Chapter 24 Yours and Mine
Laurence’s POV:
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+8 Pearls
I narrowed my eyes, watching as Susan silently withdrew the painting, the disappointment on her small face pricking at my heart.
Her fingers were clenched so tightly they turned pale, like a little wolf pup whose den had been trampled.
Suppressing the growl in my throat, I’turned to Hanna. “Susan gave you a gift to bond with you. Pushing her away isn’t right.” My voice was as heavy as the wind in the forest.
I glanced at the shattered doll on the ground, my brows furrowing. This little she–wolf, Hannah, was too spoiled–scold her a little, and she bristled like a startled cat, her voice trembling from the force of her own howls.
Sure enough, her eyes welled up with tears, and she stomped her foot, shrieking, “I don’t want it!” She looked like a wolf cub guarding its food, baring her teeth in defiance.
Susan bit her lip and timidly held out the painting again. “Don’t cry, Hannah. This is for you…she murmured, her voice as soft as a stream trickling through the woods, her eyes filled with cautious hope.
Hannah glared at the painting and swatted it away. “Who wants your stupid thing? Get lost!” Her shrill voice was like a cub’s vicious snarl, and my anger flared even higher.
Hearing the commotion, Winnie rushed over to mediate. “Hannah, don’t get all riled up!” She turned to me, her tone softening slightly. “Elder Alpha, she’s still young … “A flicker of protective fierceness flashed in her eyes.
I let out a cold snort, my fangs instinctively showing just a little. “And that’s exactly why she needs to be taught! How many times have I said this? How are you raising these pups? How will she survive in the pack as an adult if she’s already this wild?”
Winnie lowered her head, her voice subdued. “Understood, Alpha.” But her shoulders stiffened–she wasn’t convinced. I could smell the defiance in her scent.
Fuming, I grabbed Susan’s hand and walked away. Her small fingers trembled in my palm, like a young pup learning to howl. I didn’t look back, even as Hannah’s wails grew louder, followed by the sound of things being smashed in her room, the noise buzzing in my ears.
As I walked, I thought to myself, Winnie must be unhappy thinking I was too harsh.
If nobody tempers that little girl’s wild nature, who will put up with her later?
Winnie was usually filial–serving tea, offering gifts on holidays–flawless in that regard.
But when it came to raising cubs, she guarded them like a mother wolf protecting her den. I could smell the stubbornness on her.
She
probably believed that girls should be raised in luxury, that Hannah, as Silvermoon’s little princess, didn’t need to fight because fate had already been kind to her.
But I am old, and I have seen too much. In a wolf pack, how could one survive without claws and fangs?
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09:01 Fri, Apr 25 G
Chapter 24 Yours and Mine
alpha.
27
+8 Pearls
When she grew up, who would tolerate her bad temper
I lowered my gaze to Susan. Her eyes were red, and she still clutched that painting. I sighed. This little cub had it rough–just arrived in a new home and already had to suffer. I almost wanted to howl for her.
Over in Hannah’s room, Winnie’s voice turned sickly sweet. “Alright, alright, my precious Hannah, don’t cry…” My ears were sharp–I could hear her coaxing like she was grooming her pup.
Hannah only cried harder. “No! I won’t!” Her throat was already hoarse, like a stubborn little wolf cub refusing to submit. I shook my head. This household was as chaotic as a full moon night.
Susan’s POV:
Grandpa led me back to my room. As soon as the door opened, Chirpy flapped its wings and rushed toward me. I caught the familiar scent of its feathers, but the chain on its leg pulled tight, sending it tumbling back onto its perch.
I quickly crouched down, softening my voice. “Be good Chirpy. Once Uncle finishes setting up your space, I’ll let you fly around.” I rubbed my nose lightly against the air, as if soothing it.
Back when I was in the hospital, my uncles had hurried to prepare my room, completely unaware that I had a parrot.
They hadn’t smelled its scent, so how could they have known to leave a space for it?
This room didn’t carry the scents of the wild, and Chirpy kept crashing into the glass. If I let it roam freely, it would end up bald from all the falls.
I had to keep it tethered for now. I let it get used to the room’s scent before setting it free.
Grandpa stood beside me, his eyes reflecting a moonlit sorrow.
As I soothed Chirpy, a low rumble came from his throat–the quiet growl of an old wolf protecting its cub.
I knew he felt sorry for me. My ears were still numb from the way Hannah had howled earlier.
He sighed. “Susan, Hannah has a wild temper. Don’t take it to heart…”
I looked up at him with a grin, flashing my little sharp teeth. “It’s okay, Grandpa.”
I shrugged, pretending I couldn’t smell the sharp sting of Hannah’s anger.
Grandpa’s expression turned odd, like mist veiling the forest.
So I comforted him instead, “Really, it’s fine, Grandpa. I wouldn’t want to give away my things either.”
I tilted my head, thinking, Grown–ups always tell us to share, but I never understood why.
My room, my prey–why should I have to give them up just to seem nice?
Tinhaled the familiar scent of Chirpy and told myself, My treasures are mine. No one’s taking them. Not even if Hannah bares her fangs and roars–I’m not letting go!
