Wolf’s Bane

And now, back in the present, she had finally decided to leave the home that she had with her mate for the longest time. Yet, after so many previous years of hopping from one place to another, to hide from Hero’s past, and sadly, present, just as her friend promised, she and her family would have a future.

It’s just that she hated being away from him. or at the very least, hated not knowing what would be happening to him.

Especially now, when she knew he would be scarcer since she would be somewhere he’s assured that she and their children will be safe, and he had now decided to pursue his plans.

Plans that she knew nothing about…

And that’s what’s scaring her so much more than being far away from him.

“Sorah, it will be alright. I know it will, ok?”

The Ogre’s mate came back to the present as she heard her friend’s comforting tone and the touch of her hand on her arm. Alicia’s smile was sincere, but her voice was a bit shaky as she replied to Helena with a slow nod.

“I really, really hope, Helena. I guess I’m just really scared for him right now.”

“We know, and he’s just really scared for you right now, too and with good reason. Don’t worry, like I said, everything is gonna be alright.”

The two women looked at each other, one with an encouraging gaze while the other had a decisive expression on her face.

“Alright, let’s get back to packing before the guys are done with the Dishes.”

Just then, two little tykes ran into the room, their arms full of toys and random items of clothes, squealing in glee at the thought of the new adventure that they overheard at the dinner table a while ago. They almost collided with the ladies who immediately hugged them to keep them steady, and also, out of delight due to the two kids’ exuberance.

“Mommy, mommy, I want to help pack too! Can I bring along my wolfie?”

“Godmother, are we really going to stay at your packhouse? Like, for real?”

“Of course, Myrrh, you can definitely bring him. I’m sure he’d be sad if you didn’t bring him along.”

“Yes, Victor, for real. We are all going to live in the packhouse starting today. I hope you will both love it there.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

The excited cheers of the two children instantly lifted the spirits of their mom, along with their godmother’s elation. As they continued their packing, the thrill and warmth between all of them were now fueling them to see this situation as something to look forward to.

Meanwhile, the two men were now removing their aprons and wiping their hands while they grinned at each other, completely pleased with what had just occurred.

“Well, bro, we can at least have a toast while we wait for them to finish,” invited the smiling Left Hand as he eagerly poured wine into two newly dried glasses.

“Yes, here’s to us finally continuing the plan,” replied the Alpha as he raised the half-full wine glass that his friend had offered him. “And finally seeing the governor’s downfall…”

“Cheers to a peaceful and prosperous future for us, our families, and our people with the plan…” continued The Left Hand as he clinked his glass against Virgil’s own. “And also, to the return of your younger brother to the pack…”

“Yes, cheers to that as well.”

+++

Two friends were now in the middle of a phone call, around the middle of the day before taking their lunch. Well, one was planning to have a little overtime before the break because he needed to interview a new and unexpected job candidate. However, these two needed to finish their conversation before they did anything else.

“Hey Jack, just want to call and thank you for letting me have another day off today. Just got into The Cave of Wonders and I got to see the treasures in here, care of Diwana. She’s one heck of a genie and I’m a very happy Aladdin.”

“Hmmm… although I’d think more of her as Jasmine than the Genie, bro. He’s a guy and too blue to be Diwana. Notice how Jasmine has the same large, dark eyes, long dark hair and tanned complexion? Nope, Diwana’s Jasmine if you’re going to be Aladdin.”

“I suddenly remembered Aladdin doesn’t have a beard but Jafar has one…” said the bearded man with a chuckle.

“Oh, I don’t know, I think Max would make a great Jafar and you’d still be Aladdin. Or maybe you want to be Jasmine’s Tiger?”

“I think Rajah fits you better, bro. Not unless you want to be Abu? I don’t know, you’d suck as a thief. You’re too much of a good guy, Jack…”

“Ok, time out… where did this all come from again?” asked the clean-shaven one with a short laugh.

“Me thanking you for letting me have another day off and me telling you about Diwana’s basement.”

“Ok, now speaking of that, I might go check you out, Eron… I mean, you and that motorbike of yours later. And I need to talk to you about something personal…”

“Wait, what? Bro, there you go again. How many times do I have to remind you that I’m straight and you’re not my type?” replied The Charmer with a louder and longer guffaw.

“Yes, Aladdin, I know who your type is, alright? But that’s not what I mean and I’m serious this time about what I’m saying.”

“OH. MY. GOD. Are you serious? What the hell, man! I’m gonna turn you down the moment you kneel in front of me with a ring, I frigging swear.”

“Hehehe, you really are something, Eron. But just for the record, it’s someone else’s request. I’ll tell you all about it when I get over there,” replied the Lumberyard foreman with a smirk.

“Oh-kaaaayyyy… now I’m curious and sure, it’s not like I can say no to my boss.”

“You just told me you would say no to me if I gave you a ring, so yes, I’m glad to accept your no if that is what I will ask you, God forbid!”

“I’ll hold you to that then, haha. See you later, Jack.”

“Alright. Later, bro.”

Both of them ended their mobile calls almost at the same time.

+++

Jack put the phone down and pressed the intercom button on his desk. “Hey Pat, can you let the applicant in? I’m ok to interview him now.”

“Sure thing, Jack. Hey, just wondering if this is Max’s recruit?” asked the female voice on the other line. “I’m seeing them talking beside the coffee machine and the kid looks like he’s being bullied or something. It looks like that time that I saw him bullying the cute new hire.”

“Ugh, I really hope not, Pat, or I’ll really be giving him a pay cut. And about what you told me, thanks a lot for that information. It really helped me to deal with Max a while ago. Don’t ever stop reporting whatever you see that’s off around here, ok? I really appreciate it.”

“And I appreciate it too, boss. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back,” the chunky, salt-and-pepper-haired HR supervisor replied as she sat back on her classy but antiquated office chair. “Your family has always counted on me since the day you were born and I’m not about to fail you guys. That’s a promise.”

“I know Patricia, and we will always be thankful for you. Now, please save that Orlando guy from Max before he has second thoughts and leaves before I even talk to him.”

“Alright, Jack. Consider it done. He’ll be there in a few minutes.”

And, as promised, a timid knock would soon be heard at the boss’s door…

“Come in and close the door behind you,” Jack loudly instructed as he sat on his plush leather boss chair.

A light-haired, medium-built man who was slightly shorter than Jack poked his head through the door and then shyly entered the room, almost one limb at a time. If not for the fact that the lumberyard owner needed to be serious about conducting this interview, he would have laughed aloud due to extreme amusement, especially when he remembered how he met this nervous and hesitant applicant.