Silvershore

Chapter Sixteen

Anyone would call Wood naïve for continuing to trust Loki. Even after everything she did, all the lies she told...he couldn't resent her. He knew she had a good heart. She was an amazing mother, an amazing mate, and an amazing friend. He knew it was probably his fault that she had started to see Aries.

He walked into his den, with Daruk doing his best to console a terrified Fawn. Something about Daruk's presence was oddly comforting, even to Wood. He had become his closest friend after Aries' sudden change, and he was one of the few wolves Wood had unconditional trust for.

"Thank you, Daruk, I'm sorry that took so long." Wood sighed. "You can sleep in tomorrow if you'd like..."

"That's alright. We need to call a pack meeting first thing tomorrow and explain to everyone what's going on, and welcome Fawn into our pack."

"Good idea."

"Well, goodnight, you two. Rest well." Daruk smiled at them and then exited the den.

Wood wanted to comfort Fawn, but didn't quite know what to say to her.

"I understand how horrified you must feel...I don't know the extent of what you're going through, but if there's anything I can do...let me know."

"Th...thank you...w-what's your...your...um...name?"

"My name's Wood, chieftain of The Pack of the Earth."

"Chief...tain...?"

"Oh, it just means I'm the lead-"

Fawn began to tremble with fear. "...Chief...tain...p-please...no..."

"O-Oh...hey, what's the matter...?"

Fawn froze up.

"...My god, what did they do to you...?" Wood flattened his ears.

"In...Pack of...F-Fire...th-the chieftain would...would..."

"I-I hope you know it's nothing like it was there in this pack...I'd never hurt one of my pack members."

Wood's usual intimidating, slightly rude aura was replaced with a sympathetic and gentle one, understanding how cruel The Pack of the Fire could be. He didn't want to imagine what had happened to her there. He didn't want to trigger her by asking, either.

"Just...I'm nothing like Aries, alright kiddo? I want to help you, not hurt you. You've clearly been through some awful things. I'll do what I can to make you feel welcome. Anything you can think of?"

"Um...I...um...I don't know..."

"...You should stay with me for a few more nights. I don't think you should be alone for too long..."

"O-Oh...a-are you sure...?"

"Yeah. And I'm sure you wouldn't want to talk about what's happened to you...but if you need someone to talk you, you can always come to me."

"I, um...well, I-I wouldn't want...w-wouldn't want to, um...distract you...from any, um...w-work..."

"Heh, don't you worry about that, kiddo. No matter how busy I am, just talk to me if you need anything."

"T-That's really...nice of you..."

"Don't mention it... anyway, I'm sure you're exhausted. Sleep in as late as you'd like tomorrow...if you need anything tonight, just wake me up."

"O-Okay...t-thank you v-very very much...g-goodnight..."

"Goodnight." Wood yawned and curled up in one corner of the den while Fawn curled up in another.