Chapter 182: Free hotdogs
Due to the kids playing together, the family moved together from that point on. Josh, who rarely talked, wanted Olivia to see the places he found fun and the places she had yet to visit on that children’s land.
It was great that Olivia had a friend to play with but... Why did it have to be a child of that Alpha? And a boy at that!
Michael couldn’t help but sigh every now and then.
"It’s already getting late," Noah said, taking a look at the sky that was gradually growing dark. "Let’s make one last stop and then head back to our lodging."
"Then Daddy, let’s go watch the play."
Olivia tugged at Michael’s sleeve, her big eyes glowing with excitement. Josh, holding tightly to her other hand, nodded silently, as though he agreed with every fiber of his being.
The suggestion wasn’t a bad one. The evening plays in the park were popular, filled with music, dancers, and costumes so bright they could hold a child’s attention for hours. Noah glanced at Michael, and despite the tightness in his chest, he gave in.
"Alright," Noah said. "One play. But then we’re leaving."
Steven smirked knowingly. "Good choice. The kids will love it."
The group made their way through the bustling paths of Disneyland and into a ’tent’ where the evening play was being displayed.
The play was of Cinderella and her three little mice.
As they walked into the tent after buying their tickets, they found seats together, rows arranged close enough for the parents to keep a careful watch on the two children sitting in front of them.
Olivia and Josh leaned toward each other, whispering and giggling as the crowd around them buzzed with anticipation, waiting for the actors to get on the stage.
Noah folded his arms, eyes glued to his daughter. Why did they have to stick so closely together? He wondered.
Michael did the same, though his gaze frequently flickered to the crowd, seeing how other kids happily played in front of their parents.
The memory of Steven’s earlier words about marriage and fate still burned at the back of his mind, but for now, he might have to let it go; if not, he wouldn’t be able to focus on the play.
And if Olivia asked later, he might not be able to come up with an excuse as to why he didn’t know that little detail. Ugh.
"Relax," Steven said casually from the other side. "I won’t secretly steal your daughter to go get them wed." he laughed.
But Michael simply gave him a blank glance. As if they would let that happen.
Before the show began, a man in a giant Mickey Mouse costume moved down their row, pushing a cart of steaming hot dogs. His high-pitched voice rang out cheerily but something about his voice sounded... Fake.
Michael felt that way, but thought maybe it was his paranoia acting up again.
He can’t just suspect everyone who approaches them.
"Hot dogs! Hot dogs! Free for kids tonight! One for every child who came to watch the play! And if you, the parents, need, you’ll have to pay a little something, hehe." He sounded alright.
The children in the row accepted the hot dogs in delight, happy for the free snack.
Olivia’s eyes sparkled. Josh, normally reserved, perked up too. He wanted a hot dog if Olivia wanted one.
"I want one, Papa," Olivia said.
"Well, it’s fine, I guess," Michael said. Since it was given to everyone, he didn’t believe they could poison it.
"Yay," Olivia said and turned to Josh. "You want one too, right?" She asked, and he nodded, raising his gaze to take permission from his Daddy, who nodded. "Alright, we’ll have two please." She cheerfully said.
When Mickey handed one to Olivia and Josh, Steven narrowed his eyes, a little suspicious, and asked,
"But since when does Disneyland give out free food?"
The mascot chuckled, still in character, and said,
"It’s part of the ticket package tonight. A treat for the little ones!"
Steven pressed further, his Alpha and parental instincts acting up.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sir!" the Mickey replied, keeping up his cheerful voice as he handed out the rest of the hot dogs to nearby children.
Some of the parents wanted to as well, so they paid and ate with their kids.
Olivia bit into hers without hesitation, while Josh took his time, glancing at his father her, and how she ate.
"If you’re not going to eat it, I’ll have it." Olivia teased but he shook his head and hurriedly took a bite. It was delicious, said his lit-up expression.
Soon, all the lights went off and the play began. The stage lit up with dazzling colors. Performers in flowing costumes danced and sang, reenacting Cinderella in a child-friendly theme, and the children cheered.
Everything seemed perfectly ordinary.
But then...
Noah noticed Olivia rubbing her eyes.
"Liv, what’s the matter?" He asked in a whisper so as not to disturb others who were watching the play.
"Daddy," she mumbled, her voice softer than usual.
Michael leaned forward quickly.
"Sweetheart?"
Beside her, Josh swayed slightly, his hot dog that had been eaten halfway, slipping from his tiny fingers to the ground.
His eyelids fluttered as though they had turned to stone and were too heavy for him so he fell on Olivia’s shoulder and began to sleep.
Seeing this, Michael and Noah thought Josh was just acting out again to steal their daughter. They did not realize something was wrong until...
"Papa..." she whimpered. "I feel sleepy."
Michael’s blood immediately ran cold for some reason.
"What?"
That didn’t sound right. Even if Olivia was one to sleep anywhere and anytime, she didn’t seem exhausted and she was sitting next to the boy she apparently had a crush on.
No way would she suddenly feel sleepy and want to leave it all.
He watched and noticed the other children yawning as well. Some were already asleep. Like Josh, for example.
"Is the play that boring?" He asked and Noah dropped his head on him, leaning on him.
"I wonder. I also feel sleepy." He said but Michael pushed his face away. He should just admit he wants to use his lap as a pillow for no reason.
"Not in front of kids, Noah," Michael said and Noah laughed. "Well, it’s almost over so once it’s done, you can sleep. Alright, dear?" He said, and Olivia nodded.
But her eyelids were getting heavier. The kids in front of her were already sleeping as well. And some parents were also asleep.
It was weird. Strange, rather.
Suddenly, a ball rolled into the midst of the children’s seats.
"What’s that?" Olivia said, with her sleepy eyes, pointing at the ball.
But by the time Noah and the rest looked towards the ball, smoke gushed out of it. From several other balls as well, engulfing the entire place with smoke to hinder their vision.
"What’s going on?" Michael asked but Noah knew his priority.
"Get Olivia." He yelled, but the smoke thickened fast, and the screams got louder.
"Where’s my child?!" Someone yelled, not able to find their child who was sitting right next to them.
"Olivia," Michael called, coughing as the smoke had a strong effect on them but Olivia did not respond. It looked like she had fallen asleep.
Oh no. What was going on?
Through the haze, they could barely make out dark silhouettes darting from one place to another, taking the kids away.
The werewolves were able to faintly see their movement but not for long. The smoke wasn’t the same at night. So, even with night-time vision, they weren’t able to see who these people were.
First things first, they needed to keep their kids safe.
In the place where they remembered Olivia sitting, they picked up a child, thinking it was her. And Steven did the same as well.
But as the smoke cleared out due to the fire alarm raging and water raining down on the place, they discovered they had caught the wrong child.
How?
Through their keen smell, they wouldn’t be able to mistake their child but it happened. They missed the chance to secure their children and had someone else’s child in their arms.
"No!" Steven cried out, realizing his son was nowhere around. His voice echoed in chaos, and he shoved through the tent, bent on getting his child and giving chase.
Due to the smoke, he couldn’t even rely on his senses anymore but that was it. He would follow the smoke and catch up to them.
As Steven charged out to give chase, two men remained behind, standing like walls to block pursuit. Roland and Alyssa quickly rushed forward at these two from behind.
Alyssa’s sharp movements helped her disarm one and sweep his feet off the ground with a right leg sweep, while Roland’s precise aim pinned the other one’s shirt to the wall. Then, he walked up to him and slammed the other against the ground until both were restrained.
"Go!" Roland said, calmly to Steven, holding the struggling man to the wall. "We’ll handle them!"
