Chapter Six

Melody

Just Six years. I've been away for over six years and everything has changed over here. The entire kingdom looked entirely different. From the landscapes to the scenery to the roads. The kingdom now has several schools and hospitals.

There was a park and a big diner at the heart of the Kingdom.

I couldn't help but admire the place. The king's reign has been quite fruitful. There has been quite a lot of development since I was here.

I smiled as I watched the place where I grew up. The fields where I usually play hide and seek with my brothers.

I smiled as I travelled down memory lane.

It felt like yesterday when I would be chased and caught by my brothers. We had an interesting childhood even though my father made it difficult.

We were now travelling in a cab, so I watched the city through the window.

"Mama, are we there yet?" Aaron's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"We're in Mallory now, Son, but we aren't home yet."

"Wow, Mallory is beautiful!" Aaron exclaimed as he looked around.

"Yeah, it is," I concede.

Still sitting in the car, I pointed at the places I used to play as a child. I showed him the building of our old school.

"You attended that School?" Aaron asked excitedly. His eyes were beaming with joy.

"Yes, My brothers and I... we all attended this school with the-" I trailed off as I remembered him.

The man I had innocently crushed on, but he cruelly crushed me. The man who rejected me after breaking me.

"With who, mama?" Aaron pressed for an answer.

"With the crown prince and his sister." I explained, wearing a smile of reassurance. I'm over him.

"That sounds interesting," Gio added before Aaron could ask further questions. He glanced in my direction and nodded as if he could tell that being back here was stirring me up. He squeezed my hand that was lying clenched beside me, silently reassuring me that I was different from who I was when I left here.

I replied with a nod and a smile before moving to kiss his head. Oblivious to our silent communication, Aaron was looking out the window, asking questions about various places.

"Are we there yet?" Gio sounded impatient. Just like me, I know that he also couldn't wait to go back. The dark flame pack has slowly become a home to us all. My pups were born there. It's the only place they ever knew.

"Almost, dear. We are almost there," I replied as we passed the junction that leads to my father's pack. The same junction where the palace was located.

"Wow, mama look!" Aaron exclaimed, pointing towards the gigantic building sitting at the centre. "That's so huge and beautiful!"

"That is the palace." I closed his open mouth with my hand. "...And if you think what you see now is beautiful, then wait till you see the inside. You'll be mesmerized."

"Really Mama? Will I get to go inside?" His lashes fluttered.

"I don't know... I..."

"But you attended the same school as the prince and princess, so you should be able to go inside," Aaron said.

"No, I don't share a ..."

"Please mama," he begged. "Just once. Let me go in just once and I won't ask for anything else."

Looking into his emerald eyes, I couldn't refuse. "Okay," I agreed. "I'll bring you here before we leave."

Aaron smiled heartily before jumping on me. He stared at the palace as our cab drove past the junction, we headed towards my father's pack.

Soon I could see the ever-so-familiar manor. The home where I grew up. Memories came flooding my mind as soon as the cab drove into those familiar surroundings.

"We're here," I announced, making the driver bring the cab to a stop.

"You lived here, mama?" Aaron's inquisitive voice rang in my ears.

"Yes darling," I opened the door and helped the pups out of the cab.

I looked around the manor in admiration as I remembered the good times I had with my brothers. The packed house was nestled right beside the manor, making it easier for Father to navigate between his duties as alpha and his duties as viscount.

I couldn't help my tears as I remembered how cruelly I was ousted from the pack. From my family.

"Is something wrong?" I looked down to see Gio holding my hand. Leave it to Giovanni to always notice the littlest distress on my face.

"No dear, I'm fine," I replied. I was convincing myself more than I was assuring Gio.

"Sure?" He pressed. His eyes stared deep into mine.

"Of course darling." I brushed my fingers through his curl. "Come, let's go inside. You would like to my brothers, right?"

"Yes!" Aaron beamed.

"And grandma," Gio added.

"Yes, you'll meet them all." I positioned myself between my pups as I led them in.

"Miss Melody?" The guard sounded surprised.

"Hi, Jonas," I replied swiftly. I couldn't wait to leave. His gaze went from one pup to the other before returning to mine. I knew what he was thinking so I decided to help him. The earlier he lets us in the faster we'll be done with what we came for and the sooner we'll go back.

"Yes, these are my pups, Aaron and Giovanni."

"Hello," The pups waved their hands in unison.

Jonas opened his mouth and stared at them in awe. He had a look of surprise and... something else which I couldn't decipher.

"What..."

Before I could ask him what the meaning behind his look was and why he was staring at my pups in such a way a voice cut into my words.

"Mel?

I turned around with tears strolling down my cheek. "Malcolm," I muttered. A river of tears ran down my face. He looked exactly as I remembered.

"Goddess, Mel, it is you." Malcolm was stunned but happy to see me. I guess they all thought I wouldn't show up, but I couldn't abandon my mom. She doesn't deserve that.

Without thinking, I ran into his arms. "Malcolm," I repeated his name like I was hearing it for the first time. "It's me, Mal. It's Melody." I buried my face in his chest as I wept. How much I have missed my brothers, only I could tell.

"You've grown so much, Mel," His hand brushed my hair.

"Of course, I'll grow. I gave birth to two pups." I sniffed.

"I've always told you, Mel, you're wonderful." Malcolm's adoring gaze fell on my pups. "Only someone like you would make such wonderful pups." He squatted to their height. "Hi there," He waved.

"Hi," Aaron replied, but Gio stood unmoved, his eyes peering into mine as if silently asking who the man was.

"That's your uncle, Malcolm." I nod in acknowledgement in response to his silent question.

"Hi uncle," Gio waved, making Malcolm smile.

"It's so good to have you all here, Mel. Mother will be so happy to see you."