Raised By Wolves

Chapter 6: The Boy With Two Different Colored Eyes

The Silvermoon clan's lagoon shimmered under the golden rays of the setting sun, casting a serene glow over the gathered wolves. Agatha and Fenris, flanked by their beloved daughter Lucia, approached the water's edge, their hearts heavy with anticipation and a hint of apprehension.

As they neared the lagoon, Agatha felt the weight of the pack's gaze upon them, their eyes flickering with a mixture of curiosity and judgment. It had been years since they had last ventured into the heart of the pack, choosing instead to keep Lucia safe within the confines of their den. Now, as they stepped forward into the light, Agatha couldn't help but feel a pang of unease at the prospect of facing the scrutiny of their peers.

But as they drew closer, Agatha's fears were quelled by the warm welcome of their Alpha, Ragnar, and his mate, Luna. The couple approached them with open arms, their faces alight with genuine warmth and affection.

"Agatha, Fenris," Ragnar greeted them, his voice carrying the weight of authority tempered with kindness. "It's been too long since we've seen you both. And who is this little one you've brought with you?" he aked, looking at Lucia, as if he haven't know the child.

Agatha smiled, her heart swelling with pride as Lucia stepped forward, her eyes shining with curiosity and excitement. "This is Lucia," Agatha said, her voice filled with love. "Our daughter."

Lucia dipped her head respectfully, her demeanor poised and respectful as she greeted the Alpha and Luna with a nod of her own. "It's nice to meet you, our great Alpha." she said, her voice sweet and earnest.

Ragnar returned Lucia's greeting with a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine affection. "The pleasure is ours, Lucia," he said, his voice gentle yet filled with authority. "You are welcome here among us."

As Ragnar invited them into their home, Agatha felt a wave of relief wash over her. Despite the lingering stares of some of the pack members, she knew that they were in good hands with Ragnar and Luna by their side. They decided to stay in the lagoon for a few days, so Lucia would be familiar with the clan and meet some cubs.

But as they passed by the other wolves, Agatha couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in their demeanor. Some smiled in greeting, their eyes filled with warmth and acceptance. Others, however, cast sidelong glances in their direction, their expressions guarded and wary.

Agatha's heart ached as she watched Lucia's eager attempts to interact with the other cubs, only to be met with hesitation and avoidance. She knew that this day would come, that Lucia would face challenges in integrating into the pack. But witnessing her daughter's disappointment firsthand was more painful than she could have ever imagined.

As Ragnar and Fenris engaged in conversation, Agatha's attention was drawn to Luna, who had noticed the sadness in her eyes. With a knowing glance, Luna called over her son, Nicholo, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Nicholo's eyes lit up with excitement as he approached Lucia, a friendly smile on his face, his mismatched eyes twinkling with kindness as he extended a hand in greeting.

"Hey there, I'm Nicholo," he said, his voice soft and welcoming. "It's nice to meet you."

Lucia's heart fluttered nervously as she took Nicholo's hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she struggled to find her words. "H-hi," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I'm Lucia."

Nicholo's smile widened at Lucia's shy response, his eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine warmth. "Lucia, huh? That's a pretty

name," he said, his tone gentle and reassuring. "Are you enjoying your first time in the Alpha's den?"

Lucia nodded eagerly, her nerves starting to ease as she felt herself drawn to Nicholo's friendly demeanor. "Y-yes, it's amazing," she said, her voice growing more confident with each word. "I know this place is beautiful, based on what my Mama have told me about this place. But I can't stop admiring, after s-seeing this place. Everyone here is so...different."

Nicholo chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes as he ran a hand through his long, silvery hair. "Yeah, we werewolves tend to stand out a bit," he said with a grin. "But hey, different can be a good thing, right?"

Lucia couldn't help but giggle at Nicholo's easygoing attitude, her apprehension melting away in the warmth of his presence. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You're different too, with your...uh, hair and eyes."

Nicholo's smile widened at Lucia's observation, a hint of pride shining in his mismatched gaze. "Yeah, I suppose I am," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "But hey, being different is what makes us interesting, don't you think?"

Lucia nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with newfound confidence as she met Nicholo's gaze. In that moment, she knew that she had found a friend in the kind-hearted werewolf cub standing before her, one who saw beyond her differences and accepted her for who she truly was.

"Hey Lucia, want me to show you around?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

Lucia's face lit up with delight as she nodded eagerly, her previous sadness momentarily forgotten. With a grateful smile, Agatha watched as Nicholo took Lucia's hand, leading her away from the crowd and into the heart of the pack.

As they disappeared from view, Agatha couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over her. In Nicholo, she saw a glimmer of hope for Lucia's future among the pack, a reminder that acceptance and friendship were still within reach, even in the face of adversity.

With a renewed sense of optimism, Agatha followed after them, her heart filled with determination to ensure that Lucia would find her place among the wolves who had become her family. And as they ventured deeper into the heart of the pack, Agatha knew that together, they would overcome whatever challenges lay ahead, bound by love and the unbreakable bonds of kinship. So she stayed, and let the two explore more.

---

Nicholo led Lucia through the winding passages of the Alpha's den, his excitement palpable as he showed her every nook and cranny of their hidden sanctuary. Lucia marveled at the cleverly disguised entrances and the intricate network of tunnels that lay hidden beneath the surface of the earth.

"Wow, this place is incredible!" Lucia exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the bustling activity around her. "I had no idea there was so much going on beneath the surface."

Nicholo grinned at Lucia's enthusiasm, his heart swelling with pride as he watched her take in the sights and sounds of their home. "Yeah, it's pretty amazing, isn't it?" he said, his voice filled with excitement. "There's so much more to our den than meets the eye."

As they continued their tour, Nicholo showed Lucia the various chambers and alcoves that made up their underground world. They passed by the homes of craftsmen and healers, their voices mingling with the sounds of laughter and conversation as they went about their daily tasks.

"This is where the healers work," Nicholo explained, gesturing towards a cluster of caves filled with herbs and medicinal plants. "They're really good at what they do. My mom says they can cure just about anything."

Lucia nodded in awe, her curiosity piqued by the sight of the bustling healers' quarters. "That's amazing, My Mama also do that. She teached me a lot of things especially with plants." she said, her voice filled with admiration. "I had no idea that there these many wolves were so skilled at healing. I thought it's just my Mama."

Nicholo chuckled at Lucia's surprise, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, we're a pretty resourceful bunch," he said with a grin. "We have to be, living out here in the wild. And I heard, your mom is one of the greatest healers of the pack. A kin of the Deity Sihara."

"The deity?!" Lucia's eyes sparkles from admiration. She didn't know that about her mom.

"Yup, I haven't seen the deity. You're mom is really lucky. Aside from her, only the elder Elara are capable to summon the Great Deity of the clan."

"Wow! Mama never told me about that."

As they explored further, Nicholo's excitement grew, his eagerness to show Lucia everything their den had to offer shining through in every gesture and word. He showed her the hidden alcoves where lush vegetation grew, carefully tended by the pack's skilled gardeners, and the expansive orchard where fruit trees blossomed in abundance.

"But this," Nicholo said, his voice dropping to a whisper as they approached a towering old tree at the edge of the orchard, "this is my favorite place."

Lucia's eyes widened with curiosity as she followed Nicholo towards the tree, her heart pounding with anticipation. "What's so special about this tree?" she asked, her voice hushed with awe.

Nicholo grinned mischievously as he gestured towards the tree's massive trunk. "See that?" he said, pointing to a hidden entrance concealed beneath the roots. "That's my secret hideout."

Lucia's eyes lit up with excitement as she realized what Nicholo was implying. "You mean there's a cave under the tree?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.

Nicholo nodded, a proud smile on his face. "Yep," he said, his eyes shining with pride. "I made it myself. It's where I go when I need to think, or when I just want to be alone."

Lucia's heart swelled with gratitude as she realized the significance of Nicholo's gesture. "That's amazing," she said, her voice soft with emotion. "Thank you for showing me, Nicholo. I feel honored to be here."

Nicholo grinned at Lucia's words, his heart swelling with pride at her appreciation. "You're welcome, Lucia," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "This place is special to me, but now it's special to us. And it'll always be our little secret, alright?"

"Yes!"

"Promise?" asked Nicholo.

"Promise!" Lucia said as they hold hands and went inside the secret hideout.