Chapter 89_ Two Wolves

Before Arya could complete her words, she was stunned when she heard two familiar voices behind her. “Surprise!!" Alex and Selma said simultaneously as they ran out of their hideout and rushed towards her.

“Oh my God! I can't believe you're here! I—” Arya said and turned to Kane, “Kane, that's why you were in such a hurry to end the call.”

Kane grinned at her and said, “I couldn't spoil the surprise.”

Arya hugged Alex and Selma, ruffling them up, beside herself with joy. “Kane flew both of us out here." Alex said, as Kane looked at Arya, then back at Alex with a big smile.

After all the stress and work Arya had put in since she arrived in Italy, seeing Alex and Selma was like pouring fresh-brewed love over her heart. And she mused silently, ‘It feels more like my birthday than Alex's.’

“I can't believe you brought these two here.” Arya said, her face lighting up with pure joy and happiness.

"Family should always be together for important occasions." Kane answered,

“We missed you so much, Arya.” Selma said,

“I missed you two as well." Arya said, and she was back to hugging and kissing them both.

“Alright, alright. Let's bring the greetings down a notch, or these two will be completely distracted during the race.” Kane said,

"I know, but I can't stop hugging them." Arya said, squeezing them both to herself.

“Yeah… but….squeeze a little harder and you’ll have us choked…..to death!” Alex muttered under his breath, while Selma nodded in agreement with him.

“I can't breathe. Too much love.” Selma added.

"Hey, I wasn't squeezing too hard." Arya said with a laugh, while Alex and Selma stuck their tongues out at her.

Kane chuckled at them and said to Arya, “You can always give a squeeze to your old man right here. I heard he kind of deserves it.”

Arya nodded and jumped at Kane, holding him tight. And as he closed his arms around her, Arya felt safe and protected as she mused silently, ‘I can't believe that while I was thinking the worst of him, he was actually doing his utmost to give Alex the best possible birthday and to bring me some more unexpected joy.’

Arya lifted her head to look up at him, and seeing the joy on her face, Kane felt satisfied to see how happy she looked. Arya wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like a soldier who just got back from war.

Kane, who hadn't been expecting her enthusiasm, was quick to pick up the slack as he lifted her up and turned them around from the teens, kissing her like there was some slow, romantic music playing just for her.

After pulling away, Arya murmured, “You are the best."

“I just try to keep up with you." Kane said, putting her back on the ground, while Arya's eyes were sparkling, and she felt a little light-headed with joy. She mused with a contented sigh, ‘Finally things are falling into place. I can't believe how much I missed him in these two days.’

Kane stroked her cheek with his thumb, looking at her like she was the only light in a dark world. “Thank you for being so incredible.” He said, as he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Now, if you will excuse me, My Lady, It's time to give the pre-race pep talk to my two wolves.”

Kane gathered Alex and Selma to inspire them before the race as he said, “Where are my wolves of war?”

“Owooooooo." Alex and Selma started howling together like it was some sort of ritual, and Kane nodded in approval as he continued his speech.

“Today, my heroes, you will have a chance to ride the asphalt of victory, to smell the burnt rubber of glory, and to write your names in Italy’s kart racing history. Others will try to stop you, and some will try to collect, with their feeble hands, what is legitimately yours.” Kane said,

“Not a chance." Selma replied, and Alex nodded.

"Yeah! Not until I have a steering wheel in my hands.” Alex added.

"So, what are you going to do?" Kane asked,

“Drive! Drive! Drive!" Selma cheered, raising her fist in the air.

“And what do good drivers do?" Kane asked again.

“Win! Win! Win!" Alex cheered this time around, while Selma bobbed her head.

“Good. This race is yours!” Kane said to them, as they both whistled, “Yeeeeeeeah! Live in fame or go down in flames.” Selma and Alex literally charged the pits and jumped in their karts, supercharged like Arya had ever seen them before.

Turning to Kane, she said, “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. Alex adores you.”

Kane smiled. "He’s the best kid I’ve ever met. I just try to give him a good time.”

Arya shook her head. "You do more than that. Thank you, Kane." Kane smiled at her and then looked towards the race, where the karts were aligned on the starting line. Alex and Selma looked at each other and nodded, as the race was about to start.

“Ready? Set…. Go!” The referee in charge boomed as he whistled with the trumpet in his mouth. Selma took the lead, followed by Alex, as they drifted around the first two curves, leaving a cloud of burnt rubber for their opponents to breathe.

“Oh my God! Those two are amazing.” Arya exclaimed as she noticed that Alex had improved in the karting race compared to the last time she watched him go against Selma.

“They both have impressive raw talent, especially Selma. But don't tell Alex about that.” Kane said, and Arya giggled at him.

Their eyes moved back to them as they watched how the race was completely dominated by Alex and Selma. On the last curve before the finish line, Selma slowed down to wait for Alex, and they finished together holding hands.