The chilly autumn wind picked up, twisting his cape around his legs and pulling at his white hairs before Jack pulled up his hood.

Excited crowing and piercing laughter sounded up ahead, from where Kaiden was strutting through the forest with Jayden firmly on the wolf's back, both men enjoying their usual walk.

A smile curled Jack's lips as he eyed the loves of his life with endearment. Each time he spotted Kaiden interacting with their son, holding him and treasuring him, it made his heart melt just a bit more.

It had been almost a year since Jack had stumbled his way into Kaiden's life, when he gave birth to Jayden and found his place in the pack.

Jayden himself was growing almost too fast for Jack's taste, wanting to cherish his son's baby years. Though his heart melted whenever those green eyes found him, a now toothy smile always beaming up at him.

Their son was quite a happy and smiling boy, even if he was destined to be a higher ranking wolf. He laughed with everything, was always in a pleasant mood and whenever Jack or Kaiden went to wake their son from his nap, no matter how groggy or half asleep the boy was, he'd greet his parents with a brilliant grin.

Still, the reminder of that one night where Jayden had howled his lungs out as if in agony, inconsolable even wrapped in Jack and Kaiden's arms, still troubled Jack.

The wind howled past him, as if shoving Jack ahead and he shivered, brushing his hands over his arms. Soon enough the weather would be too cold to enjoy their walks, but at least Jayden would have his first encounter with the snow.

Jack grinned at the idea before smiling as the gorgeous brown wolf approached with a steady gate, the child on its back dozing off.

They both had no idea how Jayden managed to cling onto Kaiden's fur whenever he fell asleep, but the boy has never fallen off his father's back so far.

"He's out, like a light." Kaiden murmured lovingly, waiting until Jack had safely wrapped their son against his chest before shaking his fur out.

Jack smiled down at his son and brushed his lips over a chubby cheek. "I think it's your fur, my love." He replied pensively, reaching out his own hand to brush through Kaiden's thickening fur.

The wolf panted happily as Jack added, "You know, each time we have an issue putting Jayden asleep, all we need to do is let him crawl all over your wolf and he's out before we know it."

Kaiden chuckled gruffly, most likely remembering all the nights where Jayden had indeed fallen asleep while snuggling up to his father's wolf.

Though, they had learned their lesson and made sure that Jayden's hands were clean before he went anywhere near his father's pelt.

Sticky little hands and fur didn't mix well, as Kaiden had discovered after his son had managed to turn his thick and luscious fur into a strawberry covered matted mess.

A sound further in the forest made them both snap out of their memories. A small herd of deer stomped their hooves and dashed away while Kaiden tracked them with their eyes.

"Go." Jack ushered his mate softly, nudging the wolf with his thigh. "You know as well as I do that the pack needs all the resources they can before the winter strikes."

Kaiden huffed, not liking the idea of leaving Jack alone in the forest before nuzzling him gently. "Call for me if anything happens."

The wolf bounded after his quarry and Jack smiled, checking to see if Jayden was securely strapped before continuing his walk.

He'd head to their cabin soon enough but Jack wanted to enjoy the forest for a bit longer, possibly wait until Kaiden had managed to fell a deer or two.

It had troubled him when he first hand experienced the pack out on a hunt. Though he had cringed at the idea, he knew that the pack couldn't sustain themselves without hunting their own food and providing everyone with meat.

Plus, there wasn't a town nearby where they could buy meat from a butcher. Even if, the quantity of meat they'd require would be far too suspicious and draw unwanted attention.

So Jack had simply accepted the fact that the pack needed to hunt and butcher their own meat. To be honest, it made Jack respect his meals even more and nothing went to waste in their household.

The rustling of leaves dancing over the forest floor whilst trapped in the wind followed his steady steps. He felt Jayden wriggle and stir in his sleep, glancing down at his son and smiling when the boy was still deeply asleep.

Jayden giggled in his sleep, pulling his lips in a lopsided smile before relaxing with a sigh. Jack chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to Jayden's forehead and turned to head back towards their cabin.

It couldn't have been more than a few minutes when he heard movement in the forest up ahead, the soft crunching of leaves under heavy feet and branches cracking when someone pushed through them.

Jack stilled, eyes warry as he spotted a small hunting party prying their way through the woods. They hadn't noticed him yet, but the red cape ruffling behind him through the wind would catch their attention soon enough.

Instead of bolting for cover, he merely continued to walk. He knew he had nothing to fear, as he was not prey to these people and Jack knew that he could count on the pack to keep him safe.

Surprise filled the hunters gazes as they caught a glimpse of his red coat, turning their attention towards the approaching Jack.

"What the- Why are you out here boy?"

Boy? Jack huffed slightly though decided to take the remark as a compliment rather than an insult. He hushed the hunter's loud voice with a finger to his lips before motioning towards his son.

"Trying to get the little one to sleep." Jack spoke softly, seeing several of the men lower their arms and grumble at the sight of the babe.

"If they've been walking around these woods, no doubt the wailing of that brat scared off all the critters." One of the men grumbled unkindly before turning his back to Jack.

"I'm heading back home. I need a fucking drink." Several hunters agreed, leaving Jack behind until only two of the men were left.

One of them was trying to catch a glimpse of Jayden and smiled appreciatively when Jack dipped down the blanket from Jayden's face.

"Ah, I can't wait till I get to meet my son... or daughter. Marcella is already waddling through the house like a cute duckling." He grinned before sighing to himself and shook his head. "I better go home and see if I can bribe the butcher's son into donating a few slabs of meat for dinner."

Jack nodded with a smile, feeling himself tense at the dark gaze of the other hunter, who was slowly starting to smirk to himself.

The white haired man didn't need to me a witch or mage to realize the dark intent that was brewing in the Hunter's gaze.

He backed up slightly, already foreshadowing the man's incoming attack and nearly smirked to himself when he heard a few huffs in the forest behind him.

The dark malicious smirk soon turned to confusion and then fear as all the blood drained from the man's face.

Jack glanced behind him and understood why ; Kaiden, Rowan and several others from the pack had returned from their hunt.

Blood stained their muzzles and even Rowan's throat, dripping down their thick fur as their hackles bristled. Low growls filled the air as the wolves slowly fanned out, eyes fixed on the Hunter.

The man took a few staggering steps backwards as Kaiden prowled closer, growls intensifying before stilling when Jack brushed his fingers through his fur.

"Shhh, don't wake up Jayden."

"Sorry love." Kaiden whined, licking at Jack's hand and unintentionally marring his pale skin with deer blood. Kaiden lapped at the blood a few times, eyes still focused on the hunter, who seemed stunned and deadly afraid.

In the spur of the moment, Jack frowned at the man and gently caressed his mate's furry head. "I believe you were just leaving, right?"

The hunter nodded quickly, taking another step back but stilling when the wolves growled, snapping their teeth before Jack continued, "I'd rather not come to find out that you've harmed or threatened to harm another person, ever again." Jack murmured as Rowan slowly stalked around the Hunter, getting into his personal space.

The hunter gulped, shaking his head as his knees knocked together. "I-I w-w-won't! I promise. Please, just, let me go..."

Jack tilted his head to the side and smiled, glancing at the pack before they all snarled and faked a charge at the man.

The hunter screamed, wetting his pants instantly before he bolted after his mates. That evening in town, rumor spread around the tavern.

A rumor about a figure in a red cloak with unearthly beauty... and control over a pack of wolves. The wives scoffed and laughed it away whilst the hunters grew uneasy and chuckled awkwardly.

Ever since, they all recalled the story that soon became a well known myth. If you ever needed to venture out in the woods, pay it great respect and stay on the beaten path.

For if you don't, you might bump into Red Riding Hood. And the Big, Bad Wolf was never far behind to protect its treasure from harm.