Forgotten Wolf

38 Normal

Life has settled into an easy rhythm. I split my time between the pack and my farm, though there's not enough it seems, as everything is getting away from me. 

It's noon on Friday and everything's a mess. I have to get everything set for Trish to pick up for tomorrow's market, not to mention catch up on this overgrown jungle of a garden. Oh and did I mention it looks like the lawn is being converted to a hay field!? When Chris said he needed me to stay for a while, I thought days, not weeks.

"What's wrong, my elf?" Jace cuts in.

"Everything has gotten away from me. I need like a solid week to get caught up, easy. But somehow I don't think Chris would want me gone that long," I groan, the frustration clear in my voice.

"I've already texted Trish that I'm behind, she replied with a glove emoji so I don't even know what that means, but I-" Jace cut me off there.

"Point me at something, Nate is running wild, he can link me if somethings off," he says with a smile.

"Really? Playboy's gonna try on farming today?" I can't help but laugh.

"How hard can it be?" he laughs. "Besides, I look good no matter what I'm doing." 

I can't help but roll my eyes at his cockiness. "Oh so humble, but I'll take all the help I can get."

"Noted, incoming," Jace says, nodding to the driveway. Jude pulls in shortly followed by Trish.

"Sorry Trish, I'm nowhere near ready," I apologize.

She furrows her brow as she looks at me in confusion. "I'm here to help, didn't you get my text?" 

Typical Trish, apparently a glove emoji was supposed to give me that heads up.

She eyes a shirtless Jace. "So that's who's been occupying all your time, eh?" She wiggles her eyebrows in approval.

Jace just grins, basking in the glory, not even attempting to correct her.

"In his dreams," Jude cuts in, bursting his bubble.

Trish snaps her attention to Jude now, and raises an eyebrow at him. "Were you finally able to seal the deal, Jude!?" 

I could die on the spot as everyone laughs.

"Chris will be by soon," Jace cuts in. "Things finished up early and he's on his way with back up."

He leans in while Trish gears up. "It's our fault you fell behind, let us help you catch up. You know he's not gonna take no for an answer." I just nod.

I can use the help, and Chris is as stubborn as I am.

Before long, two vehicles pull up. 

Jace wasn't kidding when he said back up. 

Chris, Xavier, Claire, and Alexi are the only ones I recognize, but there are three other guys as well.

"The cavalry has arrived," Alexi announces. I can't help but laugh at her much-welcomed exuberance. 

Trish comes up to meet the new additions. "Xavier and Claire you've met, Alexi played challenge with Jess, and Joseph, Allen, and Luke are our best groundskeepers," Chris says. 

"I don't know much about gardening but set us to work and I'm sure we can take care of the grunt work," he laughs.

"I appreciate the help but this is over the top," I say directly to Chris.

"They volunteered," he replies, shrugging. "Actually there was a good pool of volunteers to pick from, but I didn't want you to think we were invading," he laughs as his hazel eyes sparkle.