Interrogation 

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Chapter 22

Aric POV

A couple of days had passed since the exhausting ordeal at the food hall. I had thrown myself back into intense training, trying to regain my focus and routine. The sun wasn't out yet as I got ready to head out for the day. As I finished lacing up my boots, the door suddenly swung open, startling me. I instinctively let out a fierce growl.

"Nice growl," Dad said, stepping inside. "Intimidating and fierce. Well done."

"Dad, do you not know how to knock?" I asked, exasperated.

He chuckled. "I didn't expect you to be awake. But I'm glad you are. Get your shoes on and meet me in my truck. We're going to spend the day together."

Curiosity piqued, I nodded. "Alright, give me a minute."

I finished getting ready and headed out to the truck, finding Dad already in the driver's seat. "Where are we going?" I asked as I climbed in.

"You'll see," he replied with a knowing smile.

As we drove off the pack lands, my curiosity spiked. Dad didn't often take trips outside our territory, and I couldn't help but wonder what he had planned. We drove for a while until we pulled up to a small donut shop just outside the pack lands.

Before we got out, Dad turned to me. "We're getting donuts for the office," he said with a grin.

I raised an eyebrow but decided to roll with it. "Donuts, huh? Didn't peg you for a donut guy."

He chuckled. "There's a lot you don't know about me, son. Come on, let's get inside."

We stepped into the shop, the warm smell of freshly baked donuts filling the air. Dad greeted the owner like an old friend, and it was clear he had been here many times before. "Do you want your usual?" the owner asked.

Dad laughed and said, "Of course."

As we waited for our order, I glanced around the cozy shop. It was a small place, but it had a welcoming atmosphere. We watched as people walked in and out, greeting each other with friendly smiles.

The owner came back, piling boxes upon boxes of donuts and one very large box labeled "Coffee" with a spout on it, and another large box labeled "Orange Juice." Dad went to pay for the donuts. The owner slid two large coffees on the counter and one iced coffee, along with a separate bag of donuts on the side.

Once Dad finished paying, he looked at me seriously. "Don't drop them or spill the coffee and juice. Trust me, it isn't fun."

I nodded, taking the warning to heart. We loaded the food into the truck together, carefully balancing the boxes and drinks.

As we settled back into the truck, Dad handed me a coffee and set the other two in the drink console.

"Who's the iced coffee for?" I asked.

Dad laughed. "That's for your mom. I told this story to Aiden a couple of days ago, too. But I don't mind telling you as well."

That really got my attention. Maybe that's why Aiden had been so serious lately. As we got on the road, Dad shared a memory.

"When your mom found out she was pregnant with you two, I accidentally went a little overboard trying to control what she ate so you could grow healthier," Dad began, a nostalgic smile on his face. "I told Chef Bobby not to serve her coffee because I had read somewhere that it was bad for the baby. I thought I was doing the right thing."

I chuckled, already picturing Mom's reaction.

"Well, one day, she showed up on the training grounds in her pajamas, swinging her coffee mug in the air and yelling at me for trying to cut coffee out of her diet. It was quite a sight. She made it very clear that a little coffee wasn't going to harm you two, and she wasn't about to give it up."

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