Chapter 104 - Simon

I threw on a shirt and left to go do her bidding. At least there was something. There was a light at the end of the tunnel that was otherwise dark. I was able to help in some way. In her world, I wouldn’t be able to help that much, but I would do what I could. And this time I was able to show her she wasn’t alone. She really wasn’t alone with me and Remus by her side.

I made it to the kitchen. I was mentally preparing myself for the chaos that would be before me when I entered. Stella was obsessed with her kitchen. She didn’t like others in there messing with her things. Now there was going to be other support staff in the kitchen driving her nuts.

I pushed through the door. The chaos that I was expecting wasn’t there. It wasn’t a mess. There wasn’t flour spraying everywhere. There were seven total helpers in the kitchen, and they were working as one. As if they have been working together forever. Stella would direct someone, and they would take the direction and go. When one person stopped at an area, another one picked up where they left off.

“Hi Alpha.” A helper said, glancing up from their workstation, announcing my presence.

“Hello.” I continued to watch them work.

“What can I do for you?” Stella pulled herself away from the stove and greeted me with a hug. I was expecting her strung out, stressed, missing clumps of hair. Even messy. But she wasn’t. Her apron was clean, and she seemed calm.

“I was checking in to see if you needed any help.” I chuckled to myself. “Actually, Violet asked me to ask you if you needed help. She’s a little occupied and didn’t want to leave you hanging if you needed help.”

“Everything is running smoothly now. Everything has been prepared, and now the extra staff has been working since before dawn. We are going to be on time for this banquet.” Stella smiled up at me, proud of her work and the work of her staff.

“There is nothing that you need help on. You know Violet will ask.”

“You can tell her everything is running as perfectly as it should be. She shouldn’t worry. The hall looks beautiful, and the place settings are perfect. Everything is going to be great. Tell her not to worry and I appreciate the offer.”

“I will.”

“I’m not sure who she would have gotten to cook though, because I wouldn’t trust you with a spoon.” She belted out a laugh and her staff joined.

“I’m not that bad.”

“Of course not, Alpha.” I could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

“Thank you, Stella.” I said turning to go back to our room and she went back to the stove.

At least that was running smoothly. And there were no other chores that Violet said she needed. This was the first time in months that I had that wasn’t scheduled. It was me time. And I’m going to go for a run.

I tore off my shirt and walked to the back of the house. It was still early in the morning, my breath fogged in front of me. It was December, we may get some snow this year. I pulled off my pants and changed. Remus has been cooped up long enough, he shook his fur as if he was wearing a helmet. I was going to let him run the perimeter. The guards would be there, and I can catch up with them.

Remus started off at a gentle jog. Enjoying the freedom that I let him have. He breathed the icy air in, letting it fill his lungs. He felt the pounding of his ginormous paws against the earth. He was happy. He started to pick up the pace, racing to the pack boundary. I could feel him thinking about Violet back in the room and how he was running away from her and not toward.

I thought to him, ‘I’ll let you be with her a bit before changing back.’

He purred with excitement. His beats against the earth were sure and steady. I have neglected him over the last couple months. Other things took over my time and letting Remus out was not a top priority. That was going to change.

Ever since Violet changed my runes, it was like we were one. Before, it was as if he was a separate part only attached to me. We couldn’t talk, we couldn’t understand each other. Now, it was as if we joined together and can communicate with just a feeling. It was amazing. When others would talk about their relationship with their wolf, I never understood it until now.

We approached a guard, sitting next to a tree, asleep. I changed and walked up to him. It was Kyle, he was a younger guard, ‘he had potential’ was what Bruce said. But this didn’t look like potential at all.

I nudged his foot with mine. He stirred but didn’t wake. I nudged him again, harder this time. His eyes slowly opened, and he looked up at me. As soon as he realized who I was he jumped up.

“Sorry, Alpha!” He looked at my left shoulder, avoiding eye contact.

“Why are you sleeping on the job? We need to protect the pack.” I stared at him.

“Sorry, Alpha. I’ve been out here for sixteen hours. I sat down not intending to go to sleep.” He continued to stare at my shoulder.

“You’ve been out here for sixteen hours?”

He nodded.

“Why hasn’t anyone come to relieve you?”

He cleared his throat nervously. “I was about to leave when Bruce asked if there were any volunteers to stay. He let us know that an incident happened, and they wanted to make sure the boarder was protected. So, I volunteered.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“You volunteered to stay longer after your shift?”

“Yes, Alpha. It’s for the pack.” He hung his head and looked down at the ground. “I failed you and the pack by falling asleep.”

“Go get some rest, Kyle. You have done more than your fair share of guard duty. I’ll let Bruce know I relieved you.”

He looked up, not quite making eye contact. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave my post in case you need me.”

“You are no good to us if you can’t stay awake. Go get some rest. Remember there is the Yule Ball tonight you won’t want to miss.”

“I volunteered to guard tonight.”

A young wolf like Kyle should go to the Ball. He could potentially find his mate. “You don’t want to go?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to. There will be other Balls.” He shrugged his shoulders again.

“A young pup like you should go. You might find your mate.” I voiced my thoughts.

“She will be there next year.”

“I like your tenacity. But I’m going to have to insist that you go tonight. You can’t work twenty-four seven. You’ll run yourself into the ground. Even guards get to have fun.”

Kyle looked into my eyes. “Thank you, Alpha. If you need me though, I would be more than happy to help.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Where is Bruce?”

“He’s about a mile and a half that way.” He pointed toward the direction I was heading.

“Thanks.” I shifted back and made my way to the next post.

Bruce was hidden by a cluster of bushes. He stood in the shadows looking along the border. He spotted me. “Alpha.”

I shifted back to human form. “Bruce. How is it out here?”

“Quiet. Since this morning, we haven’t had another sighting.”