Loving "Thousand" (Werewolf story, MXM)

Chapter 44. Uncharted territory

Cain's P.O.V.

I couldn't get our upcoming mission out of my head. I decided to talk to Alex about it later. I tried to busy myself with work. I had to visit a middle school in the afternoon. The kids were happy to see me. A girl asked me if I wanted to rule the country again. I told her, "Yes, but in the future." My party wasn't happy with my answer. I didn't care about what they thought of me. I went home with a heavy heart. I was dreading to face my mate.

When I arrived, Alex was helping the boys with their homework, and Eva was in her bassinet. I kissed Alex's cheek and asked, "Where is the nanny?" Alex frowned and replied, "He is out with his mate. Let's talk." My mother-in-law stepped in to help the boys. Alex grabbed my hand and led me to the patio. He cupped my face and asked, "Why are your emotions so erratic?" I kissed Alex and asked, "Do we have to go back? I don't care about myself, but what if you get hurt?" Alex gazed into my eyes and replied, "I have thought about everything, Cain. Don't worry. We won't be there for long. Let's do it tomorrow." I sighed and said, "I have read horrible stories about such missions, Alex. What if we can't return?"

Alex hugged me and uttered, "Ease your mind, Cain. I have found a gatekeeper for our mission. He will pull us out when things go wrong." I knew who Alex had in mind. I sighed and asked, "Are you sure Clint can handle the stress? He is a serpent, but he's also a coward." Alex laughed and pinched my cheek. I sighed in relief when Alex said, "That's why he won't be alone. My second-in-command will assist him." Adriel called out to Alex and uttered, "My teacher has sent you a letter, papa." Alex grabbed the letter and asked, "Have you finished your homework?" Adriel rubbed his eyes and replied, "Yes, papa. I'm sleepy now." I ruffled Adriel's hair and said, "We still have time before dinner. Why don't you take a nap? We will wake you up when it's time to eat."

Adriel grinned and yelled, "Do you want to nap with me, Ethan?" I shook my head when Ethan answered, "Yes, my eyes are burning!" The boys lay down on the sofa and fell asleep. Alex and I left the boys alone. I decided to shower before dinner. I was startled when I heard Eva cry. I ran to her room to see what had happened. I growled when I saw Mitchell holding Eva. Alex appeared before I could react. He changed his form and yelled, "How dare you touch our child?" Mitchell handed Eva to me and uttered, "I'm sorry, Alex. I missed my children and did the unthinkable. It won't happen again." Mitchell disappeared before Alex could punish him.

I kissed Eva's head and said, "It's okay, darling. He will never set foot in this house again." Alex clutched his hair and stated, "Mitchel's unbearable." I threw my arm around Alex and declared, "Let's complete the mission tonight. Theon is on edge. Mitchel crossed the line. He's a wandering spirit. He could have contaminated the baby." Alex contemplated and replied, "Sure. We will leave after dinner." The boys wanted to sleep with their grandparents that night. The nanny had returned. We left Eva in his care. We visited Alex's office first. Clint wasn't happy with his task. Alex didn't care about his opinion. Clint was already living illegally in the country.

Alex explained the rules to Clint. We couldn't stay for more than an hour in the past. Alex asked his second-in-command to observe Clint. We sat down and closed our eyes. Theon helped me relax my mind. I had received the surprise of my life. I was at my favorite place in the forest. I loved playing by the creek and the waterfall with my best friend. It was odd that I couldn't remember anything about the boy. It was in the afternoon, and the weather was nice. I smiled when Alex laced his fingers through mine. Alex gazed at the creek and asked, "Did you wish to visit here?" As if on cue, a fish jumped out of the water. I missed seeing such scenes.

I was about to reply to Alex when I saw my younger self. I was vulnerable at that time. Alex hummed and uttered, "Now, I understand." I couldn't keep my eyes off my younger self. It seemed like I was waiting for someone. My eyes widened in surprise when Alex's younger self ran out of the bushes with a bunch of roses. My younger self chuckled and asked, "Are the flowers for me, Alexander?" Alex's younger self laughed and replied, "Yes, I grew them myself." Alex was in shock. He couldn't understand how he had forgotten about me. To our knowledge, we had never met before high school. We watched ourselves play and have conversations with each other.

Our younger selves fell asleep on a rock. Alex gazed at me and said, "I can't believe we were best friends when we were young, Cain." We were startled when someone yelled, "How could you do this to me?" The commotion woke our younger selves up. There was an ominous aura hanging in the air. I clutched my chest when my younger self grabbed Alex's hand and uttered, "I want to see what they are fighting about." Alex's younger self nodded and replied, "Come. They are standing by the oak tree." We followed ourselves to the location. I scowled when I recognized Mitchell. He was arguing with a domineering man.

Alex growled and stated, "It's him. My uncle's murderer." I couldn't believe my ears when Mitchell said, "I'm sorry, Astro Blane. I'm already mated. I have three kids with my mate." Astro lost his mind. He pushed Mitchell to the ground and yelled, "I'm your rightful mate. Reject that bastard and come with me!" Mitchell had heard enough. He changed his form and uttered, "I waited years for you, and now you show up. It's too late. Go away. I don't want anything to do with you." We all knew what the consequences of rejecting your true mate were. Astro growled and stated, "You ungrateful bastard. I was training to keep you safe. You betrayed me, and you will pay for it. Let's see what you will do when I dispose of your substitute mate and children."

Mitchell got scared. He fled to protect his family. Astro screamed after Mitchell left. The ground started shaking heavily. Astro clutched his chest and muttered, "I have been protecting him for years, and this is how he repays me. What happened to waiting patiently for your true mate? I'll make him love me. You'll see." My younger self lost his balance and fell. I had twisted my ankle. I whimpered in pain. Astro was startled by the noise. He conjured his sword and asked, "Who's there?" The young Alex put his hand on my mouth to silence me. Astro closed his eyes and uttered, "There you are, you little worms."

Alex grabbed my hand and whispered, "Let's run." I looked at Alex in shock when Astro cut his back. Alex pushed me and yelled, "Run!" Alex's younger self tried to stop Astro but failed. I stumbled over a stone while looking at Alex. Astro flew toward me and sliced through me. Alex and I lay wounded on the ground for I don't know how long. Mitchell appeared after a while. He pulled the younger Alex into his arms and asked, "Do you want to live, Alex?" Michell had seen the future and knew what he needed to do. Alex gazed at my younger self and answered, "No, save my friend. I like him." I could sense that Mitchell and his family had already perished. Mitchell groaned and said, "Okay, I'll help him live. Now promise me that you will fulfill my wish."

The younger Alex coughed up blood and replied, "I'll do as you order me." I watched myself lose consciousness after that. Mitchell erased our memories and disguised himself as a healer. Everything had happened because of him. Alex stayed silent when we returned. We had managed to keep the future intact. Clint looked in fear at Alex. I ordered Alex's second-in-command to take him away. I pulled Alex into my arms and said, "It's alright, Alex. We are back. Our destiny is in our own hands." My heart skipped a beat when Alex gazed into my eyes and uttered, "I'll make sure my uncle is never born again."

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