Page 89 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“I’m on it.” Ollie scrambled out of the chair and hurried for the door.

“Close that behind you. Grandpa has an important phone call to make.”

Ollie grabbed the handle and pulled the door closed quietly like Grandpa liked. He told Ollie there was no need to slam a door unless you had a point to make. And besides, what had that door ever done to him? Sometimes Grandpa said the weirdest stuff.

He hurried downstairs and found Papa sitting at the kitchen table while Ben worked on his reading. Ben had to do a little extra work since he was the oldest, but he didn’t care. Ben liked to do schoolwork. Ollie only liked it sometimes when it was fun. He didn’t like writing his letters over and over even though Papa said it was important.

“Papa!”

Papa looked up from his tablet and smiled. “Did you have fun with Grandpa?”

“Yep! I rested my eyes for a minute. I didn’t need a nap.”

“Understood. You ready for a snack?”

“Can’t, Papa. Have a mission from Grandpa. Family meeting. Stat.”

“Stat?”

“It means right now, Papa.”

Papa smiled. “Grandpa said stat, though?”

“Uh huh. He said he had important news. And I have to get everybody, even Pop-Pop and Grammy to come.”

“Must be important news, then. Want to walk over to the clinic with me and get Daddy?”

Ollie nodded. “Can I say hi to the kittens?”

“We’ll have to see. Ben, finish your reading, okay?”

“Okay,” Ben mumbled. He didn’t look up from his book. He really liked books a lot.

Papa patted Ben’s hair before moving over to Ollie and holding out his hand. Ollie grabbed it and skipped his way toward the door. He liked going to the clinic where Daddy worked. There was always something new to see, even though he had to be on his best behavior because when other people came to see Daddy at the clinic, it meant they didn’t feel good.

Ollie didn’t even care that he had to be quiet because he got to meet a lot of new animals and people and they were mostly nice. Papa said sometimes sick animals and people got cranky. It happened.

Daddy and Pop-pop were behind the big desk when they opened the door, so Ollie ran toward them. Daddy scooped him up and sniffed his neck. Ollie sniffed back, and then settled against his chest for a second. He liked that his daddy was the alpha. He wasn’t going to let some big man get in his house and tell him otherwise. No way. They would make holes and do wards and be quiet.

This Santa guy sure had weird weaknesses, but they had lots of clues and a really good plan for stopping him. Ollie supposed that was why it was a challenge for alpha kids because they had to be the best at making plans.

“Ollie, you going to tell Daddy and Pop-Pop your mission?”

“Oh! We need to have a family meeting. Stat. Grandpa William said.”

Daddy looked at Papa, who did the shrugging thing with his shoulders.

“I don’t know. I’m just accompanying the messenger.”

“Well, I suppose we can take a break for a bit. It’s a quiet day.”

“Grammy, too!”

“I’ll call her,” Pop-Pop said.

“Can I see the kittens?” Ollie asked.

“They’re with their mommy right now but you can look at them.”