Heirs, 35

(POV: Lina)

I finish washing the dishes and head to the living room. I can't believe Nicollas has been out all this time just because our son is showing an interest in Lucia. How ridiculous! His behavior, childish and prejudiced, is absurd.

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. I take a deep breath to see who's outside, and I notice it's Lukky.

"Come in," I shout and lean against the sofa, waiting for him to appear in front of me.

"Excuse me, Lina," he says, approaching.

"It's been a while since we've seen each other," I say and point to the armchair opposite me.

"Yes," he say and sits down.

"Welcome, can I get you some water? Juice? Coffee?" I ask, and he shakes his head. "What brings you here?" I ask curiously. Over all these years, I can count on one hand how many times Lukky has visited me.

"I've come to talk about a championship that's going to be held between the young people from the academy and the young people from other packs," he starts talking, looking straight into my eyes.

"That's interesting," I say, listening attentively.

"The championship is just a way of encouraging the young lupines to develop their fighting skills because they have to know how to defend themselves in both wolf and human form," Lukky explains.

"Yes," I agree with him.

"The prize will be a trip to a water park and a medal for the best male and female fighter," he explains. "As for the trip, I know that many of them have never been to a water park, so I think they'll want to take part."

"I like the idea," I shrug. "Where is this championship going to be? At the gym here?"

"Not really," he clarifies, "It's going to be at the Full Moon pack. They're the ones who came up with the idea and are responsible for all the invitations and the structure of the event."

"I see, how many are going?" I ask.

"All the students from the academy," he replies. "I've brought the children's authorizations for you to sign." He hands me two pieces of paper authorizing my children to travel, and I think it's strange.

"There are only two authorizations here," I say, "but what about Lena's?"

"Unfortunately, she won't be able to take part as the competitions are for lupines only."

"I understand, it's a shame, I think she'd like to go at least to watch."

"She's an excellent student, Lina, but she can't join us. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes," I wish she could accompany the boys; they've become inseparable. But I can't force everyone to accept her and treat her as if she were a wolf too. I look at Lukky and remember Lucia.

"How is Lucia?" I ask after handing over the signed papers.

"She's fine, she's with Milly now. And Nicollas?"

"He's in town, drinking," I observe his reaction. "Because of Lucia," his eyes widen.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," he says alarmed. "What does my daughter have to do with the Supreme's drinking spree?"

"Let's just say she stole our firstborn's heart," his eyes widen in surprise.

"They've always been such good friends; I never suspected this possible interest," he scratches his head. "They can't like each other, they don't even know if they're partners," he says worriedly.

"Luan went to his father to let off steam, he told him that he likes his daughter and hopes she'll be his partner, and Nicollas didn't take it very well," I shrug.

"I don't want my little girl to suffer if this doesn't go ahead," he says sadly. "Nicollas never liked the Omegas, but that's no reason to get into it with the humans. He doesn't even know if it's going to go ahead."

"My son is in love, Lukky," I say firmly. "The moon goddess wouldn't be able to hurt two young, pure hearts that love each other."

"Nicollas didn't even like the idea of my daughter being Luan's partner, imagine if it turns out that way? He won't accept that he hates omegas even though my daughter isn't an omega, well not completely," I look at him intrigued. "She only occupies this lower class because I was expelled from my old pack."

"You never told me what you were before you came here," I say, resting my chin on my hand and staring at him.

"I was the alpha's son," he says and I feel my eyes widen in complete surprise. "But unfortunately my father died when I was still very young, I was only fourteen," I see a sad gleam pass through his eyes. "The betas rebelled and decided to take power, I didn't have the strength to face them all, so I was expelled, and I left before they decided to kill me."

"Lukky, I'm sorry," I say sympathetically.

"Don't be," he shrugs. "It was good, here I met my partner, I became a trainer, I built my family, I love my cubs, I wouldn't trade this life for anything."

"That's good my friend," I smile sympathetically. "I'm glad you've found fulfillment here, know that you can always count on me, for everything, regardless of whether Lucia is alpha or omega, if she's my son's mate, Nicollas won't interfere," I guarantee it.

"But I don't understand how Lucia stole Luan's heart when he's not even transformed," he comments.

"Nicollas thinks it might just be teenage hormones that want to find pleasure in the opposite sex," I say quietly, fearing my friend's reaction, and he glares at me.

"He's going too far with these assumptions," he says angrily. "If that's all it turns out to be, it won't be with my daughter that your son will get off, I'll hunt him down. Nicollas crossed the line when he imagined that my daughter would only serve as a source of pleasure, I respect him a lot and I don't want to have to hate him, nobody messes with my daughter, I die for my children but nobody hurts them!" he speaks with conviction, his hands clenched into fists.

I smile, that's the reaction of a father who would do anything for his child's happiness, and Nicollas should be here to witness how one defends and supports a child, forgetting any banal prejudice.

"I too would do anything for my children Lukky," I assure you. "I'm sure I've brought them up very well, Luan would never disgrace his daughter. Even with all this prejudice, Nicollas has always brought up our children well, he was just nervous and upset," I'm trying to defend my partner, even though he doesn't deserve anything from me right now.

"Sorry for my outburst, I know your children are good kids but I was offended by the supreme's assumption," he says after taking a deep breath.

"In any case, we'll find out whether or not our children are destined in a few months' time," I say, smiling. "I think we'll be a family, Lukky," he gives me a yellow smile.

"I don't know if I want that Lina, I don't want to see my daughter suffer, she's my little girl."

"Me too Lukky, I'm very fond of her and I don't want either of them to suffer," I say looking deep into his eyes. "Nicollas will accept it if it's confirmed, I give my word, no one will interfere with my Luan's happiness."

"Knowing you as I do, I'm sure of that. Well, I've got to go now, there are other stumps to take the authorizations to, and unfortunately I'm running out of time."

"It's okay, it was really good to see you."

I get up and take him to the door where we say goodbye.