赤裸裸的滑稽故事

There were still things he needed to figure out about his place in this world. About what his new life would look like. But listening to his mother and seeing the peaceful expression on her face made him feel a little more hopeful than he had only moments before.

It was true that he had always wanted to live up to the dreams his father had for him, for the pack. It was expected of him, of his blood. He was always meant to lead Summer and, when the time was right, to produce a child that would take his place.

He leaned against the railing and sighed.

“I know this isn’t the life you expected… that you planned for,” Fiona said. She touched his back gently.

Caleb gave a sad smile and shook his head.

“No,” he replied. “It’s not.”

Fiona smiled and leaned against him, gently resting her chin on his shoulder.

“But is it so bad?” she asked in a whisper.

Caleb swallowed.

“I…” he began and sighed again, “don’t know.”

“Look,” Fiona said, standing up straight and pointing down below.

Caleb followed where she directed. He saw Galen walking through the streets surrounded by four other wolves, seemingly talking at once.

Caleb let out a soft chuckle. He remembered moments like those. Constantly surrounded by people needing answers, opinions, and approvals for every little thing. It was the most frustrating part of being Alpha.

He was always ready to lead his wolves, to run ahead of them into battle and protect them with all he had. Fighting for them physically or through talks with Alphas from other packs, he had no problem doing those things. But the day-to-day of leadership, the paperwork, the meetings, the mediation between department heads arguing over silly things. Those were the things that Caleb had hated and avoided as much as he could.

As he watched Galen calmly turning to each of the wolves and answering their questions, listening to what they had to say, Caleb realized that while he was Alpha, he had often sent Galen to handle those tasks that he found annoying.

He sighed.

“It seems to come to him easily,” he said softly.

“He had plenty of practice,” Fiona replied, leaning on the railing beside Caleb. “Between all the help he provided your dad, you, and me… Galen has more experience leading this pack than anyone.”

Caleb couldn’t deny it. As silly and lighthearted as Galen always presented himself, he was a hard worker and thorough in his tasks.

When they were children, Cain would give Caleb lessons on the running of Summer, but Galen was the one who would ask questions and take notes.

After Caleb became Alpha, Galen was always by his side. He was always the one who helped remind him of the proper ways to behave, the names to remember, and the things he could not avoid or ignore.

He had never doubted Galen’s importance. Caleb was well aware of how lucky he was to have a Beta and best friend as capable and likable as Galen. And even though he had named him the one to take his place, it was only now that Caleb truly saw how perfect Galen was for the role of Alpha of Summer.

Caleb took a deep breath and stood straight, stepping back from the railing.

“Are you all right?” Fiona asked, turning to look at Caleb.

“Yeah,” Caleb sighed. “Just settling into the new reality.”

Fiona smiled and touched Caleb’s shoulder.

“Take your time,” she said softly. “It’ll get easier.”

Caleb nodded and then looked carefully at his mother. Her gentle smile was warm and happy. Her eyes held a softness that he had not seen for a long time.

“You seem very at peace,” he said.

“I am,” she replied. She chuckled softly before adding, “Your return is the most unsettled I have felt in years.”

“Gee, thanks, Mom,” Caleb laughed.

Fiona laughed and lightly slapped Caleb’s shoulder.

“You know what I mean!” she said.

Caleb nodded.

“I do,” he smiled.

Caleb reached and pulled his mother close, kissing the top of her head.

“So,” he said. “You mentioned having gone through the mourning process in Broken Crag… and I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time in Broken Crag…”

Fiona cleared her throat.

“And who have you heard that from?” she asked.

“People…” Caleb smiled.

“Gossips…” Fiona sighed. “I’ll have you know that I enjoy traveling and checking in on friends and other packs.”

“Mmhmm, I’m sure you do,” Caleb said, continuing to grin from ear to ear.

Fiona narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.

“Have you always been this childish?” she asked.

Caleb cleared his throat and dropped his smile, putting a solemn expression on his face.

“I just want to know,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. “Should I call him Dad? Or would he prefer Father?”

Fiona’s eyes widened and then narrowed again as Caleb broke into laughter.

“Sorry, is Landon more of a ‘Pop’ kind of guy?” Caleb continued.

Fiona sighed and hit his arm again.

“Oh, knock it off!” she growled.

Caleb raised his hands in surrender and tried to suppress the last of his chuckles.

“Sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry. I'm done, don’t be mad.”

Fiona took a deep breath and shook her head. She wasn’t angry, a little embarrassed, but not angry.

“Honestly, though,” Caleb said, a gentle sadness in his voice. “Are you planning to leave Summer? Will you become Luna of Broken Crag?”

When Fiona looked back at Caleb, she could see that he was doing his best to hide the emotion in the question on his face. He was trying to appear neutral. But she knew him better than that. He was afraid of her answer, nervous to hear that she was planning to leave. But whatever answer she gave, she knew he would accept it and support her however he could. That was simply the man she had raised.

Fiona smiled.

“Landon is a good man,” she began. “And I do love him.”

Caleb smiled and swallowed. He was happy for her but hated the idea of her leaving.

“But,” Fiona continued, “the only future I am willing to look toward, with him or otherwise, is as far as the next rising and setting of the sun.”

She reached up and touched Caleb’s cheek again. Drawing his eyes to hers. She took a deep breath and tilted her head gently to the side.

“Only for the day I have been given,” she said. “With no promise of tomorrow or the day after.”

Caleb furrowed his brows in concern.

“It’s not a sad thing,” she whispered, shaking her head as she saw the concern in his eyes. “There is no need to worry.”

She smiled and gently rubbed her thumb against his cheek.

“I just don’t want to plan to be happy,” she continued. “I will be happy. I will embrace each morning and fill each day with that which gives me joy. So that every night, as I close my eyes, I will be satisfied, even if I never open them again.”