Everybody turned to stare at him. A few of the parents didnotlook pleased that Mistral had now repeatedly swore in front of their young children. They stood protectively in front of them.
I didn't want my new family to feel unsafe. Mistral was my kin, and my problem to deal with.
I strode over to him. Leveret wasn't content to leave me alone, so he joined me as a silent protector. I appreciated that about him. Just because he wasn't a big, hulking caveman didn't mean he wasn't an alpha. He truly embodied what being an alpha entailed—protecting his loved ones while respecting their autonomy while always there for support. Even with my magic restored, Leveret was the one that made me feel safe.
It was with him by my side that I felt comfortable confronting Mistral. I looked down at my defeated brother.
"That's enough," I said. "I'm aware you didn't get what you wanted, but don't be a sore loser about it."
Mistral scowled. "It... it doesn't make any sense! After being nothing but a thorn in their sides, youkidnappedthat alpha. They should despise you, yet they don't. Why do these mortals still accept you with open arms?"
A sense of pity came over me as I realized Mistral was lonely—and if he never learned to accept mortals and treat them as equals, he wouldalwaysbe alone.
"Because I don't look down on them," I explained. "I accept them, and in turn, they accept me."
"It can't be that simple," Mistral muttered through his teeth.
"It is."
I kneeled to face him. His feathers were limp and there were bags under his weary eyes. His big intimidating display required too much magic, and it hadn't even accomplished anything. He looked the same way I felt when the other spirits drained my magic eons ago. But I suspected his emptiness was due to more than just using up his energy.
"Give them a chance," I said softly. "You never know. You might find spending time with mortals more fulfilling than you thought."
Mistral grimaced. No longer able to meet my gaze, he looked away. "I'm not like you. I can't see them as anything else."
"Will you at least try?" I asked.
"Maybe. No promises."
"Suit yourself."
I shrugged and stood up. If he was unwilling to change, there was nothing I could do.
I was about to walk away when I noticed five tiny bodies curiously approaching Mistral. The kids had escaped from their parents. I tensed, ready to herd them away from Mistral. I knew he wouldn't harm a child, mortal or not, but I didn't want him to scare them if he lashed out verbally.
But before I could intervene, Leveret grasped my wrist. When I met his gaze in confusion, he nodded calmly towards them.
Surrounding Mistral was a black-and-white wolf pup, a fox with shadow wings, a bear cub, a beaver kit, and finally, a tiny mouse. The five children sat in a semi-circle around Mistral like it was show-and-tell, andhewas the thing on display.
"Hi," Azure greeted confidently. "Why are you a harpy like my Uncle Cloud?"
"Like daddy," Jace said.
"Nuh uh," Celeste argued. "He's not like Uncle Cloud. He's blue."
Autumn giggled like she'd said something incredibly silly. "He's notblue!His hair and feathers are blue."
"Same thing," Celeste insisted.
"You're pretty," Annabelle said sweetly. She reached towards Mistral's wing with her dexterous beaver paw. "Can I touch your feathers?"
When I caught Leveret's gaze from the corner of my eye, he was smiling.
Mistral on the other hand blinked up at me in utter confusion. "What's going on? What are they doing?"
"Being kids," I replied.
"Do they always act like this?" he asked with uncertainty.