04

« Where are you Charlie ? ».

Silence is my reply.

I guess I lost that right, when I broke my mate.

My stomach sinks, god, I’ve fucked up so much.

I just wish I could have a second chance.

« Because I promise you this Charlie, when I do find you, I am not letting you go- you’re mine ». I look up at the darkening sky, speaking my promise to the stars because where ever he is, we’re both looking at the same sky- different time zones, but the sky is one.

« And then what happened to him ? ».

« Well, he fell down the well and died ».

I turn to look at my six year old son, he sits happily on the sofa, his feet dangling as he stares obliviously at the television set.

I shake my head affectionately and chuckle slightly.

« Aw, that’s too sad ». I reply faking up some remorse for the puppet that died in his school book.

« Not really ». He answers nonchalantly, too nonchalance for my liking.

« Okay ». I turn away from him as I make his dinner.

« Daddy ? ».

« Yes, pal ? ». I ask as I look up from cutting up the chicken nuggets, I look at him and for a moment, it hurts. My heart clenches painfully at the sight of my son, because in this moment he looks the image of his father, his dark eyes and dark hair.

My eyes sting ; I turn away quickly and wipe them roughly with my sleeve.

Don’t be so stupid, it’s been six years- pull yourself together !.

Forcing myself to take deep breathes, I make sure my eyes are dry before turning back to my head tilting soon, with a look of concern on cute face.

« Daddy, are you okay ? ». He asks quietly.

Feeling my heart surge with warmth and love, I nod and walk over to him, he instantly knows what I’m going to do, he quickly stands on the sofa with his arms open, I scoop him up and crush him against my chest, my wolf yipping quietly at having our cub close to us, I feel his own wolf reach out to mine, nuzzling one another.

He nuzzles into my neck, sighing contently when he smells my scent- technically I am his mother, so when he nuzzles me he’s searching for his mother’s scent which I have, I remember how I use to nuzzle my own mother’s neck when I was a cub, the smell of home fills you and quells the pain, wraps you in safety and I am so glad that I can give that for my son, I miss my own parents fiercely.

I kiss his soft hair softly.

« I love you, so much ».

« I love you too daddy ». He whispers back sleepily as he slots his head under my chin.

My wolf purrs.

I smile at my sleepy cub.

« Don’t fall to sleep, buddy, your dinner is ready soon ». I remind him slightly cheerfully,

He grunts quietly.

This rips out laughter from me, the act reminded me so much of Hunter and It doesn’t hurt, yes, he was a twat and broke me but he gave me a beautiful son and I’ll forever be thankful for that.

I give his coconut smelling hair another kiss before I turn on my heels and walk him over to the island.

I detach him from me and place him carefully on the seat.

« No moving, remember. Because you know what happened to Humpty Dumpty « . I warn him, he smiles brightly at the reminder of the clumsy egg and nods.

I ruffle his hair as I leave to get him his dinner.

…

7 :08 pm

« And Percy-« . I am interrupted by a soft noise, I look up from my page in The Lightning Thief and look at my son.

I smile warmly when I witness he’s asleep, closing the book softly, I put it on his bedside table and lean in to kiss his forehead, I pull pack and tuck him in.

I stand up from the bed, I turn on his night light and walk to the door, switching the light off I cast one last glance at my sleeping cub.

He brings a smile to my face, I exit and pull the door with me, I leave a crack in the door so the hallway light will spill into his room.

Look at me being such a good parent.

Smiling to myself and feeling proud of myself, I make my way to the bathroom to run myself a hot bath.

….

« Ah, that’s more like it ». I sigh in comfort, holding a low alcoholic beer, I snuggle into my comfy couch, relishing in the way my new PJs I bought today feel so soft against my freshly cleaned skin.

I pick up the remote and switch the TV on, I start to flip through the channels But am interrupted with a phone call.

Frowning and groaning in frustration, I reluctantly push myself out of my little hole, I place my bottle on the table and reach forward for my phone.

A voice I knew so long ago calls through the receiver ; it has my heart slamming against my chest, my stomach churning violently.

I stand up straight, feeling like I’m being closed in on.

« Dad ? ». I whisper, feeling my throat close in, my eyes sting.

« Oh thank god, it is you Cub ». He sighs with full relief.

My nickname has tears forming in my eyes and my chest clenching violently.

My wolf howls for his father, yipping excitedly of hearing his voice.

My whole being feels numb, like I’ve left my body.

« It’s me, dad ». My voice is above a whisper.

« I know, pal, I’m so glad I found you ! ». He bellows, his deep voice sounding so happy, it makes me smile.

Makes me feel proud, I made my dad sound happy.

« How did you find me ? ». I ask carefully.