"Hope ! Hope !" Jordan shouts from the entrance of the airport, waving his hands in the air. "Over here !" He speaks up excitedly.

I fasten my pace to reach him letting Nate take care of my three luggage and his, Noriko following a little behind.

That's what men are for, isn't it ?

"Hey little guy." I ruffle his hair. "You drove here ? Came to get me ? Thanks."

"No silly." He giggles, music to my ears. "Jared drove. And I came with him."

"Well that's nice of you."

"So ? Was it fun ? Did you fight another monster ? I asked my dad because I wanted to come too but he said no." He sighs and looks down.

"Maybe next time ?" I offer.

He looks up at me his eyes shining in anticipation.

"We'll go on a boat and fight a giant shark ! And we'll climb down a deep hole into the earth and find a lot of treasures !"

"Sounds like a plan." I agree as we walk to the parking lot.

"Awesome ! I'll ask my dad again !"

"I don't think Leo is going to let a six year old leave the pack and travel alone." Jared mumbles helping his alpha get the bags in the trunk of his car.

"He wouldn't go alone. I'd be there." I roll my eyes.

"That's even worse." He laughs.

...

Let's stay calm.

I help Jordan in, help him fasten his seat belt. Nate sits himself on the passenger seat without waiting or saying anything while Jared closes the trunk and walks around me to the conductor's seat. The moment he opens his door I push my heel in the top of his left calf, bending his knee forward. He loses his balance and falls his face first on the top of the car.

"OOOOWWWW !" He bellows, his hands covering his nose which is dripping red.

"That's for trying to be smart with me." I shrug smirking.

"Seriously ?! Are you five ? Dammit this hurts !" He grunts out.

I observe him for a second, thinking.

"You know, you're kind of weak for a wolf." I declare.

"Excuse me ?" He exclaims offended.

"Well, that's true ! Since we met you've had that nose broken at least four times."

"And whose fault do you you think it was ?" He hisses angrily glancing at the inside of the car.

'The kid's got a point. You hit him a couple of times yourself and Nate did too out of jealousy, let's underline that last fact.'

"Yeah but see, either your reflexes are poor or its the concentration of calcium in your bones that's lacking."

"It's neither of those things. I just never thought I needed to protect myself when I'm near you."

"And that, kids, was his first mistake." I nod in agreement.

I hear a loud sigh and a door opening and closing shut.

"I should have known you two can't stay civilized for more than five seconds." Nate complains.

"Then we're lucky he wasn't with us on that trip." I reply.

"You're the only one that acts like a child and is uncivilized." Jared defends himself, wiping at the last drops of dried blood over his mouth.

"Stop talking and go sit in the car." Nate orders and we follow suit.

'I guess we're riding back seat.'

Noriko and I both sit on each side of Jordan and the car ride is especially long.

It didn't seem that long when we left.

'That's because you had a private jet. You took off nearer to the pack house.'

That's true.

"Hope ?" Jordan whispers, pulling at the sleeve of my shirt.

"Yes ?" I whisper back mischievously.

"Who is she ?" He asks pointing at Noriko.

"That, my friend, is a really strong woman. In her country she's like a princess."

"Really ?" He inquires.

His mouth opens in a big 'O' showing how much he is impressed.

"Yes. And once we get out of this car she'll show you her super power."

"She has superpowers ?" He yells, completely forgetting to whisper. "What is it, what is it ?"

"That's a surprise." I wink.

"But you'll show me after, right ?" He turns to ask her directly.

"Uh" Noriko glances up at me unsure.

"I'm not sure we'll have time for this Jordan." Jared intervenes.

"Buzz-kill." I grumble. "Don't worry we'll take two minutes so that she can show you." I reassure the pouty pup. "But first you'll have to go get the others."

"I can't wait to tell Sydney and Marthy." He jumps in his seat.

I, for one, am tired of siting. We've been sitting for days. And I won't be able to go on a run for a while which makes me cranky.

'What should I say.'

I spend the rest of the ride bothering the two men in front asking them if we'll "arrive soon" every four minutes and thirty-six seconds. By the way their jaws are ticking and their stares outside become more and more stern I'd say it's working like a charm, they are growing out of patience with me. But there is a guest with us, and a child. They have to behave, they can't show how much I'm pissing them off.

Can you see the smirk plastered on my face ?

'I'm pretty sure the people on Neptune can see it.'

Noriko and Jordan seem to find my childish behaviour funny though because they keep smiling every time I start to open my mouth.

Nate parks the car in front of the entrance of the pack house, right next to mine and my heart jumps in delight at the sight.

"Oh I missed you so much." I coo as I get to it.

"Nice car." Noriko compliments.

"No you can't drive it."

"I haven't even asked yet !"

"Sorry kiddo, my baby is off limit."

"Ah. So there are things that you wouldn't mind sharing then. Like that alpha of yours ?" She replies smartly.

"Let's go with ice-cream. I don't mind sharing my ice-cream. My cake, why not. But I wouldn't even let you touch my cookies."

"Whose the buzz-kill now ?" She rolls her eyes but I can see she's smiling even though she tries to hide it. "That's a nice house." She comments.

"Too many people if you ask me."

"Hope !" Jordan calls. "We're ready !"

And just like he said all the kids are gathered on the grass next to the parking lot, sitting in a half-circle waiting for the show.

"Are you sure this is a good idea ?" Noriko hesitates.

"Don't worry. It'll amuse the kids and it will show the grownups not to mess with you. Two birds with one stone. That'll be a good introduction."

"What should I do ?"

"Make some sparks." I offer.

"That's it ?"

I think for a second and look around. What I see makes me smile.

Ô joy.

"Try shooting some at me." I tell her.

"What ?" She asks unsure.

"Just wait a minute. Start by showing them threads. When I give you the signal you start shooting in my direction. Don't worry I'll avoid them. But don't hesitate. Shoot as if you really want to hit me." I insist.

"What signal ?" She inquires.

"You'll know." I say before trotting away.

"Gabe ! My man ! Long time no see."

"Rogue." He spats at my feet.

Perfect.

"I have a little challenge for you." I inform him.

"No thank you." He refuses.

"Right. Sorry, I should have known you wouldn't dare."

"What is it ?" He demands and I smile.

So easy.

"See my friend there ?"

"Yeah."

She wants to throw some stuff at us. We just have to avoid them and reach her."

"What kind of weapons ?"

"Just some threads of electricity." I answer honestly.

"What do I get if I win ?"

"I don't know. What would you like ?"

His smirk is disgusting and I hold a shiver.

"You'll be my pet for the day."

See, I knew he was a disgusting man.

"What do you want ?" He asks back.

"Nothing, just a nice competition." I shrug.

There is nothing I could want from him.

'Ask him to shave his head.'

Don't need a bet to make that happen.

"Your loss." He smiles again.

"We'll start at the trees over there." I point at a row of trees on our left a little further. "And we'll run straight to her."

"Deal."

We walk to the starting line together.

"Did you miss me ?" He has the nerve to ask.

"I didn't really take the time to think about you." I reply sternly.

"Don't forget the deal." He reminds me as we get ready.

"Jordan, you count." I tell the pup loud enough to be heard from where we're standing.

"On my count." He says standing up to his feet and positioning himself next to Noriko so that he doesn't miss a thing. "One, two... THREE !" He shouts.

And we run. Our feet haven't touched the ground yet before the first streams fly in our direction. I avoid them easily jumping over the first one, bending so the second misses too. We get closer and there are more sparks, bigger and faster sparks.

This is actually fun.

"Dammit." Gabe starts to swear as the beam narrowly misses his head, his hair standing on ends.

I keep the same space as him, even staying a little behind to have the entire spectacle into view. He jumps left and right, throws himself on the grounds a couple of times and jumps in the air.

"Too easy." I say out loud to taunt Noriko.

"Shut up rogue." Gabe orders sweating buckets in front of me.

The beams of electricity come in waves, raining down on us. I step on one foot and then the other, make a nice somersault for show and hear a few claps of encouragement. I'm jumping over a new one when one aimed at Gabe hits him square in the chest, sending him flying backwards before he crashes down in the mud convulsing uncontrollably. I finish the race laughing with the children cheers. It takes almost a minute for Gabe's body to calm down and when he tries to sit up he looks like a fried chicken. I can't help but laugh harder. People who gathered around start to laugh too at the sight. One tries to help him stand up but jerks away when he gets electrocuted while touching Gabe.

"Nice." I compliment Noriko on a job well done.

"So that's Gabe huh ?"

"Yes. As you can see there's nothing to like. I don't think he'll bother you." I wink at her.

"That was awesome !" Jordan yells excitedly.

"You avoided everything !" Sydney adds.

"It was like BAM, WASHHHH, PIOU and then BOUM !" Marthy intervenes gesticulating in every direction, his hands flying around him.

"Can we learn to do that ?" Sydney wants to know.

"I'm afraid you can't. Even I can't." I say sadly.

That would be awesome.

"Maybe I can !" Jordan insists.

"My superpower comes from the foxes so I'm afraid you can't." Noriko explains.

"Because I'm a wolf ?"

"Yes." She nods. "But if you want I'll teach you how to use a sword." She offers to try and cheer them up.

"That won't happen." Jared interrupts us. "You're talking to six year-old kids for crying out loud, don't you have any common sense ?"

"I had my first sword when I was two." Noriko defends herself.

"That's just not happening here." He refuses to listen.

"Why are you raining on my parade ?" I demand."If you keep at it I won't give you your present." I threaten.

Jared looks at me surprised, his mouth hanging open like that of a fish.

"You have presents ?!" Marthy asks.

"Of course. How about we all go to the dining hall so I can give them to you. I'll go grab them in my room real quick." I tell them as I rush to my room. I look for my suitcases and sort out the packages I need.

"Nice show you had going on out there." Nate starts leaning on the door.

"Did you see Gabe ?" I laugh.

Remembering it again is as funny as when it happened.

"I did." He nods sternly. "Do you really think that was necessary ?"

"It was funny." I declare. "It entertained the pups and me. And now they know to leave Noriko alone. Plus, that was a small spark, he'll be fine."

"We're back for less than twenty minutes and you're already creating mayhem." He sighs.

"Look, I don't have the time for this."

"What now ?" He rolls his eyes.

"They are waiting for me downstairs. You can preach your sermon later." I say as I ignore him and leave the room with my hands full of bags.

"Do you need help with that ?" He asks following me in the corridors.

"So that you can take all the credit. No thanks."

"Why would I need to take credit ?"

"Because you didn't buy anything, not even for your beta."

"Of course I did." He blushes.

I stop in my tracks as his face turns red in embarrassment.

"We've been gone for weeks, we went to every continent and you didn't think once to get them something."

"Why would I need to bring something back to them." He grumbles.

"So sad." I sigh.

"It's not like I went on an holiday, it was for work. I didn't have the time to play around and visit places or go to the shops."

"Whatever you say Alpha." I say as I start to walk again while his frown deepens.

Everyone is waiting for me around one of the big tables. I place the bags on it and start to rummage around.

"Alright. What do we have here"

I take out the clothes and music instruments I bought in Africa.

"Cool !" The kids shout.

Next I grab a magnificent katana.

"This is for Jordan, but of course he can share." I specify.

"Awesome !" He jumps to grab it

"That will stay in a box for now." Leo announces taking a hold of it before his son can.

"Then I guess you'll want to keep the nunchakus, the sais, the shurikens and the small knives with it." I hand them over pouting ignoring the reproaching look Nate is sending my way.

"Really ?" He mouths.

Leo on the other hand looks at me a little alarmed but I don't see why, these are fine weapons to have.

'He's worried what else you got.'

"Why can't we have them now dad ?"

"That's not fair !" Marthy complains. "These presents are for us !"

"We'll let you have them when you're a little older." He promises.

"Alright ! Next we have... a vampire teeth !" I change the subject brandishing the canine in front of me.

"Cool !"

"They wouldn't let me more than one, sorry guys."

"What else ?" Sydney inquires.

"I got you, young lady, a kimono." I take it out of a new bag, its design is in a pale pink with flowers of may colors. "And because I know you're going to grow up I got you another one for later." I show her a second bigger one darker in colors with intricate designs all over the tissue. "For you boys ninja costumes."

"Yeah !!!" They shout and it resonates in the hall.

"I got you one too." I whisper to Sydney and she smiles back. "Here's the scale of a mermaid." I continue addressing everyone as it shimmers in the light. "Some pearls..and something really great !" I take out a small seashell.

They all look at it disappointed.

"That's just a shell." Marthy remarks.

"No it's not. It's a magic shell." I explain and their eyes grow big. "It lights up in the dark and it changes colors to tell you the weather. Right now it's orange, so it means it's sunny outside. If it becomes gray then it will rain, and white means snow. Green means there's going to be a storm." They all listen intently. "And if you listen really really carefully, sometimes you can hear a mermaid singing."

"Nice..." They agree.

"This could come on a boat with.. this !" I show them a map with a red 'X' on it.

"It's a treasure map !" Jordan cries out.

"Indeed it is." I nod and hand it to him.

He carefully takes it in his small hands and studies it in admiration.

"Wow." He breathes out.

I let the kids look at all their presents.

"Now for the grown ups I got some sake." I hand six bottles over to Leo.

"Thanks." He smiles.

"And finally, for the beta" I say and Jared looks up.

He comes closer.

"This is a souvenir from France." I beam.

He rips the wrappings open to find a french beanie. His smile drops.

"I'm just kidding." I smile. "I got you a katana too. And this is from Leila." I give him another package.

He studies it upside down ready to open it.

"I would wait 'til you're in your room." I tell him.

"Why ?" He asks worried.

"She had a smirk on her face when she gave it to me. Knowing her... you may not want to open it in front of everyone." I explain.

This earns us twenty pairs of eyes focused on the small black box.

'Remember the time she gave you a small bomb on your birthday.'

Exactly.

"And last but not least." I hand him a shoe box.

He opens it carefully and we all look down to an egg of the size of his hand.

"Here are the instructions." I show him a note.

"Hope, what is this ?"

"You'll find out when it hatches." I shrug.