Only John and Daniel were in the Highland Forest. John glanced at the wood; the younger trees were growing. So they didn't need to worry about the tree in the future, as the young one would be enough to cover their needs in winter.
"Thanks for your help, pal. If you didn't help me, l would need a few days to finish it."
"No need to thank me." Daniel grinned. "You're my superior but also my best friend. I'll do anything for you if I can."
"Still, it's a big favor you do for me." John scratched his chin. "If my father knew …."
"I'll let you know a secret."
"Huh? What secret?"
Daniel leaned forward and whispered, "Alpha Ryan may be harsh with you, but he loves you."
"Ha!" Then John laughed aloud until his head bent backward. "You must be joking!"
"Hey, I'm serious, man."
John kicked a pebble on the ground as hard as possible, then sighed. "I have never thought that my father loves me. He loves scolding and belittling me. I'm eighteen-year-old, but he treats me like I'm five."
"Uh, John—"
"What?!"
Daniel was startled at the burst of emotion his friend showed. "Hey, I'm not your opponent."
"Sorry, I'm just …." John blew his breath and shook his head. "It started after my mom's death. He has never been the same person anymore."
"Luna Vivian's death is a big blow for Alpha Ryan. We can see that. I have never seen someone who loves his mate as your father."
John kicked another pebble. "Yeah, it's as if my mom took half of my father with her …." He smiled sadly. "I miss his old self. I miss when we could go fishing in the lake or river together." John wiped his nape. "I was six. We could spend hours only sitting side by side. But I could feel content, knowing he was beside me. It was the best time of my life." He smiled again. "I missed when he lifted me on his shoulder and told everyone I could catch a big fish."
Daniel said nothing and only patted John's shoulder. John grimaced a little.
"Oops, sorry!" Daniel stared at John. He said nothing but later asked, "But I wonder something."
"Hmm?"
"Nevermind."
"Oh, come on! You can't say something, then stop in the middle. Say it!"
"I wonder if Alpha Ryan treats you like that to prepare you for the Alpha's position."
John shrugged. "Maybe, but why should he humiliate me in public? He could call me to his room and scold me until satisfied. But nope! He prefers to torture me in front of others."
"John …."
"Spare your breath! I don't want to hear you defend my father."
"Sorry."
John let out a sigh. "I'm sorry too. I know you mean well. But love can change people immensely. Well, losing it …. I don't want to fall in love if it turns me into an empty shell like my father."
"You'll never know when love sneaks into your life. But, unfortunately, you can't avoid it." Daniel shrugged and looked elsewhere.
Then John squinted his eyes. "Don't tell me you are falling in love with a girl."
Daniel chuckled. "I wish I had, but sadly, no. Yet, I heard our Elders told the pups that."
"When I have become an Alpha, I will ban all story-telling about love and falling in love. It'll only make us weak. We don't need love!"
"Only lust?"
John grinned; his handsome face was even more outstanding. "Yeah, lust is good. We need lusts to add more new pups for our pack."
"So, since you'll be nineteen next month, which she-wolf will you choose as your bedmate?"
"I haven't thought about it yet. All seems the same to me."
"Selina is the beauty of our pack. So many werewolves want to have her, but she only has her eyes on you."
"Selina?" John's forehead creased as he tried to recall any she-wolf he knew. "I don't remember any Selina."
"Let's get back to our pack. First, I'll introduce you to Selina." Daniel winked and patted John's shoulder. "Maybe you want to get laid with her soon. She is HOT!"
John grimaced again as Daniel touched his wound.
"Oops, sorry again! I keep forgetting about your wounds. Okay, buddy, let's go back to our pack now."
They walked side by side from the Highland Forest back to the Ferocious Pack area. When they were halfway, John finally stopped.
"Why do you stop?" Daniel asked.
"I'm curious now."
"About?"
"Selina."
Daniel grinned, but he coughed and pretended to be cool. "What about her?"
"Describe her."
"Well, her eyes are the same color as the sea. Maybe that's why her parents named her Sea as her last name. Her lips are red as a ripe cherry. You may have a sudden urge to lick and devour them."
John laughed and shook his head. "Okay, what else?"
"Her hair is like pure gold, unraveling on her back. Her body—" Daniel whistled loudly. "If you could see her stand before you without desiring to bang her, I think you were a saint."
"What about it?"
"She has a tiny waist. Long legs and neck, perfect to be kissed and explored. But then her breasts and bottom are in generous sizes. Wait until you see her yourself."
John chuckled to hear how detailed Daniel described Selina. "I smell a great admiration for her. Are you sure you ain't in love with her?"
Daniel shrugged. "If I were a Beta, I might claim her for myself. But I'm only a Delta. So, I think she's more suitable for you."
"Hey, if you truly like her, you can have her."
"No." Daniel shook his head. "I think she'll be a great bedmate for you. Though I don't know if she'll be a great Luna."
"I don't need a Luna. Our pack doesn't need one."
"Huh?"
John's stare was sharp. "When I have been an Alpha in the future, I'll lead our pack alone. I won't share it with Selina or anyone else."
Daniel scratched his head. "Well, if you're sure about it." He shrugged again. "Maybe Selina isn't the right girl for you. Because many said when you meet the love of your life, you can't avoid her and want to share everything with her."
"We'll see about that."