Chapter XLV

Emilia can't stop crying from the emotion of having her mother back, for her part Secundina doesn't stop holding her in her arms, Elián's daughters welcome her, the Greek seeing that the girl can't be controlled with her commanding voice orders her to be quiet, which she does instantly, Briseida takes Secundina to the common room where the Christmas tree was, the Mexican delights the pupils with a beautiful tree that goes from its base to the ceiling, in the room there were several children playing among them the two youngest of Darío since the older ones decided to go with their mother. The six take a seat, since the siblings start to chat about the last count after the massacres, Elián concentrates all his attention on what his brother tells him, a few minutes Ciro sent for his wife, Jano, his wife, goes with the girls where he finally meets the Mexican, while the three lock themselves in with stone and mud.

• They don't even let me arrive and they already lock me up.
• You're not the only one, Ciro. He locked me up too," says the eldest.
• A couple of crybabies—he sits at the desk, Elián in his chair, Ciro in the armchair—our pack lost just over a quarter of its members, roughly sixty-five thousand.
• “There were so many of them!” Elián exclaims.
• "What did the Russians say?" Ciro asks.

• Nothing yet, they're very secretive," says Darío, looking at his cell phone. "North America was hit harder than the rest of the continent."
• "Yes, I don't know how they helped us cross Russia," says a thoughtful Elian. "William hasn't contacted me."
• Because it was in the Russians' interest to help us. Especially if you died along the way," the younger one says.
• After all, there are still those who want to take your “crown” away from you – says Ciro as he pours himself a drink.

Elián sees his brothers.

• What if we hold a tournament and the winner gets the spot?

So, do we three remain as the great council and above them?

• Please, Elián, that's not giving up the crown.
• Ciro is right, if the Russians win, the other packs won't stay still. – Ciro gives the win to Darío.
• Starting with the Germans, says Ciro.
• They want power. From the beginning, when there were just a few of us, a meeting was held, an agreement was made, we fought for leadership, and we've maintained it for centuries," Elián says.
• That's true, says Dario.
• Don't forget that I left the path clear for you, I lost, and what happened?
• We lost our way. – the youngest speaks again.
• They themselves saw that being the highest authority is not easy and that killing your family is not simple.
• "I don't understand why they're fighting so much," says the one in the middle.
• They want power.
• It's not our fault that we are my grandfather's grandchildren, that we are the grandchildren of the first werewolf.

Elian's passion

• It isn't. If only they knew the truth, that our grandfather and even our father wanted to kill us.
• Besides, I gave them independence, I did not subject them to my will.

The clans were formed by them as they decided.

• I know, I was there – says Ciro.
• When you howl, growl, everyone submits to your commands. That's the courage you give the Russians.
• Let's leave that for the beginning of the year; these dates are for the children, all our energies are for them.
• Okay, the kids – says Darío – and the wedding?
• That's right! I suppose the wedding will take place here at the villa.
• Of course! It must be because of its size; the garden is perfect for the ceremony. —Ciro and Darío in private conversation, ignoring the eldest.
• Aha yes, right there the dance and all the grace.
• How exciting! We have to go to Paris to get the dress. My Secu must look as beautiful as a princess—she sighs—she'll look beautiful dressed in white.
• And Elián's suit must be one that enhances his masculinity.

—I agree. —Dario, you show Ciro some pictures of invitations— we should choose a simple but elegant one, just like my Secu.

• Who are we going to invite?

—Obviously the Buitimeas, William, Virginia, Val, Nayeli, mmm…mmm… I must invite Daedalus where he finds out about the event and the fact that he wasn't invited will eat me alive.

• That's true, so the ceremony will be at night, without the moon of course.
• "I know who to order the cake from!" Elián watches them from his seat, stands up, approaches them, and grabs each of them by the ear.

• Have you ever wondered what she and I want? — Ouch! They both say — first things first, let me enjoy my relationship, okay?

Both of them get out of the grip.

• I was already excited – says Darío while massaging the ear.
• I'm really glad he has a new partner – Cyrus sees Elora's painting – you should take down the paintings.
• She doesn't want it out of respect for the boys, she just asked for our bedroom to be new.

Tell her the truth that your bedroom is new, take her to the first section of the house— says Ciro.

• That's right, that's where you lived with her, tell her the town is only nineteen hundred and forty-three years old.
• Just after Vesuvius exploded.
• I still remember that explosion. – Elián stares at the painting of his wife – Do you think she'll forgive me for getting married again?

—They both go with their brother. The three remain silent. —I think so. —Ciro finally says.

• I think the same.
• "Thank you, brothers," he grabs his neck, "Ciro, if you allow me, I must speak to the doctor." He leaves the two of them.
• “I’m listening to you,” the minor says seriously.
• Two nights ago I had intimacy with her, that's not the problem, everything was fine, normal except for the end.
• Did something out of the ordinary happen to you? Problems with your… — he points to his crotch.
• No, not everything is working well. I don't know if it was the knocks because I didn't notice their zeal.
• I don't understand.
• Both times the knot formed. But I didn't feel anything.