Chapter 2

Francine was taken aback by his reaction. She doesn't doubt her father's decision, but she was astounded because her father had planned for Azure to live in their home. She was sure he was a stranger, and her father had little knowledge of him.

Another reason she reacted the way she did was that she didn't like the strange emotions that had been coursing through her system since she first saw Azure. She has a peculiar sensation that she has never experienced with any other boy.

She is fourteen years old now. By the age of eighteen, most shewolves in the Green River Pack already found their fated mate. It is not a pack rule that everyone over the age of eighteen must have a mate. So Francine couldn't help but wonder if Azure was her fated mate.

And why is she so enthralled by the idea? Annoying!

Azure let out a snort. His lips were pursed. "Why did you react like that? If you think I want to be here in your home, you're wrong; I don't. I don't even know any of you. Zeke just forced me."

Francine was taken aback by the stranger's impoliteness. Zeke's reaction was cool as if he was amused by Azure's demeanor. Her mother said nothing and continued to set the table.

She could hear the door open. "Do we have visitors, Dad? Who are you talking to, and why does he just call you Zeke? Doesn't he know you're the Lycan King of this pack, Dad?"

She saw her brother Royce, who, as usual, appeared weary from a mission. Royce is her older brother, and many believe him to become the Lycan King in the future. Royce is currently a Delta in the Green River Pack.

When Royce spotted Azure, his brow furrowed. Francine had no idea which of the two was older. She believes they are the same age. Royce was sixteen years old, but Azure towered above her older brother.

"Well, who are you?" Royce asked arrogantly.

She believes Azure is annoyed. Francine was certain that Azure was short-tempered based on his demeanor.

Azure responded with a raised brow.

"I don't think I need to introduce myself to you, commoner," Azure replied gruffly.

Francine's eyes almost popped out at what she heard. Her mother simply smiled, and Zeke laughed at his son's reaction, Royce's.

Royce's nose almost blew out in irritation. "What did you say, commoner? Don't you know I'm the Lycan Prince in this pack?"

Francine sensed her big brother's surprise in his tone and couldn't help but laugh; she is not concerned with what is going on; she is amused.

She couldn't remember the last time her family had been so joyful and active; her father and big brother are constantly busy taking care of the pack, and her mother is a full-time housewife, but she responds immediately if her help is needed in the pack.

"I have no intention of answering you; it's a waste of my saliva," Azure said triumphantly as he sat back down in his chair.

Royce's teeth clenched. "What! Who are you? You're so arrogant! Dad, who is this guy? Why are you letting an arrogant stranger in? Aren't you thinking about mom and Francine's safety?" Her big brother is enraged.

Zeke just laughed. "Don't overreact, Royce; Azure is harmless, and I know he won't hurt your mother or younger sister,"

Royce was still agitated. He grabbed Azure's shirt collar and yanked him up from his seated position.

"You don't know how to respect. You are in our home, don't forget that. You are facing my father, who is the Lycan King of this pack. Why don't you call him by his title?”

 

Zeke scratched his eyebrows. “Royce, please stop. Azure doesn't need to call me Lycan King. Honestly, I don't want to be called that especially since we are inside our home. Azure doesn't need to call me formally because this he is going to live with us from now on,"

Zeke scratched his brow. "Royce, please halt. Azure doesn't have to call me Lycan King. To be honest, I don't want to be called like that, especially since we're at home. Azure doesn't have to call me formally because he will be living with us from now on,"

Francine saw her older brother's eyes widening, his face horrified as he glanced at his father. "What did you say, dad?  This conceited guy is going to live in our house?! And why is that?!"

"Do you question my every decision, Royce?" Zeke asked his son.

"It's not like that, dad," her older brother was embarrassed. "But why does he have to live with us? Does he not have a place to live?"

Zeke sighed and held his head. "Long story–"

Azure cut Zeke off in his tracks. "I am an outsider. I don't live in your village. I don't know this place. I just woke up one day and here I am. Your father found me with wounds on my body and bleeding, which is why he took me to a hospital. I planned to run away, but he wouldn't let me. He wanted to watch my every move if I was a threat to this place. So he forced me to come here. And now this is where he wants me to live,"

Azure's mother and father both laughed at what he said. Straight to the point, no-nonsense. But Royce was not amused.

“You–!” Royce was about to punch Azure in the face, but the stranger wouldn't allow himself to be hurt either.  

He stroked Royce's hand on his collar. "Don't touch me. I'm not asking you to welcome me into your home because, in the first place, I don't want to be here," Azure said coldly.

Her mother paused doing her table preparation. Beatriz and Zeke exchanged glances while Azure spoke. His parents' faces softened.

Her mother pretended to cough to get their attention.

"The dinner table is set; let's eat before the food cools," Beatriz said.

Zeke sighed audibly. "Royce, Azure, stop fighting. Whatever you say, Royce, my decision will not change. Azure will be living with us from now on,"

Azure was also taken seriously by her father. "I know you don't feel at ease in our home, Azure. I know you're worried we're going to hurt you or have evil intentions toward you. But I can tell you right now that you're in good hands. I'm not going to let you get harmed."

Azure didn't say anything. Royce was annoyed and sat down. Francine sat close to her father. Royce sided with their mother. Azure stood by their side. The stranger was at a loss for words.

Zeke smiled and drew Azure into a chair. "Sit down, Azure. Don't be shy. Come to dine with us. I know you're hungry as well,"

The seat offered by his father was in the center of the dining table.

Azure silently fulfilled Zeke's command; her mother had prepared a large amount of food, all of which were wonderful.

After praying, they all grabbed different foods from the table; Francine's mother had a gift for cooking, which she inherited.

Everyone else was eating, but Azure was just staring at the food.

 

“Oh, why haven't you eaten yet, Azure?” Her father asked.

"Dear, don't you like the dishes I cooked? What is your favorite? I can cook again..." Her mother asked shyly.

"Is... this really true? Can I eat these foods?”

Azure's face showed amazement.

Zeke appeared to feel pity for him. "Azure, have you never eaten something like this? Don't be concerned. Everything you see is edible. No one will stop you," her father said with a smile.

Royce clenched his teeth at the sight, unable to believe that an annoying outsider is inside their home and dining with them.

Azure did try to eat something, a beef steak, and his eyes dilated as he chewed it.

"Is everything okay?" Beatriz asked worriedly.

Before speaking, Azure devoured the food. "This food is delicious. I've never had this kind of meat before," Azure remarked in surprise.

Francine noticed her mother's amusement at Azure's subtle flattery.

“Tsk. Azure, where do you live, it seems you have never eaten such meat?" Royce asked, irritably.

Zeke turned to face his son. "Royce, stop slandering Azure. It's not appropriate that you're fighting in front of food."

"Because I don't want to see the face of this stranger in this household!" Royce exclaimed.

They were all taken aback. Azure's lost his appetite. He rose from his chair and headed into the living room.

Royce rose from his seat as well and followed Azure. "You're impolite; you don't even tell us where you're going, and you leave your food behind!"

Azure was completely impatient. Royce was about to grab him by the shoulder but he pushed him away. Accidentally, he knocked a can of paint over a crochet scarf that Francine was sewing.

Francine's eyes widened when she noticed the paint had fully coated the scarf she was sewing for her father.

Francine jumped to her feet and dashed towards the crochet scarf.

“Francine?" Royce called her in surprise.

But when her big brother saw what happened to her crochet scarf, Royce beat Azure's face.

"You bastard! Don't you realize how much work my sister put into sewing a scarf for our father?"

Francine saw Azure was stunned, and his face softened.