The Master of Me

Chapter 5

        For the numerous time Alue ventured onto the porch, her desire to sit on the swing eminent. Her coat shining in the fading rays of sunlight as it fell below the horizon. Her nails click softly against the wood, her ears swivel about, seeking out potential danger, unaware of the on looking eyes of Sterling from his upstairs bathroom window. Gingerly, she puts on paw and then another on the bench swing, stabilizing it the best she can before jump up and crouching onto it. The wood groans under the added weight and the chains display an audible squeak as the swing begins to sway in its unbalance. Still, it is secure and structurally sound and after a few long moments it stops moving. The she-wolf begins to relax, her tail drop low, while her head still up and alert for signs of the male. Several long minutes pass before she lets her head drop and only her ears remain erect for detection. Six weeks she has been around this male and his property, and yet he did not call the authorities or try to engage her in any way. Her backbone no longer visible and coat fuller, now that she was eating regularly. But the most important feature she had discovered was for the first time in her life she felt safe.

                Sterling grinned and turned off the water, not caring that the small open window let a cool breeze enter the warmed air about him as he dried off and got dressed into sleeping clothes. For the first time in a long time, this she-wolf girl had certainly peeked his curiosity and wonder. She was a beautiful creature, in figure and mind, as much as he could observe from afar. He had only gotten to see her human form for an instant, but her wolf had the same eyes. He saw pain as well as fear but beyond that there was intelligence, wilderness, and hope. Nothing of such caliber should be tamed.

                The following day Sterling spent the afternoon changing the oil and rotating the tires of his Jeep. All the while aware of her eyes staring intently at him from the edge of the grass line. He had seen her bask in the sunlight on multiple occasions, from the distance of inside the house. This was the first time she had so much as lifted her head high enough that he could see her canid silhouette in all is light brown fur colored glory. He continued his work, not giving any physical signs of noticing her. And there she stood, at attention, awaiting something to signal fight, or in her case flight. It was a while before he took a break and walked away from the car to get a drink from the garden hose. As he swallowed the cool liquid, enjoying the rush of satisfaction is it slid down his throat and tamed his parched mouth, he wondered how she faired getting water around here. The ravine had been long dried up and only did it occasionally rain in this area enough to make little pools of drinkable fresh water. He looked over at her and much to his surprise she was laying down on the edge of the property; head on her paws and ears alert, and his steady gaze met hers. And for a moment they shared a silent bond and then she rested her head back down upon her paws. Her first sign of trust toward him. Granted she could easily out run him should he attempt to go near her, which was very true. However, this display of relaxing while he was within sight, gave him hope.  

                Alue had yet to come close to the male, but now she freely walked about the property even if he was outside. But she would not approach the porch unless he was inside or gone. Much to her surprise one evening she found that the wooden bench swing had a cushion added onto it for further comfort. She glanced about seeking to see if he was watching her now, but did not stop her pursuit and run back to her den. She hopped up on the bench and rested like she had before, stretching out and enjoying the gentle movement as it swayed.

‘Maybe I should apologize for our first meeting? But how?’ she wondered, unable to even contemplate the idea to tell him sorry in person. Then an idea came and she hopped off the bench and quickly took off toward the ravine.

                Sterling watched, puzzled by why she looked so comfortable and then takes off so suddenly. He was sure he didn’t make any noise and there were no visitors at his front door. An hour later he got his answer when he locked up the house for the evening (except the doggie door) and found the body of a pheasant just inside upon the floor. Now he understood why she left so suddenly but now he had a bit of a mess to clean upon the floor as well as cleaning the pheasant. However, as he did all of this he noticed that the task didn’t bother him at all, for it was a gift from ‘her’.

                That Sunday he ventured out to visit his parents who had just come back from holiday for Sunday dinner. Dressed in some black slacks and a blue collared shirt he drove almost 45 minutes away to see them that night.

“Sterling, my boy! Good to see you son!” his mother beamed as he entered into their modest four bedroom family home, he had spent growing up in as a child.

“Hello Mother. I’m glad you are back, safe and sound.” He said, grinning as they released in their welcoming hug and headed into the kitchen, where his father sat at the table.

“You are looking well, Son. Any new going on?” his father asked sincerely, as he looked up from that days paper, presumably reading the comics just as he did every Sunday for as long as Sterling could remember.

“No dad. Just living life.” Sterling replied as he took a seat on his father’s left at the table, while his mother sat at the right.

“Well you should be watching the news at least. Reporters say there has been some break in’s in your area. Nothing of physical value gets taken though. Possible intelligent operations in desire for social security numbers or something like that. You know they say only having access to a physical computer can that information be obtained.” His mother told him as she sat down and placed the honey baked ham in the middle, beside the potatoes and bowl of broccoli and carrots.

Sterling shrugged, “It would take more than just a few hacking tricks to get into my computer. I have client information on mine that is restricted information and is not easily obtained.  Now shall we say grace and eat?” he said bringing the idea of a break in at his home to a close.