Jax

Taking a deep breath I wrung my hand together in my lap. “So, I don’t suppose you would want to come in?

Lucien arched his brow at me, “do you want me to?”

Smiling I looked down, “I’m not ready for you to leave yet.”

Hearing the truck turn off I looked over seeing Lucien watching me. “So what did you have in mind? More scary movies?”

I smiled opening my door, “no. How about coffee and conversation on the front porch.”

Lucien nodded, “sounds good.”

Nodding at him I stepped out leading him to the porch pausing only long enough to unlock the door. Flipping on the lights on our way to the kitchen I glanced over my shoulder. “I’ve never watched you make your coffee but for some reason, I see you as a no sugar, no creamer type.”

Lucien sat at the bar smiling watching as I pulled two cups down out of the cabinet. “I feel like I should be insulted. Are you calling me old or bitter?”

I made a face as I starting his cup, “ohh old is a good one. How old are you?”

Snorting Lucien looked up at me, “28, is that old?”

I smiled pushing his cup in front of him before starting mine. “I mean you are older than me so yeah.”

As I turned pulling the creamer out of the fridge Lucien arched his brow, “and just how old are you.”

Watching as Lucien added sugar but no creamer to his coffee I shrugged, “23.”

Grabbing my cup I added my creamer and sugar placing the creamer back inside the fridge. Looking over at Lucien I smiled, “do you need help to the front door or ...”

Lucien cut his eyes up at me, “keep on and I’ll sic the wildlife on you.”

I laughed making a face as I made my way back to the front porch. As we sat down I took a slow sip of my coffee. “Maybe this was a bad idea,” I said. “It’s so cold.”

Lucien placed his arm on the back of the swing letting me move in closer to him. His warmth seemed to engulf me making the cold manageable. Looking up at him I frowned making sure to stick my bottom lip out some. “Are you sure you have to go out of town?”

Glancing over at me he smiled, “what? Are you going to miss the old man?”

“I will,” I said unable to hide my smile.

He smiled taking a sip of his coffee, “so tell me more about this wolf you saw this morning.”

Looking up at him I saw he was serious, “it was a small red fox. He was there in the opening,” I said pointing in that general direction. “He was watching me I think but when I noticed him he ran away.”

“You probably scared him,” Lucien said.

I scoffed, “scared him, he scared me.”

Lucien took another drink before looking over at me, “maybe he is keeping watch over you.”

“Do you think he is what I’ve been hearing at night?”

Lucien shrugged, “perhaps, these woods are full of them. They normally don’t come close but you need to be aware of them. Not all wolves are friendly.”

I shook my head, “I’ve never met a friendly wolf.”

“Have you ever met one?”

I laughed, “no, but I mean they are wolves right. Kinda like a bear, I’m not about to go have a conversation with one.”

“I’m beginning to think I need to have you placed in a bubble while I’m gone.”

" I am going to miss you,” I said. “I guess Jax will have to keep me company.”

Lucien shook his head, “the wolf might be better company.”

Scooting a little closer to him I looked up to see Lucien watching me. Lifting my hand to his face I pulled his lips down to mine. His hand moved up grabbing mine and as he deepened our kiss a shrill howl sounded causing both of us to jump.

A shiver ran down my spine at the sound, “that sounds close,” I whispered.

Lucien nodded, his attention focused on the woods in front of us. “The woods have a way of making things seem closer than they are.”

Glancing down at his watch he sighed, “I hate to leave so early but I have to run by dads before it gets too late.”

I nodded a little disappointed but Lucien tilted my chin up, “I’ll call you in the morning.” As I nodded again his lips met mine. Another howl, this time a deep one sounded and Lucien stood up. “Tomorrow I promise.”

Lucien stood up walking me to the door and handing me his coffee cup, “I’m sorry to run Sam.”

I nodded, “it’s ok. I know you have better things to do than babysit me.”

He shook his head, “there is nothing I’d rather do more than sit out here with you but duty calls.”

I arched my brow at him but he quickly leaned down kissing me bye. As he left I walked inside wondering just what he had to talk to his dad about. I shook my head, it was none I’d my concern.

Washing the coffee cups out I walked upstairs intending on going straight to my room but instead, I turned Dora the explorer, and went toward the attic door. I had peeked in once before and noticed that it needed a good cleaning but I had already decided that it would be my next project.

Hitting the light switch on my way up the stairs I watched as the lights flickered a few times before they came on with a buzz. Right in the middle of the wall underneath the big circle window sat a desk. I made my way over to it grabbing a book that was laid on top. It was a book of herbs and how to combine them to handle different illnesses.

This must have been what Lucien was talking about. Sitting the book back down I rubbed at the dust on the window as best as I could. The moon was big and bright tonight and it instantly found myself drawn to it. Glancing toward the yard I saw the same little red wolf running toward the backyard. I shook my head, I guess if I was going to have a wolf in my yard at least it was small and seemed aloof to me.

Returning to my room I washed my hands and changed into some pajamas before crawling in the bed and turning on the TV. Absolutely nothing was on so I ended up turning it right back off and laid down trying my best to fall asleep. I wished Lucien could have stayed longer tonight, I almost felt as if we had backtracked even after he had taken me out.

It was dark, I was in the woods and I could see the cemetery ahead of me. My body was shaking and I felt like I had been running forever, there was only a sliver of moon in the sky and I was scared of something. Something was wrong. A twig cracked behind me and I took off running again, even though I could see the cemetery I couldn’t seem to reach it, the harder I ran the further away it seemed. Stumbling on a root I fell and fell hard, my whole left side was screaming in pain as I looked up to see a black wolf walking toward me, his head low as he watched me.

The wolf growled circling me and I tried my best to crawl away from him but I couldn’t move. The night erupted in a shrill howl as it threw its head back as if sending out a warning to those near. Suddenly it lunged and I closed my eyes awaiting the impact. Hearing a loud thud and more growling I slowly opened my eyes. I found myself face to face with a wolf that was white with grey and black in its fur.

I awoke sitting straight up, my heart was still racing. Unable to go back to sleep I headed downstairs to get a drink. Pouring some tea in a glass I looked out my back door and spotted the little red wolf sitting underneath the shed, “are you causing my bad dreams,” I said aloud. The wolf perked its head up and I shook my head at it, “damn nature.”

It was a little after four so I took myself back upstairs hoping I could fall back to sleep. My mind kept going back to my dream, it had seemed so real. These woods were making me crazy.

The next morning I awoke following my usual routine but this time when I had my coffee in hand I headed outside to see if I could find the wolf. He appeared to be long gone and I found myself wondering if I should buy him a dog house. I was secretly laughing at myself as I heard my phone ring. Reaching in my pocket I pulled it out smiling seeing it was Lucien.

“What are you up to this morning.”

I let out a laugh as I shut my back door, “oh you know messing with the wildlife. Hey, I think I have a pet. Well, not a pet but a visitor.”

Lucien sighed, “are you talking about that wolf you saw yesterday? Didn’t I tell you to leave it alone?”

I rolled my eyes at him as he laughed at me, “whatever but yes, he came back last night. “I’m sure he is harmless. Right?”

“As long as you leave him alone. I’m sure you will be fine.”

Nodding I made my way into the kitchen determined to make an omelette. “I think he is giving me bad dreams though”

Lucien stayed quiet as I described my dream to him. When I was done he laughed, “maybe that is your conscious telling you to keep your ass in the house at night.”

I shrugged, “laugh at me again and I won’t miss you at all.”

Lucien paused, ” well in that case I guess I won’t stop by later.” I quickly opened my mouth to take my words back but he started talking again, “that’s what I thought.”

After breakfast, I had plans of returning to the attic to clean but instead found myself glued to my couch reading. I had promised Lucien I would cook for him tonight and I already had a meatloaf cooking in the oven. The house smelled delicious and I could not wait to eat. My laundry buzzed letting me know it was done so I got up pulling the clothes out of the dryer and putting the clothes that were in the washer in the dryer.

I hated folding clothes and I mean HATED. It didn’t take long but I still hated it. Maybe it was the putting up of the laundry I hated. While I was upstairs I decided to pull on some jeans and a long sleeve shirt. My hair was actually still behaving so I ignored it putting on minimal makeup. I was lazy and Lucien hell Lucien has seen me without makeup so whatever.

From the top of the stairs, I could hear somebody on my porch and I tried my best to tiptoe down but the stairs let out a loud stretch that seemed to echo throughout the whole house. The sound on the porch stopped and I moved the curtain away from the window by the door and was surprised to see Jax.

Quickly opening the door he looked up at me, “Jax what on earth are you doing here?”

He shrugged lazily, “I’m hungry,” he said simply walking past me.

I turned around frowning, “ok well supper will be in another hour. Do you want to wait and eat with me and Lucien or do you want something now?”

Jax slumped down on my couch, “I can wait.” Yawning he closed his eyes and left me staring at him like I was the crazy one. I made myself busy by going into the kitchen and putting the potatoes in boiling water to mash later. When I returned Jax was snoring and I couldn’t help but shake my head.

When Lucien pulled up I met him at his door before he was fully out. “Do you know why Jax would just appear at my door saying he is hungry and then fall asleep on my couch?”

Lucien stepped out pulling me into him kissing my forehead, “his dad died a couple of months ago. His mom died delivering him. We all take turns taking care of him. I guess he chose you today.”

I covered my mouth, “omg how old is he?”

Lucien shrugged, “16, he should be in school but he won’t go so we have enrolled him in home school. That’s not going too well either.”

I shook my head, ” well that’s what he can do in the office with me.”

Entering the house Jax was sitting straight up like he had never been asleep and I told him to come on to the kitchen to grab a plate. We ate in the dining room since we had company. The boys brought all the food in for me as I set the table.

Lucien and I sat across from Jax watching as he ate like he was starving. I was having a need to mother him for some reason. Lucien took a sip of tea, “while I’m out of town I need you to keep an eye on Sam. She has been chasing the wildlife around here.”

Jax stopped eating looking up, “yes sir, I will keep her out of trouble.

” I frowned at the both of them, ” we all know I will be the one keeping people out of trouble.” Lucien and Jax laughed at me. I rolled my eyes grinning as I took a bite of my meatloaf.

After we ate Lucien helped me with the dishes and Jax went back to his spot in front of the TV. Wiping my wet hands with a towel I frowned. Lucien must have seen me because he walked up behind me tilting my face up, “what’s wrong?”

I shrugged, “well I’m kind of sad you’re leaving, kind of worried about Jax.”

Lucien pulled me closer to him, “I will be back soon and Jax, well like I said we all take care of him. Don’t let the starved act fool you. He eats like a horse all the time.”

I grinned up at him laying my head on his chest, “you’re going to bring me back something right?”

Lucien laughed, “am I’m not enough?”

I made a face, “umm no.”

He laughed leaning down kissing me, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Jax and Lucien left shortly after leaving me to my own devices. I was tired after my long day and headed upstairs to take my bath. Once fresh and clean I snuggled in my bed and let the darkness take me away.