Chapter 17 - I am a Wolf, Not a Dog
In less than three weeks, Haley would be returning to college. With Nashville only two hours away, she was talking about coming home on weekends so she and Charles could continue seeing each other.
Charles enjoyed being with Haley but was nervous about their future. What if things got serious? How would he tell her the truth? How would he tell her, he was a wolf?
During one of Haley’s visits to Emerald Knoll, she commented to Charles and Elmer, “I always see someone patrolling but if it so dangerous for Gracey, why doesn’t anyone carry a weapon?”
No one answered.
“Plus I heard through my cousin Joey one of the local boys shot a wolf while trespassing on Emerald Knoll,” Haley added.
Charles and Elmer just looked at each other. “Shot a wolf?” Elmer finally asked.
“Yeah, the guy was bragging he saw two giant wolves at the south end of your property one night, around the 4th of July, Joey said. The guy swears he shot a wolf. But the wolves disappeared before they got near enough. I would think with a couple of wolves roaming around here someone would be armed, especially at night,” Haley explained.
“Wolves? Are you sure this guy said wolves?” Elmer asked.
“He said wolves, but according to his buddies, they had all been drinking quite a bit because of the holiday. So I guess it was probably just a couple of really big wild dogs,” Haley chuckled.
Charles and Elmer chuckled, as well. “You’re probably right, just a couple of big wild dogs,” Elmer proclaimed to hide the truth from Haley.
Later that day Elmer and Charles briefed Rudy on what Haley had told them.
“If this guy thinks he saw and shot a wolf, we may have a problem. The next full moon is the Friday of a holiday weekend. If we are visited by a bunch of drunken rednecks again, someone could get hurt. And I will be damned before someone gets shot again,” Charles exclaimed. "These guys just might be stupid enough to try again."
“How are we going to protect ourselves and still hunt? Jim sat out from hunting last time, and he was intolerable until the quarter moon. He cannot do it two months in a row. So who is going to sit out this time and how are we going to protect ourselves?” Elmer asked. “Electric fence? Security cameras? Armed guards?” Elmer continued suggesting ways for additional protection and security.
No one answered.
“It is not as if we can tie up a couple cows in the backyard!” Elmer said trying to break the tension in the room.
“And we all have to hunt this month,” Rudy added. "It is not negotiable."
“Does it have to be the meadow? The meadow is convenient because it works like a natural corral but what about the bluff? Could we hunt there?” Charles suggested.
“We would have to find a way to get the cattle there. As wolves, we would not have any issues getting there, but I am not sure about getting the cows there. I guess we need to take a field trip,” Rudy announced.
It had been decades since Rudy and Abby had gone to the bluff. Stone had never been there. Until recently, Stone had never been to the meadow. Jim had been to the bluff more recently, within the last decade while hunting alone and thought the plan was plausible.
Rudy, Stone, and Elmer climbed into Jim’s Jeep and off they went. They traveled to the west side of the property and then headed south towards the bluff. The drive was rough and bumpy. While it would not be a concern for the wolves, it would be a hindrance for Mr. Kincaid and his truck.
Like the meadow, the ground was peppered with large rocks and in some areas almost impossible to transverse. After a short jaunt through a narrow line of trees, they were on the bluff. The area was large enough and easy to fence off but how would they get the cows there? The road would need to be fashioned from the main road and rocks removed. Then a path through the wood line for the truck would need to cut out. There would not be enough time before the next full moon.
The foursome stood on the bluff and looked out over the meadow. It was so beautiful and peaceful. The meadow was their place; their hunting grounds. Maybe it was nostalgic, but they were resolved to keep their way of life intact. They would find a way to be safe regardless of the cost.
Rudy was friends with the local police chief and sheriff, always donating generously to their organizations and charities. It was time to call in a few markers. Extra patrols along the east border would be provided. The electric fence was in place but had never been electrified before. This month it would be. And a new gate would be installed along with security cameras.
For the remainder of the month, each person worked to finish their special projects by the next full moon. This would open up time in September to finalize the wedding plans.
It was nearly the end of August, and the workers were putting the finishing touches on the greenhouse. The potting shed was done. Ms. Maple and Allison came out to admire the greenhouse. Allison was in her early thirties and average in appearance with a girl next door look. She had a fair and freckled complexion with dark strawberry blonde hair, more red than blonde, cut short and sassy.
Elmer and Charles were standing by the Annex and watched while Ms. Maple and Allison approached Gracey. They were thrilled everything would be ready for fall, and they were making plans for the new herbs and other plants. The idea of some fresh vegetables during the winter months had them energized.
After a few minutes, Allison turned to go back to the house. She had lots of work to do. One of the workers whistled while watching her walk away. “Was that you?” Charles asked Elmer.
“What are you talking about Charles?”
“You just growled at that worker. What’s going on here?” Charles asked Elmer. “Do you have a thing for Allison?”
“Allison? No, no, of course not!” Elmer answered.
“If not you, then maybe your wolf. You may want to be careful, brother,” Charles replied.
“I am not ready for a relationship; too complicated. After watching you and Haley…I am steering clear, son,” Elmer proclaimed.
Summer vacation was over, and it was time for Haley to pack and return to college.
“I will be back for Labor Day weekend, and we can spend it together,” Haley told Charles. Her car was packed, and she was leaving Lone Hill, heading back to Nashville.
Charles knew Friday would be a full moon and Haley would not be able to visit that night. “I am going to be pretty busy this weekend with extra patrols due to the holiday. Maybe you should stay in Nashville and spend some time with your college friends. We can get together the following weekend,” Charles suggested.
Haley was visibly hurt. She had wanted to return Friday night and be with Charles. “Maybe we can spend some of this weekend together?” Haley retorted.
“Let me see what I can do for Saturday night or maybe Sunday for a picnic, but I already promised Elmer and Jim they could have Friday night off. Call me Saturday afternoon, and we can plan something for that night,” Charles said as a compromise.
Haley was smiling again. Charles embraced her and kissed her passionately. This is going to be harder than I thought.
“I will call you when I get there,” Haley called out as she drove away.
Getting ready for the full moon that night was just the distraction Charles needed. Between Haley leaving and wondering about the future, possibly with her, he was a bit unnerved.
After a round robin tournament of rock-paper-scissors, the hunting rotation was selected. Rudy, Abby, and Jim would hunt first while Charles and Elmer guarded the house. Then the two groups would reverse roles. No one was to patrol or hunt alone, and everyone would hunt this month.
Everything was routine now for the group, including Ms. Maple. Everyone knew their places and roles. The electric fence was turned on, the shots were given, and the sheriff was called to ensure the extra patrols were in place. After all the preparations, the group was hopeful for a quiet and peaceful hunt.
“Is this what you have been working on all month?” Rudy asked, curious.
Abby nodded. "The doors swings both ways," Abby explained as she unlocked the door to the men’s changing room. "They are light enough to be pushed open when we are wolves."
The men peered inside and gasped. Inside were lockers, benches, showers and climate controls. The sink area had mirrors, a long counter, and storage below for their personal grooming products.
“You did this for us?” Jim exclaimed. Abby just smiled.
“This is great. I always hate getting dressed behind the stable and then going to the basement to take a shower,” Elmer confessed.
“Now remember, I will not be adding this room to the household cleaning roster. So it will be up to all of you and I mean all of you, to keep it clean,” Abby said looking at Rudy. And she showed the men where the cleaning supplies were stored.
“And for you, Abby?” Rudy asked with increased hesitation. “I am afraid to look at your dressing room.”
Abby escorted them across the hall and unlocked the door. “Omigod,” Stone called out. “This is almost as grand as your private bath in the house. It is like a spa in here.”
Abby had pulled out all the stops in her dressing room. The group noticed there was more than one shower and commented. “Maybe someday,” she started but did not finish, looking at Gracey. No one finished her thought aloud.
“Okay, let’s change and hunt,” Rudy announced. “Nervous?” Rudy asked Abby.
“A bit,” she confessed.
“We will make sure everything is fine, Mrs. Rudolph,” Jim assured Abby.
“We will be okay, sweetheart, no one will get in tonight. I have taken extra precautions to ensure our safety. So let’s turn and hunt,” Rudy told his mate.
Rudy and Jim entered the men’s changing room, and Abby went to hers.
“Damn, this is nice. I am going to be able to take a hot shower before guard duty tonight!” Jim announced with joy.
After turning, the three met behind the stable. Let’s do this, Abby called out and started running. She knew she had to get back on the proverbial horse. Rudy and Jim ran after her.
Abby arrived at the meadow first. As she headed to the cattle, she stopped. Rudy had a surprise waiting for Abby, as well. Instead of cows, he had arranged for five elks to be brought in by the supplier out west. Rudy had secretly reread Abby's books and knew the elk was her favorite.
Abby looked at Rudy for a split second and thanked him. Without hesitation, she had killed the first elk.
That was sweet of you, Jim told Rudy. And it is one of my favorites also, so if you will excuse me…
Jim took off and leaped. Rudy was right behind him. Rudy had never had elk before but found it quite appealing. As a foodie, he liked a little variety in his diet.
It did not take Abby long to settle into eating her dinner. The taste was so euphoric to her she forgot about her fears. After the three had finished, they headed back to the stable.
Rudy and I will take the perimeter tonight, Jim. You shower and stand guard at Gracey’s suite. I ate way too much, and I need to walk off some of this elk, Abby told Jim.
Jim showered, dressed, and returned to the house. He passed Charles and Elmer, who were headed to the stable to change. “Just wait until you see what is waiting in the meadow!” Jim exclaimed. “Yummy!”
Jim climbed the stairs to Gracey’s suite. Celia was sitting on the floor standing guard. She was a bit let down when she saw Jim in his human form. “You changed back!” Celia called out disappointed.
“Of course, I did. We are hunting in shifts tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph are outside patrolling, and they sent me up to watch over Gracey,” Jim replied.
“But I was hoping…” Celia started.
“Celia, I am a wolf, not a dog. You know the difference, right?” Jim asked.
“Of course, I do, but…I cannot explain…it won’t make sense,” Celia stuttered. “It’s just I wanted to see you again as a wolf. I felt so…” Celia paused, trying to pick the right words before continuing. “Jim, we spend a lot of time together, and I consider you my friend. But when we spent the last full moon sitting here watching the door, I felt safe; really safe. I know you, and the other boys watch over us all the time in human form. But it was different.”
“I think I understand, Celia.” Jim walked into the guest room and turned wolf. Reentering the hallway, Celia was smiling. She threw her arms around Jim’s neck and thanked him. Jim backed up a bit uneasy about how he should feel about what had just happened. Did Celia like his wolf? Or did she just feel safer?
Jim sat facing the door to Gracey’s suite. Celia sat next to him, and without thinking, started stroking Jim on the back of the head. Jim groaned and then stopped and looked at her, growling softly in disapproval.
Celia moved over a bit, to put distance between the two of them. “I am sorry Jim. I know you are not a dog or a pet. It just happened. I wasn’t thinking.”
Elmer and Charles finished their run and hunt and let Rudy and Abby know they were back on patrol. Rudy and Abby turned human and showered together in Abby’s changing room. Knowing Jim was pulling guard duty in the hall, they wondered if Celia would be there, as well. As they finished the ascent to the second floor they saw, Jim and Celia on the floor in the hallway; Celia asleep against Jim again.
Abby awoke Celia and escorted Celia to her quarters downstairs. Jim changed back and found Rudy waiting for him in the hall.
“Is there something we should know Jim?” Rudy asked suspiciously.
“Not that I know of,” Jim replied. “I came up here from the hunt and Celia was sitting here waiting for me. Well, not me as a human, but the wolf. As a human, we are friends. We watch movies together and talk, but nothing more. But when I am a wolf, the woman cannot keep her hands off me. I am not sure what’s going on.”
“So in when you are in your human form, there is no physical contact?”
“No. Celia sits between Elmer and me every Saturday night while we watch the new movie Stone has delivered, and she has never touched me before,” Jim replied, just as bewildered as Rudy.
“Do you have feelings for Celia?” Rudy inquired.
“I like her. She is a lovely lady, and I enjoy her company. But I have never thought about her as anything more than a friend.”
“Sounds complicated Jim. Good luck.”
Rudy waited until Abby returned before they entered their suite. “Strange,” Rudy said shaking his head.
Jim returned to the basement and found Celia on the couch in the common room. She was hugging her knees and crying.
“Celia, what’s wrong?” Jim asked, surprised to see Celia crying. He never thought of her as weak or emotional.
“I think I have lost a friend,” Celia choked out between her tears.
“A friend?”
“I am sorry about the way I acted tonight. I just don’t know how to explain it,” Celia continued to sob.
Jim sat quietly and waited.
“After the full moon everyone has someone; Rudy and Abby; Stone and Gracey; you and the boys. Me, I am down here in the basement, by myself while everyone is hunting. And Jim, I am scared! Who is protecting me?” Celia asked.
“Omigod Celia, I never thought of it that way,” Jim gasped hearing Celia’s fears.
“Your wolf makes me feel safe. For over six years of full moons, I have watched over Gracey, sitting in her room and not sleeping, or at least not sleeping well. Then last month when I laid beside your wolf, I slept; really slept, feeling safe. I felt the same way tonight.”
Jim walked Celia into her room and pulled the covers of her bed back. “Climb in, and I will be back in a moment,” Jim told her.
Celia looked at Jim suspiciously and confused. “Do you trust me, Celia?" Jim asked, "and my wolf?”
“Of course, I do,” Celia answered without hesitation.
“Then I will be right back,” Jim answered and turned off the overhead light, leaving only the lamp on Celia’s bed stand on.
A few minutes later Jim returned wearing a robe. “I going to turn Celia, so please don’t be scared.” Jim removed the robe, placed it on a chair and turned wolf. Celia was astonished. She had never seen anyone turn wolf before.
Jim climbed atop of the bed and lay next to Celia. She snuggled up next to him and instantly fell asleep.
Everyone slept in the morning after a full moon. Celia awoke shortly before nine and found Jim, in his wolf form, lying next to her awake. “Thank you, Jim,” she said sincerely. Jim climbed out of bed and left the room on all fours, leaving his robe behind.
A short time later, Jim spoke with Rudy and Abby. “Celia is scared. She feels alone in the basement during the full moon. Celia feels as if no one is protecting her. Heck, aside from me, she does not know the good wolves from the bad wolves. No wonder Celia attached herself to my wolf; for protection and self-preservation.”
Abby hung her head into her hands. “I did not think about that. I cannot believe how insensitive we have been. We just assumed Celia would feel safe.”
“We dragged her into this mess and then just ignored her feelings. Celia is safe, and I think she knows it or at least wants to feel safe. But you are right. Celia is in the basement alone while we are hunting. I would be scared too,” Rudy admitted.
“What do we do to fix this?” Abby asked.
“I thought about it last night while lying beside her in her bed,” Jim stated. Rudy and Abby just looked at him wide-eyed.
“Yes, I turned back into my wolf and slept beside her. I had to. I felt so guilt-ridden. But anyway, here are my ideas. First, during the full moon, after Celia leaves Gracey suite, she can sleep in the room across the hall. I will guard the suite and Celia by lying at the threshold of the guest room. And secondly, we show her the good wolves. She needs to know what we look like,” Jim continued. Both Rudy and Abby agreed it was a good plan.
It was a holiday weekend, and the staff had the weekend off. The group had decided to meet in the kitchen and cooked brunch together, as a family. At ten, as planned, everyone descended into the kitchen; Celia, the family, and the boys. Jim pulled the boys to the side and explained the situation and his idea. They agreed it was the right thing to do. Abby informed Stone and Gracey.
“Celia, we want to show you something,” Jim told her calmly, holding her hands and looking into her eyes. “Boys,” he called out.
Elmer and Charles walked back into the kitchen on all fours, in their wolf form. “This is Charles,” Jim announced pointing to the chestnut colored wolf. Charles bowed his head as to say hello. “And this is Elmer,” Jim continued pointing at the black wolf.
Elmer walked over to Celia and raised his right paw and offered a handshake. Celia could only laugh. “Elmer, you are such a gentleman.” Celia took his paw and shook it.
A moment later, Rudy and Abby entered. “I can figure out who is who with these two,” Celia announced pointing out Rudy’s silver coat and Abby’s apricot coat. Abby walked over to Celia and nuzzled her hand while Rudy bowed at her feet as if asking for forgiveness.
“But everyone has different color eyes,” Celia said has she looked at the four of them. “Green, blue, yellow and yours were almost violet,” she said to Jim. “So beautiful, everyone is so beautiful. Thank you, Jim. I feel safer already.”
“Now, let’s get changed and start on some breakfast,” Jim called out. “I am starved.”
The wolves sauntered out along with Gracey and Stone. “And I have a plan for the next full moon,” Jim began and told Celia his plan.
“I could just hug you, Jim, but I won’t,” Celia laughed. “Thank you for being my friend and understanding, really understanding,” she finished sincerely.
“I am just sorry it took us so long to figure it out,” Jim replied and gave her a friendly hug.
Soon everyone was cooking, talking, and having a terrific time. Celia was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in hand, watching everyone trying to outdo the other with their cooking skills. She could only smile. It was the happiest day she had had in a long time.
Suddenly, Charles remembered, “Haley and I are supposed to have a picnic today. What is everyone else doing?”
The family would be talking about the wedding preparations. “Celia?” Jim asked. “What do you want to do today?”
Celia thought about it for a few minutes. “I know this does not sound like fun, but I would like to go home.”
Everyone was in shock and confused. “Go home?”
“Yes, I need to pack up the last of my personal things and bring them here; the rest of my photos, my grandmother’s china and silver set, and a few other mementos. This is my home now, or at least I think it is,” Celia announced.
“Of course Celia, you are welcome here as long as you want to stay. You are family now,” Abby proclaimed. "And we use first names from now on, at least, when the staff is off." Everyone smiled.
“I am not worried about all the furniture, but I have a few antiques I would like to store away for now and decide later what to do with them. May I put them in the common room for now?” Celia asked.
“Of course, Celia,” Rudy answered.
“Elmer, can we use your truck?” Jim asked.
“Better yet, I will help!” Elmer replied. “We’ll grab some boxes on the way.”
“Gracey do you have anything left at the house you would like us to bring back?” Celia asked.
“I don’t believe so,” Gracey replied. “But if you see anything which looks important; bring it with you, if you don’t mind.”
“I will, sweetie,” Celia nodded.
Everyone finished breakfast and helped load the dishwasher. “Don’t worry about the rest of the kitchen right now,” Elmer told Celia. “We will clean this up when we get back.”
The trio arrived at the boarding house. Even Elmer was a bit nostalgic; having lived there for six years. They started in Elmer and Gracey’s rooms, finding a few odds and ends missed during previous trips.
Celia was packing things from her room. “Point out the furniture, you want to take, and we will load it first,” Elmer recommended.
“The blanket chest, of course, it was my great-grandmother’s; and the Tiffany lamps. Please pack the quilt atop of the bed. My mother and I made it. After I pack a few more things here, this room will be done.” Celia packed some of her clothing into a suitcase she retrieved from under the bed and added a few photos from around the room; photos of her ancestors.
Then Celia went downstairs. They packed the china and the silver, some antique tablecloths, and more photos. “The dining room set was my grandmother’s, but I don’t know if it will all fit in the truck,” she said sadly.
“Elmer and I will come back to get it tomorrow, I promise,” Jim told Celia. “Is there anything else?”
“Just a few pillows my mother embroidered, and I would like to grab a few things from the kitchen, and I think we are done,” Celia said with tears in her eyes.
Celia had to sit down. “I was born in this house. I grew up here. This is harder than I thought it would be,” she continued. Elmer and Jim sat on either side of her, to comfort her. “But it's not safe here. I don’t feel safe here anymore,” Celia announced looking around. “Let’s get the rest of my things and go.” Celia dried he
r eyes and headed for the kitchen.
After picking out a few of her favorite pots and pans, her equipment for canning and preserving along with some other items for the basement kitchen, they finished packing the truck.
Celia went back to lock the door. She stood there for a moment looking inside the house reminiscing and then took a deep breath. She closed the door and walked to the truck. “Let’s go home boys,” Celia told them and climbed in.
The trio arrived at Emerald Knoll a few minutes later. Elmer stopped at the kitchen entrance so they could unload a few things there first. As they walked into the kitchen, they found Abby and Rudy finishing the cleaning up from breakfast. “What the…?” Celia called out.
“It is our way of saying we are sorry,” Abby announced and gave Celia a hug.
Rudy was up to his elbows in dish soap and wearing an apron. “I got to get a picture of this,” Elmer exclaimed pulling his cell phone out of his pocket and snapping a few shots while everyone laughed.
Jim and Celia headed down the steps to the basement while Elmer pulled the truck around to the basement entrance. After several trips, everything was unloaded and downstairs.
Celia unpacked the blanket chest leaving one quilt inside. “Please, take this up to Gracey’s room,” Celia asked. “She is the closest thing to a daughter I have, and I want her to have it.”
“Yes ma’am,” Elmer replied and retrieved the trunk.
Once Elmer had left the room, Celia turned to Jim. “I want you to turn me.”
“What?” Jim exclaimed, jumping back.
“I need to be able to take care of myself. I know the rest of you will keep me safe, but I need to be able to protect myself. You cannot worry about Gracey and Stone and me.”
“You want me to bite you?” Jim asked.
“I am not asked for a mate, Jim. I am only asking to be turned,” Celia explained.
Celia gasped when she heard Jim growl.
Emerald Eyes Page 20
