Ben finished cleaning up around the house. When the new load of clothes was done drying, he pulled it out and started folding it. The house was too quiet without his wife, but he knew he couldn't go back to that dark place. His son needed him.
Going to the basement, he grabbed a few boxes. Going from one room to another, he placed everything that reminded him of his wife into the boxes. Getting to Colby's room, he grabbed the photo he had of him and his mom. He set it back down, letting his son keep that.
Going to his room, he removed her clothes and journals. Sitting on his bed, he opened each one. Reading a few entries. He shut it and placed it carefully in the box. He couldn't help it, his tears started falling.
The next morning, Colby woke up and got dressed. Making his way down to eat breakfast before school. His dad was flipping a pancake. Thinking he might be dreaming.
"What?", his dad asked, after he set a pancake on a plate.
"I didn't know you knew how to make pancakes", Colby said, sitting at the table.
Ben chuckled.
"Well, like you, I lost my mom. I was a little younger than you though. My dad ignored me and Seth was a little kid, you know. He didn't understand. I had to learn in order to make sure he ate.", Ben said.
Colby bit into a piece and smiled.
"Its good", he said.
"Thanks. Your uncle Seth was my test dummy. He ate a few or well more than a few bad batches, never complained though", Ben said, eating his.
"My training?", Colby asked.
"Will be with just me and your uncle. I'm going to train you the way my dad taught me. The way I taught your uncle", Ben said.
Colby nodded. They finished eating and Colby rinsed his plate when the Enforcers and Beta walked in. August Styles was with them.
"Have a good day at school, Colby. See you when you get home", his dad said, setting a hand on his head.
Colby nodded and left the house. Meeting up with Shane and Hunter. They all sat around the living room, waiting to hear from their Alpha. Ben watched till one of his son's friends picked him and his two other friends up.
He turned to the men sitting in his living room.
"August, you'll be training from now on, with me and Seth.", Ben said.
August nodded. Mac had told him about Ben's plan to have him challenge Andrade for Alpha.
"How long before I challenge him?", August asked.
"Lets give it a year. I know his fighting skills and speed.", Ben said.
August nodded.
"And what of the Wyatts?", Vince asked.
"I've got Enforcers hunting them down, as soon as they find them and know they won't move, we'll attack", Ben said.
They nodded.
"Lets get to training if we are taking Bella pack", Ben said.
Six months after the death of Elena, Kaia was happy to see that Ben was still putting all of his focus and attention on his son. She was afraid he would ignore Colby again.
Seth walked into their kitchen and placed his hand against her three month bump.
"So beautiful", he whispered.
She smiled and blushed. He bent down and kissed her small belly.
"How's August doing?", she asked.
"Great. Which we knew he would be, he has Alpha blood.", Seth said, grabbing a cup and serving himself some juice.
"Aren't you two worried that once he takes Alpha, he'll try to come after Ben?", she asked.
"No. Trust me, my brother is training him, but he doesn't know all of our secrets. August knows that, and he knows not to try anything.", Seth said.
Kaia nodded.
"And how's Colby?", she asked.
"Healthy, happy, and training. He misses his mom, but he puts on a brave face for his dad.", Seth said.
"Do you think Ben would mind if I took him out this weekend?", she asked.
Seth shrugged.
"I don't think so. The weekends are when we train August from sun up to sun down.", Seth said.
She nodded.
"When you see your brother today, let him know. Also to make a list of the things they need around the house.", she said.
Seth smiled and nodded. He got lucky with Kaia and was thankful to have her.
"What?", she asked.
"Thank you", he said.
"For?", she asked, with a tilt of her head.
"For being here for my brother and my nephew. You don't have to be, but you are", he said.
She smiled and cupped his face.
"He's your brother and you love him. No matter what he's done in the past, he didn't deserve to lose his wife the way he did and your nephew didn't deserve to lose his mother.", she said.
He kissed her.
"Have fun training, love you", she said, before leaving the kitchen.
He chuckled.
"Love you too", he replied, knowing she would hear him.
They were almost done training with August before Colby got home. Always leaving two hours to rest before they started up again. They were in Ben's kitchen grabbing a glass of ice cold water.
"Hey listen, Kaia wants to take Colby out this weekend. Wanted me to ask you if its okay", Seth said.
Ben nodded.
"I don't see why not. I think he would like that. El always took him with her to shop, just the two of them", Ben smiled.
Seth did too.
"How are you doing brother?", Seth asked.
Ben finished his water.
"As good as I can. I miss her, and sometimes I just don't want to get out of bed, but then I hear Colby get up. I hear your mate and mine yelling at me that he needs me, so I get up.", he said.
Seth nodded.
"Yeah, well if you ever just want to talk, I'm here and so is Kaia or if you just need a few days to be alone, let us know and we can take Colby for a few days", Seth said.
Ben nodded.
"Thanks.", he replied.
That weekend, Colby was hanging out with Kaia. They had gone shopping for new clothes since she had noticed he was outgrowing his.
"Thanks for bringing me Kaia. Dad wouldn't know what to do", Colby said.
They were enjoying ice cream now before going grocery shopping.
"Anytime. If ever you just want to hang out, tell your uncle and I'll drop what I'm doing, okay", she said.
He nodded.
"How are you doing, Colby?", she asked.
"Good. I mean, I miss my mom, a lot. When she would kiss my forehead in the morning while she made breakfast, when I got home from school she would ask me how my day went. My dad does that too, well, without the kiss, but its not the same", he said sadly.
She nodded.
"Of course. I miss my mom too. I lost her when I was about your age, so I understand.", she said.
"Did your dad cry for her?", he asked.
"All the time, but he tried to hide it", she said.
He nodded.
"My dad too. He thinks I don't hear him, but I do. I wish I could do something, maybe find his second mate", he said.
"I think it would be too soon for him. Your mother was his true mate, first and seconds feel a bit different", she said.
He nodded.
"Just keeping letting him know you are there and that you love him. Okay", she said.
He nodded.
"Now, lets get these groceries and get home. I'm sure your dad and uncle are going to be starving", she said.
Getting home, Kaia had sent Colby to bring down the dirty clothes for a wash, and to also go through what didn't fit him anymore. They also bought Ben some new shirts. Seth and Ben walked in, Seth kissing his mate before excusing himself to the bathroom.
"Thank you, Kaia, for taking my son out.", Ben said.
She smiled and nodded.
"I was going to ask Seth, but since you're here, maybe you can help me", he said.
She turned to face him.
"With?", she asked.
"Colby's fourteenth birthday is coming up in a few weeks. My wife always did the planning", she nodded.
"Of course. Is this a surprise party or will he know?", she asked.
"I think he should know, so he can have some input", he said.
She nodded.
"Thanks", he said.
He turned to leave.
"Alpha Ben", she said.
He chuckled.
"Kaia, you're family. Its just Ben", he said.
She nodded.
"You should talk to Colby about Elena. He hears you at night, in your room. Take it from someone who lost her mom too, its important to be able to still talk about her", she said.
Ben nodded.
"Thanks", he said.