Animalia: The Green Forest, Book 2

Chapter 7

WHAT? Jaxon recoiled with shock. Samson looked surprised too, but there was also something else. He had a guess about it. But that guess is confirmed now. He doesn't want to believe it.
"How do you know?" Samson looked uncomfortable as he questioned Alex. "You were with me when Luca took off after her. How do you know for sure that he actually did it?"
Alex looked down at her shoes. Ferris moved closer to his daughter and wrapped his tail around her reassuringly. "I didn't know Luca's mother had come back." He murmured. "Alex, can you tell us what happened?"
Alex stared at her father with teary eyes. "Luca's mom, um, Vixy? Vixy came back because she wanted to apologize for what she did to him when he was a kit." She paused for a moment to take a deep breath. "Luca didn't forgive his mother. He made me and Samson go back home. Luca didn't come back for a long time."
He sent you and Samson away. Why? So you two couldn't see him kill his own mom? Jaxon felt like he was going to be sick.
Alex continued. "Some day after that happened, I went out." Her ears flattened. "I was going to see Jaxon, but I was out too early. I decided to explore that abandoned house."
"You went into the abandoned house?" Ferris looked like he wanted to rebuke his daughter. "It's abandoned for a reason, Alex."
"I know," Alex huddled against her father. "I'm so sorry, Dad. I wish I didn't go in there. What Luca did there was so awful. I wish I could forget it." Her words were choked. Tears slid down her face and she desperately wiped them away with the sleeve of her sweater.
Jaxon felt his heart break as he stared at his girlfriend. I hate seeing Alex cry! I hate Luca for making her cry! I wish I could do something to him! But I can't! I'm only a weak human, and he's a powerful animal!
"As soon as I walked into one of the rooms, I had a gut feeling that I had to leave right away. But I didn't." Alex closed her eyes. "I went deeper into the room. I smelled Luca's scent there. And his mom's too. It reeked of fear. There was a bloody stain in the carpet. What he said today proves what I was afraid of. Luca murdered his own mother." Alex let out a sigh. "The thing was. . . I couldn't find her body. Luca must have hidden it somewhere."
He hid her body, but he didn't clean up the blood stain? Jaxon couldn't understand. That's so weird. Luca is weird.
"Since when did Luca become this twisted?" Ferris looked down at his daughter. "Alex, I knew you two weren't friends anymore, but you didn't tell me he had become this bad."
"I'm sorry, Dad." Alex whimpered. "I should have told you."
"It's okay, Alex." Ferris gave his daughter a reassuring hug. "I'm glad you spoke up right now." He then turned his attention to Jaxon and Samson. "Kiddos, I'm glad that you both have been looking out for Alex. I hope you both continue to be such wonderful gentlemen."
Alex's dad praised me again today! Jaxon beamed. "Of course! I'll always look out for your daughter, sir. I have to, she's my-" he stopped and covered his mouth.
"She's your what?" Ferris looked curious now. He stared at Jaxon, then back at Alex. "Oh, I see." He let out a purr. "That's amazing. How long have you both been together?"
He approves! Alex's dad approves of our relationship! "S-since yesterday, sir!" His voice sounded high-pitched.
"I thought I told you to stop calling me that!" Ferris chuckled. "Just call me by my real name, kiddo. Get used to it!"
"Okay." Jaxon nodded.
Ferris nudged Alex. "That's a good choice you've made there," he said softly. "Jaxon is a kind young man. I know he will be a fine mate to you. And I know he'll be a great son-in-law to me!" He winked at Jaxon.
Son-in-law! Jaxon held his breath. I barely started dating Alex! I at least want to finish high school first before marrying her. . . The thought excited him. Who would move in with who? Would she be taking my last name? Will we have kids? The last thought left Jaxon feeling breathless.
Jaxon suddenly felt aware of some strange, intense feeling. He turned to see Samson watching him. The fennec fox's red eyes were narrowed. His ears were flattened. The tip of his tail was twitching. Samson looks a little jealous. . . ?
Samson looked away before Jaxon could be sure. He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his hoodie and stared down at the floor.
Ferris noticed this. "Speaking of mates," he trotted over to Samson and patted his thin shoulder. "Isn't it about time you got a mate of your own?"
Samson craned his neck to look down at Ferris. He was silent for a few moments. "I guess," He finally replied after a while.
Jaxon noticed that Rose was staring at Samson with a hopeful look in her eyes. Oh no. He thought uncomfortably. Don't tell me my sister has a crush on him. He's weird and edgy! What could she possibly see in him?
"Alrighty then," Ferris backed away from Samson. "Well, I'll be going now. You kids be good now, okay? And stay safe too!" He waved his tail in farewell and took off.
Alex, Jaxon, Samson, and Rose stood alone now. Jaxon felt restless.
"Jaxon?" Alex asked quietly. She hugged his arm. "Are you okay? You look bothered. Is it because of Luca?"
I am bothered. But it's more than just Luca. Jaxon glanced at Samson. The fennec fox was whispering to Rose. There was usually a neutral look in Samson's red eyes whenever he spoke to Rose. But Samson was looking uncomfortable now.
"I'm fine." Jaxon gently stroked Alex's cat ears. He couldn't help but cringe as his fingers brushed the jagged, uneven tip of her shredded ear. Am I hurting her whenever I touch her there? She never reacts badly, but I still can't help but worry.
Alex blinked up at Jaxon with gentle orange eyes. She doesn't look like she's in any pain. "That's good." She purred.
Jaxon pulled away from Alex. "I'll be back," he told her. "Don't worry, I won't take long." He added when she looked sad.
Jaxon gave Alex a quick head pat before walking away from her. He walked over to Samson and stopped in front of him. "Samson." Jaxon called. "I want to talk to you."
The fennec fox turned to him with narrowed red eyes. "About?" Samson asked.
Jaxon glanced at Rose. "Stuff."
Samson's tail bristled. Jaxon ignored it and started to walk away from the girls to find a private place to talk. He felt relieved when he heard Samson trailing behind him.
Samson pushed past Jaxon and took the lead. "I'm not a lost puppy following their owner." He muttered with an irritated flick of his ears.
Who hurt him? Jaxon thought as he followed the fennec fox.
Samson stopped after a while and turned to Jaxon. "Well, what do you want?" Both his voice and gaze were cold.
Jaxon sighed. Almost every time I talk to Samson, he always seems irritated with me for some reason. But thank goodness he doesn't lash out at me the way that Luca does. He shook the thought away. "Is there anything going on between you and my sister?" He asked.
Samson visibly relaxed. "Is that all you wanted to talk about?" He asked quietly. He didn't wait for a reply. "What made you ask that?"
Jaxon shrugged. "I don't know. It seemed like you two were kinda beefing the other day. And um, I do catch one of you staring at the other every once in a while."
Samson avoided his gaze. "There's nothing going on between Rose and I," he started. "We're especially not fighting or anything, so don't worry about us. Are we done now?"
"That's good," Jaxon was relieved. "And yeah, I think we're done."
"Good," Samson turned away and was heading back to where they had left the girls.
Jaxon fell into step right beside Samson. The fennec fox didn't glance at him, only continued to walk on in silence.
I seriously wonder what Rose sees in Samson. Jaxon thought as he studied his friend. Samson's ears and tail were twitching. He's usually cold and distant. How would he even act as a boyfriend? Would he still be edgy? Or would he be kind? Jaxon then remembered the time he had seen Samson cradling Alex, whispering soothing words to her as she slept. I've seen his soft side before. Maybe he really would be a good boyfriend to Rose, if they ever got together.
"How long are you gonna keep staring at me like that?" Samson's voice broke into his thoughts. There was an annoyed look on his face.
"Sorry," Jaxon instantly looked away. Despite Samson's harshness towards him, he still felt a bit of optimism. Maybe he would treat Rose right. He thought. I believe he'd be good for her.