Sunny and Moon - New Claws

Chapter 13: "Alpha"

When they arrived at Val's house Carson told all the story from the moment he left the village to when he met Ruby, and everything that happened afterwards. By the end of the whole thing Alex hugged Carson, and went back to her house. For some reason that made Ruby feel relieved. The only ones left was her, Carson and Val since Claire and Rolly had already gone to sleep. Val went to get some pillows and gave them to Ruby and Carson. Apparently they would sleep on the floor.
"I'm sorry, but there are no beds left." Val said once he gave them the blankets.
"Yeah, we get it." Said Carson, getting comfortable on the floor.
"Great. I'll go check on Claire. My mom'll get here in about fifteen minutes, so... Yeah. Goodnight." Val turned around and left both Ruby and Carson alone.
There was a small moment of silence in which Ruby got comfortable in her pillow. When she finished Carson decided to break it.
"So... Uh... Are you liking it here?" Asked Carson.
"Yeah. I guess so. It's just so different, and I sort of miss my family. Everyone is so experienced here and they know you... While I'm a stranger... But... I'm fine. Yeah, I'm– I'm fine." Ruby knew she was lying. She wasn't fine. She wanted her parents. She felt alone. But she couldn't let Carson know, and she didn't know why.
"Oh. Ok. You know you can count on me, right?"
"Yeah." Said Ruby.
"Well, goodnight." Said Carson in a quieter voice, and closed his eyes. Ruby didn't say 'goodnight' back.

It was just when Carson's sleep got heavier that Ruby knew he was asleep, which meant she had to get some answers out of Val. Why had he said what he had said before? She didn't know. And curiosity was itching her badly. She stood up careful not to awake Carson, and went looking for Val.

"Night Claire. Sleep tight. Call me if you're scared. I'll tell you when mom gets here."
Ruby found him. After he closed the door Ruby approached him.
"Val."
He jumped at the sight of her.
"Ruby. You scared me."
"Sorry. I just had to ask– who is Alexandra? And why did you say that I had one more thing to worry about?"
"Oh." Said Val. "Come with me. I'll tell you in my room." He said in a hushed voice pointing to a sleeping Claire.

Val's room was pretty simple. It was just like the living room, with wood walls and hay floors, but it had two light blue beds, (Rolly was sleeping in one of them) some posters, plants, bottles and a football.
Val gestured Ruby to sit on his bed, and he sat beside her.
"Well, you've met me, obviously." He said. "Just so that you know my full name is Valiant. Rolly's called Roland, and then we have Alex. So, who is she? Basically Carson's sister. They spent literally whole days together before he left. Alex met Carson when they were little, since Carson's dad is best friends with Alex's dad, and Alex's mom's sister was a classmate of Carson's mom. Yeah. Pretty complicated. Now here's the thing: Alex is very close to Carson. And when he left she was devastated although she didn't want to show it. Anyways, when he arrived with you she got kind of jealous, seeing that her 'brother' had found another girl to be with."
"But– is she bad or something?" Said Ruby.
"No. Don't fear her. She wouldn't really do something bad. I suggest you to become friends with her. Hold no grudges, and you'll get along just fine. Though I do warn you: she would probably hate that Carson leaves again."
"Um... Ok."
"Good. You're actually a really nice person. Well, that's all I've got for you." Said Val, resting his head on the pillow.
"Thanks... I guess." Said Ruby awkwardly, and went back to Carson.

---

The next morning Ruby woke up and smelled something delicious. When she sat up she realised Carson was not by her side, but the excited screams of Claire made her realise something good was up.
Following the smell she found the kitchen, and opening the door she saw a blonde woman, with a white dress and a green apron, stirring something on a bowl. She saw an oven at the left, which had a golden pie baking inside of it. Right beside the woman was Carson, who was helping with the cooking. Val was sitting on the kitchen's table, Rolly next to him, and Claire was jumping excitedly all around.
"Look who's up!" Cried Val, at the sight of Ruby.
"Hi." Said Ruby shyly.
The woman turned around, and her brown eyes lighted up with joy. Ruby noticed they had a few wrinkles around them.
"You must be Ruby." She said in a croaky but sweet voice.
"Y-yes."
"Val said good things about you. I'm Phoebe – Val's, Claire's and Rolly's mother. C'mon, sit down next to them. I'm about to finish breakfast."
"Thanks."
Ruby instantly liked Phoebe. She thought she was amazing. So sweet and caring, besides what she cooked smelled delicious.
"Hi." She said once she reached Val and Rolly.
"Met our mom, I see." Said Val.
"Yeah. She's really sweet."
"You bet she is. But don't make her angry. She's a hunter for the village, and the best one."
"Ooh." Said Ruby smiling.
"Breakfast's ready!" Cried Phoebe. "Val, help me out. Don't sit there like a lazy moon."
"Going mom." Groaned Val. Phoebe raised an eyebrow and put her spoon in the air.
"Sorry." Said Val quickly.
"Come here. I was just joking." Said Phoebe laughing and hugged Val. "Now give out those plates and help me serve breakfast."
"Yeah mom."
Val took the wooden plates in his hands and delivered them to everyone. Then his mom took out the pie, and served a piece to each person.
"Try it." She said cheekily to Ruby, who was very eager to try the delicious-smelling pie.
Ruby pinched the pie with her fork, was about to put it in her mouth—
BANG!
The whole family jumped. Carson muttered a 'no' and dropped his head on the table, while a cautious Phoebe peeked through the window.
Suddenly trumpets started playing music accompanied by flutes, violins and drums.
"It's a party." Said Phoebe.
"Carson's party." Said Val.
"This can't be good." Muttered Ruby.

The whole crew got out of the house, Phoebe on the lead. They were walking like a mother duck with her ducklings. Except that there was no line, just a mass of curious children following Phoebe.
"Stay close." She said.
Out of a sudden girls in beige and brown athlete-like, silk clothing came dancing through the streets. They had silk strings on their hands which they moved in the air gracefully. The music of the violins and flutes intensified while they danced in the middle of the streets, moving just as swiftly as the wind. Suddenly there was another bang of drums, and mountains of confetti started pouring over the streets. Ruby watched in amazement. She never thought the village could have such resources.
The silky brown ladies disappeared by then, and now the band who was playing the music came marching into the streets. They positioned themselves in a corner, and the silk ladies emerged once more to take people by the hands, inviting them to dance. Soon the village's centre was filled with happy people, twirling around at the rhythm of the drums and violins.
The group didn't join in, of course. Phoebe understood Carson's discomfort at the situation, so once she thought they had seen enough, she took the children in her arms and lead them back home. That was until they were surprised by another bang of drums. This time it came followed by a drum roll, and everyone in the streets moved to the sides to let Carson's father go through. Again.
Ruby stayed close to Carson. She was ready to help him if anything was making him feel too bad.
"EVERYONE!" Cried someone. "MAKE SPACE, FOR THE CHIEF OF OUR VILLAGE!"
"The chief?" Asked Ruby excitedly. She was expecting someone of great power, to make an enormous entrance, or something. But what she saw was not what she expected. Carson's father walked to the centre of the village, jumping up to on top of the well, just like the blonde woman did the day before.
"Your father is the chief?"
"Alpha, to be exact." Said Carson, trying to disappear into the shadows.
"That is why you are so ashamed of him." Said Ruby comprehensively.
"Yeah. Surprise, surprise." Carson continued walking backwards very subtly.
"Hey." Ruby took Carson's arm. "You should give him a chance. Can't you see he loves you? Look at what he has done!"
"No." Said Carson quickly, trying to let go.
"Fine." Ruby released his arm and turned to see what the chief was going to say.
"Thank you, everyone." He said. "Now, you may know that my son, Carson, had left the village for quite a while. I am not wrong in saying that we were all quite worried about him. His fate was something not even the trees could tell us. Well, I am very proud to say that he has returned, unharmed." The whole village erupted in cheers. "That is why we're doing this celebration today. To thank the Sun Wolf, the trees, the moon, the wind, the sky— to thank everything for our Carson's safe return." Another round of claps. "My talented dancers will be offering some special treats and plates today, infused with meat to keep you all running. Feel free to come to my house from 8 pm onwards, for a portion of another special meal we have for you today. The idea is that today we eat our dinner together in the streets, as the big family we are. Thank you." The chief jumped down the well, followed by a deafening round of applause. The ladies in silk began giving out the treats right away.
Claire's tummy was growling. "If you excuse us," said Phoebe, "I'll take Claire to eat something. You can wait here. I'll be back." She stared at Val meaning that he had to take care of the group. He nodded.

Ruby looked at Carson, who had a serious expression.
"What is it?" Asked Ruby.
"This... him... everything. It looks as if he cares but all he wants is for me to like him again. Then once I'm his friend he'll dump me like he did just some months ago."
"He will not. He's your dad." Said Ruby.
"But he's also the chief. There are great responsibilities much more important than family for him."
"Not true." Said Ruby. "He loves you."
"He doesn't!"
"Yes. He does. Just try giving him a chance."
"No!" Said Carson. "No. Sorry. I can't. Why can't you understand that?"
"Because I know what it's like having a family and unlike you I do appreciate their love."
"Who said I don't appreciate them?"
"Yourself! Your actions! Every time your dad does something you push him away."
"Well, I have my reasons."
"And so do you have other reasons to love him back."
"Why are you doing this?" Asked Carson. His face was a mix of anger, sadness and confusion. This made Ruby lower her tone.
"Because I haven't seen my family in weeks. And I miss them, and seeing you treat your family like that makes me feel sick. Because you have the opportunity to see them, and you don't use it." Carson blinked. He was just realising what was going on. Ruby was definitely feeling awful after that conversation. "Now, if you excuse me, I'm going back to Val's home since I didn't get to finish my breakfast." Ruby said before turning around and stomping away.
"Ruby! Wait!" Cried Carson. Ruby turned her head. "I'm sorry." He said. She shook her head and went back home.