Wolf’s Bane

Meanwhile, deep in the forest…

“What the hell, Jack, you didn’t have to scare me like that!”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Well, I don’t even see why you should be scared…”

“Creeping up on me when we’re in the middle of a wolf alert? I know we fought yesterday over me being late and all but you didn’t have to do that to me, sheesh!”

“Correction, you fought with me, Max. Besides, what the heck are you doing out here in the woods this early? You live in the lumberyard’s campsite and I don’t even know why you’re here. Of course, you can easily tell me it’s none of my business but in the light of all these weird things happening, I think you better come clean with me.”

Max’s eyes narrowed at the nonchalant tone Jack used on him, knowing that the man was actually threatening him underneath all that nice, civil speech of his. The message was, in simple language, “Don’t fuck with me, I know you’re hiding something so ‘fess up!”

The team leader sighed and racked his brains in a rush to try and find an explanation that could get him out of this pickle. Now he’s really regretting not being stealthy on his way back to the lumberyard, as he silently cursed Orlando in his head for being late in replacing him as a lookout.

“Okay, okay… fine… I’m out here because… I actually went to the city yesterday… after we fought… I needed to go there and clear my head… so I drank at this pub… sang a bit of karaoke and met some new folks… and only got home now…”

“Oh, really now…? Which pub were you at last night…?”

“I really don’t… remember now… It was in the seedier part of town… it’s one of those hard-to-find ones… ”

“If there really is such a pub, Max… ”

“I swear to God there is… It’s very real, Jack… but I just forgot where it was…”

“Fine… where did you sleep last night then?”

“H-huh? Last night?”

“Yeah, you just said that you came from the city just now so that meant you didn’t sleep at the camp. So, I repeat, where did you sleep last night?”

“Well, I kinda… met this… girl… Like I saw her from far off and she was sitting alone in one corner of the bar… And we connected… so when she invited me over to her house… I accepted and we… you know, kinda made out…”

“Oh, so you banged her, is that right?”

“Yeah, I did and it was amazing, Jack! Really awesome!”

“And her name?”

“Her name? It’s uhhhh… China… yeah, China…”

“China, like the country?”

“Or was it Gina…?”

“Ok, Max, let’s drop this shit. Now, until the time that you can bring that girl here to our place in the mountains, you’re still on my watch list.” Jack gritted as he started to walk away from his disgruntled worker.

“Oh, come on, Jack! A good-looking newbie from the city comes along and you suddenly think I’m the bad guy after years of being your top employee? You’re either playing favoritism or you’re just being damn unfair!”

Jack came stomping back to Max within a few seconds. “What the hell did you just say?”

“You heard!” Max yelled up to Jack’s face since his boss was taller than he was.

“Listen here, Max, if you just said that to any other boss, and that includes my father, you’ll be out of a job! Also, I’m not the one who changed when Mr. Charmer came along. IT. WAS. YOU! And I hope to God, too, that it’s not because of a woman you’re into and I’m fucking sure her name IS NOT CHINA! Now, if you don’t want me playing more favoritism on your sorry ass, you’re coming with me to work because we need to talk about your friend Orlando before you start the day.”

“O-Orlando…”

“Yes, Orlando, the guy who I almost punched last night because he was acting like a damn stalker hiding at my parents’ house and watching me. He told me you’re recommending him and I want to get that on paper, considering your rep isn’t as sterling as it used to be. Now, are you coming with me or not?”

“Y-yes, Sir. I’m right behind you.”

“No, walk beside me where I can see you. Nothing personal, it’s just business.”

“Sure Jack, I’m not into guys though…” Max mumbled under his breath.

“What did you say?” Jack snapped back at his team leader, not sure of what he heard.

“Nothing Boss, let’s get going.”

+++

Back at Diwana’s house, two ladies were rushing through preparing breakfast, along with the dishes to be sold at the lumberyard. The thing is, they were not in the best of moods at that time.

“Is everything packed? Oh my gosh… I’m going to be late… Oh why did I sleep so late… and now I woke up late… Damn it, everything is late…”

“Sorry Di, I couldn’t take care of all that when you took a bath because I was taking care of breakfast. We already have a renter and we can’t let him go hungry especially since he’s supposed to go to the lumberyard around the same time as you.”

“No, of course not, Erica and you’re being such a lovely girl doing this for him since it’s part of what he’s paying for here in the house. But I can’t join you for breakfast anymore because I need to pack everything and have to be out of the house within half an hour…”

“Diwa, noooo! You need to eat something before you go. We can’t have you fainting in the middle of the forest because of hunger. Besides, I cooked enough for all of us, including you.”

“I’ll just have something that I can eat while walking. It’s ok Erica, I’ll manage. This isn’t the first time it has happened and nothing bad happened to me back then, anyway. I’m sure I can get to the lumberyard without passing out.”

“It has happened before, OK…”

“That’s only once, and it never happened again.”

“Good morning… And what never happened again?”

Both women looked at the entrance of the kitchen/Dining room area upon hearing that familiar charming and very masculine voice. They couldn’t help but smile in unison as they saw Katya in the man’s arms with her favorite stuffed toy and Macky standing proudly by the brawny boarder’s side.

“Good morning too, Eron! Just in time, too. Breakfast is ready, and I need to go now. Please just sit at the table everybody and Erica will take care of everything… See you later, guys…”

“Why aren’t you having breakfast, Miss Diwa?”

Diwana froze in the middle of picking up her basket and cloth bag at the concerned but firm tone that Eron used to ask his question. Meanwhile, all the kids who were already serving themselves stacks of buttered pancakes drizzled with maple syrup also fell silent at the question.

“I-I don’t want to be late since people in the lumberyard would need some food and…”

“But they usually just have coffee, eggs, and bread for breakfast which I know they make themselves. They usually eat the food you sell during coffee breaks and lunch. I’m sure they really don’t need you to be there so early. Besides, I think the kids would really like you to have breakfast with them.”

“Ummm, yeah Di, we do want you to have breakfast with us,” Erica said, agreeing with Eron as she finally took her seat at the round dining table.

“Yeah, mom. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You said that yourself, right?” Macky reminded their surrogate mom as she stood unmoving and looking in disbelief at him.

“And the most important meal of the day should be spent with the most important people. That’s us, right mama?”

Diwa’s shocked look now turned towards the grinning little girl with the stuffed toy on her lap. “Y-yes, Katya. You are the most important people to me but I don’t want to be late…”

“Listen, Di… I mean, Miss Diwa… if you stay and have a leisurely breakfast with me and the kids, I will help you carry your things to the lumberyard since we both will be going there at the same time. I will also offer the same service for you every day and you won’t need to carry your heavy stuff on your own, since I will be going to work there as well. It will be the perfect setup for you and we can all have breakfast together every day as well. What do you say?”

Diwana looked at the comely newcomer for a long while, her face showing one emotion on top of another. Eron wasn’t sure why she was reacting that way but deep inside his heart, he really wanted her to say yes. It would be a hard thing for him to control himself around her in the morning, with her all smelling nice from her shower and looking beautiful in one of her colorful country dresses, but he was only looking out for her well-being.

He certainly didn’t want her skipping meals or walking unprotected through the forest now that he was around.

As Eron looked at Diwana, she didn’t know how to react to what he just said. She was remembering what she heard in her head while she was inside the bathroom and somehow, it didn’t connect to how concerned and caring The Charmer was now. However, she also didn’t want to read too deeply into what he was saying because it could just be that he’s just worried about her. After all, she’s a widow with three children to feed and she was, after all, his landlady.

She would just have to clear her thoughts when he was with her, even if she Did see him as the most handsome and virile man that she had ever met.

“Alright Eron, it’s a deal.”

The whole table erupted in gleeful cheers, and soon everyone was heartily demolishing their soft fluffy pancakes. It certainly was turning out to be a very good morning.

“OK, everyone, we need to go. See you later, children. Don’t forget your chores.”

“Yeah, see you around, guys. Oh, and by the way, if any of you find my towel lying around somewhere, can you bring it back to my room? I kind of dropped it somewhere and I can’t find it…”

It took a while for Diwa to finally face Eron while they were walking in the forest because she was hiding her blushing face from him. Of course, the missing towel was never mentioned during their walk to the lumberyard.