29 THE DESPISED UNCLE II

Melvina watched her son murmur a greeting at his Uncle, and sighed. It seems her young lad hadn't forgiven his paternal uncle for what he had done during the last pack war.

Well she could understand why her son was finding it difficult to forgive the cunning man; she was still trying to get past his act of betrayal and cowardice even. She didn't understand why her husband was so determined to involve his brother in the recent meetings. Wasn't the last act of cowardice enough proof to him that the bulky man in front of them was up to no good at all? She wondered.

"Eva get to your room; the adults have something to talk about." She said to her five year old daughter, who has found her brother's arms a more comfortable place to stay.

"But Mom, I'm an adult already." The little girl with deep black long hair said, pouting her lips.

"And why do you say so.?" Arnold asked, finding it funny that his five year old niece was already claiming to be an adult. He wondered if she knew what she was wishing for. At a time, when he had been twelve, he had wished to remain a child, wanting to escape the responsibilities that came with adulthood. But then if wishes were horses, beggars will ride. He had grown faster than he wanted, but had never regretted it. Adulthood still had its perks, as much as it came with responsibilities.

"Because Derek said so.." She replied, snuggling further into her big brother's embrace. She had always looked up to him since she knew what was 'go' and 'come'. Her big brother was her role model.

"Oh..I see.." Arnold said, amused already as he stared as his nephew who looked at him like he had grown two heads. He knew that he wasn't his nephew's favorite person since the last pack war; but then who cares. He had to do what was necessary to survive; no matter whose ass was gored.

"Seems we will be going to the sitting room then." Peter said, knowing that Eva wouldn't budge much. He would have to leave her to his mate. He was emotionally weak when it came to his last seed; he rarely scolded her even. She was the fruit of his later years; he hadn't been expecting another after his son. The pack doctor had said it was impossible; well they had said the same for Derek too. But the moon goddess had shone her beautiful countenance on them, and for that he was very grateful.

"Eva, stay with Mom. Okay?" He continued, stepping closer to her, and ruffling her hair gently; the way she liked it.

"But Dad.." she was still saying, when he cut her off.

"Don't you want to learn how to cook like mom again? You remember that it is one of the ways to become an adult right.?" He asked, in a bid to cajole her to stay back in the kitchen; letting Derek go.

"Yes.." The little girl muttered, then turned to Derek and tapped him on the chest; signifying that he should drop her to the ground.

Derek complied, and squatted; letting her down from his arms gently

"I will come by later." He said, as he gazed at his little sister lovingly. If she were older, they might have been mistaken as twins. They really looked alike, with the deep blue eyes, straight nose and deep black long hair.

"Okay!" She screamed happily, overjoyed at her brother's statement, as she went off to her mother's side, tugging her by the helm of her long blue gown.

"Let's head in then." Peter said, a smile on his face as he took a last glimpse of his daughter before exiting the kitchen.

Arnold followed suit.

"Aren't you going to join them?" Melvina asked her son who still stood at the same position staring at the entrance where the two males just went through.

"I am." Derek said, walking towards the door. But just before he went through the entrance, he turned back quickly, trotted to the kitchen counter and picked a pancake.

"Derek.." Melvina called. "You know…"

"Thanks mom." Derek cut in, before putting the pancake in his mouth.

"Mmhmm.." He moaned, as the delicious taste of his mother's pancake hit his taste buds. His mother's pancakes were the best he had ever eaten yet.

Melvina smiled and shook her head at the expression on her son's face; her words swallowed back up. She didn't think it was necessary again to let him know that the pancake he had just taken was amongst the one she had counted to give his uncle. He might take more of it, deeming his Uncle unfit for eating their pancakes.

Arnold had always liked her pancakes. He had even told his mate at that time, before the pack war that drifted them apart, to learn her own methods of making the pancake. Ju had been a good student then. She thought. She wondered how she was faring. They hadn't seen or spoken since the last pack war, seven years ago.

"Get going now, before your father links you up in anger." She said, pushing Derek whose eyes were match-made to the pancakes on the counter, towards the door.

"Okay Mom. Okay." He said. "Keep a lot for me." He continued, referring to the pancakes, as he stepped out of the kitchen.

"Sure, I will." Melvina replied, knowing that he would hear her, before turning away from the entrance to check on her pancakes.

"Eva!!" She screamed. "What are you doing?" She shouted, rushing towards her little daughter who was trying to put her hand into the pan, perhaps to scoop out a pancake. She had also battered herself with flour while trying to make her own batter, whilst her mother discussed with her brother.

"Mom.." Eva whined, as Melvina carried her down from the stool she had climbed on to do her 'cooking'. "I'm cooking. I'm an adult now." She fussed.