Fresh Start

I left the two of them to talk. This is so Creed can finally have his peace,

Somehow, inside of me, was relieved that a war hadn’t broken out. That Creed did not have to fight.

But it pains me to see him like this. Deep inside that anger he was showing, is regret. He was regretting that he left.

I can feel it more than he would like to admit it.

“You’re trying to read my thoughts

He mindlinked me, and I cicked my tongue.

‘Oh, you caught me. I am trying.’

‘There is no need for that.’ He replied in our mind.

I offered a small smile. I wanted to comfort him so much, to hug him, and whisper that this was not his fault, but I knew this was his battle that he should finish. I should not interfere.

A few minutes passed as Creed and his cousin Boris finally finished talking. Creed then disappeared to have a breather so I allowed him.

I was left with his cousin. it was a bit awkward for me with the silence, and I know he noticed my discomfort so he started.

“So you are my cousin’s mate, ” He smiled at me, “Pleasure to meet you. You’re name is?”

“I am Nyra.” I answered, “Thank you, Boris, I am glad to meet you.”

He bowed, “I am glad that my cousin has finally met his special someone. Someone to whom he can be vulnerable. Someone who could share his pains.” He mumbled, and I could see through his eyes and the way he talked about his cousin, he admired him. He looks up to him.

“Pardon me, but if it is alright to ask, how did you two meet?” He asked.

I gulped, no one asked me that, and I was never prepared to answer that question. “Oh, I think you don’t want to know.”

Boris chuckled at my answer, “Knowing him, he must have used force on you.”

I can’t help but snicker, “He did. But he had a goal, and I understood him. Plus, him coming to my life only brought goodness.”

“I never imagined I’d hear this from someone. But I am glad someone views him that way.”

The way he talks about Creed awakened my curiosity. Wait, did no one like him here? Now I want to know how he lived as a young one. What made him grow up to be the mature man he is today?

“Why? Is he that bad?”

Boris shrugged, “When my cousin was young, he was a rude rascal. Always defying the elders, always up for mischief. I was always beside him so he would avoid getting himself in trouble. At first, we hated each other. I always hated how I was getting compared with him. Because although he was always bad, he excelled in everything. What I lacked, he had it, and what I have, he lacked. We were polar opposites, he’s the bad one, so I tried to be the good one.”

I nodded, hoping he’d continue. This is getting interesting and I am not that shocked for Creed to lead his life that way. I kind of expected that.

“But he saved me when I was in trouble. He was there when I needed someone the most. And we became close after that. Everyone hated him except me. Everyone views him as a spoiled bastard and no one believes he would even be fit to be the next Alpha. And I believe that instilled in Creed. He does not know how to communicate with people, so he’s often misunderstood.”

I can’t believe that happened to him. I feel bad for his younger version, but I guess he wouldn’t grow up to be the man he is today if he were not treated that way.

“He hated being the heir, so much that he would push the role to me. And after his father’s death, he changed. He became responsible. It’s like he wanted to atone for the way he treated his father, so he wanted to take care of us, his underlings. I think it started that way. That’s where my father’s greed grew. He stole the throne and exiled him from the territory. But I never lost hope. I knew he would return for us, and he did.”

As he told the whole story, it was like Boris was thinking back on the past and it all happened like yesterday. The wound might have been that deep for him to remember it well.

I like how calm and collected Boris is. If he were given proper nutrition, grew taller, and had more muscles, he might pass as Creed’s twin.

They look so alike, and I like how close they are. I am happy to know that Creed was never alone when he was a child.

“Yes, and I was late.” We heard Creed’s voice interjecting. He was leaning by the wall so he must have been listening the whole time.

I thought of what to say for him to calm down, “You know, this pack may be nothing now, but I think it's a great start for you.”

“How? This place is empty. We don’t have any subordinates.”

“You have me. You have Boris. I think that counts as a pack. And we’ll soon have enough to fill the pack.”

“Yes, with your pups,” Boris added.

Pups?

Suddenly, the thought of little pups running around the pack house entered my mind. I never planned to have a family. To build my own. But it feels exciting to think about it.

My eyes widened, cheeks reddening and I glanced at Creed to check his reaction. He was worse, he was frozen and sweating and stuttering. Did he also imagine that?

Boris looked entertained with the way his cousin reacted. “I never saw you flushed like that with anyone before. Not even with your own dad.”

Creed attempted to put on a stoic face but failed. He glared at his cousin, “Stop it, Boris.”

“Stop what, cuz?” Boris shrugged, acting all innocent.

I joined in teasing Creed.

“Yes, what was that Creed, baby?”

Creed turned so red that I wanted to capture this moment and hang it on the wall. He looks adorable acting all shy like this.

“So you have never discussed building your family?” Boris asked.

“We’re getting there. We still haven’t the official ceremony as mates.” I answered as Creed was too flushed to speak.

“It’s good to see someone loving like this. My mate died.” He mumbled. Boris was smiling, but I couldn’t miss out on the pain in his eyes and how his voice almost cracked.

I blinked. Wow. I heard that some would get mad and insane when they lose their mates.

He noticed my concern so he attempted to lighten the mood, “Creed was with me that time. He helped me move on.”

“I am glad that Creed has someone like you.”

“No, I am glad that he met you. Knowing someone is beside him and taking care of him.

“Taking care? What am I, a child?”

“Yes, you need help sometimes, cuz. Admit that without me, you must have been long dead.”

Creed rolled his eyes but seemed used to his cousin’s teasing. As I watched his interaction with his cousin, it felt good to see him act this way. I am looking forward to seeing this side of him more.

I guess this is our place now. This is where we'll build our life after a whole chaos.

This is our fresh start.