Is this truly home? (Book 1)

Chapter 6

Desmond and Titan stood as far as they could from one another while still in hearing range. Desmond had a smartallec smile on his face while Titan had a furious glare aimed at Desmond. Desmond decided to interact with Titan. Although they had nothing in common, there was one thing that they wanted... For Eris to win.
"So, how is my mate holding up? From the way things are going, you would think she had given up on the whole idea of becoming Head Alpha.
"Grrr. She's powerful. Many wolves fear her. Even your daughter... But while we're on the subject of Head Alpha, what news on Jackson and his daughter? Did the runt fulfill his mission?"
"If he did, I don't think he'd be at High Ridge proclaiming to be the son of Alpha Darek?! I thought you took care of all his children?!"
"I tried! Eris decided to be weak and show mercy!"
Desmond got furious when Titan had called his mate weak. Truly, she was capable of killing him, so why didn't she?
"How dare you speak about Eris like that! You're lucky she isn't here to bite your tongue out with those words you speak so boldly."
"You're one to talk! Hiding in a pack, being a rogue spy just to get back in the good graces of your mate! I call that cowardice."
Desmond had had enough. Running up to Titan, they started fighting; biting one another until one was as bloody as the other. Since Desmond was a bit bigger than most wolves, he sustained fewer injuries than Titan. Plus, they both had to get back before anyone saw them together. Licking both their injuries, Desmond decides to give one last warning.
"If you ever talk down about my mate, your Luna, I'll kill you. Or better yet, I'll have her do it."
"Grrr!"
Titan limped back towards Eris's territory while Desmond stood proud with a smirk on his face as he walked back to High Ridge territory. Meanwhile, as the High Ridge pack settles down for the night, Axel's goes out to sit on a cliff that looks out over the forest. His mind is racing with 'What if?' Questions like: What if Eris finds out I betrayed her?, what if she sends someone else to finish my job and then kill me next? Or worse. What if Eris makes me watch as her dream of becoming Head Alpha is true! As in everyone I've ever loved, die in horrible deaths just as she had done to my previous family? As he closed his eyes and ears so he could only hear his anxious thoughts, he got startled as something brushed up against his fur, circled around him; making her scent known to him, and finally giving him a little lick on his nose which made his eyes pop open. For the wolf that wanted his attention was... Aruska. She had seen him outside the den concerned for him. So, being the kind-hearted wolf she was, she decided to comfort him. However, she didn't think she'd go as far as to kiss him?! But then she heard his heart slow down. She looked at him and to her surprise he had said something kind back.
"Thank you."
He inhaled her scent, and a memory from his childhood came to him.

19 years ago before Aries became Axel...

Derek and his family were meeting up with Jackson, his wife, and their young daughter who was the same age as their youngest son.
"Mommy, can I play with Aries?"
"Of course, dear. Go on now and have fun."
Little Aruska went over to Aries, who was playing tug of war with a tree root.
"Hi Aries, I'm Aruska."
At first, Aries glanced at her and then went back to the root.
"Aries?"
She looked at the root and back at him. If he wanted to play with a tree instead of her, then so would she. She tried her best to climb up the branches of the apple blossm tree.
"Uh, what are you doin'?"
"Well, um, I thought if you're playing with the bottom part, I'd play with the top part."
"I'm not playing. I'm trying to get my chewing stick back from a fox kit that ran under the tree."
"Oh. Then I guess I look pretty silly, don't I?"
"You said it, not me."
Making her way down, she accidentally stepped on a broken branch and fell down, causing her to sprain her leg.
"Owwwwwhooo!"
Everyone rushed over and saw Aries with Aruska, who was injured. Jackson brought Sunny, who chewed up some Apple blossm Petals and Dandelions to make a healing paste to put on her leg.
"Mmhn, you smell like the Apple blossm tree."
"Thanks."
Although they were only pups, the two kids couldn't look away from one another. It was only when Aruska's father called for her that the connection was broken.
"Aruska! Time to go!"
"Coming, Daddy!"
Aries helped his new injured friend back to her family; and as they left, Aries went to the highest point of his father's domain and howled out her name.
"Aruuuska!!!"

Present:

Axel opened his eyes and remembered why her scent had smelled so familiar when they first met. They were friends. Aruska remembered, too, and her face was filled with happiness and love. After all these years, they managed to find one another. Call it fate, call it destiny, but what they called it was... Love. In Eris's territory, Titan limped back to find her and was so furious he was slashing anything he saw. When he made it to Eris's den, he stood silently and waited for her to approach him. With her back turned to him, she spoke with authority.
"So, you've returned... Is there any news worth hearing?
Then, turning back around, she glared down at him.
"Or are you too injured to justify yourself?"
"Grrr. Your so-called mate and I got into a fight over a certain someone we both care about."
"Let me guess, you walked out with more injuries than him? He always was such a brute."
"Grrr... Eris, listen to me. This is crucial. Your so-called son has decided to betray you and join Alpha Jackson's pack. And! Did I mention that he remembers who he is?! I told you this would happen, but did you listen to me?! No! You were weak and decided to care about your enemies' kid! Sometimes, a small part of me thinks that you wanted him to remember. That you wanted someone to love you more than you did it!"
Eris looked at him with a blank expression after he was done flaring his anger towards her.
"Well, that certainly is news. I have a new plan. Follow me and bring Raven along with you. I have an idea that involves her; and to think I never could have come up with it if it weren't for your little outburst."