By the time Ludwig returns to his large village snow is starting to gently fall on the open plains leaving everything coated in a thin layer of white. The lively streets are still filled with children and dogs barking happily as snow balls are thrown around. It's something he's missed the most in his travels and while he wants nothing more than to return to see his dogs, his father will want to know everything first. So he makes a beeline for the great hall that's sitting proudly in the middle of the vast clan around it.
Within his father is sitting entertaining a new guest with a pint of his favorite beer listening to the soft sounds of Omegas singing in the next room. "So," Cerdic says wiping the froth from his lips as the fire lights the room with a warm glow. "I hear you're missing the next in line."
"Next in line?" His guest asks as his blue eyes narrow already prepared to defend himself yet again. "I have two sons the line as you say is secure." He hates that again he's come to see an old friend only to be questioned about his actions in the past few years. They can't be as foolish as they act? They would have done the same things in his shoes and he knows it.
"Come now I've heard you've sent both boys away. Unclean, was that the words you used for your sons?" His own blue eyes watch from behind his long thick hair. "So,"
"So my clan is none of your concern."
"Aaren," Cerdic says with a sigh already feeling a headache coming. "All wolf clans are my concern especially now that Alfred is dead."
With a sip of his beer Aaren looks away trying come off as indifferent to his late son. "He wasn't needed anyway. He was just an Omega half breed." The doors open behind him as he continues his thought. "Omegas are meant for breeding and connecting clans. Nothing more, nothing less and even for my son he would have made that difficult."
Cerdic bites his tongue as he stands to greet his youngest son. "Ludwig." With a smile he hugs him before turning back to Aaren. "You don't mind that my son joins us do you? He's just returned from the Northern Mountains and I'd like to hear what he's learned before he goes home to his dogs."
Nodding Aaren passes the younger man a beer just thankful that they can change the subject. "Of course. Hmm it's been a few years since I've last saw you boy." Aaren scratches his chin feeling his winter beard coming through. "Still attached to your mother's hip if I remember correctly."
Ludwig nods with a soft smile. "I think I remember."
After watching for a few moments Cerdic breaks the small talk. "What did you learn in the mountains?"
"That they didn't have anything we couldn't find here but you'll want another beer Father."
"Oh and why is that?"
Ludwig takes a sip of his own. "Not only has Gilbert found a mate but the Omega had their son while I was there." As he expected the older man is shocked. "His name is Leon Jones. I wasn't able to see him but from how happy Gilbert was I'm sure the pup was healthy."
A warm small smile appears of Cerdic's face as he nods in approval. "He maybe an idiot but I'm happy to know someone's able to put up with his ways."
"Why Jones?"
Ludwig turns back to Aaren surprised to see a look of confusion written on his face. "It might be his mate's name."
"Did you learn the Omega's first name?"
Cedric's smile turns into a smirk already knowing his son's answer. "It was Alfred."
"No, was he a half breed?"
"Aaren we both know the answer to that." Cedric motions for another round of beer. "It appears that I was right and your clan is my business now." As he starts to drink he watches as Aaren slides his drink away. "Didn't you want him to breed?" When the other leader doesn't say one word he ushers his son away. "Ludwig I think your dogs have suffered enough so go home."
Once the doors are closed Aaren sighs. "Why must he find a way to ruin everything?" Rubbing his forehead the Alpha starts to growl. "I give him a good home and a powerful mate and this is how he repays me?" His blue eyes sharpen as he slams his fist on the table. "Worthless bastard!"
"Enough!" Cedric rises to his feet glaring wickedly down at the other Alpha. "My son may be a colorless but I still see him as my son and that child as my grandson. He is the next in line for my clan and yours whether it was part of your plans or not." It comes with a low angry growl as Aaren stands. He shouldn't have to be the one to defend the Omega especially when it's Alfred's own father. "Your cruelty shows no bounds."
"And your ignorance is blinding. We were to be connected to the Cheetahs. He wouldn't have had children but at least we would have been safe from them and their pets to the south. His life would have been easy and carefree. So what if he wouldn't have this damn freedom he's always cried out for." He takes his beer in his hands as his rage builds. "What's the life of one when it would have saved the lives of all our kind?" With all his might he throws the glass into the fireplace watching it smash and sizzle in the roaring fire. "Why am I the selfish one here? I married a fox didn't I? I gave her children yet again I'm being thrown to the lions like I'm a fool."
A sigh is all the answer Cedric gives before picking up his pint and walking out. Once he would call Aaron a friend but now the Wolf is nothing more than a bitter stranger. The wolf has every right after all to send his sons into the snake pit so he can call himself a hero but it doesn't mean he'll have any part in it. No he'll do what his people have always done in times like this when the enemy is clawing at their doors. "Ludwig," He says entering his son's home to find him curled next to his beloved pets on his rug. "Tell me you were able to speak with the Avians…"
