ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 16 - Part B

"Anyone for another round?" Luka offers, holding up another plate of fresh sausages and the most delicious pancakes you'll ever taste.

"No more." I groan, rubbing my swollen stomach. It's almost painful, I don't think I can fit a single bite more in without throwing it all back up.

"I'm out." Luther agrees, having eaten far more than me considering he has a wolf, and yet still leaning back in his chair and trying to stretch out his bloated stomach.

I just let out a small laugh, half groaning as I resist the small urge to vomit. Yup, definitely ate too much.

"I should head out, Apollo isn't in the best mood after the storm last night and I want to de-stress him before the flight." I tell them, pushing myself up with a small grunt of effort.

The Elders aren't exactly thrilled knowing I'm leaving, but that's only because they'll miss me even if they'll never admit it. So we say a long goodbye, and I head out of the mansion for the final time, all of my belongings already packed and loaded into the van.

I had one of the moving men drive my car to the jet too, so everything can be boarded. Then it's just me and Apollo, who I hope doesn't freak out completely.

"Hey boy." I smile gently, gently scratching his cheeks as I stroke him.

"Today is a big day for us, I need you to be on your best behaviour." I murmur affectionately, clipping the bridle and leap rope on him before opening up his stall.

All of the saddles and brushes, everything is packed up and on its way to the Elders jet. Everything is good to go.

I take Apollo out to the front of the mansion and begin working him, hoping to ease off some tension. Apollo isn't a fan of thunder, and his stall isn't as enclosed as it probably should be for that kind of weather. Usually it's always dry here, so I assumed a storm wouldn't come out of the blue.

Twenty minutes later I finally lead Apollo onto the trailer, bolting it shut securely before sliding into the back of Stewart's SUV.

*
*
*

"Second floor, end of the hallway." I tell the hired moving company men.

After eleven hours on the flight it was near dark when we landed, so I met the people selling the newly built house and sealed the deal as quickly as I could.

I suppose not having to carry so many boxes through the house and up the steps is a relief.

Right now everything feels...surreal. I'm not entirely certain if this is a good thing or not, but it's too late to back out now.

"The horse isn't exactly calm, I don't want to go in and make him panic." One of the guys say to me after checking in on Apollo.

"I've got it." I sigh, already walking back to the jet and heading up the loading ramp.

I could hear the banging of Apollo's hoofs before he even comes into sight, his heavy snorting and breathing tells me that he's stressed, possibly a little panicked.

Grabbing the lead rope from the side of the metal stall, I quickly open the door and ease my hand against Apollo's chest, shushing him as I clip the lead to his bridle.

"It's ok, settle down." I soothe firmly, scratching his cheeks in some attempt to show him that everything is fine.

Despite his heavy snorts and head bobbing, I lead him off the jet safely. With all the men back and forth from the jet, I head over to the newly built stables. Not only is it well sheltered, but it holds multiple stalls, and a huge tack and feed area. Plus, it's quite beautiful in my opinion.

From the outside it appears to be a large well lit fancy wooden barn, and inside the floor is clean smooth concrete, the stalls are white coated wood with black posts and the metal dips low on each stall, that's black too.

"We're going to love it here, just give it a little time." I murmur to Apollo, leading him inside and into the first stall.

I undo his bridle and place it aside, working around his huge form as I fill his water bucket and place it inside the stall. Along with some food that'll hopefully help him settle down.

Considering how fast this all happened, the one thing I didn't think to bring was bedding for his stall. The rubber matt on the floor doesn't really count in my opinion, but I suppose one night won't kill him.

"Good boy." I smile gently, brushing his long mane as he eats, much calmer than minutes ago. I add a little oil to soften the strands as I brush, taking the time to braid it.

The braids have to be done in small sections, and not overly tight, much like human hair. The oils help to make his mane easier to work with, silky and smooth. Plus, tomorrow when I take the braids out his mane is going to be wavy and beautiful.

By the time I leave the stables, the moving company men are just finishing up and it's past dark. I make sure everything is off the truck before thanking them and heading inside my new house.

Wow...that sounds weird. I have a house.

Gently shutting the door behind me, I lock it simply out of nerves as I glance over the large interior that simply screams emptiness. It feels so big, and clean, and just...like it's waiting.

Naturally I kick my shoes off and decide to properly look around tomorrow, for now I head up to my chosen bedroom and blank the boxes sat waiting. Considering I didn't bring anything except clothes, paperwork, and Apollo, I yank on a jumper and climb into the bath tub for the night.

Why didn't I get someone to put the heaters on for me? I ask myself multiple times through the night, half frozen to death as I curl up in the huge bathtub.