Chapter 209 - 200: Invitation to the Cairin Festival

A couple of weeks later.

Both Erick and Amber were watching a movie at the Keene's living room that Saturday night while Remi was reading a book, on a chair next to them.

Seeing how it has been a while since Amber's parents had gone on a date, they decided to go that night. At first, they weren't sure whether they could leave Amber and Remi alone at home but Amber reassured them that they got Erick to accompany them. With Erick around, they would definitely be safe from any danger that may come to harm them. Knowing that Erick was a shifter and also a strong one, Amber trusts him.

Going back to her parents, she knew that her parents had been longing for some date time, since her father has always been busy with the military duties and whatnot. Most of the time, it was either her father was busy with his duties or her mother was busy, taking care of Remi. So, since Eren finally got some free time before returning back to the military, they decided to go on a date.

Yet, Eren was concerned about leaving his children alone at home. He had never left them alone at home as it's usually either Eren or Syden was at home. Recently, he had become quite a worrywart, ever since he knew about shifters living in town. Again, it was not that he disliked all shifters. Just became more wary.

When Amber's parents finally left for their date, Erick had just arrived a couple of minutes later. He brought with him 'some' snacks, which he carried in two huge shopping bags in his hands. Both siblings watched in awe as Erick unpacked his snacks in front of them in the kitchen. There were more than five potato ch.i.p.s bags, three huge bottles of soda drinks, two big containers of salsa dips, four bags of nacho ch.i.p.s, three containers of cheese and Jalapeño dips, three bags of peanut butter caramel popcorns and more.

"Did you just rob a convenience store?" Remi asked, flabbergasted as he looked at all the snacks Erick had brought. He had never seen so many snacks in one place before, other than in the supermarket.

Erick furrowed his brows in confusion. "It isn't enough?" he asked, tilting his head as he looked at Remi.

Remi shook his head furiously. "It's enough, big brother!" he said quickly, his eyes widened.

Erick nodded, satisfied that he made his little brother happy. He and Amber started to arrange and sort out the snacks in the kitchen, after telling Remi to go to the living room.

When they were done and headed towards the living room, Remi was sitting on an armchair, reading a book with the television switched on.

Asking him whether he was watching the television, Amber was about to grab the remote control to increase the volume when Remi shook his head. He then said that he only left it switched on because he liked to hear some noises. To him, it felt like he wasn't alone.

Amber ruffled her little brother's head, feeling a bit sad and guilty. She knew how lonely he must have felt back then when she was busy at school and wasn't around to accompany him. But now that he was finally cured and her parents had signed him up for the school year, she hoped things would go great for him soon.

They were in the middle of watching a new movie that was currently on air when Hamish sent him a text message. Curious as to why he had sent a text so late at night, he swiped open the text message and read.

He frowned after he was done reading.

Noticing the frown on his face, Amber glanced at him and asked what was wrong.

He placed his phone back in his pocket and let out a sigh. "He's inviting us to the Cairin Oaks. Apparently, there's a festival there that they usually celebrate every three months. And being that it's the first festival Makena will be going to, after so many years of being locked up, they are inviting us to go there," he explained.

Amber's eyes glimmered with excitement. "That sounds fun!" she said happily. Then she tilted her head in confusion when she just noticed Erick's expression. "Wait, what's wrong?" she asked. "You don't want to go?"

Erick was quiet at first and then he slowly shook his head.

"Why?" Amber asked again.

Erick gave her an aggrieved look and said, "Then how am I going to spend my free time with you if we go there?"

Remi, who was sitting nearby with his book, was puzzled as to why he suddenly felt like he was suffocated with sweetness in the air.

A couple of hours later.

Amber and Remi's parents had just returned from their date. Erick was still there when they had just arrived home.

Syden thanked Erick for accompanying her children while Eren just grunted his gratitude. He was still a bit skeptical when it comes to Erick. Especially since he was a shifter and Amber is his mate.

Eren was about to grab a glass of water from the kitchen when he heard Erick calling out his name.

Frowning with suspicion, he stopped in his tracks and turned around to see Erick approaching him.

Thinking that perhaps the two men would like some privacy, Syden shoo-ed her children up to their rooms, despite Amber's protest.

Erick gave his mate a smile as Amber waved goodbye from the top of the stairs before entering her bedroom.

Once everyone went upstairs, leaving Eren and Erick alone in the kitchen, the two sat down at the kitchen table where the former placed two glasses of water in front of them.

Surprised, Erick looked at the glass of water and then at Eren and back again. Question marks kept popping out of Erick's head as he looked confused.

Eren rolled his eyes. "It's just a cup of water. Don't be so dramatic and just drink it," he said sarcastically.

Erick beamed with giddiness. "Thank you, sir."

Eren rolled his eyes again.

The two fell silent once more.

Few seconds later, Erick took a deep breath and said with a serious look on his face, "Sir, may I bring Amber and Remi over to the Cairin Oaks for a visit?"