chapter six: Echoes of Memories, Glimmers of Hope
Cedar's Pov and dream:
Cedar's blue gaze was glued to the green grasshopper. The cool breeze brushes through his flurry of fur. He had the need to impress his parents this spring. He can feel his mother's watchful eyes follow his every move. She was relaxing with her current mate and alpha Solar underneath a tree. He had been practicing for months, learning the art of hunting and surviving. He had grown strong and fast, ready to take on the role of beta one day. The grasshopper jumped higher and higher, daring him to chase it, and chase it he did, his powerful legs carrying him swiftly across the open field. His heart raced in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins, and for a moment, he forgot about everything else. "Be careful of the long grass!" Cedar's ears snapped at the sound of his mother's urgent voice. There's a small tint of amusement laced in her words. He slowed down, glancing around and taking in the swaying stalks of grass that surrounded him. The green blades blurred together, a soft carpet stretching out in every direction. His muscles twitched, itching for movement, but he forced himself to remain still. His gaze drifted back to his mother, watching as she nuzzled affectionately into Alpha Solar's broad chest. They looked so content together, so happy. Even though she was mated with Solar, he couldn't help but refuse to acknowledge Solar as his biological father. He doesn't even look like Solar, not one bit.
The sound of laughter echoed across the grassy plain, and his mother's playful howl reached his ears. He always loved hearing his mother's laughter; he just missed his chance at chasing the grasshopper, and yet he lost sight of the tiny creature. "Mother, you're laughing so loud; how can I hear you?" he yipped, padding over to her, his ears twitching in annoyance. She smiled down at him, her blue eyes shining with love and pride. "Oh, I was just thinking of a time when you were just a pup and you tried to catch a butterfly. You chased it for what felt like hours, never giving up. You were so determined, Cedar. It reminded me of myself at your age." She nuzzled him gently, her soft fur tickling his snout. "You've grown into quite the fine wolf, my son." She nudged Solar's shoulder gently, and he ruffled his fur affectionately. "oh, yes. Your mother was quite something back then." Solar chuckled, his deep voice resonating through Cedar. "She was stubborn and headstrong, just like you are now." Cedar looked at his mother, seeing her in a new light. Maybe she wasn't so different from him after all. They both shared a determination and a will to succeed and prove themselves. Cedar will always prefer his mother over Solar at any time.
"Well, enough of this sentimental nonsense," his mother interrupted, her playful growl softening the words. "Why don't we all go for a swim in the lake? The water's perfect today." She stood, stretching her limbs, her muscles rippling beneath her fur. Cedar perked up at the mention of swimming. "That sounds wonderful, Mother." He nodded eagerly, following her lead as they headed towards the lake. The cool water lapped at his paws as he waded in, the refreshing sensation sending a shiver down his spine. Solar and his mother splashed each other, their playful growls filling the air. Cedar watched them, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was so lucky that these two are his biological parents; he was even more proud to hopefully be the next beta in the near future. He smiled at his parents playing in the water and closed his eyes.
Cedar's flashback ended, and his point of view was:
Cedar woke up from his daze. He must have passed out from exhaustion the night before. He remembers being hunted down by the former pack he once loved and cared for; his father chased him and Jett out of their territory for the death of the alpha's mate, Lily, his mother. His body was heavy and glued to the lounge; he didn't see Sheldon or Dexter in front of him. They must have gone to bed themselves; he remembers talking to them about finding a new pack and his brother—no, his older half-brother that's out there in the awful snowstorm. He stood up slowly, stretching his limbs and shaking his head. The room had a wooden table, a brown longue, and a TV. He has never seen a TV before; it looks so weird. He walked over to the window and looked outside; the snow was still falling heavily, blocking his view. The wind howled, sending shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He couldn't stay here. He had to find his brother and their father. He had to make things right.
"I know what you are thinking." A voice broke the silence, making Cedar jump at the sudden sound. Sheldon submerged from the hallway and appeared at the doorway. He was wearing a pair of blue PJs and a white baggy shirt. His bright red hair was messy, and there was a sleepy look in his green eyes. "I've been thinking' it too," he continued, coming closer and sitting beside Cedar on the longue. "We can't stay here. This place isn't safe. We need to find a new pack, or at least a safe place to go." He paused for a moment, his expression turning serious. "But first, we need to find Jett. He's out there in that storm. We can't just leave him."
Sheldon nodded in agreement, his expression solemn. "I know. We'll find him, Cedar. We'll find him and make sure he's safe. And then, we'll find our way back home." He paused, taking a deep breath, before continuing. "But first, we need to eat something. I made some pancakes. They're in the kitchen. You hungry?"
Cedar does not know what a pancake is, but he nodded anyway. "Okay." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's find Jett and find our way home." Together, they left the room and made their way down the hallway, their feet padding softly against the carpeted floor. The house was eerily quiet, and the air felt heavy with the weight of their shared memories and the uncertainty of their future. As they entered the kitchen, Sheldon switched on the light, revealing a cozy space with white cabinets, wooden floors, and a small island in the center. The scent of pancakes filled the air, and Cedar's stomach growled in response. "Someone's hungry," Sheldon teased, handing him a plate of steaming hot pancakes with syrup and butter.
"What's that yellow stuff?" Cedar asked, and he was beyond curious. "Oh, that's maple syrup. It's a special treat from Canada. Try it; it's really good." Sheldon smiled, pouring some of the syrup over Cedar's pancakes. Cedar took a small bite, the sweetness exploding in his mouth. He couldn't help but moan in pleasure. "It's delicious," he said between mouthfuls. "Thank you for making it." They ate their pancakes in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the future. When they finished, they cleared the dishes and went back to the living room. "where's Dexter? Should he be with us?" Cedar asked, glancing around the room. Sheldon chuckled lightly. "He loves to sleep in; he was exhausted looking after you last night. You passed out after we talked about finding you a new family and discussing finding your brother." Sheldon nodded, his expression serious again. "So, what do you think? Should we try to find a new pack or just go it alone? I'm not sure if we'd be safe with strangers." Cedar thought for a moment, his mind racing. "I don't know. Maybe we should try to find a safe place first and then see if we can trust anyone. I don't want to get hurt again." Sheldon sighed heavily, understanding where Cedar was coming from. "Yeah, me neither. We'll figure it out together, alright?" He patted Cedar's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "In the meantime, we should probably get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Cedar nodded, yawning widely. He followed Sheldon down the hallway to his room, where they both climbed into bed. The rain continued to pound against the window, a constant reminder of the chaos outside. As Cedar laid his head on the pillow, he felt a mix of fear and determination welling up inside him. Despite everything, he knew that he had to find Jett and make things right. And with Sheldon and Dexter by his side, he felt a little less alone in the world.
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