Wolf Stray (On Hold)

Pick Me Up

Batraz only barely had time to register what Torak had said before the wolfling was crumbling before him.
He cought the boy as he began to pitch towards the ground.
Conall rushed forward out of the audience to looked at him.
He patted the boy on the cheek lightly.
"Asher? Wake up Asher. Wake up," Then to Batraz "He needs air."
Batraz scooped the boys up and carried him from the hall as the attendees cleared a path for him.
Outside the Healer once again began to tap the boys face gently.
"Asher. Wake up."
"Is he usually prone to fainting?" Batraz asked quizzically.
Conall glared at him.
"Don't be a fool! He's still sick! His last living relative was just thrown into exile and they asked him to make a decision that will change the course of his life forever. Excuse him for being rather overwhelmed!"
Batraz bowed his head slightly.
He of course knew it was going to be hard for the wolfling but he hadn't actually thought of it that way.

A wolf ran up with a water skin.
"Here." he said handing it to Conall.
The healer took the canteen and pored some into his hand then dripped it on Asher's face.
The wolfling startled awake.
"Whu?"
"Hey," Conall said with a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Glad you're awake."
The youth looked between the two faces that hovered over him.
"I passed out?"
"I'm afraid so."
Asher sat up slowly.
"Here. Drink this."
He took the water skin from the offering hands and drank some slowly.

Batraz was rather hesitant to say anything to the wolfling but he knew the council was still waiting for him to make a decision.
The child had nowhere to go.
He had to make a choice.
He was trying to think if a way to bring it back up gently.
Thankfully Conall did it for him.
"Asher I know you would rather put it off but they won't dismiss the council until a decision has been made as to your care. You have to go back and answer Torak."

Asher slumped slightly then looked up at Batraz.
"You said you would claim me?"
The Alpha nodded.
"I'm more than willing."
The wolfling peered at him with a weary distrust that was the creation of years of neglect and mistreatment.
"Why?" He asked.
His tone made it clear that he believed Batraz wanted something from him. That he didn't think it possible for anyone to just want to help him for the simple sake of helping him.
"Asher my mother once told me that if you have the means and the know how to help someone and you send them away still wanting that you are worse then a thief. I have the means and the know how to help you and there's no reason I shouldn't."

The wolfling's ears twitched.
"Your mother sounds kind."
"She was."
"Is she passed away?"
"She is."
Asher nodded.
"My mother used to tell me that you should always try your best to stand on your own two feet."
Batraz stood up and offered his hand down to the wolfing.
"What will it be Asher?"

Asher took a long and slow breath.
Then he reached up and took the hand that was offered to him.
Batraz pulled the boy to his feet.
"See. You're standing on your own feet. I just helped you get there."
Asher smirked.
"Awh. That was inspiring and sentimental. I'll cherish this moment for years to come I'm sure."
Conall watched as they walked back into the council hall.
Asher had said it with sarcasm thick in his tone but he doubted the boy realized how true that statement likely was.

∆∆∆∆

"Asher Swift. Glad to see you recovered so quickly. I'll ask again. Are you willing to be claimed by Batraz Gosheven?"
The youth nodded very slowly for a moment almost as if still processing the question. Then his eyes came up and met Torak's.
"Yes I think so."
There was a collective sigh of relief from the audience.
It wasn't that nobody else was willing to claim the stray. It was simply that Asher was a very damaged young wolf. Most stray wolves lost their parents as pups before they had any real memories. Asher had lost his twin and then his mother. Then for three more years he had lived with a drunken father who gave him little to no comfort after loosing so much.
Asher lacked confidence, was likely love starved, probably educationally behind, and lacked the ability to express emotions in a healthy manner.
Such a wolfing was going to need a lot of attention and a lot of time.

Batraz had time.
He had no mate and no other children.
He had time to focus on a wolfing who needed healing. And he could do it without making the boy feel like a burden.
It was simply the boys best option.