Chapter 2: Chapter 2

VALERY

The next morning, I’m pondering over what to make my house guest for breakfast. He has to eat to recover, but I have no idea what a wolf would eat!

“Aaaaaargh! What should I dooo!?”

I have to go to school soon, and I won’t be back before the afternoon, so I have to give him something!

I sigh while preparing some bacon and fried veggies. Maybe he will at least eat the bacon. Wolves are carnivores after all.

Placing the plate down before him, I catch his gaze, his golden eyes widening in surprise. I scratch my head.

“I’m sorry. Like I said, I never expected to have a wolf in my home, so I don’t have anything you would eat. I will get something, though, don’t worry. But please, you have to eat.”

Despite knowing he can’t understand, I desperately plead with him to take a few bites. To my surprise, he lowers his head and devours every last morsel on the plate.

“Wow, you must have been hungry.” I hold up my hand, gesturing for him to stay put. “I’m gonna get you some more!”

I dash off into the kitchen and bring the rest of the breakfast. He eats more, and I smile as I watch him, pleased he’s doing so well. After eating half of what’s on the plate, he pushes it toward me.

“Are you full? All right then. You can just eat the rest later.”

I attempt to get up from my seated position next to him, but he pushes the plate against my hand.

“Wh-what? I don’t understand what you want.”

I look at him, confused, and he delicately puts the tip of a piece of bacon between his teeth so it won’t break and places it into the palm of my hand.

“You want me to eat too? It’s all right. I made this for you. I don’t need anything.”

I smile at him and am about to get up again when he growls angrily. The sudden sound scares me for a second, and I look back at him. His golden eyes flicker darker, and he again holds the bacon toward me.

Exhaling loudly, I take the bacon from him. “All right, all right. I’m eating,” I mutter.

Stuffing the piece into my mouth, I mock glare at him while chewing. He makes a noise that sounds like a laugh and then pushes the plate to me again.

“You want me to eat all of that? I will eat a lot—”

He growls again, and I laugh. It’s like he really understands what I’m saying.

I lift my hands in surrender and nod. Then I eat what’s left on the plate.

After I’m done, he growls again. This time it’s not an angry sound but a soft, pleasant one. He inspects the plate, sniffs, and then gives a nod of his head as if he’s satisfied, which makes me smile.

“You’re impossible. It’s like you care about me. This is so fucked up.”

This time I get up without him trying to stop me and wash the plate. I grab my backpack and keys after putting a bowl of water next to my guest, and then I kneel next to him.

“I’m gonna leave now. Sorry I can’t stay with you, but I’m going to be back as soon as I can, all right?”

I take his snout in my hand and search his golden eyes for an answer. They flicker as they soften. I nod with a smile and kiss his head before leaving, making sure I lock the door behind me.

Once I arrive at school, my first destination is the teacher’s room, where I proceed to knock on the door. I smile when the teacher I want to talk to is the one who opens the door.

“Good morning, Mr. Lamberg. Can I speak to you for a moment?” Mr. Lamberg is one of my favorite teachers. He is always thorough in his explanations, and he’s a kind man.

Mr. Lamberg nods. “Of course, Valery.” He steps to the side and allows me to walk past him into the room. A few teachers are talking near a vending machine, and Mr. Lamberg leads me over to a couch where he invites me to sit down.

Although several years younger than my father, they were good friends. It seemed like Mr. Lamberg was at our house almost every Friday night—that is, until both my father and mother died in a car accident a few years ago.

Since then, though, Mr. Lamberg has been nothing but supportive. He has helped me find loans and scholarships to pay my tuition, and he has given me loads of advice on what I need to do to maintain the home I inherited way before I was ready to be a homeowner.

Now, I’m seeking advice on what to do with the gigantic wolf at home.

Once he’s seated, he pats his knee. “What can I help you with, Valery?”

I tell him about finding the wolf and explain what I’ve done to help, and he listens attentively, a small frown on his lips. Once I’m done, he closes his eyes in thought and then opens them again.

“First of all, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how dangerous that was, Valery. You could have gotten seriously hurt or even killed.”

I swallow and look down at my hands.

Mr. Lamberg sighs. “For some reason, though, you’ve got some sort of gift. An animal whisperer or something. You’ve always had a way with them, especially dogs, so it doesn’t surprise me you helped a wild wolf!”

He stands up. “You’re one of the best, most promising students at this university. I’m going to give you some bandages for him and some dog food, but the minute he’s better, let him go. Wild wolves are nothing to play with.” He hands me a small package of dog food. “Here, he should be fine eating that.”

“Thank you so much!” I say as I place the food in my bag. Mr. Lamberg moves to a different cabinet and takes out bandages that he also hands me. He’s about to close the door, but he hesitates, swings the cabinet door back open, and rummages around.

When he faces me once more, he hands me a tranquilizer gun. “It’s probably against my better judgment to even allow you to go home without alerting the authorities, but if he acts aggressively in any way, Valery, shoot him with this. It’ll knock him out long enough for someone to come get him. Understood?”

In my mind, I know he’s right to be cautious. Just last night, I considered myself insane for bringing the wolf into the house! But now that I’ve spent time with him, I can’t help feeling a bit angry that Mr. Lamberg would suggest he’d be anything but the golden-eyed sweetheart he has been.

Still, to put Mr. Lamberg’s mind at ease, I place the tranquilizer gun in my bag and zip it up. “Thank you. I really don’t think you need to worry, and he’ll probably only need to stay for another day or so. He seemed so much better this morning.”

Mr. Lamberg lowers his brows at that and looks as if he’s contemplating something for a moment, but he shrugs it off and walks me to the door of the staff room. “From what you’ve said, he ~does~ sound like he has had experience with humans, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

I thank him again and hurry down the hall to head for my class, but he calls out to me.

“Valery, wait.”

I turn my head, surprised, and walk back to him. He smiles and nods to the stables.

“Just clean the stables and then head home for today.”

My eyes widen in surprise.

“A-are you sure? But the classes—”

He cuts me off by lifting his hand in a gesture of silence. Then he puts his hand on my shoulder.

“Like I said, you’re one of the best students here. You’re a fast learner, and I know you’re worried about leaving that injured wolf alone. You have my number. I expect a text now and then, assuring me you’re all right. If not, I’m going to come out and check on you myself. Got it?”

I roll my eyes and he laughs. “And don’t worry about the classes. You’ll be able to catch up in no time.”

I smile at the praise and nod. “Thank you. I’ll clean the stable and report to you once I’m done.”

He shakes his head with a smile. “It’s all right. I’ll be busy. Just leave once you’re done. See you tomorrow.”

I nod and dash off to the locker room to change my clothes and grab my water bottle. Then I head for the stables to clean it. Other students already fed the horses. My class has the duty today of cleaning here after theory lessons.

I start my work to finish quickly but still take some time to spend with the horses. After three hours, I’m finally done, and I pick up the cleaning supplies before going back to my locker to change.

While walking home, I hum a song as I think about the wolf. I hope he’s okay. I didn’t even think about letting him out to go to the bathroom!

Reaching my house, I unlock the door.

“I’m back!” I announce and hear a howl from the living room. I guess that means ~hello~. I chuckle to myself and take off my coat before greeting my furry guest, who has come to the door.

“I got some stuff for you. But first, do you need to go outside?” I hold open the door and hope that if he goes out, he’ll come back. But although he studies the landscape for a few moments, he stays where he is, his tail wagging.

“Are you sure? Going once.” I close the door a little. “Going twice.” I close the door even more. “Gone!” I say as I shut the door completely and lock it. “Let’s eat lunch and then I’m going to change your bandage, all right?”

I pet his head and he growls, satisfied. After a few cuddles, I head to the kitchen to whip myself something up and put the dog food on a plate. I take both plates and head to the living room.

As I sit down, I grab my water bottle and pour some into the now empty bowl. He drinks some and I refill it again.

“Okay then. I hope this is more to your taste. Let’s eat!”

I pick up my fork and start eating but stop when I see he’s just staring at his plate.

“Wh-what’s wrong? You’re not hungry?”

I lower my plate and look into his golden eyes. He chuffs and takes a bite from his plate, but he doesn’t seem to want to eat…

I sigh as I put down my plate and pet his head.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to force yourself. Are you sure you’re feeling well?”

He growls and leans his head into my touch. Then he raises his head and grabs one of the veggies on my plate.

“Hey! What, you prefer this?”

I look at him and shake my head while he continues eating my veggies.

“You’re some weird wolf. Well, as long as you eat, I suppose.”

I chuckle and watch him eat off my plate until he pushes it toward me and looks at me with his golden eyes.

I smile. “I know, I know. You want me to eat the rest. No need for growling again.”

I eat, and his eyes soften. From his throat, I hear a satisfied grumble. After I’m done, I wash my hands and apply the bandages before cleaning the dishes and heading to my desk. Not wanting him to worry, I find Mr. Lamberg’s phone number and send off a quick text telling him that everything is okay.

Placing the phone in my back pocket, I grab my coat. “I’m going to go for a short walk before it gets too dark,” I tell my house guest.

He barks, and I laugh as I turn toward the door.

But without warning, he’s between me and the exit, his teeth bared and the fur on his back raised and bristled as if he’s ready to strike.