“Do you remember anything about her Caine?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
A sad looked crossed his dad’s face. “She was a warm, caring, loving, and selfless woman and I loved her very much. You know about the physical side of mating Caine but it’s hard to explain the emotional side of things.”
Caine wrinkled his nose. “You mean that mushy stuff? Like cards and flowers and balloons? That kinda stuff?”
His dad smiled. “Yeah, that kind of stuff.” His face grew serious.
“For us Lancaster’s it’s even more intense. There’s a side of us Duncaine that scares everyone. Not just full humans but our pack mates as well. Something that is whispered about. When you’re a little older I’ll show you the book. That book has been passed down from generation to generation. Anyways, your mom was an amazing woman but she wasn’t very healthy to began with. She was the runt you know, but God that woman was born to be alpha. I never should have gotten her pregnant but she wanted a baby more than anything. After she had you her health started to rapidly fail.”
“I-I killed her?”
“NO! No, son that’s not what I mean.”
He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. Leaning forward he narrowed his eyes. “You gave her life. For the few short years she was here after your birth nothing brought her more joy than to play with you, read with you, cuddle with you until you both fell asleep. Do you understand Caine? I think if she hadn’t had you she would have died sooner.”
“She had you too dad.”
“Yes, yes she did. She’ll always have me. When you finally mate you’ll understand Caine.”
Caine opened his mouth to say he was never going to mate but suddenly a loud commotion came from the front. Caine followed his dad as he raced out the door.
“Ethan, what are you doing?”
Showing this omega his place.
Caine frowned. Uncle Ethan, he wasn’t really his Uncle but Caine had called him that for as long as he could remember, was standing over a smaller wolf who was curled into himself.
“Not in the front yard your not. Not in broad daylight in view of full humans. Ethan, have you lost all sense? Now is not the time or the place.”
Bernard smiled pleasantly as a woman walked by then turned back to his cousin. “Use common sense cousin,” he growled.
Caine saw his dad stiffen slightly. He started to turn but froze when the baleful eyes of the omega met his. He tilted back his head and howled sending shivers down Caine’s spine. He took a careful step back.
“Now is not the time to discuss this Ethan. When you’ve regained your senses then I’ll speak to you. Until then I ask that you remove yourself from the yard.”
Bernard gestured for Caine to proceed him inside the house and then, without even bothering to spare Ethan another glance, he turned and followed.
“Dad, I don’t want to be alpha,” Caine said later that night as he stretched out on the couch.
“And why not?”
“Because. You have to watch over the whole pack, have meetings with other packs and you always have to watch your back. You never get time for fun.”
“You and I had fun today.”
“Yeah, but that’s only ‘cause the Daniel’s alpha switched the time of the meeting. Being alpha sucks. You never get time for yourself.”
“Being alpha is an honor Duncaine. Don’t forget that. Sure you have to watch your back and place others needs before your own but the pack is your family and families watch out for each other no matter what.”
“I still think it sucks…and,” he yawned, “…and…I’m not going to mate.” He yawned once again making his jaw crack. “…ever…”
Caine woke up sometime later when his stomach rumbled. Rubbing his eyes he got up and hearing typing walked over to his dad’s computer.
“Dad?”
His dad didn’t seem to hear him. He was hunkered over the keyboard and typing slowly with a fierce expression on his face. The light from the computer showed a sheen of sweat on his forehead.
“Whatcha doing dad?”
His dad turned and looked at him. He studied him for a moment then blinked. Caine frowned. His dad’s eyes looked funny and it was cool in the house so he wondered why his dad was sweating.
“You okay dad?”
“Yeah, yeah. Must have been those pancakes I ate before you got home from school. As for what I’m doing…your uncle Ethan sent me an email. He wants to apologize in person for acting disrespectful. I was just telling him we could meet tomorrow.”
“Can I come dad? Huh? Huh?”
There was a moment of silence as his dad wiped at the sweat on his forehead. “Sure you can come. Ethan has never been one to grovel so it should be over pretty quickly then I have the meeting with the Daniel’s pack.” He shook his head. “Why are you up?”
“I’m hungry.”
Caine grinned when his dad laughed.
“Sometimes I forget that you’re still a pup and your metabolism burns through food.”
“I am not a pup!”
His dad ruffled his hair as he stood and walked into the kitchen. “Sure you’re not. How about a piece of strawberry cake? I brought some from that bakery you like so much.”
“Awesome!”
“Dad, how come Uncle Ethan doesn’t like you? Doesn’t like us?” Caine asked as she shoved strawberry cake into his mouth.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” his dad said absently. He tapped the tines of his fork against the edge of the plate.
“Ethan wants what I have. What you’ll have one day. He wants to be alpha.”
“He can have it.”
“Duncaine Malcolm Lancaster! Don’t you ever say that again. A Lancaster has always been the head of the pack. Just not by birthright but by might as well. Do you think you’re uncle didn’t challenge me? I had to maul him in order for him to concede defeat. It’s not something I’m proud of but it’s something that I don’t regret. He isn’t fit to lead. If Ethan ever gets control of this pack he will tear it apart and we’ll be nothing more than vagabonds. Do you understand me?”
“Yes sir,” Caine said meekly.
Bernard rubbed the bridge of his nose and his fork dropped out of suddenly nervously fingers. “I’m sorry to snap at you son. I think I need to head to bed.”
Throwing their plates in the trash they walked down the hall to their rooms.
“Dad, you are the coolest dad in the world. You’re awesome!”
“Awesome huh? Where’d you hear that?”
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There’s reruns on TV. But it’s true dad! You are awesome.”
His dad patted his head. “Tell me that again in another six years kiddo,” he said with a laugh. “I love you Caine.”
“I love you too dad.”
Pages: 1 2
Once again this is longer than it’s supposed to be but…*shrug* Whatcha gonna do?!
Hopefully this clears up some questions…and probably caused more! Sorry!
[Reply]
Awww, poor Caine! Bernard really was a great dad
Well, that disproves my theory of Dominica being Caine’s mom and ditching Bernard for Ethan. I’m glad I was wrong about that, though; that would have been so tragic, and Bernard deserved better.
“You know about the physical side of mating Caine but it’s hard to explain the emotional side of things.” Heheheh… with human parents it’s soooo the opposite
[Reply]
What? Wait…you thought that Dom might be his mom? Oh man! I didn’t even think of that angle! That sucks!! haha!!
Back in the day Dom went for the bad boys and Bernard wasn’t bad enough for her…see how her life turned out…
Hmm…maybe I’ll add a pic of his mom to the lore book so everyone will know what she looks like.
LOL! So true! So true! I got a kick out of that when I wrote it!
[Reply]
Poor Caine,t hat last picture is so touching!!!
I also thought that maybe Dominica was his mother…
I’m glad she is not, what kind of woman would kill her husband and abandon her son for a SOB like Ethan!!!
Really nice chapter, it was not long at all, it was a very enjoyable read!
poor Caine… it must be so hard to remember his father….
Great chapter!
[Reply]
Oh wow! You too Sandy?! Even I wouldn’t be that mean to Caine. He’s going to go through enough as it is…he’d be messed up for real if he found out his mother killed his dad!
I never even thought of that story arc! LOL!!
Per simfic50 rules prompts are supposed to be 2,00 words or less but it’s not frowned upon if it’s longer! I’m always having to trim!
Very hard…especially considering he tried not to think about that part of his life for ten years.
Thanks Sandy!
[Reply]
“You mean that mushy stuff? Like cards and flowers and balloons? That kinda stuff?”
No guy has ever given me balloons! I feel slighted! LOL
I can’t wait to find out how Alana and Caine will cross paths again.
[Reply]
Alana really has had an effect on Caine hasn’t she? Bringing back all those memories, things he never learned because he lost his father when he was so young. I hope there is some resistance that he can hook up with and kick Ethan’s sorry butt.
That was very touching and bittersweet to read. That was the night his father was slaughtered, how sad. But that anger will fuel Caine’s desire for retribution so he can take his rightful place at the head of the pack.
Laughed out loud at the remark about never taking a mate…girls are smelly are they? LOL! I love your writing and those shots were amazing! That fireplace shot in particular. Well done Phoenix!
[Reply]
Caine’s mixed reaction to Alana is so interesting — the emotions are all so strong, negative and positive all confused with each other.
Love the detail with the paper and the headline!
Not so sure I think retribution is admirable or at least sensible since it so often backfires, but I can certainly understand his anger.
Wonderful touching and heartbreaking writing, and, as usual, astonishing stunning shots!
[Reply]
Not even on your birthday Pen?!! That’s…that’s just wrong!! LOL!!
Oh man…another two prompts, I think, and then those two will cross paths again!
[Reply]
Yes she does Gayl. I’m glad you caught that! He’s so used to be shut off that to have all these emotions flooding him again is disconcerting.
He and his father shared a close bond. I don’t know what he’s going to do if/when he faces Ethan.
LOL! I have little bros, there are serious about not have girlfriends! LOL!
Thank you Gayl! I’m glad you’re enjoying this tale so far!
[Reply]
Caine’s the kind of person where he wants everything to be black and white. Alana’s the kind of person who sees the world through rose tinted glasses. Both of them about to get shaken up.
Thanks Beth! That was a bit of CC that came with…something I downloaded(I can’t remember what) and he was sitting at the table and I was framing the shot and I read the headline and was like..I GOTTA use that! Haha! I love when things work out!
Thanks so much Beth! That was the last batch using Fraps. Now the shots will be made using Snagit!
[Reply]
It’s nice to know a little more about Caine’s past. Caine and him have had a great relationship. If I were Caine, I’d feel the same way.
Great update, Phoenix!
[Reply]
Thanks Nora! I thought we needed to delve into Caine’s past a little more…just to understand him a little better. This just made me love Caine even more!
Sooo…when’s your next update!?!
~
[Reply]
Such a touching memory, his dad was so wonderful and important to him, it definitely helped develop Caine as a character. That last shot was heartbreaking, he has some reason to be the jerk he has been! I don’t blame him for not trusting anyone.
Great update as always!
[Reply]
Just heartbreaking, my God, how terrible and that last shot of Caine said it all. What an endearing relationship he had with his father (who, was cute, BTW)
Love how you are integrating pack mentality into the storyline, fits perfect!
And those great shots of Caine at the beginning, love the one by the fireplace!
Great work, and another great update!
The writing crackles mate! You are weaving quite the tale here!
[Reply]
Caine wasn’t always the jerk he is now…I had to show this so everyone could understand. And I would have trust issues too!
Thanks Emily!
[Reply]
LOL!! Bernard was cute wasn’t he!? I had to grin when he had that happy look on his face when he was hugging Caine!
Thanks Karen! These story is definitely writing itself. And I figured they’d carry that mentality with them no matter what form they’re in.
I’m glad you’re enjoying this Karen!
[Reply]
Yes Caine, the only one with issues is Alana. Right.
Nice to see a hint of how his father treated being alpha, he seemed to have the magic touch at being just firm enough when necessary and gentle when he needed to be. He obviously knew Ethan was a threat, but no how devious of one.
[Reply]
LOL! I know right?!
Sadly enough you’re right! He DIDN’T know hoe devious Ethan was…or he didn’t want to realize it. Human vs beast. Ethan is more in touch with the latter!
[Reply]
Oh, wow. Poor Caine. His father really was his world, wasn’t he? The tearing thing is back in my mind now! What a horrible way for him to go. Like it was intended as a slight, disrespect, anything to soil that memory. Poor Caine.
Of course, Caine is in denial. Nothing wrong with him, he’s completely normal. Yeah right, Caine. ‘Cause every young adult out there threatens people to get off his damn lawn, LOL!
[Reply]
PhoenixFG Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:44 AM
Yeah…he and his father pretty much did EVERYTHING together. Something Ethan knew which is why he thought he was going to get two birds with one stone and all that jazz. And it was. In the back of my mind I can see Ethan dragging home the mauled body to show how badass he was!
Ha! Caine is normal! Everyone around him has issues! Don’t cha know?
[Reply]