It was obvious that only the incredibly wealthy Azzurians could ever afford to visit Silly-Water Valley because of its location which was basically in the middle of nowhere and because of the different kinds of private jets which were parked in place’s parking-lot-equivalent. I must have had a questioning look on my face because Kristin sidled up to me and confirmed what I already thought; the place was one of the most exclusive places in Azzuire, hence the neutrality. Apparently it was owned by the water-monster shifters, which were apparently the most peaceful creatures despite their power and general greatness in stature. Despite the fact that I had already been assured, even by Malarkee whom I had grown to trust, that the location was safe, I was still wary because it was an unknown place that I couldn’t scout out, we had no weapons, there were a lot of strangers, and well…..water. I knew that I’d go through with it despite my reservations because of the hopeful looks in the kids’ faces and the fact that for the first time in a while, Atlas wasn’t looking worried and tense, which meant that Leukas wasn’t too. I could tell that Atlas’ anxiety and unease got to him as well. So I shouldered on and we went through the massive gates of Silly-Water Valley.

“Cheer up, Aleks, you look like you’re going to an execution room.” Kristin teased as we emerged from the dressing room and headed towards were we said we’d meet the males in our group. Kristin, like me, was wearing a bikini top and shorts on top of the panties while Elena was wearing a one-piece swimming costume. Her eyes were darting all over the place and I could actually feel her vibrating with the need to break free to explore the rides and to socialize with the different kinds of kids which were spread all over the area, some of them shifted into their animal counterparts. She and Adrian were already aware of the existence of shifters and had been on various pack runs, but their exposure ended at the lycanthropic creatures. All around us there were little dragons splashing in water, little seals, little tigers and many different kinds of shifters. I could understand why she was enthusiastic, but still.

“I know. Just…so much water.” I complained, making Kristin laugh as Max drooled on her shoulders.

“So I’m guessing you won’t be going in?” she asked suddenly.

“No way. I can do pools of the normal size variety, but these seas….no way.” I exclaimed with a shudder.

“Well can you look after Max for a while? I really want to get in the water with Atlas. It’s been a while since we spent time together. This alpha business….” She sighed.

“You don’t have to convince me. Of course I will. I’d love to spend some time with this little man.” I said stretching my hands toward her even as the guys arrived. I almost swallowed my tongue when I caught sight of Leukas, all bare-chested, tatted up, ripped muscles with a belly ring. Damn, I had never noticed that particular piecing and I was a good thing I’d practically over-dosed on scent-blockers because one look at that, plus his skin which was smooth all over, his untamed hair, his gold chain and those long, muscular legs which made him so damned tall and handsome as hell, and I was ready to cum all over the place like some pervert. I was only too glad to snatch up Max from Kristin who then dragged her overly eager husband off to some ride which left me, Leukas and the kids to explore the place together. Surprisingly, I had a nice time going through the different booths and playing some of the games which did not involve going into the water, winning different prizes and watching the twins excitedly go onto different rides and slides while I tried not to feel terrified that they would drown and die. Max, who alternated between my arms and Leukas’ arms, looked quite happy to observe all the water activity and made his appreciation known by drooling all over us. After a while we got some refreshments; ice-cream for everyone else and a smoothie for me, and went out to rest at the small resting area we had reserved for the day. After a suitable waiting period, we let the twins go off on their own with a promise to check in while we lay and chilled on the beach chairs under the cabana. Even though I had been a bit reluctant, it was turning out to be a good day; sipping fancy drinks while talking with Leukas who had a small baby lying on his bare chest while we occasionally looked at our kids and their grown-ass uncle playing on a nearby pool slide. It was definitely the best birthday I’d ever had.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“You know, this used to be Atlas’ favorite place in the whole world when we were young. I can’t count how many times Lanthe held a visit to this place over his head when she wanted him on his best behavior for whatever reason. I didn’t think he was still so into this place.” Leukas said, a faraway smile on his face as he looked at his twin, who was splashing and roaring at bunch of squealing kids with water while he his wife giggled, slung across shoulder. And he was right; Atlas did look super into the place. And his smile was so big. It was rare for Leukas to volunteer information about anything really and I turned to him, watching the relaxed smile on his face as he ran his hands down his sleeping nephew while he watched the scene at the large pool slide. I couldn’t help but latch onto that smile of his as I turned my body to him, inwardly begging for more scraps of his trust and anything really.

“What about you? Didn’t you like this place?” I asked.

“Not really. I always preferred the history and science museum at the next town over. So we alternated between that.”

“So what I’m hearing here, is that even back then you were a nerd.” I teased.

“Watch it!” he mock-glared at me, making me laugh. “Besides, I’m too hot to qualify as a nerd.”

“Oh is that so?” I chuckled. “I have a mild fear of water, that’s why I don’t like the water park. What’s your excuse?”

“Too much squealing, and joy and everything in general.”

“Hmm. I stand by what I said. Nerd.” I teased and we chuckled. After a moment of silence, I decided to ask. “Where you and Atlas close as kids?” I asked, hoping to hell he wouldn’t shut down on me. for a while he was silent but then he answered.

“We were. Extremely close. Even though we had very little in common and different friends and interest, we always found a way to hang out. When our rooms were separated when we were ten, Atlas threw such a big tantrum that Lanthe decided to stand by her decision just to teach him a lesson, but he snuck into my room so much that Lanthe just gave up on telling him off and put us in the same room again and we never separated until…. Anyway, most people think Atlas was the one who was overtly attached to me, but looking back I’m pretty sure I’m the one who needed him more than he needed me. He was just always more open with his affection.”

Leukas’ voice was so wistful and fond I couldn’t help but ask even though I knew it would be a mistake to. “What happened? Why did you leave then?” I asked and immediately regretted it when his expressions shut down, leaving his face a blank mask.

His voice was cold but somewhat thick when he responded. “What happened is I was stupid and was manipulated into reincarnating the woman who is causing so much trouble for everyone, and in return she killed my wolf and turned it into an abomination that I can barely contain, and my parents had to work very hard to cover up my mistakes so that no one knew that it is because of me all those people die. It’s because of me that all these things are happening right now. So I decided that I wasn’t strong enough to stay at home and act like I was who they thought I was. So I left.”