadn’t faced Max’s wolf since the incident.

Even after a year, she avoided seeing him in his other form. I figured this would change in time too.

For better or worse, her destiny was tied to our kind in more ways than she or anyone else could understand.

“I’m her uncle!” Caleb was shouting, if you can believe it. “Luz likes me better than you.”

“The girl is smart! She wouldn’t like your stupid face in a million years.” Sarah snickered.

Normally, I would laugh at their antics, but Brian and Damien were here, so I had to scold the older kids.

It was about time, too, because Caleb was about to say something really nasty to Sarah, and I didn’t want my boys learning to curse before their time.

“Hey, guys, behave,” I called, and they stopped immediately.

Estella gave me a smile as she walked around with the little girl giggling in her arms, then she rolled her eyes, pointing at her friends.

“They love each other,” she mouthed, and I stifled a giggle.

Thankfully, Caleb and Sarah were too busy glaring at each other to notice, or we’d all be in for a war.

UNKNOWN

Their bickering never ended.

The best part was that while they thought they were intimidating, Estella saw them as a pair of goofballs too stubborn to admit they actually liked each other.

She believed that if they really disliked each other, they would avoid each other altogether instead of trying to prove who was the better alpha.

She tried telling them once, but they glared at her and threatened to stop training her, so she dropped it.

So Caleb kept calling Sarah a red-haired witch, and she called him a donkey’s ass.

As long as they didn’t stop training her, she didn’t try to talk sense into them.

About the training pact with her friends, Estella had managed to keep it a secret.

It was her idea, and the others were hesitant at first, but she convinced them by saying that self-defense was important in the human world too.

They found it reasonable, even though she hadn’t been completely honest. She had done a lot of thinking after the rogue attack.

She realized she could have died that day. Worse, she’d die without being able to defend herself because she didn’t know how.

She decided she didn’t want to be defenseless.

That’s why she asked Caleb and Sarah for help. They showed her the basics, and they were careful not to use their full strength on her.

Not that there weren’t accidents. Young wolves are harder to control. But nothing serious happened.

There was something strange, though. Sometimes, when she fought back against her friends, she knew she had scratched them more than once. But the marks were longer and deeper than they should be.

She couldn’t be sure, because they healed almost instantly, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. Her nails weren’t long enough to cause that kind of damage.

Usually, they trained in the woods, deep enough not to be seen but still within the pack’s territory.

They chose Max’s pack. It was closest to Estella’s home, and Sarah’s pack had a problem with humans.

They had become more tolerant of humans, but they would never let one onto their land, even if that human had saved their future leader from death.

Estella was okay with that. She thought it was stupid and racist, but as long as Sarah considered her a friend, she didn’t care much.

In exchange for her training, she taught them human stuff, like how to do things the human way.

For example, while humans didn’t have super speed, they could use other forms of transportation, like bicycles. So she taught them how to ride.

It was hilarious at first because none of her friends had a good sense of balance, and she cheered shamelessly because she was better at something for once.

But when they got the hang of it, naturally, they left her behind just to tease her.

Actually, the bicycle was a good way for them to go places together. Before, it was hard for Estella to keep up, even though she was a fast runner for a human.

Everyone knew about the bike trips, but no one knew about the training, not even Max. But he didn’t stay in the dark for long.

He found them one day in the forest, and she got her first official scolding.

From then on, he was the one to supervise all their training sessions, and they weren’t allowed to have any without his permission.

Estella complained that he was being too much, but he shot back that she should be grateful he wasn’t going to bring it up with her uncle.

Honestly, having Max around made her feel more motivated to do well in her training. She didn’t want him to feel like he had to protect her all the time.

Sure, she’d never be as strong as a werewolf, but she could get strong enough to put up a fight, right?

One Sunday, they decided to take a break from training, so they went for a bike ride. They felt adventurous, so they ventured beyond the pack’s territory.

Cal assured them that he knew the boundaries of the packs and all the neutral grounds in between because of his special alpha training.

For once, both girls believed him since he seemed to know where he was leading them.

For a good while, they stayed out of trouble and didn’t run into any wolves or humans. This made them feel at ease, and they had a blast.

They even had a race, with Caleb and Sarah teasing Estella that they would use their slowest werewolf speed to make the race fair.

She shot back that she didn’t need any handouts from them and did her best to keep up.

That was until they stopped suddenly, forcing Estella to do the same.

She looked at them, puzzled. When she saw their ears perk up, she realized they must have heard something and kept quiet.

Then, out of nowhere, a giant appeared and grabbed both Caleb and Sarah by the collar of their T-shirts. He hoisted them up effortlessly until their bikes crashed to the ground with a loud noise.

Both kids started flailing their arms and legs, trying to break free but with no success.

Estella stood there, swallowing her fear at the sight. She had never seen anyone so huge and intimidating.

Clearly, he was a wolf and an alpha at that, and they were all trespassing in his territory. By the looks of it, he was far from friendly, and she feared he would make a meal out of her friends.

It was a ridiculous thought, but the guy was terrifying. Caleb and Sarah looked like dolls the way he held them, and they were tall kids.

Well, she asked to be trained for a reason, and she might as well see if her training had paid off.

She got off her bike as quickly and quietly as she could and lunged at the scary man. She only reached his thigh, but that would have to do.

She bit him right there, and he staggered back, more surprised than hurt, while the two kids dangled from his hands.

He looked down, frowning, but Estella was too busy punching his legs with her small fists. Then she alternated between punching and kicking while the giant looked at her with a hint of amusement.

The alpha let his captives fall to the ground more gently than one would expect and scolded them in a booming voice.

“Alpha Solomon and Alpha Devin should have taught their heirs better than to intrude on other packs’ territories like that.”

Estella stopped her actions and turned to see her friends bowing their heads in shame while muttering, “Yes, Alpha Rohan.”

She furrowed her brow, but before she had the time to ask them how they knew the Neanderthal, she felt her feet being lifted off the ground while her waist was squeezed, but not painfully.

She lifted her head to come eye to eye with the man. The first thing she noticed was that his eyes were very dark. She would say black, but she couldn’t be sure.

She squirmed in his grip but to no avail.

“Did you really think you stood a chance, little human?” he teased.

“No, but nobody hurts my friends on my watch,” she said proudly.

“Your friends are stronger than you by nature,” he scoffed. “You are no match.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I will still fight,” she argued. “Now let me go or…”

“Or?” he goaded.

He really left her no choice. She threw her head back and then pitched it forward, slamming his forehead. The blow was so hard that she saw stars but pretended not to be affected.

The man, on the other hand, looked at her in shock and admiration.

“Did you just headbutt me, little human?” he asked incredulously.

“That’s what it’s called?” she asked, and he nodded. “Then yes, I did.”

He burst out laughing, and Estella started punching his chest with both fists.

“It’s not funny,” she growled. “You should be hurting, even if it is just a little.”

“What is your name, kid?” he asked, ignoring what she said.

“Estella. And you are?”

“Alpha Rohan”

“Will you put me down?”

“No. I will carry you back where you came from.”

“I have my bike. I don’t need you.”

“Escape if you can,” he challenged her, and she pouted.

Then he turned to Caleb and Sarah, who were watching the scene speechless, and ordered them to follow on their bikes.

He adjusted Estella better in his arms to make her feel more comfortable, and he sniffed her once or twice.

“Why are you smelling me?” She wanted to know, pulling her body slightly away.

“You smell weird,” he muttered.

“What do you mean?”

“Like jasmine and old books… Very nice… But the scent isn’t yours.”

Estella shifted in his embrace and said nothing.

“Whose is this scent?” he demanded to know.

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “It could be anyone. I don’t have a strong nose as you wolves have.”

He nodded and dropped the subject. Estella wanted to exhale in relief, but that would give away her little lie.

Bonnie smelled just like that. Yet, nobody knew about Bonnie. Not even Max.

MAX

I was at home when Alpha Rohan paid a visit to the pack.

This wasn’t the odd part.

The fact that he was carrying Estella while Sarah and Caleb followed, looking like drowned kittens, was though.

I walked out smiling. I was relaxed because if Estella had been injured, I would have either felt it or smelled the blood.

If an alpha had to return those three home, it was proven they had failed to avoid trouble.

“Is this one yours?” he asked me, pointing at Estella in his arms, who was squirming to get down.

“She’s with me,” I said, my voice steady. He released her, and she darted towards me.

How could I not open my arms to her?

She nestled her head into my chest, just like she always did when she knew she’d done something she shouldn’t. She’d give me those puppy dog eyes, and I’d melt.

But I couldn’t ignore the ugly bruise that was starting to form on her forehead.

“What happened, sweetheart?” I asked, my thumb gently tracing the bruise.

“Not much,” she mumbled.

“Other than trespassing on my land with those two, and then punching, kicking, and headbutting me,” Alpha Rohan added, his tone casual.

He didn’t seem mad. At least, not to me. I’d known him for a while, and I knew that beneath his stern exterior, he was a calm and kind man.

Well, to his friends, at least. He was ruthless with his enemies.

“Did you really do all that, Estella?” I asked, lifting her chin to look at her.

“Uh-huh,” she admitted, swallowing hard. “He’s got a head like a rock, Max.”

“I’m sure he does. That’s why you need to choose your battles.”

“But he had Cal and Sarah,” she argued. “I couldn’t just stand by.”

“What have we talked about? About taking care of yourself?”

“That it’s important,” she grumbled. “But you and Uncle Julian also said that loyalty to the ones we love is important too.

“And I love Caleb and Sarah, so I don’t regret trying to help. I’d headbutt anyone if it meant keeping you all safe.”

Was I proud? More than words could express. Was I worried she’d get herself into trouble again? Absolutely. But I admired her strength, her love, and her bravery. She was reckless, but brave.

So, I just smiled and kissed her forehead.

“Maybe a good scolding would do those pups more good than all the hugs and kisses,” Alpha Rohan suggested, his voice booming. Caleb and Sarah shrank back, unable to see the playful glint in Rohan’s eyes.

I never understood why a man like him chose to rule alone, despite not being a fan of the mate tradition myself.

Once, when I asked him, he said he didn’t mind. But I think he did. Alphas feel the absence of their mates more intensely. They’re wired that way. Programmed to suffer, I’d say.

“No need for a scolding,” I finally replied. “You’ve scared those two future alphas enough for today, and probably for years to come.”

“We’re not scared,” Caleb and Sarah protested in unison, before shooting each other a glare for agreeing.

“Sure you’re not,” Estella scoffed, slipping out of my arms. “You were hanging like chickens from Rohan’s arms just a minute ago. But don’t worry. I’ll always be there to save you.”

Estella’s teasing words shattered the peace, and the three of them started arguing. Rohan and I just laughed.