Trifecta: Stone [Completed]

Chapter 11: Peaceful Anxiety

Friday brought with it the relief that we might be able to return to our normal lives, even if normal had been completely destroyed for some members of the Trifecta.

Friday was not quite a normal Friday of the curse, however. The day started as usual with Serge and I spending the day at the pack office, but afterwards I had nothing to do. Jodi had cancelled our weekly television binge, because she had been invited for supper at my father's house.

I was not upset. I was glad that Sean had a distraction because there was no way that he was not reeling.

Tabitha did not cancel our plans, but I assumed they were off. Since Bobby was missing, she had other concerns. That left me sitting alone with Serge for the night, which in truth did not displease me.

The two month anniversary of my curse dawned gloomy and rainy. It was fitting. It was easier to drag myself from the covers when the sun was not streaming in, but it was simultaneously more difficult when I could feel the damp in the air.

I got up and went out to the kitchen in my bathrobe. Serge smiled at me and there was a little twinge of something good under the curse. I smiled back and it was not nearly so difficult as it once had been.

"What would you like?" he asked me, since he was just starting the coffee.

I really did not care. "Whatever y-you want," I said.

"Pancakes?"

"Sure," I agreed easily enough. "Do y-you want some help?"

He paused for a long moment. "If you want."

I waited while Serge gathered the ingredients. He measured stuff and dumped it in while I stirred the batter. Then I tried pouring the batter into the pan and I watched it carefully to ensure I did not burn anything.

"I can do that," he offered.

I shook my head and the curse complained loudly. I gritted my teeth. I was doing this and it was a victory.

I cooked the pancakes and the house remained nicely intact, and I did not even come close to burning the house down.

* * *  *  *  *  * * *

We went for our run and it felt like I was free again when I stayed near Serge. I let my tail wag without even trying to control it. What did it matter if I was happily undignified? We met up with a large wolf who I assumed was one of the warriors and he joined us for a while in our run.

When we parted ways we headed back to the house. I showered got ready in my room and Serge went off to his own room. Once dressed, I took my phone and my box of photos out into the living room, hoping that he would be out of his office.

I was disappointed that he was not, but I decided not to bother him. I sat on the couch in my usual spot and tapped my phone screen.

I had a text.

Dad: [I know it's short notice, but would you have time for a visit from me and Alexi this afternoon? - Moramay]

I paused. Matthias would not be coming this Saturday. My stomach felt tight with sadness and guilt. I had no plans. I doubted Serge would mind if I agreed.

The curse tried to crush me for that thought. I put down the phone and tiptoed down the hall to his office. His door was ajar, but he was so intent on what he was doing that he seemed not to have noticed me.

It was hard to knock on the door, but I made my reluctant hand form a fist and my stiff arm move mechanically against the door. It opened a bit further and Serge looked up at me.