Friday, October 18th Pt. 18
“No Cole. That’s for you.” I stop him from handing the water to the pup in his lap.
“Clay, right? Are you thirsty?”
“It’s short for Clayton.” He nods but hesitates to take the water.
“Dev?” His voice waivers with nervousness. Something I wasn’t expecting.
“It’s okay Clay. If you’re thirsty, take it. Just make sure you use the bathroom before bed.”
He nods but still looks nervous as he takes the bottle. He immediately starts heaving with heavy breaths.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.” He whimpers as he puts the bottle back in my hand.
“Put the water on the table and cover Cole’s ears. He can’t handle the screams of a pup.”
I’m shocked by Deven’s directions but quickly do as he asks as it’s obvious that Clay is starting into a panic attack. Just as I get behind Cole and cover his ears Deven has come behind Clay.
“Don’t fight me little buddy. I’m not going to hurt you.”
He states quickly as he grabs the child from behind, lifting him off Cole’s lap. His scream is one of fear before he starts repeating that he’s sorry. Deven is quick to turn him around, restraining him against his chest as he breaks down crying.
“I’m sorry. I….” I’m at a loss for words as I’ve never encountered a pup to react this way over water.
“Don’t Demetri. You had no way to know. The only reason he’s upset is because he actually wants the water. When he first came to us Lauren and David Nova volunteered to foster him until we knew if he had any relatives. What Cassius didn’t know was their mate’s bond had been fractured by infidelity over a year ago. They both started seeing another person which resulted in Lydia being left on her own for long portions of the evening. They took Clay in the hopes of bonding with a new child bringing the bond back between them but all it did was give them a whipping post for all their frustrations.
We have found out over the last five months several things that he was over punished for. Lydia is a year older and still having issues with wetting the bed at night so she isn’t allowed anything to drink after dinner. Clay doesn’t have that issue but has been spanked excessively over getting water after dinner.”
I nod my head still at a loss as I watch Deven console the young pup. Once he’s calm, he places Clay back in Cole’s lap before reaching for the bottle I left on the table.
“It’s okay, Clay.” He speaks softly near the pup’s ear. “You’ve been doing very well with everything that has happened and I know the reason you’re up is you had a nightmare. I promise that having some water is okay.”
He hands Clay the water, rubbing his back lightly until he opens it and takes a small drink. He looks up at me as he recaps the bottle.
“I’m…” I shake my head.
“No apologies, Clay. I know triggers can’t be controlled.”
I sigh as I run my fingers slowly through Cole’s hair. He opens his eyes and looks at me as I continue the rhythmic petting.
“Are you okay with this?” He closes his eyes again with a sigh.
“Yes sir. It’s familiar. For the first time it’s in a good way.”
“You found this very comforting when you were with me.”
“How long was I with you?” He seems to be getting curious as we wait for Cassius to get started with the history lesson he and Deven seem eager to speak about.
“Six months. By the end I was begging you not to leave.”
“Why did I leave?”
“I don’t think you really wanted to but you have a situation at your home pack that you felt was imperative to defend yourself against. The only way you knew how to do that was to return home for your laptop. I didn’t want to mention it or ask about it but considering the hell you must have endured to be where you are physically and mentally, I very much hope you escaped with it intact.”
“It felt important from the moment I touched it.”
“Can I take that to mean you have it? It’s here, in your possession?”
“Yes sir. It’s plugged in sitting on the dresser in my room. If it’s that important perhaps it would be best for you to take it with you when you leave. Maybe you can figure out why it’s important.”
“I already know why it’s important. Are you certain you’re ready to trust me with such an important item?”
“We’re returning to your pack once Jessa is better, correct?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
“Then it’s not an issue for you to take it.”
I continue with my gentle petting as Deven walks up beside Cole, placing his hand on his.
“Cole, I am very sorry but the pain I feel coming from you has increased despite the separation from your mate. I know you won’t ask for it but I’m going to prepare you a shot of toradol.”
I cock my head, curious as to why he’s medicating him so heavily. Cole whines softly but otherwise makes no protest. Deven walks away leaving me with Cassius and Clayton.
“Have you ever heard the origins of werewolves story, Clayton?” Cassius asks.
Clay shakes his head.
“Well, no one knows for certain how werewolves came about. What is known is that when the oldest packs, usually the alpha’s, family tree is dissected to its earliest ancestors it crosses paths with witches and warlocks. I believe that is the reason that witches and warlocks are still so inclined to work with werewolves as, while it has become rare, witches and warlocks have been born to full blood alpha werewolves and alpha werewolves have been born to them.
While I have not been able to fully research them I do believe that Melissa Ashlock, the young lady Cole protected in Pennsylvania before being taken to the border of Purple Mountain, is a natural born witch.”
“What makes you think that?” Cole asks slowly as I’ve yet to stop my gentle petting of his head.
“Based on what you’ve told us and the little we were able to find, she’s a wolfless alpha.” Deven interrupts causing Cole to tense.
“I’ve done this twice before. Just be still and allow it to happen.”
His attempts at soothing Cole are ineffective as he whines and tugs at the arm Deven has taken into his grasp.
“Do you remember what I told you I was going to give you?”
He asks Cole, a technique I’m uncertain will work for him.
“Toradol.” He replies after a long pause.
“Breathe Cole. Even counts.”
I encourage as Deven wipes down his arm and places a bandage where he plans to put the shot. I remain silent as I realize that he’s not rushing through it, peaking my curiosity.
“We have done this before.” Deven states.
“Yes sir.” Cole surprises me, replying as if it was a question.
“I have not given you any reason to believe that I am lying to you about what the medication is.”
“No sir.” He again affirms his statement.
“What is the worst part about receiving this shot?”
“The burn, sir.”
“Yes sir. You will feel very little of it if any at all.” He nods his head, agreeing with Deven.
“Why am I so afraid?”
Deven looks at me briefly before speaking again.
“I don’t know.” He states softly as he pricks Cole’s arm.
Cole barely moves as he’s given the shot. Deven’s hand remains gently around his arm a good minute after he’s cleaned everything up. He checks on Clay briefly before joining Sheila on the couch.
“Where did I leave off?” Cassius starts again.
“You last talked about how you believe my friend Melissa is a witch.”
“Yes.” Cassius claps his hands together as I make my way to the loveseat.
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