The Lone Wolf

20, Closure

The next day, Fox had enough energy to shower. Ahren let him use the guest bathroom, and when Fox emerged freshly cleaned and dressed, he found a plate of steaming eggs and bacon waiting for him on the dining table. The smell roused his appetite, and he gratefully dug in.

After he finished his meal and rose to clean his dishes in the kitchen sink, he noticed that Ahren seemed less talkative this morning. Ahren recognized when Fox didn't want to hold a conversation, but normally he'd at least say something to Fox. This morning, he had eaten in somber silence, possibly lost in his thoughts.

Fox looked over at Ahren as the Alpha rose to wash his dishes as well. He moved out of his way, scooting back by the dining table again, and he watched.

Ahren finished his task and turned to Fox. He smiled a little at him, but there was something heavy weighing on his shoulders, a certain sadness in his eyes. Fox knew that sadness all too well, but he was confused by its presence in Ahren.

As far as Fox knew, Ahren hadn't cared for Star the way Fox did. He viewed her with enough respect to reward her good behavior, enough to grant her moments of happiness as she experienced the better parts of pack life. But he didn't see her as a friend.

Fox knew no one else had died recently, so why was Ahren saddened?

Ahren came to a stop a foot away from Fox. "Come with me today," he said.

"What are we doing?" Fox asked. He had really hoped he wouldn't have to go back to labor so soon, but he figured he could tough it out so long as he was with Ahren.

Ahren rested a hand on Fox's shoulder. "I think it'll be better if I just show you."

Fox frowned at that, but Ahren gave him a reassuring smile and brushed his hand through Fox's hair. He did it far more deliberately this time, no longer tentatively tracing his fingertips over Fox's scalp, but full-on parting his hair between his fingers. His palm rubbed side to side a couple times. Fox didn't understand why Ahren was always doing this, but it provided a small comfort, one that didn't make his skin crawl.

Fox followed Ahren to the front door, where they slipped on their shoes before stepping outside. The morning was as chilly as it had been yesterday, though there was no fog hovering among the treetops. Fox had expected this and tugged his jacket tighter closed around him.

Ahren headed for his truck. Fox went over to the passenger side and climbed in when Ahren unlocked the doors. Ahren drove them off somewhere, and Fox settled back against his seat. He fully expected Ahren to take him to some project or event he wanted him to assist with. It was the norm.

Fox didn't pay attention to where they were going, instead watching the trees pass by the car. Most of the trees had lost nearly all of their leaves by now, limbs and branches spindly and bare. The fallen leaves, once vibrant orange and red, were now browned and dead, dissolving into the earth with each passing day.

Fox couldn't help but sigh. What coincidental timing, for the world to slowly grow cold and dead right as Fox had been forced to feel the grief of his losses again. Right when he had to experience a death, again. Fox mused that the world once again reflected how he felt on the inside.

Ahren took them to an area Fox was completely unfamiliar with. It had been two months since he'd been imprisoned here, and he had yet to discover the entire territory. Fox didn't want to; he knew they had a medical sector, which insinuated a hospital, which insinuated everything Fox truly feared.

Ahren drove them down a slightly winding road. There was no traffic on this road, just them, alone. Eventually, they approached a small building with a small parking lot. The building was unassuming, like a dentist's office or a local shop, but behind that building was a half-dome shaped building, metallic and windowless. Fox was unsure what it could be for.