41. Family Bonding Time

The next day.

Alpha Callum showed up at the farm with a rental car. He didn't use his own car for safety reasons.

When he went upstairs, Clarice was bathing Caden in the bathroom.

"We are going malling today," Alpha Callum announced in a cheerful tone.

Clarice eyed him. "Are you sure?"

"Yep, I'm dead serious," he said, grinning.

"OK. Let me finish bathing our son first, then we will talk about it," she said.

After Caden finished bathing, they let him play with his toys.

The couple sat on the bed, chatting silently through their mind-link while their eyes were glued to their son.

'You can't be seen in public with me and Caden. People would wonder why the woman you are malling with is not your wife. It would raise suspicion and create gossip, and before we knew it, the gossip had already reached your wife's ears,' she argued.

'No worries, babe. I got everything covered. I have already bought two types of wigs and I also bought eyeglasses for my eyes. No one would recognize me when I'm already wearing my disguise,' he assured her.

Clarice fell silent.

"Come on, let's have some fun. I'm sure nothing will go wrong this time. I assigned some of my men to watch the entrance of the mall so they can spot your enemies before they can enter the mall, so we can avoid them, or we can give them a taste of their own medicine. I'm sure Pops still have a few tricks left for them," he grinned cheekily.

His last sentence convinced Clarice. It certainly is fun to see her enemies looking like fools again. But since it's a family affair she would rather not see her enemies and just wanted to have fun in the mall with her son and Callum. 'Alright, we shall go malling today. Let's bring Grandpa and Lorey. The more, the merrier,' she finally said, pushing her worries aside.

'Great! I'll head downstairs and inform Pops and Lorey that we will leave this afternoon after lunch. I also have to get my disguise. It's in the car. I want you to see it,' he said, standing up and ready to leave the room.

'OK, go ahead,' Clarice nodded her head.

Alpha Callum left the room and rounded up grandpa and Lorey to tell them the good news. "We are going malling today, guys. We will leave at 1:00 in the afternoon, so get ready. Let's have an early lunch," he announced.

Lorey clapped her hands. "Hooray! I love malling. So many things to see, so many foods to eat. I love going to the mall!" she squealed in delight. "I'm going to the kitchen now and start preparing lunch early," she said excitedly, walking towards the kitchen in high spirits.

The men looked at each other.

Grandpa Eliezer raised an eyebrow. "So, the famous leader of the Savage Howl Pack is finally going to visit the mall? Is this true, son? As far as I can remember, you don't like malls. So what made you change your mind this time?" he asked.

Alpha Callum grinned. "Pops, there are so many things to see and try in the mall. There are arcade games and plenty of entertainment for kids, such as bumping cars and carousel rides. I'm sure my son will love the mall. He lives in the village and has never seen a mall before. It's going to be a great adventure for him and for me as well. I don't want him to miss this kind of experience. I want to bond with my son and with you guys as well. Let's enjoy life as long as we can," he said meaningfully.

"Alright, let's do it then." Grandpa Eliezer smiled in amusement, then he suddenly asked. "You need some kind of disguise, son. You can't be seen with Clarice and Caden in any public places, there is a big chance somebody will recognize you, and before you know it the rumors will spread like wildfire," he reminded him.

Alpha Callum grinned. "No worries, Pops. I'm totally prepared for this time. I bought two wigs and two eyeglasses for my disguise. I'm sure no one would notice me, they couldn't identify me with just one glance unless I took my wig off. So please stop worrying about me. I've come prepared for any scenario we are going to face in the mall," he said reassuringly.

Satisfied with Callum's assurance, Grandpa Eliezer finally nodded his head. "Alright then, let's go malling today!" he enthused.

"That's the spirit, Pops," Alpha Callum said, chuckling.

Time went by.

The group had an early lunch at 11:00, then got ready to leave the house at 1:00 in the afternoon.

Alpha Callum was busy adjusting his wig on his head in front of the mirror, finding the surreal experience funny.

Clarice was dressing up Caden. "We are going to the mall today, son!"

Caden's brows furrowed. "Mommy, what is a mall?"

"It's a big place where you can see a lot of things, and you can buy the stuff you want. There are also kiddie rides to try, arcade games and many more. There are also many stores selling kids' toys there. You will love the place for sure," Clarice assured him.

Caden's eyes lit up. "Wow, lots of toys?"

"Yup!" Clarice replied with a grin.

"I love to go to the mall. Take me there now, Mommy!" Caden shouted in delight.

"Sure, son," Clarice said, putting socks on her son's feet.

Caden looked at his father. "Mommy, why is Daddy suddenly having new hair?" he asked, confused.

Clarice laughed softly. "That new hair is called a wig, son. It's artificial hair. Your father and I sometimes wear those wigs to make fun of ourselves. That's all you need to know. Stop asking questions, okay?"

"OK. Can I also have new hair?" Caden asked innocently.

Clarice laughed. "Sure, when you are older, I will buy you a wig."

"I can't wait!" Caden clapped his hands in glee.

Clarice and Callum looked at each other, laughing in amusement.

After Callum finished altering his appearance, he looked at Clarice. "Babe, how do I look?"

Clarice's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow, you look different in your short straight black hair and colored brown eyeglasses. You look like a nerd. I barely recognize you," she said, erupting in a giggle, amused as hell.

"Based on your reaction, I guess I have chosen the perfect disguise." Alpha Callum chuckled. "Alright, it's now your turn to wear your wig while I play with our son," he said and sat on the floor, paying attention to his son who was trying to take off his wig. "Babe, be quick please, the little boy here wants to snatch my wig. Hurry up!"

Clarice sprang into action, laughing hard. She grabbed blue pants and a long sleeved pink shirt from the closet and dressed in the bathroom. Afterward, she sat on the dresser table, put on her long blond wig and colored pink eyeglasses. Done perfecting her disguise, she grabbed her shoulder bag and placed her wallet and essentials in the bag.

She closed the window of the room, ready to go. "Guys, I'm done dressing up. Let's go!"

"Alright, let's go!" Alpha Callum stood up, holding his son's hand as they walked to the door and exited the room with Clarice following them from behind.

A few minutes later, Lorey can be seen closing all the windows and doors in the house.

The group finally boarded the rental car and their journey to the mall began.

After two hours of non-stop traveling, they finally arrived in the city and chose Metro R Mall for their shopping venue. This mall is bigger compared to the previous mall that the group had visited in the past.

They entered the mall and explored the crowded first floor. On the 2nd floor, they entered a toy store and Caden gleefully grabbed ten pieces of expensive toys to his liking.

Done in the toy store, they proceeded to the 3rd floor where the children's entertainment area was located. Caden had a blast at the carousel, the bump car, the train, the octopus and Merry Go Round.

The joy on Caden's face is priceless. He truly enjoyed all the rides.

Done with the kiddie rides, they entered a fast-food restaurant and ate cheeseburgers, french fries, crispy delicious chicken tenders, apple pie, ice cream and soda.

After a hearty meal, they watched an adventure family sci-fi movie in the theater.

They enjoyed the movie. Then the group proceed to the clothing department store where Alpha Callum urges everyone to buy clothes to their hearts' content.

After they finished shopping for clothes, they went to the grocery store to buy groceries for their pantry. Caden was allowed to pick up anything he wanted. He literally filled his mini cart with chocolates, Cheetos, Oreos, chips ahoy, apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.

Clarice and Alpha Callum love the happy smile plastered on Caden's face. His chubby face radiated excitement and wonderment on his first visit to the mall.

"Our son will burn a hole in your pocket, babe," Clarice whispered in Callum's ears.

Alpha Callum chuckled. "He's allowed to buy anything he wants as long as it can make him happy."

After they finished grocery shopping they were already tired and couldn't go on any longer.

"Let's go home, guys," Alpha Callum finally said.

"Yes, let's go home now!" Grandpa Eliezer agreed.

"Daddy, let's come back here tomorrow! I love malling! I love the rides!" Caden exclaimed jubilantly, his tone filled with enthusiasm.

"Sure, son, not tomorrow though. Some other time. Maybe next week?" he said.

"Okay," Caden replied.

They retrieve their shopping bags from the baggage section and proceed to their vehicle parked in the parking area. After they finished putting their shopping bags in the trunk, they boarded their transportation and began their journey back home.

Inside the moving car, Caden was yawning nonstop and fell asleep in his mother's arms.

Alpha Callum smiled. "Did everyone have a good time in the mall?" he asked, eyes on the road.

"I enjoy it so much!" Lorey said with absolute delight.

"Me too, but tiring as heck," Grandpa Eliezer responded with a smile.

"I love it. It's the best experience I've ever had! Caden enjoyed the ride and the whole malling experience," Clarice raved, smiling brightly.

Alpha Callum was satisfied and pleased with their answer. "I truly enjoyed the malling experience as well. Let's do it again in the near future," he said merrily.

A few hours later, they arrived home safely.

Lorey and the men brought groceries into the kitchen.

Alpha Callum returned to the car and lifted Caden's sleeping form in his arms and took him upstairs to Clarice's room.

Clarice changed her son's clothes and put on his pajamas, then she looked at Callum. "Are you going to sleep here tonight?" she asked.

"Yes, my love," Alpha Callum replied.

A few minutes later, the couple can be seen sharing a passionate kiss on the lips, then getting ready to sleep.

"Goodnight, babe," Alpha Callum said softly.

"Night-night," Clarice replied sweetly.

Too tired to do anything, the couple settled comfortably on the bed and closed their eyes to sleep.

A few minutes later the couple slept peacefully through the night.