A Glimpse of the Future

*Noel*

Whew, what a week. After our meeting with the High Council, Kyle had doubled up our defenses. Security had been strict so as to not let any unknown wolves enter our borders, especially at our family estate and pack houses. Our pack members clearly don't remember seeing alphas in our estate, which was good in keeping the identities of the council in secret.

I laid my back in my office chair and rested for a while when familiar scents crossed my nose. I stood up and my door then swung open.

"Mr. Noel!" A cheerful Chloe rushed towards me and then jumped at me for a bear hug. "We brought you lunch!".

"Really…? Is it delicious?".

"Of course! Chloe helped in preparing the meal.". I properly held her up in my arms and chuckled at her when Clay approached us.

"Chloe, what're you doing? Don't bother Mr. Noel.".

"No, I did not!".

"Did to… Get down here. Now.".

"No! I want to hug Mr. Noel more.".

These two kids went on arguing. It amused me to see them like this, I remember arguing with Phoebe just like this back when we were just pups.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Noel." Jenny also came in, "The children insisted on going here to share with you their packed lunches. I hope you don't mind.". My lips just curbed up on their own upon seeing her. I let Chloe down and watched them arrange the meal at my spare table.

"Not at all, I'm happy to see you here." She smiled at me and then resumed arranging. "Um, packed lunches…?". I asked curiously.

"Oh, you don't remember…? It's Saturday and you told me before that I could take Clay and Chloe to work…?". Oh, that condition.

"I remember, but the packed lunches…?".

"Oh, um…" She got a little shy, "Well, I figured that if Chloe and Clay would be with me all day, we wouldn't be able to have lunch outside so I prepared lunches for us.".

I grinned at her and asked, "You made lunch for me…?". So, this is how it feels when someone cooks for you, especially if that someone is special. You can't help but smile and feel so warm.

She obviously felt embarrassed, the tips of her ears were pinkish. I want to bite them and even more so when she tucked stray strands of her hair behind those pinkish ears. "I – I did… Hope you like Chicken Enchiladas.".

"I'll eat everything you will cook for me.". Oh, her red face is just adorable. She then nervously had me a lunch box with a fork. I opened the box and one can see that this meal was made with an effort. Mother made us lunches before though not this sumptuous but the feeling is the same; it's made full of love.

"I also got you some beverages but I'm not really sure which one you preferred so I kind of, got a lot." She then presented me with four kinds of refreshments; a can of soda, a bottle of fruit-infused water, a bottled fruit juice and a tall can of iced coffee. I held in my amusement; my mate is giving me the butterflies.

"So…?" She inquired innocently as I took the iced coffee. "I'll take this then." We smiled at each other for a few seconds when Chloe made a retching noise.

"Bleh, it's bitter!" We turned and saw Chloe drinking from a can of iced coffee while Clay had laughed at his sister's antic. Jenny quickly went to her and dabbed her mouth and stained shirt with a napkin. "Chloe, what are you doing? That's iced coffee.".

"She was trying to be like Mr. Noel." Clay answered giggling to which Jenny scolded him, "Stop laughing at your sister, Clay! Hand me that mango juice.".

"I'm sorry Milady." He tried to amend his fault but still giggling. He handed Jenny a bottle of fruit juice.

"I just wanted to know if it's tasty…" Chloe whined more as she was on the verge of crying.

"Shh, don't cry, it's okay. Iced coffee is not for kids, alright…? Here, drink your fruit juice and that bitterness will go away." Jenny helped Chloe drink the juice and was relieved to see her smiling again, "All better…?". Chloe then nodded cheerfully.

"Okay, now who wants dessert?".

"Me! Me!". "Me too!". Both of them were very much excited about it while Jenny searched inside their lunch boxes.

This scene brings me comfort. Jenny seemed to be a very good guardian and is comfortable with kids. If ever a random person were to come here, we might as well be mistaken as a family; a married couple with their children. Wait…

I then cringed at my own thoughts. Am I really imagining what my married life would be…? With Jenny as my wife and us having pups of our own…? Argh!

I covered my face with my right hand. I can feel my face heating up. I can't believe I'm thinking about that right now!

"Noel, are you okay?" Jenny worriedly asked me. I looked at her. Imaging her being my wife is too much for me. I then answered her with my eyes closed for a moment, "I'm fine, nothing to worry about…".

"Okay, if you say so… I made some cream puffs for dessert; do you want one?".

"I think I have enough 'sweets' for today.". My answer seemed to confuse her as she tilted her head a bit. But I wasn't dodging the sweet dessert offer, she herself was more than enough sweetness that a longing wolf like myself can ever hope for.

"AH! Milady! Big brother bit on my cream puff!" Chloe then exclaimed from the side.

"I had to! The filling was dripping!".

"But it was mine!".

"Oh, come on you two. Stop fighting, there's more than enough cream puffs for everyone.". Jenny mediates the quarrel.

Watching Jenny accommodate the children had assured me of something, that our future is bright. A caring woman like her would be a great mother. I am relieved that if I ever have pups with her, they're in good and capable hands. The Moon Goddess had truly given me a wonderful mate.