Chapter by UNCLE SAM THE MAN!
"We'll handle this," Samuel called to the other wolves present as Humphrey was led to a secluded area, "continue with the party." Much to Samuel's surprise, Humphrey's outburst didn't seem to put too much of a damper on the festivities. Soon, the party was back in full swing, the little interruption now a distant memory. However, there was still an important matter to deal with.
Following close behind the intervention party, which consisted of himself, Rex, Jenna, Kate, Eve, and King, Samuel couldn't help but look at his friend in concern. In all the time he had known Humphrey, the grey-furred Omega was never one to be inherently violent. if anything, Humphrey was the most kind and fun-loving wolf anyone could ever meet. The fact that he would all out attack Fleet for mating with Claudette really unnerved him.
Finally, when the group arrived at Rex and Jenna's den, Humphrey found himself placed in the very back facing toward the entrance, all while the others sat in a semi-circle around him, stares ranging from concern to irritation piercing right into his soul. Realizing all to well the scene he had just caused, Humphrey lowered his head in shame, his ears plastered tightly to his skull. For five minutes the group sat in silence, no one daring to break the obvious tension that was present in the den. That is until Samuel spoke up.
"Dammit Humphrey," he groaned, shaking his head as he did so, "what the HELL was that?!" Humphrey flinched at Samuel's question, but noticed that his friend's voice and expression were that of concern rather than anger.
"Yeah," Rex added in, his own voice giving a clear indication that he was very irritated. The inflection in his father's tone caused Humphrey to wince. Of course his father would be upset. Today was his wedding day and Humphrey had to go and ruin.
"OK look," Humphrey finally said, his voice wavering a bit, "I realize that I may have overreacted a little..."
"A LITTLE?!" Eve scoffed, causing everyone to nod at what she was implying. "You almost killed my granddaughter's boyfriend for mating with her."
"Like you wouldn't have done the same with Humphrey and Garth, Mom," Kate butted in, rolling her eyes at her mother's hypocrisy.
"Kate does have a point, Eve," King added in matter-of-factly, earning a less than amused stare from his companion.
"Can we please stay focused?" Jenna interjected, becoming very annoyed at current conversation. Samuel, realizing that they were getting off topic, agreed.
"Right," he said before looking back at Humphrey, still trying to wrap his head around his friend's behavior. But then, something came to mind. When Samuel saw Humphrey attack Fleet, he noticed a look in his eye. And Samuel recognized that look all to well; feral rage. Looking to King, who looked to his son-in-law, they both came to the same conclusion.
"Alright look," Samuel continued, "I think I have a very fair idea of what is going on, but I need to ask Humphrey something that will either confirm or deny my suspicions." Stepping toward his friend, Samuel placed a paw on Humphrey's shoulder, causing his friend to return his attention, which had been on the ground for the last few moments, to the wolf before him.
"Humphrey," Samuel began gently, "during the battle, did one of Cain's Alpha's try to...rape Claudette." At the moment the atmosphere of the room changed. Instead of being angry or irritated, every wolf save for Humphrey and Samuel took on an air of great concern. The concern turned to heartbreak as Humphrey fought back tears as he numbly nodded his head. Then he spoke.
"He had her pinned to the ground," he began with a whimper, "he was just about to...'do it' when Stinky and Magril tackled him." In an instant, Samuel was pushed aside as Kate pulled her mate into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face at the realization that her daughter was nearly violated in front of her father.
"Oh Son," Rex whimpered as he approached Humphrey, gently pulling him away from Kate so that he could properly embrace his child. "I'm so sorry...I had no idea."
"No, I'm sorry," Humphrey responded, his tears soaking his father's chest, "I was so concerned for Claudette that seeing her and Fleet like...'that' just set something off in me."
"Humphrey," Eve added i gently, "I know you don't like Fleet but..." Humphrey quickly cut her off.
"No," he said, pulling away from Rex's chest, "I DO like Fleet. He's a good kid, and I know he'll take care of Claudette...I just...I love Stinky and Runt just as much as I love Claudette. But, it's one thing when it's your boys...it's another when it's..."
"Your little girl," King and Samuel said at the same time, both agreeing fully with what Humphrey was saying, the grey-furred Omega nodding solemnly, silently confirming their suspicions. However, the groups' attention was soon pulled to the sound of footsteps behind them. Looking to the mouth of the den, they could see that Kate and Humphrey's children, along with Terra, Anna, Fleet, and Magril had entered the den. Soon, all eyes found their way to Claudette, who's cheeks at this point were damp from her tears, a clear sign that the new arrivals had heard everything.
"Daddy!" She cried as she bolted for her father, who quickly wrapped her in a loving embrace as Claudette sobbed into his chest. For a few minutes, the remainder of the party watched as father and daughter comforted each other, that is until Fleet finally worked up the nerve to approach Humphrey.
"Humphrey Sir," he said in as strong a voice as possible, "I promise you that I will treat Claudette like a queen, and protect her to my dying breath." What happened next caught everyone by surprise. Humphrey, fresh tears falling from his eyes, grabbed Fleet and pulled him into his and Claudette's embrace, making everyone smile and laugh at the display.
"Well," Terra said after a few moments of silence, causing everyone to turn their attention to her, "Since we're getting back on happier note, I figured I'd share some good news of my own." Catching onto what his wife was implying, Samuel went to sit by her side as everyone else gathered around. Looking to her mate, Terra tenderly licked his cheek.
"Do you want to tell them or me?" she inquired, causing Samuel to think it over until he finally came to a decision.
"Together," he answered before they turned their attention back to the group.
"We're having another pup."
In instant, congratulations went around at the news, the most excited being Anna.
"I'M GONNA BE A BIG SISTER?!" she exclaimed happily.
"It would seem that way sweetheart," King laughed as he pulled his daughter and her mate into a tight hug. Once everything had settled down, the group decided to return to the wedding party, now having more to celebrate about.
the next morning the Jasper party prepared to set off for home. Having said goodbye to the other Tranquility Pack members the before, the farewell party consisted of family, and Mandy, who Eve gifted with a sloppy kiss when no one was looking while still in full view of King, who merely grinned lustfully at the very idea of what he would do to Eve after Winston was...
At that moment, King stopped mid-thought, suddenly remembering the very hard conversation that he, Eve, Winston, Kate, and Lilly would have to have when they returned. But for now, he would not dwell on that, as he could still find pleasure in knowing that he would be a grandfather once again.
"Goodbye Son," Rex said as he pulled Humphrey into one last hug, "I Love You."
"I Love you too Dad," Humphrey responded with a laugh, turning to Jenna after pulling away from Rex.
"My boy," Jenna laughed as she pulled Humphrey into another hug, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"See you around...Mom." Pulling away from Jenna, Humphrey smiled as he saw her wipe tears from her eyes.
"Alright everyone," Samuel called, "we're homeward bound!" With one final goodbye, the group set off for home, leaving Rex and Jenna to start their new lives together.
"They're back!" Lilly yelled as she bounded toward the returning vacationers, followed closely behind by her mate, father, and father-in-law, as well as Samuel's birth family who had come to the Western Pack to see him back. And one thing is for sure, they were all very happy to here that Terra was expecting another pup.
But, while congratulations went around the group, Eve made her way over to Winston, who was sitting just outside of the group, smiling gently as he saw his mate approach him, her smile from being welcomed back slowly falling as she nuzzled her head under Winston's chin. The pair where soon pulled from their tender moment by the sound of three pairs of paws walking toward them.
"Winston," King called as he, Kate and a curious Lilly approached them. Understanding what was happening, Winston let out a low, raspy sigh as he looked to the three most important females in his life.
"We need to talk."
Looks like it's time for Winston to address the elephant in the den! Until then, take Care, Stay healthy, and as always, HAPPY READING!