Among The Wolves

Frontlegion

When I walked into the central dining hall, the rush of cool A/C air seemed to bring a cascade of symptoms other than relief from the heat. For a moment, I had forgotten about my aches, pains and clamminess. Now, with a shiver, I remembered it all and discovered a growing symptom. A headache.

In discomfort, I spotted Wey'Don and Lins not far from the door, eating heartily. I went to their table and found a plate already for me. "Thank you."

Wey'Don said something through a mouthful of food and I assumed he was saying 'you're welcome'. Lins asked about the book I was setting next to my plate. I told her I would explain later. With my head resting on my hands I stabbed a chunk of the soggy grass stuff. I lifted my utensil and stared at it. While it looked good, my appetite had vanished due to the dull headache.

"Are you alright?" Wey'Don spoke with an empty mouth this time. "You look kinda miserable."

I set the fork down. "I feel kinda miserable."

Wey'Don stuffed his mouth. "Mes more myme vevus the moon es nomime."

"What?" I squinted at Wey'Don, slightly annoyed that I could not understand him. "Swallow your food before you talk, please."

Wey'Don swallowed the large bite and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "There's a full moon tonight. With it being past noon, no doubt you are feeling the beginning pulls of the moon."

"Is that what it is?" I asked, groaning.
Wey'Don shrugged sympathetically. "Anything you want or need me to do?"

I gave him the side eye. "Since when were you so eager to wait on me? Whatever happened to the guy who thinks taking breaks should be illegal?"

Wey'Don just laughed and I rolled my eyes. "If I had a mind to think I'd say you were commanded by Alpha M'est'r to babysit me."

A grin and a wink was the response.

"Are you kidding me? He really put you on babysitting duty?"

Wey'Don stood up and picked up his empty plate. "I'm not saying anything." He walked away from the table, I assumed to get a second serving.

I was not surprised, heck, I would not be surprised if he was one of Alpha M'est'r's 'sworn brothers'. I was tempted to ask but thought better of it. Some things are better a secret.

I turned to Lins, who was poking at the remainder of her food. The meat was gone, but there was still a fair amount of soggy grass and the gebhe. "Are you going to eat some more?" I asked her.
Lin set her fork down and slumped forward. "It's so weird. Nothing like cornbread or asparagus."

I chuckled at her comparison. "It's something you'll have to get used to."

"But I don't want to eat it."

"Just one bite of each and then call it good."

Lins sighed and resumed poking at her food. "Mrs. Grendelt never made me eat weird food."

I moved closer to Lins, "And was Mrs. Grandelt your foster mom?"

Lins nodded without looking at me.

I mentally nodded, "I'm sure she's a better cook than I am."

Lins shrugged.

"Tell you what, you eat two bites and you and I can see if we can make homemade cornbread together sometime."

"With butter and honey?"

"They better have butter and honey to go with it."

Lins smiled but still half-heartedly took a timid bite of the gebhe. I did not blame her. I turned back and leaned my head on my hands. The headache was worsening and now I could barely feel a hum in my veins. I wondered if I would have to lock myself in that one room tonight. I had no idea where Ty'Mee was and looking for her seemed like a difficult task at present. I saw a movement, looking up, I spotted Wey'Don returning.