Chronicles

Wolf Bodyguard 'Prolouge'

Steam rose from the fresh wound into the cold night air. Matted white fur peaked out from a senseless myriad of burnt flesh. A small wolf lay motionless in the moonlit grass.

A bush at the edge of the clearing rustled as a young boy barely fifteen entered the clearing. His bright blue eyes landed on the injured animal. He stumbled back, running back into the brush. The wolf's ear twitched at the sound. One black lidded eye opened to reveal a vivid green iris. The boy froze in panic trying not to breath. The wolf locked onto his gaze for a moment before struggling to its feet. It limped slowly towards him. It's right front leg, useless, burnt along the shoulder. The boy's chin trembled. His head shaking in a silent plea for mercy. Before he could run the wolf had already past him, making its way slowly into the night.

The boy turned, wide eyes following the wolf's limping form. He hesitated then leaped to his feet following the wolf. After five minutes the wolf looked back and growled. But the boy's newfound curiosity was undeterred and the wolf continued towards a small overhang of rock. It dropped into a heap within the shadows of the rock. The moon rose as the boy watched the wolf in wonder for hours.

The boy was back the next day with meat. The wolf was in the same spot as yesterday. He tossed a hunk of red meat within it's reach. The wolf raised it's white head looking warily from the meat to the boy. It sniffed the meat then pulled it closer. It hesitated before it devouring the meal with gusto. White fangs flashing as it tore into the meat. The boy gulped and kept his distance watching the wolf. This odd ritual continue for the next week. The boy's cowardice decreasing with each visit until he started to talk with the wolf. During second week the boy had brought something other than food. He tossed the meat to the wolf who took it readily.

"Hey Selene, how are you feeling." The wolf ignored him like usual and continued it's meal. The boy slowly got closer talking all the while.

" your wound is infected, it needs to be cleaned." The scab covered shoulder was glossy; green ooze dripping from the cracks . The wolf decided the boy had taken a step too close and barred its fangs. The boy immediately froze lowering himself to the ground. He presented the wet cloth and ointment to the wolf. When the boy did not move away like usual. The wolf turned its head staring at him with its striking green eyes. It sniffed the ointment and cloth and rested its head against its paws. The boy took a deep breathe and another step. The wolf didn't move but it's gaze followed him. The boy let out a nervous laugh. "This might hurt but it'll make you better." He prayed the wolf could judge his good intentions. He knelt right next to the wolf. It's muzzle full of sharp teeth brushed against his knee.He shivered the memory of those exact fangs tearing into red meat surfaced to the forefront of his mind. He shook his head and focused on the task before him. He lightly pressed the cloth against the wound slowly cleaning the ooze away. The wolf growled low in its throat but made no move to attack him. He applied the antibiotic cream coating the wound with white foam. " Who did this to you?" He asked aloud as he finished up the work. He stepped away once it was finished putting distance between them again. The wolf raised its head sniffing the wound, it pink tongue darted out to taste the white cream.

" no no no" the boys said frantically waving his arms. "...Don't eat it, it'll make you sick." The wolf looked at him. Then turn its head away presenting its back to the boy. The boy got up dusting off his jeans and left.

He continued to visit the wolf until its shoulder healed. After that day The wolf never tried to bite him . It even started to allow him to sit next to it, once letting him pet it before it nipping playfully at his fingers.

At the end of one such visit the wolf, now healed, tried to follow him back. The boy stopped it. "My father would kill you on slight, he's not an understanding man." The wolf sat down. But, when the boy continued it got up to follow. "No I'm serious; Stay." The boy's voice rose in command cutting through the trees. The wolf froze then sat again watching the boy disappear into the trees.

The boy hurried to the back of the large white manner, tearing around the crystal clear infinity pool to the back door. He checked his body for dirt or leaves. He had gotten a beating last time his father had found out he had been in the woods behind their house. He opened the back door slowly. It was midday so his father would be gone running his business. Yet the boy had learned from a young age to not trust the usual. He rounded the stairs to his room when a voice cut through the entry way. " Late for your lesson again are we?" A voice rose from the dining room. The boy winced but turned around, his face smoothing into a neutral expression, and made his way into the room.

"Father." He greeted the grey suited man.

"Do you think I pay your private tutors to babysit you. You will be running the family business one day. Therefore, you must be prepared."

" I understand father." The boy said.

" I don't think you do." To the boy's dread The older man rose and started to paced slowly massaging his jaw.

" I don't think you do. I've been too soft with you. You are almost a man Aiden. It's time you started acting like one." His father punctuated the sentence with a glare. The boy held his breath.

" tomorrow you leave for boarding school. If I must throw you to the wolves to learn. I will..you are my legacy son" he said moving to the boy, his large hands grasping the boy's thin shoulders.

" It's time you started acting like it." He said ending any further argument.

Ten years later.

The two men knelt before the old man in a crisp blue suit. The old man was currently examining a Glock 33. The large wooden doors opened behind the two kneeling figures.

"Ah Aiden, just in time, I was just giving a lesson ." The old man said. The kneeling figures shook with fear. One's leg was already matted with blood from a bullet wound in the thigh.

Aiden stood a head taller than his father as he strode across the room. His cold eyes examine his father's weathered face. In one fluid motion Aiden pulled out his gun and shot both in the back of the head; execution style.

The old man sighed but he grinned in pleasure. Gone was the frighten boy he remembered. The prodigal son had returned; ready and ruthless.

" Well now that the lesson is over shall we have lunch." The father said sweeping his arm toward the dinning room. Two guards opened the doors to present a feast upon the table. Floor to ceiling windows paneled the left side of the room showcasing a breathtaking view of the forest. A mahogany table stretched the length of the room, only two places set along its expanse.

The servants descended filling their plates with food and the old man continued to speak. "Its been awhile. I thought we could catch up." He said.

" Father, cut the trivialities, will you step down or not." Aiden asked his voice a deep baritone that reverberated throughout the room. The old man took a bite of his Filet and leaned back chewing slowly. As the silence stretched Aiden's temper flared but he stopped himself by gripping his fork instead of his father's throat.

"That has yet to be decided. Succession within the family is a long process, my son."

" That is what I'm worried about." His father said pointing his fork in Aiden's direction as he continued, "I will no allow your temper to ruin the empire I've built." Aiden glared at him.

" I want to see what you can do. I will give you the East end of the city. Show me your worthy of my position." His father said, leveling his gaze at Aiden.
"East end is newly claimed territory. It's a war zone of ....???." Aiden said.

"Exactly. The perfect opportunity for you to show me your value." He said. Aiden rose abruptly and heading for the exit. Anger coursing through his veins. His father's next words froze him in place.

"Aiden Remember what's at stake here. A failure, is no son of mine." His father said.