Saving the Wolf (On Hold)

Chapter 6

**Sorry I haven't written in a while guys!  I just finished my first year of college and had to get through all of my finals and move my stuff back home for the summer.  You know, life stuff.  It's not much of an excuse, but I have lots of time now, so no biggy!  So for a heads up, I'm looking for a new cover for my book since the one I have isn't that magnificent.  If you guys have any ideas or designs you want for it as we get further in the story, message me!!!  I would love to see what you have in store!  Let's get this thing going:  Read, vote, comment! :D Love you kiddos!**

Shadow was fidgeting where he sat as his parents talked excitedly about the upcoming evening.  They had arrived at The Hearth early to get settled and comfortable for when Nanita would start up her story again.

He looked around for Moxy, but didn't see his tussled brown hair anywhere in the crowd gathering.  Shaking his head, he had given up hope when he was shoved to the side and Moxy landed in the seat right next to him.  

"Missed me?"

"Nah, I was just worried that you'd have to sit alone and have noone to hug on when the story gets scary."

Moxy narrowed his eyes at him then punched him in the arm before smugly replying, "At least I don't get nightmares from it and squeal like a little girl."

Shadow's jaw dropped as he stared at his friend. "Come again?"

"I overheard Liz talking to your mom at the store.  She said you sounded like you were dying.  If the stories scare you that bad, maybe you should go home."  He raised his eyebrow and smirked.  "I won't judge, not all things are for the feint of heart."

 Shadow just glared.  After an uncomfortable minute, he replied, "She's just mad that she can't come so she's making up stories."

Moxy raised his hands in defense.  "Like I said, I'm not judging."

 They both turned forward as Nanita sat in the same chair she had the night before and signaled for silence.

"I'm going to kill Liz when I get home," was all Shadow could think as Nanita started once again.

==When we had left our Leon, he had just finished making a deal with the hag in the woods and was returning home.  By the time he was back in town, darkness had fallen and he was very hungry and thirsty, so he headed to the local tavern.

As he entered the room, he could already hear Jiga's boisterous laughter above the crowd.  He was sitting in the corner telling his friends of one of his latest adventures with the local women.  Leon tried to slip through the crowd and out of sight when his brother saw him.

"Leon!  Where have you been?!"  Jiga made his way through the crowd and clapped a hand on Leon's shoulder. "I saw you sulking off into the woods.  No hard feelings about earlier, right?  I was just messing with you."

Leon looked at him with an annoyed expression and replied, "Yea, of course not."  Jiga obviously didn't catch his look because he grinned like a fool and started dragging him toward an empty table on the far side of the room.

As they sat down Jiga gave Leon a concerned look.  "I've been worried about you Leon, very worried.   You seclude yourself from everyone, you don't spend time with me or the guys, and I don't even REMEMBER the last time I saw you take a woman out.  Is something bothering you?"

Leon was a little taken aback by the tone in his brother's voice.  Jiga had always been carefree and never payed attention to him, but he looked genuinely...well...worried.  Leon didn't know what to make of it.

"No, I'm fine.  I've just been busy, that's all."

"Well you should get out more before I have to arrange for an intervention.  I know!  Why don't you ask the next girl out for dinner that comes through the door, eh?"