Chasing October

Ten

WARNING: There is a small scene that may make you uncomfortable.  Star is forced, and though it doesn't get into detail, you can skip right over it.  Here you are!

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It was hours before he returned and he only came back to give me food and let me go to the restroom. The elderly man that was in here first was back, but he sat hunched over his papers, the same way Sam had once done. A small pang in my chest hurt as I thought of Sam once again, wondering where he was at and why he couldn't hear me.

The old man looked up at me, adjusting his glasses. A frown danced on his face for a second before it vanished. "Are you okay?" he asked me.

I nodded. "I'll be okay," I told him, feeling my body slowly healing the bruises.

He continues to stare at me, his hand resting on a book before he slowly stood up, the book and cane in his hands. The old man hobbled over to me, handing the book over with a light smile on his face. "I've always been fascinated with the wolves. My grandson has too, but he always reacts so violently when things do not go his way."

I took the book slowly, looking up at him. "Thank you, but what is this book?"

He chuckled. "Just old fairytales you may enjoy while you are here."

The old man walked away soon after that, heading out of the room. I stared at the book in my hands, chewing on my bottom lip, before I opened it slowly. The pages were tan and worn out, giving away at its age. As I turned to the first page, I smiled a little bit, remembering it to be the same story my parents used to tell me as a little girl when I couldn't sleep.

I read it slowly, remembering the way my mother used to tell it, my father pretending to be the big bad monster that she would slay. At the end of it, I didn't realise I was crying until the elderly man handed me a tissue.

"You okay there, little one?" he asked me.

I thanked him and took the tissue. "This is just an old story my mother used to tell me when I was a kid. It just brought back old memories."

"From your pack?"

I shook my head. "No, I left that pack a few weeks ago."

He nodded. "I see. Is there a reason as to why? I always assumed wolves were stronger in packs." Sensing my hesitation, he sat at his desk and sighed. "Don't worry; anything spoken here will not be told to my grandson."

Trust him, my wolf urged, and I obeyed.

"Are you aware that wolves have a soulmate?"

He nodded, and there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "That I do. I was mates with a wolf once. She was murdered in front of me."

I lowered my eyes. "Mine rejected me, and would force me to do things with him just because he was the Alpha."

"Was?"

"Well, last I talked to my parents, they weren't sure if he'd remain in charge or not."

He nodded. "So you have been alone since then?"

"No, not exactly," I muttered softly. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the door to make sure no one was coming in. "I am a part of a pack, but I can't get ahold of them. Are you aware of a man named Samuel Giovanni?"

The elderly man smiled and nodded while a warm look crossed over his face. "Sam has always been a kind man, especially to me. I was with the lady from his pack; however he was just a kid at the time. He vowed that I'd be under his protection for the rest of my days."