Chapter 4
That night, the air blew across the den releasing a cold front that was felt among the sleeping bears. However, Jake, Seth, Adeline, and Maria were snuggling up with each other to keep each other warm. Striker was lying next to Kaitlin, Jane, Serenity, and Kore while Blitzo, Millie, and Moxxie huddled next to each other.
The only sound that filled the den was the loud sound of Moxxie and Striker snoring.
The loud, booming sound of thunder startled Maria awake. As it continued its heavy hitting sound, Maria shivered with fright.
"Maria, are you okay?" a female voice asked in concern.
Maria turned at the source of the voice. "Adeline?"
"Yeah, we heard you were scared of the thunder," said Jake, "I used to be scared of it, too."
"But we're right there for you, Maria," Seth assured Maria as he rubbed his nose against her cheek.
Maria began to shiver. "I'm cold," she said.
"Me, too," said Jake.
"Let's go snuggle with our moms," Adeline suggested, "I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
"Yeah, how about it?" Seth agreed and the four cubs walked over to their mothers.
Striker began to open his eyes, surprised to see his cubs up and about. "Hey, kids. What are you doing up?"
"The thunder woke me up a bit, Daddy," Maria answered.
"Come here, sweetie," said Serenity, "Mommy's here."
Striker smiled, touched at the sound of Maria's mother's loving voice.
Maria went over to her mother, Serenity and started to snuggle with her.
A happy tear fell from Striker's furry face and he wiped it with his one paw.
"And we're cold," Jake told Striker.
"Okay, so, why don't you all snuggle with your mamas like Maria's doing?" Striker offered.
"That's what we planned to do, Dad," Adeline said, "And that's what we're going to do."
Kaitlin woke up at the sound of Adeline's voice. "You cold, sweetheart? Here, come to your mommy."
And soon, the other cubs went to join their mothers and cuddle with them.
"Goodnight, buddy," Kore cooed to Seth as she rubbed her nose on his furry cheek.
"Night, Jake," Jane whispered as she kissed Jake's cheek.
"Goodnight, kids," Striker said, before drifting off to sleep.
"Goodnight, Daddy," Seth, Jake, Adeline, and Maria replied and they finally nodded off in peace.
…
Loona woke up at the sound of loud thunder. She then looked out the window in worry.
"Loona, what's wrong?" a familiar female voice asked as she walked in the spare bedroom.
"I'm just worried about my dad and his friends," Loona replied.
Octavia sat down with her. "I see. I worry about my dad sometimes, too."
The hellhound turned to her. "You mean if he were to leave you behind and go away where you can't find him?"
The Goetia princess nodded. "Yes, but he always told me he would never do that. So I doubt Blitz would ever leave you."
Hearing this, Loona recalled meeting Octavia in person for the first time in the human world when she, Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, and Via's father, Stolas. Blitzo told Loona to find Octavia, while he and the Goetia prince were driven to a studio. Luckily, Loona was able to find Via at night on top of a building crying for herself since her father broke his promise to see a meteor shower, also known as Azathoth's Tears, which he'd told her when she was a child. Azathoth's Tears appeared every thousand years. However, all that mattered was that Octavia was found alive and safe and she and her father made up. While they didn't get a chance to see Azathoth's Tears, they did see fireworks with Blitzo and Loona.
"I suppose you're right, Via," Loona said finally.
"Yes, and like my dad said, they won't be bears forever," said Octavia, "They just need to fight the bear that's stalking him."
"Yep and if they need backup, we'll be there."
Octavia nodded. "Right." The two hugged and Octavia returned to her bed.
Loona began to lay down in hers and tuck herself in before resuming her peaceful slumber.
AN: Just thought I'd have Loona call Blitzo "Dad" as a callback to Queen Bee.