He hears the alarm clock ringing, breaking through his consciousness. He opens his eyes groaning tiredly, trying to find the source of the unbelievably annoying noise. That was the moment for regrets, regrets about buying this thing on a sale and although it does its job, right now he wants to smash it with a hammer. He knows he has to get up though, breakfast isn’t going to make itself and the boys are going to wake up in a while. Kai sits up in his bed, looking around with sleepy eyes and hair looking like he was struck by a lightening. The pack responsibilities are getting more and more demanding these days. He had to roam around the east corner of their woods, being on a patrol and he got home around 4 in the morning. It’s going to be a tough day.

                He crawled to the edge of the mattress and silenced the clock. The picture on his nightstand drew his attention for a second. “Everything would be a lot easier with you around” he thought when the memories of his mate started flooding him. It’s been a year since he’s on his own, taking care of his twins. The pack is there around to help him at times, but it’s moments like this that he can’t seem to bring himself to smile and think good about the future. But he still has the two little devils to always remind him it’s worth a try.

                On the floor of the living room are piles of toys lying randomly in places you wouldn’t think they could get to just by two boys playing. He’ll have to clean that up in a minute or he’ll kill himself, painfully, knowing his habit of walking on barefoot and that is not the plan for today. With how tired he is, he tries to think of an easy to prepare breakfast, looking around the kitchen, and decides on the cornflakes with milk. Yep, it’s quick, easy and the twins love it. He grabs the dishes that are still miraculously clean for the boys and himself and just when he’s about to put them on the table, there is a loud noise of small feet stomping quickly. He feels something squeezing his legs and he doesn’t even have to look to know that his two pups are going to try to climb up on him again. He wonders who they got their inexhaustible energy first thing in the morning from. Not from him, that’s for sure. Sleep is one of the best things in the world and he wouldn’t lose his precious energy on activities like that. Even as a kid.

 He grabs his pajama’s band quickly. Last time it happened, he was deprived of his pants within minutes, not even fully knowing what was going on, while the four year olds had a really great time laughing at his dad’s confused expression. Not making that mistake again.

                A minute later a ripping sound could be heard, so he glances down with a pained expression. Yep, these pants are ruined. He needs to find some more time to start teaching the boys how to control the change. Those little claws digging into his thighs are not very pleasant sensation. But there is something really calming and soothing in this sight. His full lips stretch into a wide smile and in seconds there is hardly any grumpiness left in his expression. He takes one of the pups in a big hug and tickles him as they both laugh. The boy that still clings to Kai’s leg starts getting a little jealous of his brother and begins to whine a little, dangerously getting close to crying, so Kai leans down to ruffle his hair.

                Now, a four year old is not supposed to have a lot of strength, but it’s wolfs we’re talking about. As a result of the twins’ cooperation, our daddy lands confused on the floor, being attacked my two jumping monsters.

                Kai laughs, allowing them to play their game, pretending to be defeated. He thinks that that is what it’s all about. He needs them so much right now, more than they’ll ever need him. These bright moments, these normal mornings are what gives him strength. But it seems that supposedly trivial and boring reality is meant to make complicated lives a little bit happier.