12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Renick

While my mother and mate left, I found myself wandering back to my father's old office, or my new office, depending on how I looked at it. Eventually, I'd come around to calling it mine, but for now, with all the memories attached to the room, it was still my fathers. I sat in the plush, yet back supporting, chair at the desk, staring blankly at the forest and lost myself in thoughts. I felt my fathers presence everywhere in the house, but it was strong in the office, probably due to the sheer amount of hours he spent here. I jumped when a knock came from the door, yanking me back to the present.

"Renick?" My uncle's rich voice came from the doorway. I turned my head to see my uncle standing there, staring at me, his mouth agape. While we weren't blood related, he was my father's oldest friend and as much a part of my family as anyone. "It is you!" he exclaimed.

"You look more like your father each time I see you." He smiled, but it didn't quite meet his eyes. "Come here, Renick," he said. His arms opened to welcome me in a warm embrace. "Unfortunate circumstances bring you home," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Uncle Sabulk, thank you for coming."

He ruffled my hair as he had done so many times in my youth. I know we made quite a sight, two large males, stood in silence, overcome with grief. Me, for the loss of my father, him, for the loss of a man he considered a brother.

I grinned. I couldn't wait to tell him about my mating, and for Summer to meet him.

"Have you heard any more news about the blast that killed my father?" I asked.

He hung his head. "No and I've asked all the contacts I have if they could get me any information. The police force and the investigation unit have not shared any details with me. I only know what I've seen on the news," he said sadly.

"So no one's claimed responsibility?" I asked.

His silence was the answer I needed.

"Uncle, I know this might be hard for you. Do you have the news cast video? I'd like to see what they're saying about the blast."

"Renick, is that really a good idea? Are you sure you want to put yourself through that?"

"I have to know." My eyes narrowed. "I need to know what my father's last moments were like."

My uncle shook his head. "Renick, I don't think that's a good idea. No one needs to know that. Remember your father as he was, not for the way he died."

"I do." My voice brooked no argument. "I need to know."

"Fine." My uncle ran his hands through his hair and tapped a couple keys on his tablet. He thrust the tablet into my hands. "I'll be outside when you're done. I can't bear to watch it again, not here. Do me one favor?"

"What?" I arched my eyebrow.

"Don't tell your mother you've seen it. It'll destroy her." Uncle Sabulk walked out the door, giving me privacy.

I watched the news reports of the building catching on fire and then collapsing in on itself. I flicked my finger up to exit out of the vid. I brought it outside and handed the tablet back.

"I needed to see that. Thank you."

"How long are you on Tenap for?" Uncle Sabulk asked.

I raised my head to meet his gaze. "Oh, I'm staying."

"You are coming home right?" he asked. "For good I mean?"

"I am after the funeral tomorrow. We'll have the ceremony, and I will take my father's place on the council."

"You've mated? Uncle Sabulk asked. "When did that happen? Imoa never mentioned your mating. Is it new? Seems like work has kept me so busy, I've missed out on a lot."

My hearts sang when I thought of Summer. "I have. She's a lovely female."

"Is she here?" he asked.

"She's out with Mother shopping for funeral clothes. I'm sure they'll be home soon if you'd like to wait to meet her."

"Unfortunately I can't stay right now. I came to drop off some papers to your mother, but I can hand them to you. They're about your father's current projects and some meetings he was due to work on. I didn't know that you would be coming home so soon from your post, so I brought them for your mother to peruse."

"What would she do with them?" I mused.

"She would appoint someone, probably one of your brothers, to take over for your father temporarily. If she didn't feel that they were ready, I offered to take your father's place until the military could get in touch with you." He cleared his throat. "She was adamant you'd be home. I'm glad to see she was correct."

"Thank you," I said.

"Anytime. That's what family does." He handed me a tablet and some data discs as well as old fashioned paper and a briefcase. "They're your problem now. Less work for me." He smiled. "I would say enjoy getting caught up, but you know politics. Nothing is enjoyable about it, especially the mandatory meals. I have a few meetings of my own and I need to press my outfit for tomorrow," he said. "Please let your mother and brothers know I stopped in. I'll see you soon."

I walked my uncle out to his private flyer, one of the newest models on the market. I stood on the safety pad waving as he took off.

Though he was never one for a flashy presence, the shiny black conveyance took to the sky lane in a matter of seconds, and I wondered how many credits he paid for the luxury. Once the engine's noise faded, I stared at the low hanging clouds in the otherwise clear sky for a few minutes, unable to voice my grief. I wound up pushing it aside before walking back into the office to complete paperwork my father never had the chance to finish.

There's always work to be done.