"So what do you think?" Alek asks as he and Cal walk around the outside of house to enter into the vestibule.
"I think you were being reckless ... but you did well."
"Thanks, but I meant him, not me." Alek stops taking off his boots to put his hands on his hips. "Not got a lot of confidence in me, have you?"
"I have every confidence in you." Cal sighs. "It's him I don't trust."
"Well that answers my question." Alek returns to his task and slips his feet out of the boots. "If I can train you, I can train him."
"Yeah I guess you're right." Cal grumbles but Alek forces a smile out of him by lightly jabbing his side.
"Plus, he might be just what this house needs. He could be a good butler."
"You've seen his house, I doubt that."
"Well, maybe he's better with his mind then. He could be more business savvy. I could do with an accountant." Alek reels off, turning and walking into the hall.
Cal sighs again and puts away all the outdoor clothes before looking across at the kitchen door when he hears a clatter. He checks the time, not expecting to find the chef in there at this hour so he walks in. Sure enough, he's there, picking up some dropped plastic tubs.
"What are you up to?" He asks from the doorway.
"Cal!" Shouts the chef and drops the pile again to rush over and slam into a bear hug. "Welcome back."
"Hey Hess," Cal hums as he cuddle the shorter and fatter frame. "Missed you."
"Soo ... how'd it go?" Hess asks pulling away but keeping his hands on the other's sides.
"I'll admit, there was a shaky start, but overall, it went well. He's in the basement."
"No doubt trying to sleep away his erection." Hess titters.
"Yeah he was teased pretty good I hear."
"Is the master ok too?" Cal nods firmly. "That's good. So, what's he called?"
"Ember."
"Huh, unusual name."
"Probably because of his eye colour. They're like amber."
"Oooh. Orange huh?" Hess pulls away and rummages around in his cupboards.
"And they reflect the light of the sconces so prettily." Cal adds dreamily.
"Found yourself a new boyfriend have you?" Hess teases pulling out some tiny bottles. "So how long do you think he'll take?"
"Honestly I'm not sure. But I doubt it will be long. The master seems weirdly confident about him."
"What makes you say that?" Hess pulls out a little jar and puts it to the side. "Ah! Knew I had some."
"He's already talking about things he hopes Ember can do."
"That's not that strange, you know how excited he gets when there's a new one. Remember how he was with Voigt?"
"We had a bit of a better understanding with him. And he adapted pretty quickly because of guilt."
"So do you think he's wrong?"
"I don't think his judgement is misplaced or anything, I trust him."
"But?" Hess drawls expectantly.
"I dunno, I just don't want him to get his hopes up."
"The master is a good trainer, and with all of us here, he'll fit right in. Plus what's the worst that could happen, he stays down there for a few extra days?"
"Yeah, you're right." Cal nods.
"Can't believe I'm having to be the optimistic one here." Hess laughs.
"Heh, I just -"
"I know I know, you don't like to see the master disappointed and you're worried. But he won't let him out until he's certain, you know that."
Cal nods again, feeling more confident now than he was.
"Now, after a week in the wilds, how desperate are you for a little stress relief?" Hess leans on the table seductively.
"Desperate is the word." Cal growls, advancing on the chef.
YOU ARE READING
Collar the Wild
Manusia SerigalaCollar the Wild follows the story of a werewolf who gets administered into an institution against his will after he'd been identified as a threat to humans. He must prove that he can integrate safely with humans and discovers more about himself in t...
