13. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Bane

" I don't want to!" Elias's voice echoes through the pack house, sharp and stubborn.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, counting to three before looking down at my son, who is glaring up at me with the same fire in his eyes that I see in the mirror every morning.

"Elias," I say, my tone firm but calm, "this isn't up for debate. You need to start learning how to control your wolf."

"I don't care!" He crosses his arms, his lower lip jutting out. "I don't want to do it without Mom!"

Aria, standing a few feet behind him, sighs and gives me a helpless look. She isn't helping my case, and Elias clearly knows it.

"You'll be fine," I try again, crouching down to his level. "This is important. Your wolf is a part of you, Elias. If you don't learn control it, it'll take over."

His little face scrunches up, frustration rolling off him in waves. "But I want Mom to come! She's not doing anything!"

"Elias," Aria starts, stepping forward, but I hold up a hand.

"No, it's fine," I say, straightening. "If it makes him feel better, you'll come with us."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "What?"

"He doesn't want to be separated from you," I say with a shrug. "I don't see the harm in you being there."

Aria crosses her arms, clearly annoyed. "This is wolf training, Bane. I'm human. What am I supposed to do? Cheer him on from the sidelines?"

"Exactly," I say with a smirk. "Or maybe take notes. You could learn a thing or two."

Her eyes narrow, but before she can retort, Elias chimes in, his face lighting up. "So, you'll come, Mom?"

Aria sighs, her shoulders slumping. "Fine. But don't expect me to jump into any of this wolf business."

Elias whoops in triumph, and I can't help but smile at his excitement.

The training grounds are quiet when we arrive, the early morning mist clinging to the air. Elias practically drags Aria along, his earlier tantrum forgotten as he peppers her with questions.

"Do you think I'll be able to run super fast like Dad?"

"Probably," Aria replies, glancing at me. "Your dad is pretty fast."

"And strong!" Elias adds. "Right, Dad?"

I chuckle. "Stronger than anyone, kid. But we're not here to show off. Today's about learning focus."

"Focus is boring," Elias mutters, kicking a pebble as we stop in the clearing.

"You won't think it's boring when you're able to shift without ripping through all your clothes," I say, ruffling his hair.

Aria snorts softly, and I glance at her. "Something funny?"

She shrugs, a small smirk playing on her lips. "I'm just picturing you as a kid, throwing tantrums like Elias."

"I didn't throw tantrums," I say, feigning indignation.

"Sure you didn't," she teases.

Elias interrupts, tugging on my arm. "Can we start now?"

I nod, stepping back a little. "Alright, first things first. Elias, close your eyes."

He obeys, scrunching his face like he's trying too hard already.

"Relax," I say, crouching in front of him. "Take a deep breath. Feel for your wolf. He's there, just beneath the surface."

Elias exhales loudly, his shoulders relaxing slightly. I glance at Aria, who is watching intently, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Are you sure this is safe?" She asks quietly.

"He's fine," I assure her. "This is just the basics. Nothing dangerous."

She still looks skeptical but doesn't say anything else.

Elias frowns, his little brow furrowing. "I can't feel him," he says, frustration creeping back into his voice.

"It takes time," I say. "He's a part of you, but he's also wild. You have to earn his trust."

"Like a dog?" Elias asks, opening one eye.

I chuckle. "Not quite. He's not something you can train. He's you, Elias. But you have to work together."

Elias seems to think about that, his face serious. He closes his eyes again, breathing deeply.

I stand and walk over to Aria, keeping my voice low. "See? He's already getting the hang of it."

She raises an eyebrow. "You think so?"

"He's got my determination," I say with a grin. "And your stubbornness."

"Gee, thanks," she mutters, though I can see the small smile she tries to hide.

Elias suddenly lets out a little growl, his tiny fists clenching. "I think I felt him!"

"Good," I say, stepping forward again. "Now, don't push too hard. Let him come to you. Remember, this is about balance."

Elias nods, his eyes still closed, and I can't help but feel a swell of pride. After a few more moments, he opens his eyes, his face lit up with excitement. "I did it! I felt him!"

A wide grin spreads across my face. "You did great, kid. That's a huge first step."

Elias beams, and I gesture toward the nearby guard. "Bring us some water."

The guard quickly returns with three bottles, handing one to me and Elias before retreating to his post. Aria crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow as she watches me hand Elias his bottle. "That's it?"

I smirk, unscrewing my cap. "The first thing is for him to build a relationship with his wolf. Everything else comes after that. It's not a race; it's about trust and connection."

She huffs, clearly unimpressed. "If you say so."

I offer her the third bottle. "Want some?"

She shakes her head, her expression flat. "No, thanks."

Elias downs half his water before looking up at me, his grin returning. "So, do I get ice cream now?"

"You've earned it," I say with a chuckle. "Let's go."

We start walking toward the main path, Elias running ahead while Aria and I follow at a slower pace.

"You handled that well," she says after a moment, her tone grudgingly impressed.

"Thanks," I reply, smirking. "Told you I'm good at this."

When we reach the courtyard, the guards move to follow, but I raise a hand to stop them. "You're dismissed."

They hesitate but obey, stepping back as I turn to Elias. "Alright, kid. Before ice cream, I want to take you somewhere."

"Where?" Aria asks, her suspicion clear in her voice.

I glance at her but don't answer, instead leading Elias to the car parked nearby. He climbs into the backseat, still buzzing with excitement, while Aria hesitates for a moment before following. She shoots me a sharp look as I slide into the driver's seat, but I simply start the engine, keeping my focus ahead.

The drive is quiet, save for Elias humming a tune in the backseat. When we finally pull off the road and into a small clearing near the lake, Aria's curiosity seems to grow.

"This is it?" she asks as I park the car.

I glance at her briefly, a small smile tugging at my lips. "You'll see."

The sun glints off the lake's surface, casting rippling patterns across the water. Elias laughs as he splashes around near the shallow end, completely unaware of how much joy his laughter brings to me.

"Careful, Elias!" Aria calls from the shoreline, her voice tinged with both caution and amusement. She stands with her arms crossed, her expression soft despite the distance she always tries to put between us.

"I'm fine, Mom!" Elias shouts back, kicking at the water with exaggerated gusto.

I can't help but grin. "You're supposed to be practicing your swimming, not trying to drown the lake."

"I'm making waves like a wolf!" he says, puffing out his chest.

"Wolves don't swim like that," I reply, wading closer to him. "You're just scaring the fish."

Elias giggles, splashing me for good measure, and I pretend to growl, lunging toward him. He shrieks with laughter and darts away, only to stop and look back.

"Dad?" he says, tilting his head.

"Yeah?"

"Do wolves like the water?"

I crouch down to his level, the water cool against my skin. "Some do. It depends on the wolf. I used to love swimming when I was your age."

"Did Grandpa teach you?"

The question catches me off guard, but I keep my expression neutral. "No, not really. I figured it out myself."

Aria, still standing on the shore, gives me a look that says she is listening closely. Her lips press into a thin line, but she says nothing.

"Can you teach me more wolf stuff later?" Elias asks, his eyes wide and hopeful.

"Of course," I say, ruffling his wet hair. "But for now, let's see if you can float without sinking like a rock."

Elias groans dramatically but follows my instructions, and soon, his laughter fills the air again.

Aria finally walks over, sitting on the edge of the dock. "He's really taken to this whole wolf thing, hasn't he?"

"Kids are curious," I say, glancing at her. "And he's smart. He'll figure it out quickly."

She nods, her gaze fixed on Elias as he splashes around. "I just… I want him to have a normal childhood. Not one where he's constantly worrying about wolves and packs and… other things."

Her voice wavers slightly, and I can tell she is thinking about the life she's left behind, the chaos she's tried to shield him from.

"I get it," I say quietly. "But this is his reality now. He's part of the pack, whether he understands it yet or not. And I'll make sure he's ready for whatever comes his way."

Aria turns to me, her expression conflicted. "You say that like it's all on you."

"It is," I say simply. "I'm his father. It's my job to protect him—and you."

She scoffs. "I don't need protecting, Bane."

"Maybe not," I say, meeting her gaze. "But that doesn't mean I won't do it anyway."

For a moment, the air between us feels heavier. Aria looks away first, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Elias!" she calls, breaking the tension. "Don't go too far!"

"I won't!" he replies, his voice carrying easily over the water.

I watch him for a moment longer before sitting down beside Aria on the dock. The silence between us is comfortable, filled with the sounds of the lake and Elias's laughter.

But, as always, peace doesn't last long.

"Alpha," a voice calls from behind us, breaking the moment.

I turn to see Rook approaching. His expression is tight, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something far more serious.

"What is it?" I ask, already standing.

Rook hesitates, his gaze flicking to Aria and Elias before returning to me. "We need to talk. Privately."

My stomach tightens. I nod and step away, motioning for him to follow me. Aria watches us go, her brow furrowed in concern.

Once we are out of earshot, I turn to Rook. "What's going on?"

He glances around, as if to make sure no one else can hear. "Vittorio knows."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"What?" I growl, my voice low but filled with menace.

"His spies picked up on her location," Rook says. "He hasn't made a move yet, but it's only a matter of time."

I clench my fists, my wolf already growling beneath the surface. "How much does he know?"

"Enough to be a problem," Rook says grimly. "He knows she's here. And he'll assume Elias is yours."