To say that the last month had been somewhat chaotic would have been an understatement. For starters, Blaine and Toya had to comfort their daughter when she came back home with both her twins and some of her belongings and learn that her husband had left his stead, and hadn’t uttered a single word in warning beforehand. It had been sometime before she realized that he wasn't returning and they were left to pick up the pieces. Torn was by no means his most favorite person, but he had promised Keira that he loved her and would take care of her, which was the only redeeming factor that kept him at bay. He had put trust into the boy and refused his own personal beliefs aside for her happiness, though if he had learned to the extent of their relationship, that would have certainly angered him even more so. 

When he first learned of what happened to Torn and her, he flew into a bit of rage in the other room, careful to make sure that his daughter or grandchildren weren’t around to hear what he said or did to his office. By the time his wife came in, the place was a mess and he was still overly stressed with a drink in his hands to settle his nerves.

Time passed on and his anger shifted to sadness in knowing that his little girl lost her love and that her children had no father in their lives. It did little to make humans more appealing in his eyes but he spared such thoughts from his mind as he focused more in helping her raise the children. Both parents did and though he was sure that he wasn’t the sort to continue raising children, he loved both Kite and Tempest very much as if they were his own. He was there especially when they had begun to shift, helping and guiding them through the pain as he had their mother, Ynnarah, Aurora and Jayden before them. In the end, he succeeded with them as well but now he had to worry about two little furballs running amok at home, especially as Tempest was starting to reflect her grandmother, much to his dismay.

Today, he was watching the two troublemakers and when the home seemed silent, he knew something was brewing. A large golden wolf was looking around the downstairs area where he last saw them, sniffing for their scent on the ground. Their mother had been off somewhere and he was left in guarding the inmates, though they had a knack for slipping away when they put their heads to it. Slowly he moved, looking for any sight of movement, for any sound of giggles and whispers. There was no need to call them out, he’d find them sooner or later, though he preferred sooner to avoid making a mother wolf upset or his wife pulling him by the ear while nagging.

Tempest was overly smart like her mother was. Kite followed his sister like she was a born leader. Of course, this was so they could take down the giant wolf in their domain! They would conquer the mighty wolf that had stormed their castle. Tempest had found a route up into the rafters of the main living quarters and was peering down at the giant gold wolf. She motioned for Kite to follow her.

They were nimble much like their mother as they silently moved. She knew that the mighty wolf that had stormed their castle could hear their slightest movement. Tempest gave her brother a sign that it was time to make their move. From the rafters, they jumped down with mighty barbarian screams as they landed on the back of their wolf nemesis!

However, their captor expected this devious plot and he playfully flung them. Suddenly the twins were laughing as they got up on his back. “Come on Papa do a lap around the room.” Tempest was gently kicking his sides as she held onto his fur. Kite was not far behind his sister doing the same thing.

“Come on Papa!” his voice echoed his sisters as they both laughed. 

After a little bit, Tempest got shy and leaned down. “Papa… I broke a vase. Are you mad?”

The twins certainly didn’t get they risk taking qualities from their mother, that was for sure. He could smell them, but he couldn’t see them yet. But he surely heard heard his grandchildren’s screams from above and he only had enough time to look up before they landed on top of his back. The wolf tried to shake them off, but they hung on carefully, gripping on his fur to keep steady while they enjoyed the play.

Tempest wanted to ride around the room and soon with her kicks followed by Kite’s, he obliged and trotted about the living room. At least he was sure that they wouldn’t get into trouble and he would be there to keep a closer eye on them rather than leaving them alone to their own devices.

Blaine took much needed care to avoid collision with anything in their path. When needed, he went a bit faster, but not enough to be considered a full run. No, he’d imagine their mother having a heart attack and he wouldn’t hear the end of it afterwards. The wolf started to slow down and he looked to the girl and shook his head before he came to a complete stop and laid onto the ground. The children would know that it would mean he was changing back, which he did. Sitting on the ground leisurely, he patted the two on their heads before turning to Tempest and handing her a small smile.

“No sweetheart, after dealing with your mother, aunts and uncle when they were little, a vase breaking is a small matter. Well, as long as it wasn’t your Grandma’s. You both know how scary she can get.”

The twins loved their grandfather so very much. He was, after all, the only father figure they had since their own had left. They didn’t understand why their father was gone but they knew they were very much loved by their mother and grandparents. Even their aunts and uncle helped out greatly with them. They knew what love was and that was all Keira could ask for. It was a pack’s job to take care of their most vulnerable and that’s what the Wintercrests did.

Tempest and Kite snuggled into their grandfather after he shifted. Blaine’s smile filled Tempest’s heart with a fire she wouldn’t soon forget as they talked about the vase. “No, I don’t think it was Grandma’s… She doesn’t like frilly girly things.” Tempest made a disgusted face as they talked about it. Kite giggled a bit at his sister and snuggled himself into Blaine’s chest for the warmth the lycanthrope gave off.

As not to miss a beat Tempest got really sad for a moment and looked up at her grandfather with his own blue eyes. “Papa? Why did Da leave us?” It wasn’t a question most children their age would ask but they weren’t normal children. “Is Mama going to be okay with Da gone? She gets really sad when she talks about him?”

Kite perked up just a bit with the same set of sadness. “Is Da dead?” His words were just as big and heavy as his sister’s. “Mama says that he wouldn’t leave us unless he had to… and if he went on an adventure that he would have been back by now. Does that mean that he’s gone forever?” The twins got really bad for a moment. “Mama tells us about him but it makes us sad to see her sad… Papa, will she feel better soon? Can’t she have Grandma kiss her booboo so she doesn’t cry anymore?” Kite’s blue eyes looked up at his grandfather as Tempest nodded.

“Yeah, can’t Grandma make her booboos go away about Da? We don’t like it when she cries.”

The trouble with his grandchildren were that they were cute and cunning. His own children at their age had been cute and cunning and he was starting to notice a theme with that. But still, he loved them all, whether they were blood related or not. He accepted her children and grandchildren and played father and grandfather to them, sparing no better treatment than what he gave the others. It sadden him a bit that they would likely never see their father, and any unresolved feelings for his former son-in-law never came into crossfire with them. Whatever Keira told them about Torn was her right and he accepted whatever she went with. He knew it was not easy for her and he hurt that she was hurting even if she was quiet about it. A father, a good one, could tell. Yet there wasn't really anything he could say or do that would ease it off of her.

"Well now, they don't call her the Dragon lady for nothing." He held them tightly but careful enough not to hurt them. They were still little children, and he didn't want to overdue it even with their heritages. His smile faded for a moment when Tempest asked about their father. Kite followed suit and he could see they were sad about it. He could feel his eyes moistening with tears that he refused to let drop. No, he had to remain strong for the family. He hadn't shred a tear about the situation because he and Toya took the reigns as soon as they were informed of everything. Sometimes he felt as though she was stronger and better at handling these things than he was. Likely because of her own experiences.

They were still so young and he was unsure as to how to answer it. From the sounds of it, he guessed that they withdrew asking such questions to their mother because they knew what it could do to her. Blaine was screwed. He didn't want to be the one that had to tell them anything about their father and whatever trip or mission he had left from. But the facts where that his realm was no more, that his divinity was no more and while it could be possible that he was still alive, there were still some problems. Mainly, why he hadn't came back after all this time? The lycan couldn't bear leaving his family for long, but then again he had wolven blood inside him. He got onto one knee and tilted the children's chins up gently with his fingers. He did his best to let out as big of a grin. "Your Da is out there somewhere, but he's also inside you two. You were his pride and joy and together with your mother, loved you unconditionally. Just as Grandma and I do." So far he wasn't lying to them; as far as he heard, the boy was at least a competent father. "He was a brave man, sometimes shot his mouth off, but he was as brave a man as any you'd ever see. Who else could go on those dragons with Grandma?"

"We are unsure when he'll get back, but don't fret. Everything's going to be okay. Mama just need time to herself about it. It's a booboo that even your Grandma and Papa can't help fully. But…you two have a special power that can help her." He pointed to Kite's heart, "Bravery." Then he pointed to Tempest's heart, " And Love. You two have them that no one else can carry to help your Mama. When you see her in tears, you can help her with hugs and kisses. Do not be afraid for you both are the strongest children around. I know and believe in you two rugrats."