Chapter 7 Kai

• I sleepily walked down the stairs into the kitchen, in desperate search of a coffee to wake myself up. Training would be a killer this morning with Uncle Gabe running the show... he may not be of higher rank in the pack, but that guy was one hell of a skilled fighter. He had earned his role of senior warrior, much like Uncle Manny. Both capable of giving my Dad a run for his money when it came to training. So, I knew today's training would be far from easy, so coffee would be a necessity if I was to survive...
• Only as I stepped into the hallway could I hear muted voices in the lounge, making me frown. It sounded like my parents. I was surprised they were up at this time of day when my Dad was not in charge of training…
• I still lived at home despite being well into my twenties. I could easily have moved into the Alpha suite by now, like Finn had moved to the Gamma suite, but I was happy here. My family were crazy, but I loved them, and actually enjoyed their company the majority of the time. Plus, it meant everything got done for me, or that was what I told my Mum. I was sure she still liked to feel she was needed in our lives now we were grown up. Though I would most certainly miss her cooking if I moved out…
• I pulled a mug out of the cupboard, before switching on the coffee machine in my dazed, sleepy state, still able to hear the muffled chatter from the lounge, which only puzzled me. I made myself a coffee as quietly as I could, unsure if I should head to the lounge as I normally would, considering their obviously private conversation currently ongoing.
• But my mind was working overtime as to what they might be talking about, and wondering if everything was okay. My Mum liked her lay-ins now, so something had to be wrong, surely? I very rarely would see her in a morning before training, so to know she had been up before me only makes me question things more… Curiosity got the better of me, and I walked across the hallway, gently knocking at the door, despite it being open.
• “Alright, son?” My Dad smiled up at me, while I glanced at my Mum sitting at his side, as she wiped away what I was sure was a tear. My wolf, Nyko was instantly alert, protective of my Mum. I needed to know why she was crying. Yet I couldn't imagine my Dad making her cry, he idolized her, even after all these years...
• The two of them were sitting close to one another on one of the large sofas, and going off their body language things were not right. My parents rarely argued, and I wouldn’t say I was picking up a vibe that they had been arguing, but there was definitely a tension in the air. Something did not feel right, and it bothered me…
• “Just getting sorted for training with Uncle Gabe, heard you guys talking and wondered if everything was okay?” I decided to be honest, even if they did think I was being nosey. My parents were the ultimate couple's goals and I hated the thought of something not being right with them.
• I felt dread filling my stomach, something seemed off, and even my wolf, Nyko, sensed it, as he was already pacing within my mind, and the way my Dad looked towards my Mum at my question only added to my concern. Had something happened I didn’t know about?
• I sat myself down in the armchair opposite the sofa my parents sat on, desperately in need of an answer now, as my Dad sighed heavily. “Just your Grandpa isn’t too well right now.” He said softly, as he stroked my Mum’s back, and she sniffled heavily.
• Grandpa was Mum’s Dad, and I understand now why she seemed upset. While Mum left her pack to be with my Dad, like so many she-wolves did to be with their mates, she was still incredibly close to her family, and we would always spend time with them. We always had since being young, and our Grandpa was a cherished member of our family, he loved spending time with each and every one of us. I had always loved time with him, listening to his many tales...
• I looked once again at my Mum, her head within her hands. I was sure that hearing her father was unwell would have hit her hard. I understand now why the atmosphere felt off when I walked into the room. I imagine my Dad didn’t know what to do to help her, because I don't think there is a way to help unless you could make my Grandpa better. I don’t think I remember a time when my Grandpa was unwell, he was always so strong and hardworking. My Mum looked like she was ready to fall apart, and I knew things had to be bad if my parents were concerned.
• “How bad?” I asked tentatively, unsure if I wanted to know the answer, knowing that really his wolf should be healing him, so surely that had to rule out a lot of things, right?
• “They aren’t sure yet, the doctor is wanting to run some tests.” My Mum said with a shaky voice.
• I looked at her with confusion. “Shouldn’t his wolf be healing him?” I needed to understand this properly.
• She shrugged, and just by looking at her, I could tell she was battling the tears that were threatening, even more so as my Dad placed his arm around her shoulder reassuringly. “Technically yes.” My Dad began, as he released a deep sigh. “But when his wolf is not as strong as it used to be, and he is getting weaker the doctor wonders if he might be struggling. Your Grandma called this morning to let us know he had collapsed. He was rushed to the pack hospital, so they are waiting for an update. She admitted that she wasn’t sure when he last shifted, so it may be his wolf is weaker than we realized.”
• A cold chill spread across my body, as I looked at my Dad in shock. That was definitely not good. I knew my Grandfather’s wolf had been badly injured in a random rogue attack a couple of years ago, which had weakened him somewhat, but I had assumed he had recovered okay afterward. Now I was beginning to wonder if he hadn’t… This only angered me further with regard to Landon’s choice in delaying his decision to taking over River Ash Pack.
• What young and upcoming Alpha did not want to take over their pack? This was his family heritage. His grandfather had gone above and beyond to keep the position open for him, even putting himself through additional years of hell as Alpha, which meant my father had to put aside his retirement from the Beta role too. I felt anger rippling through my veins…
• “Do they think he will be okay?” I asked, trying hard to hold back my temper, knowing right now it would not help the situation, and it was the last thing my Mum needed to be dealing with.
• “I don’t think they can say until they know more.” My Mum said with a whimper, and I instantly felt the need to speak with Landon Ashwood…