The Magiverse Chronicles: Love & Silver

Chapter 3

Mike remained silent as he and Diego made the trip down to Elder Vandalia's home. He could feel the heat of his friend's burning frustration, and knew it was best to give Diego time to settle down.

As they strolled down the concrete streets, wolves gave Diego odd looks. They could not smell him, and Diego walking beside the Silver Guard captain added to their curiosity. It was a good thing they had a can of G.O.N.E to Mike's mind. The General Odor Neutralizing Extract hid Diego's scent as a human from the people. It was never a good idea for people to find out that an Alpha has a human mate. As one of the few humans in the dimension, it would not take long to discern whose mate Diego is, and the wrong people finding out is a cause for complete secrecy.

Luckily, they would not be out long enough to draw significant unnecessary attention. "Come, grandfather's home is close." Mike rushed Diego down streets and across roads, if the man were paying attention, he would have noticed Mike's eyes making note of every face he sees. The Servants of Humanity could be anywhere, and the captain always wondered if his own guard had those mongrels. Mike never liked the idea, but now that his friend has taken on a job that would put him in the SH's sights, the wolf would root out all traitors.

"The actual traitors will be found this time." He hissed.

The bitterness raised his voice and attracted Diego's eye. "Is there something wrong?" His question was answered when he saw Mike's eyes. Just like he could see Mike's struggle, Diego saw when Mike reigned himself in.

"I am fine." Mike's tone was brisk.

Diego hummed, knowing he would get no information from the wolf. "Just make sure not bottle it up when you aren't." He hoped his warning would not be ignored. Mike gave a noncommittal shrug before he stopped before the house.

Diego remembered it fondly, the home of Elder Vandalia. It came up to two stories, painted an ocean blue, and boasted a sky light upon its black roof. The home was surrounded by a freshly cut lawn and a few rose bushes and contained by a quaint black fence. Mike was about to unlock the gate to let them in, until his nose twitched. "Mike! What are you...runt!?" The familiar voice of the eldest Vandalia hit them both and had them turning to face the old man. He had gone bald, his skin was hidden beneath bandages, he was riding a wheelchair. He was dressed in a grey morning gown, and the Elder was wheeled over to them by a man in a green nurse uniform. The nurse was Caucasian, blonde, wearing his buzz cut close to his scalp. A strict no-nonsense look shot from his piercing green eyes, which were supported by his rippling muscular form. His expression opposed Elder Vandalia as the man's shock morphed into a wide grin that showed his missing teeth. "I can't believe my eyes; you came back you stupid brat!"

Diego was stunned for a second, then two, by the state he found the old man in. It did not stop his joy, merely took off a bit off its edge as a weak smile formed on his face. Diego took rapid strides towards the Elder, barely paying the annoyed looking nurse any attention, bent down and buried his head in the old man's long beard. "I'm home. Abuelito, I'm back..." His voice only had the slightest of cracks, enough to moisten the old timer's eyes.

"You certainly are. Look at you, you still have the look of an unruly runt." The old man's sweet grin turned devilish. "I guess a near decade can't change much, you still smell of trouble, kid." The innocent pout Diego put on did not fool the old man, but it made him chuckle. "Why don't you come in? Tell me what sort of bullshit you pulled to come back, then I'll decide if I'll kick your ass for it." Mike's snicker made Elder Vandalia's suspicions rise and got a glare from Diego. "Kane, please get us inside and bring out my best bourbon, one of my runts has come home."

The man now known to be Kane's eyes sharpened. "As your nurse, I cannot recommend with the notion of you and alcohol. You will make your condition worse."