Raising Beast Cubs to Find a Husband-Chapter 62: The Truth Circle

The chase ended near the reading corner.

Vali was fast. Finn was slippery, but a Wolf on the hunt was inevitable.

Vali launched himself off a beanbag chair, tackling Finn to the carpet. He pinned the Fox cub down, his forearm pressed harmlessly but firmly against Finn’s chest.

"Got you," Vali panted, a triumphant grin on his face. "Now take it back. Say you were lying about... about the other stuff."

Finn grinned up at him, completely unbothered by being squashed. "Or what? You gonna lick me to death? Admit it, Wolfie, you just wanted a hug."

"I do not hug enemies!" Vali growled, raising a fist to give him a noogie.

"Time out!"

Jax clapped his hands loudly, walking over to them. He looked down at the pile of tangled limbs.

"Alright, break it up. Vali, you caught the prey. You win the hunt. But Finn is still breathing, so technically he wins survival. It’s a draw."

Vali scowled, releasing Finn and standing up. He brushed off his velvet breeches. "I will deal with you later, Fox."

Finn sat up, fixing his crooked cap. He laughed, dusting off his shoulders. "I’ll be waiting, Wolfie."

Jax leaned against the wall, a mischievous glint in his green eyes. He looked at Finn, and then gave a subtle, conspiratorial wink.

Finn caught it instantly. He winked back.

"Since everyone has so much energy," Jax announced, raising his voice so the whole room could hear. "I think it’s time for a game. A Pack Game."

Arjun looked up from his blocks. "A game? Is it wrestling?"

"No," Jax smirked. "It’s called The Truth Circle. We sit in a circle, and everyone has to say one thing they Like about the Pack, and one thing they Hate."

Jasper pushed up his glasses. "A psychological evaluation exercise? Intriguing. It builds team cohesion through vulnerability."

Vali narrowed his eyes. He looked at Jax, then at Finn. He saw the smirk they shared. "This is a trap," he muttered.

"Scared, Alpha?" Finn whispered.

Vali stiffened. "I am scared of nothing. Sit down."

---

They gathered on the colorful rug. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Luna sat with Clover in her lap. Jax sat next to Finn. Arjun, Jasper, and Silas formed the arc. Vali sat with his arms crossed, looking grumpy, directly opposite the Foxes.

"Ladies first," Jax gestured to the bunny.

Clover bounced in Luna’s lap. She held up her glued Safety Rock.

"Me first! Me first!" Clover chirped. "Okay... I Like... everyone! Especially when Arjun goes ROAR and saves me! And I like Luna’s cookies! And I like that Vali is fuzzy like a warm pillow!"

Vali turned bright red and pulled his collar up to hide his face.

"And I Hate..." Clover frowned, thinking hard. "...I hate when my rock get hurt. And I hate naps. Naps are boring."

"A valid assessment," Jasper nodded. "My turn."

Jasper straightened his posture. "I Like the efficiency of this group. When we coordinate, our success rate is 98%. Also, I appreciate that no one touches my books."

He paused, looking at Arjun.

"I Hate loud noises. Specifically, sonic booms inside the dining hall. And I dislike illogical emotional outbursts." He glanced at Vali.

Arjun was next. He stood up, unable to sit still.

"I Like being strong!" Arjun shouted (quietly). "I like that we beat the bad guys! And I like that Jax is part of the team now because he has cool daggers!"

Jax grinned. "Thanks, kid."

"And I Hate..." Arjun’s face fell. "...Candles. I hate candles. And wax. And breathing exercises. They are the enemy."

Everyone laughed, remembering the stories of the destroyed dojo.

Then, it was Luna’s turn. She looked around the circle at the mismatched group of predators and prey.

"I Like..." Luna’s voice was soft. "I like that you are all safe. I like that even when things get scary, you look out for each other." She squeezed Clover. "And I Hate... seeing you hurt. So please, no more dangerous adventures until Primrose gets back. My heart can’t take it."

"Promise!" Clover agreed.

Next was Silas.

The Panther cub didn’t speak. He reached for his sketchbook and a charcoal stick. He scribbled furiously for a moment, then turned the book around.

It was a drawing.

It showed a large tree. Under the branches sat a Wolf, a Tiger, a Snake, a Bunny, and a Rabbit. And climbing the trunk, looking down protectively, were two Foxes.

Underneath, he had written a single word: Family.

Jax stared at the drawing. He felt a lump form in his throat. He reached out and ruffled Silas’s hair. Silas leaned into the touch, purring softly.

Finally, all eyes turned to Vali.

The Wolf Cub was staring at the floor. He felt exposed. He had already screamed his feelings about Clover earlier. He didn’t want to say anything else.

"Vali?" Finn teased. "Cat got your tongue? Or Wolf got your tongue?"

Vali looked up. He glared at Finn. He glared at Jax. Then he looked at Clover, who was watching him with wide, expectant eyes.

"I have nothing to share," Vali grunted, turning his head away.

"Booo!" Arjun yelled. "That’s against the rules!"

"Come on, Vali," Luna encouraged. "Just one thing."

Vali crossed his arms tighter. "No. I am the Alpha. Alphas do not share feelings. Feelings are for prey."

"I think he’s just shy," Finn whispered loudly to Clover.

"I AM NOT SHY!" Vali snapped.

"Then say it," Jax challenged.

Vali huffed. He looked at the group. He looked at the drawing Silas made.

"Fine," Vali muttered, so quietly they had to lean in to hear. "I... dislike... when the room is empty."

He paused, his ears turning pink again.

"And I... tolerate... all of you."

"He loves us!" Arjun cheered, tackling Vali in a hug.

"Get off me!" Vali roared, though he didn’t push the Tiger away. "I said tolerate! Tolerate is not love! It is a neutral diplomatic stance!"

"Group hug!" Clover yelled, jumping into the pile.

Jasper sighed, checked his watch, and then joined the pile. Silas melted into the shadows and reappeared in the middle of the hug.

Jax and Finn watched from the outside, smiling.

"You gonna join them?" Finn asked.

"Nah," Jax said, leaning back. "Someone has to keep watch."

But then, Luna grabbed Jax’s hand, and Clover grabbed Finn’s arm, and they yanked the two Foxes into the center of the chaotic, happy pile of cubs.

For a moment, in the middle of the laughter and the fur, Jax forgot about the Boss, the threats, and the danger.

He closed his eyes and let himself be part of the Pack.