We stepped into the cabin and immediately I knew why I felt nostalgic when I first saw the place. A small dining space with a wooden table and two chairs in the center. Beside it was a lit fireplace built into the wall with a flat brown bear rug before it. I walked to the side of the small hallway, which led to a room with a large bed covered neatly with white sheets and pillows. A single wooden truck at the end of the bed.

        “ This is the cabin I stayed in three years ago!? But how?” I watched him as he came to my side and leaned against the door frame, wearing a proud face.

        “ When I left, I felt lost and needed to find some comfort when I came back here. So I rebuilt the place. “ he moved his way to the bedside, his hand traced along the smooth sheets. Soothing it like an old friend.

        ” At first, just to keep myself busy, but then I felt comfortable as I stayed here. This place welcomed me…” said with a sad smile.

I was careful to choose my next words as I watched him.

        “ You don’t have to answer me… but why do you feel so distant from them? I thought packs were some of the strongest bonds. But gathering from what you’ve said, something happened. “ I watched as I spoke and of course he looked upset. It was silly of me to think otherwise.

After moments of Alric’s ears twitching this way and that as he gathered his thoughts.

I walked over to him and placed my hand on his small back. His quickened breath became more steady as I rubbed my thumb back and forth as a soft gesture.

        “ I’m sorry you don't need to tell me. I don't mean to keep making you upset.” I said sofly in his ear.

He shook his head and took in a deep breath.

        “ I…. killed one of my own.” Alric said distantly. I felt my eyes widen in shock but made sure to not stutter my hand.

        “ It was an accident, but it happened nonetheless.“ He paused again to gather his thoughts. Moving away from my touch, to the edge of the bed, where he sat with his elbows to his knees. Hiding his face from me.

        “She and I were fighting over ...someone, and it just got out of control. We were both hurt and angry… it just happened so fast.” He put his hands over his face, my heart pulled to comfort him. " I've never lost control like that.. I- " his voice cut off in a small whine.

        " I think I can understand that more than anyone…” I said, half to myself and him.

Alric made a small scoff. “ Indeed you can.” He frustratedly swiped at his bangs and looked up at me.

        “ That night when I met you. I was to be tried for what had happened. But I was such a coward, I ran before they could gather. “ He looked back down at the floor again, his voice cracking in anger.

       “ I- I planned to let the forest devour me, then be exiled publicly by my family. Then….” He gritted his teeth and snarled down at the floor.

        “ These bastards had the gull to find me months later, just to force me to come back to mate with her daughter! “ he looked up at me with a disgusted face.

        “ I mean, who the fuck does that?! Just because I have rare blood, they wanted to keep my bloodline going even if it meant tormenting this girl further?!”

Alric mimics a mocking tone.

        “ Oh, Lillia, Sorry that he killed your mom, but he has rare blood. So we want you to make pupps with him, then you can toss him. Oh, and just forget about that part where your father tried to take his innocence “ with his consent!, might I add.” He quoted the last part with his fingers.

I felt my stomach turn and my blood boil. This was a lot of information I could never have fathomed. I knew that bloodlines were important to werewolves and Fae because the purer the blood, the more power and higher chance for unique abilities are passed to offspring but this…with his pack and what happened to him.

This was insane…

This sounded like some kind of crazy shit a King would do to continue his bloodline.

Alric sits in silence a moment before he let out a deep sigh.

        “ I’m sorry I hit you with all of that. it all just rushed out.” his wolf ears tilted back sadly.

        “ It’s alright. I’m glad to understa-...know, you a bit more, and sadly relate to something so drastic.” I made a light joke which he scoffed at. I ran my hand through the side of his hair cupping his face. He leaned into it like he had done when he was a wolf in the past. I was happy I remembered him liking that so much. “ I’m truly sorry for all that you have been through with this,” I said softly.

but the real thing that pricked in the back of my mind was…

did he go through with what his pack wanted?

did he….have a child?

Alric looked up at me with a sad face. “ I haven't even told you the worst part.”