Rejection, Refuge, Revere

Chapter 11

After Everett woke up from his nap, we went and collected herbs and fruit around the woods. I taught him the names of everything I was able to identify around us and got him to call me Mo. He doesn’t speak much, like Issac said, but he absorbs everything I say like a sponge and seems to understand it.

Now we are sitting next to the fire eating an assortment of meat that Issac was able to catch.

“If you would like, you can sleep in the tent with Everett. I noticed that you seemed tired and if you start your journey again tomorrow, you should do it with a full belly and a good night's rest.” Issac says, while pointing to the small shelter.

“I don’t want to put you out. You’ve been so kind already. I can sleep out here.” I argue, but he shakes his head.

“No can do. I won’t allow it. We don’t have much, but I am still a gentleman.” He says back and I sigh. I’m not going to win this.

I climb in the tent with Everett and tell him a story while he drifts off to sleep. I follow shortly after and before I know it, it’s morning.

I crawl out of the tent to Issac boiling water and roasting some other animal he must have caught.

“Morning Mo!” Everett yells from the side of the fire with a big smile.

“Good morning, Everett.” I smile back and take a spot next to him, glancing at Issac, who is watching us with what seems to be sad eyes.

“You’re good with him. Do you have any children?” He asks and I shake my head.

“No. I am, or was, a caregiver at the pack’s daycare. Kids were better companions than most of the adults.” I answer honestly. I don’t know what it is about this man, but he is easy to open up to.

“I can understand that. You know I thought about what you said yesterday and as much as I am weary about joining a pack again, especially the Blood Moon, I think it’s the best decision for Everett. I would like to join you, if the offer is still there.” He says and I smile.

“Of course! My brother’s mate, Elise, told me to head west and keep going. I shouldn't run into any other pack boarders. When we get there we will seek asylum and they will place us in a holding town that they build around the pack as a trial. Once we complete the trial they welcome us to the pack.” I explain and he nods, looking warily at Everett.

“Okay.” Is all he says.

“I was thinking last night as well. I would like to take today to make Everett a pair of shoes before we go. I can use my suitcase and I have a small sewing kit. They won’t be anything special, but they would help him keep his feet from getting cut up on the journey.” I say and Issac stares at me with wide watery eyes.

“I can carry him. You don’t have to use your things.” He argues, but I am already shaking my head.

“I was planning on asking even if you decided you didn’t want to join me. I would like to do this. Please.”

“If you’re sure…” He replies uneasy.

“I’m positive.” I reply, getting my leather suitcase and emptying it. There wasn’t much in it beside herbs, an extra dagger, and a pair of clothes, and my travel size sewing kit.. I can easily make a smaller bag out of this to put the necessities in.

After it’s empty I get to work, making Everett giggle while trying to measure his feet. From the suitcase I made Everett’s shoes, a small bag for herbs, patch Issac’s holey shoes, and some loops on our pants for our knives. I use my backpack for clothing storage.

I was also able to hem Everett’s shirt and let out some length in the pants. Issac, seeing this, asked if I would have time to take in the waist of his trousers. I do this and length them a bit. After everything is done, it is dinner time. We eat, tell Everett stories and head to bed with the same sleeping plan as last night.

In the morning we pack their things, which consists of a few pairs of clothing and multiple socks. They get thrown into the blankets they have and wrapped like a sack, then we start traveling West.

“Where going?” Everett asks and Issac smiles at him.

“We are going to try and join a pack little one. Amona was kind enough to invite us to come with her.”

“Mo Mo pack?” Everett asks and I shake my head.

“Not yet, but hopefully we all will be pack soon.” I answer and he nods with a smile.

“I like MoMo daddy. We her pack.” I smile as his father nods.

“Sure, son. We will be a part of her pack.” He answers, placating him.

8 days later

The travel company has been nice to have. Everett started speaking more. Issac said he was quiet at first because he taught him to be cautious around strangers. He doesn’t speak full sentences most of the time, but what he says is enough to understand.

I’ve learned much about Issac too. He’s grown on me like my brothers, even though he is a bit older and more serious, he does joke around a little, which lightens the mood.

We should be a few days out from the pack. With Everett walking some of the time, it has slowed us down, but I don’t mind.

We encountered a few other lone wolves, but they let us pass with no problem. Well except for one that eyed me like a piece of meat. Isaac wrapped his arm around me and acted as if I was his mate, while glaring at the man before he ran off.

It is late afternoon now, so I am carrying Everett, while he rests silently, Issac is just ahead of us clearing the way and checking for threats.

He stops and holds up a hand, causing me to stop as well. He turns and mouths Go Back. I nod and turn, trying to walk as silently as possible, finding a nice hiding spot in a big bush, where I can peek out to see Issac.

A growl rips through the forest and I freeze. We have been lucky to not encounter any rogues. I think the closer we get to pack lands the more there will be. I don’t understand it, but it’s like once they give themselves to the beast, the beast wants revenge and knows that packs have people. The only thing they can think of is tearing those people to shreds.

I watch as a mangey gray wolf and a brown wolf jump at Issac. He withdraws his daggers and begins to fight them off.

Once a wolf turns feral there is no hierarchy, they don’t have designations like Alpha or Beta, they are just Rogue. Powerful, crazy creatures who want nothing but c*****e.

Everett wines beside me, and I cradle him to my chest.

“Shhh. It’s okay.” I whisper, holding him tightly.

I hear a screech that brings my attention back to the fight. One rogue it down, another to go. Issac kicks the gray wolf in the face, then swings around on its back and jabs a knife in its throat, again and again, until it stops moving.

I don’t see the movement until it’s too late. The brown wolf was able to move and has swiped its paw down Issac’s back. He yells, and flips over, clutching his dagger in his hands. As the wolf goes to bite him, he rolls to the left, then stabs it in the throat until it doesn’t move.

I get up, clutching Everett to my chest as I rush toward the c*****e.

Issac is pale and when he rolled, it caused the wolf’s claw to imbed in his chest. He’s barely breathing and I know that as soon as the paw is removed he’s gone.

“I. Issac. No. Please. Goddess no.” I begin to tremble and I kneel next to him. Everett struggles in my hold and as much as I don’t want him to see this, he should have the chance to say goodbye.

“PAPA!” He yells, flinging himself over Issac’s torso. Issac whimpers, but brings a hand to rest on Everett’s back. He turns his gray eyes to me and winces.

“Will.” He coughs. “Will you take care of him?” He asks softly. I nod, tears streaming down my face.

“As if he was my own.” I answer and he smiles softly.

“Th. Thank you. Mona.” He whispers, looking down at Everett. I pull his sobbing form away and turn him toward his father's face.

“Son. Amona. Is. Going to. Take care. Of you. You are. Hers now.” Everett breathes heavily. “I love you.” Then he nods to me and I stand up, grabbing Everett and holding him tightly as I walk with trembling knees West.

“Papa! No!” Everett yells and beats his tiny fists in my chest. I clutch him harder, grabbing the blanket and wrapping it around his form, then grab Issac’s bow and singular arrow. I hold Everett as tight as I can and continue to walk, while whispering sweet sounds to him. Eventually he tires out and slumps against me.

“I will protect and love you with my whole heart, sweet boy.” I whisper. Lou purrs in agreement. He is ours now and we will care for him no matter what. Issac’s death will not be in vain.