Pup

Come What May

Two Years Later...

"I win again, boys." I said, gathering my chips.

The boys groaned in frustration.

"You never told me you were this good at Poker, Ali." Justin said.

"Better believe it, babe." I said.

What happened to this gang, you ask? Well, long story short, the Jackrats soon joined the Night Howlers as Subordinates, Justin and I are Betas now, and Hiro is the new Alpha. Winston stepped down and went off to God knows where. Thanks to the boys, I was able to buy my old house, and now it's under the property of the Night Howlers. When I get older and I start a family of my own, that's exactly where I'll be stayin'.

"Rematch! You must be cheatin'!" Alan said.

"Or maybe y'all are just that bad." I said.

"We'll see about that, Pup." Dimitri said.

We got along with Alan and Dimitri really well. They already feel like brothers. We all forgot about what we used to be in the past, and we're focusing on what we are now. We're family now. Takin' life one step at a time.

"Come on, Pup! Give us a damn chance!" Alan whined.

"It wouldn't be as fun of I did." I said.

I almost forgot to mention. I'm engaged to the best boy in the world. In a few years, y'all are gonna call me Alita Rodriguez. Since Justin couldn't ask my father for my hand, he had to ask my brothers and Winston. Y'all can probably guess the outcome of what happened.

The boys and I just laughed and continued playing. Then, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" I cried, getting up.

I ran up the door and opened it. A big, happy smile appeared on my face.

"WINSTON!" I cried.

I gave the former gang leader a giant hug. His trench coat and hands were ice cold, but I didn't care.

"It's been a while, Alita. How's everythin' goin'?" Winston asked, walking inside.

"Great! You've been away for so long, I was close to cryin' myself to sleep." I said.

We both laughed. When we walked into the dining room, the boys stopped talking and moving.

"Hey fellas." Winston said.

The boys all got up and hugged Winston half to death. I laughed at the sight. Then, we heard footsteps approaching. We all turned around and saw Hiro. Winston walked over to Hiro and stared at him. An awkward silence filled the room. Then, Hiro spoke up.

"Welcome back... Father..." Hiro said.

"Good to be back, my boy." Winston said.

Hiro walked up to his father and hugged him.

Guess I forgot to tell y'all. Before Winston left, he revealed that he was Hiro's father. We were surprised when we heard the news, but now that he told us, he and Hiro do kinda look alike. Now I get why Winston made him the next Alpha... Between me and y'all, Hiro said after his time of bein' Alpha, I'm next in line.

"What are ya doin' here, Winston?" Bailey asked.

"What? I can't visit my family?" Winston asked with a smile.

We all smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Well, you're just in time. Hope you boys are hungry, 'cause I was just about to make my mother's famous peach cobbler." I said.

"Peach cobbler? That's one of my favorite desserts!" Dimitri said, eyes sparkling.

"Need any help makin' it, babe?" Justin asked.

I nodded and walked into the kitchen with Justin close behind. After an hour of cooking, the peach cobbler was complete. I placed it down on the table and smiled at my work.

"Well, don't just sit there starin' and droolin' at it, boys. Dig in!" I said.

The boys didn't need to be told twice. They took their pieces and chowed down.

"How are you so good at cookin', Pup?" Dimitri asked.

I just smiled and shrugged.

"Well, one thing we can all agree on is that Alita, soon to be Rodriguez, is a stupendous and spectacular chef." Justin said.

I smiled and leaned into his chest. I raised my head and kissed my fiancé on his soft lips. Justin didn't move an inch. When our lips retracted, we heard all the other boys say,

"Aww..."

I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

"We certainly are an odd bunch, huh?" Dante asked.

"More odd than the Brady Bunch?" Trevor asked.

"Definitely more odd than the Brady Bunch." I said.

We may be an odd gang, but we're family, no matter how ya look at it. Life throws us some crazy curve balls, but it's the good kinda curve balls. I wouldn't trade this family for anythin'... I'm safe... I'm loved... I'm home...