Girl Meets Wolf

Chapter 29

Axel

With my arm around Mr. Clarke's torso we went downstairs seamlessly. At the base of the stairs I could see Ashlyn and her brother still on the pull-out couch. Kyle was of course still knocked out behind them. Typical.

The smell of spaghetti wafted into the living from the kitchen, making my mouth water. Ashlyn smiled a small as she saw me, not a large smile, but a smile nonetheless. I walked past them and went into the kitchen so that I could dispose Mr. Clarke into a chair.

I sat him down on one of the chairs with back support. He grimaced as he adjusted in the seat. This man was tough as nails for a human.

Izzie and Becca set the plates on the island. While I got Kyle up from his never ending nap.

"Why, Mr. Clarke, it's good to see you up." Izzie's high bubbly voice rang out while I walked away.

Jason was engrossed in an episode of Modern Family, while Ashlyn stared off into space. Geez, this was turning into a disaster. I sat down next to Ashlyn on the bed.

"Hey." I was a little unsure on how to approach her. Death was a sensitive topic and I wasn't the most sensitive of people.

"Hey." Her voice was a little scratchy from all the crying.

"How are you guys doing?" I looked over her and to her brother. She snapped out of her daze, then looked at me, as if seeing me for the first time.

"We're as good as were going to get for now." She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Not wanting to make her any sadder, I decided it best to change the topic.

"So, with all that's going on I feel it best that we move on from here."

"When and where to? " Her eyes almost bore into mine with her questioning gaze.

"To my pack. I'm going to explain it all over dinner." She nodded her head and went back to staring at nothing.

Just as I was turning around to wake Kyle up, there was a knock at the door. At the sound Ashlyn jumped and all eyes in the living room went to the door. Well, the eyes that were awake.

I sniffed the air and smiled. I knew she would be fine.

I opened the door with ease, and saw the person who I had been secretly worried about.

"Hey sis."

She grinned at me from the threshold. "Hey, little bro." Her clothing looked to be a bit disheveled and she has a cut under her eye as well as some bruising around the neck. Other than that she was fine. Would probably heal up within a day. She walked around me and straight into the apartment.

"Well, looks like you all have yourselves at home." She crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking highly amused.

Ashlyn was the first to realize who it was.

"Glad you made it back in one piece." Ashlyn said putting a little pep in her voice.

Becca popped her head out the kitchen and looked relieved at our new guest.

"Should I set another table setting?" She looked at Kathleen.

"Looks like it." I turned to Becca and she nodded in confirmation.

Kathleen sniffed herself and made a disgusted look on her face.

"Ugh, I need to shower." She went upstairs without another word.