[twenty-one]
The division was apparent. When I led Gideon and a small troupe towards the river, we ran separately. One with Aiden, the other with me. Gideon didn't seem bothered by this and I was glad.
We split and I began to explain to them all how to determine whether the scent of the river was playing tricks or not. It was difficult for them at first but I changed my method of instruction, coaxing them to only use their most necessary senses, hearing and smelling.
"This is unclaimed territory, whatever is beyond the falls does not belong to any, Beta." a warrior by the name of Daniel commented. He was older closer to Gideon's age but bulky. He was a respectable man who held no resentment. He felt uncomfortable with the divide and was not afraid to let it be known.
"Please, call me Maya." I implored him.
He nodded before continuing, "We have never considered this place, no arable land exists anymore." He glanced behind me as he said this in Gideon's direction.
"Scorched earth. It was occupied previously, I presume?" I asked. What would have occurred to make a pack abandon their land, it had to be drastic.
He hesitated to answer me but there was no need.
"Yes." Gideon stated. His gaze was hard in it's direction.
"Is there a story?"
It fell silent at my question and I felt the hunger stir in my belly, I am sure it rattled Gideon's mood deeply. However, I was not to be enlightened today.
"Beta!" a voice exclaimed. We turned to regard our new companion, he was young and exhausted. It was Derek.
He shriveled as he noticed Gideon's gaze and paused peering nervously around him.
"Spit it out, son." Gideon commanded. Derek flinched at his words.
I grasped Gideon's arm. "It's alright, Derek, I'll go." I turned to Gideon.
"Finish, here, with them." He grunted in response when the hunger had numbed but I wanted to remain cautious of leaving him with Aiden.
I nodded towards Daniel, a signal for him to maintain peace as best he could.
"Lead the way, Derek."
We came upon the village, where most members kept their homes. The training grounds, communal dining and infirmary situated nearby.
A large crowd had gathered by training grounds and I began to feel unease among them. Many of them were underaged and had no reason to be here.
"Some wolves challenged each other, we couldn't interfere." Derek explained quickly more at ease than he was before.
The crowd parted quickly for me and I came to see Brian pinned down by another wolf.
"I want this challenge rescinded." I addressed them. Brian's skirmishes had become more apparent. He would return home with bruises and scrapes but refused to tell us how it had come to pass. Jana was concerned, Richard was disappointed and Gideon was irritated.
"This pup thinks he can mouth off." Brian stated.
"I don't see much age difference between you two,so I would regard you the same way." I replied.
The wolf on top clumsily left Brian allowing him to get up.
"Care to explain this, boys." I awaited their answer but nothing came and I had a feeling of the basis for the disagreement. Brian loved Gideon, it was apparent.
"I advise the rest of you disperse, the elders to do not condone inciting public disturbances."
The crowd cleared quickly at my words.
"What's your name?" I regarded the slightly shorter wolf.
"Tom."
"Is that anyway to address your Beta?" Gideon asked darkly. They must have finished early to my dismay.Tom eyes bulged momentarily before composing himself.
I didn't want this intimidation to be the only way people thought of Gideon. He deserved better from them and they deserved better from him.The atmosphere had quickly changed and Tom shuffled nervously. Gideon's mood was still sour.
"Tom, please, refrain from roughhousing your fellow members. We protect each other, nothing else." He nodded vigorously before I dismissed him.
Brian was annoyed and turned to begin walking home.
"I think we need to talk, Brian." Gideon said exasperation clear in his voice.
Brian paused and turned around seething. "There is nothing to talk about."
Gideon's irritation seemed to rise. " Mom and Richard are-"
"What about you? Are you worried? Do you care what they think?" he shouted at him.
"No, I don't."
"Exactly what I thought. Have a nice evening, brother." he replied.
"I'm sorry, Maya. You want better from me and I'll try." he said genuinely before continuing on his way home.
We were preparing for bed. I wore one of his shirts still lacking sleepwear of my own. I sat up in the bed waiting for Gideon to join me.
"You shouldn't patronize him. He's trying." I told him.
"He doesn't understand-" He started but I cut him off.
"No, you don't understand.What use is this position if you can't convince the pack to trust you with their lives? What have you done to convince them otherwise?"
"You don't know what you speak of, Maya. I want you to drop it." his voice was firm.
"Tell me then." I implored.
"Is this about Brian or something else?" He wasn't ready.
"You finished early." I countered.
"Olivia found something else for them to do."
"Why aren't you bothered?" I asked quietly.
"I'm different,Maya. Simple." He hadn't told me much about what he'd done to me but I could feel it, something moving, weaving itself, settling in my body.I wondered if he constantly felt like this, like he was being pulled in so many directions. I knew my senses were heightened because of his mark but even when I had no strength to go out into the farm I would find myself pining for it. Hearing their calls, like they were beckoning me to come to them and I had no desire to do so previously. In one sense, I wasn't even hungry. I had an uneasy feeling that if I were to act upon my wishes I would do anything but care for them.I felt heavier for some reason and my wolf well she was more present. I haven't allowed her the courtesy of the hunt in a while. I should give her that.
"Different doesn't mean separate, Gideon." Although I had lived that way for years before, I knew it wasn't so.
He pulled me closer to him,slowly bringing us together.
"Try convincing the others of that." he said looking elsewhere as he roamed. His mood was becoming better, as usual when we did this. My wolf enjoyed it, I enjoyed it.
"It's not their problem." I replied trying to get his attention. I stopped his hands. " If you want Brian to stop fighting everyone, then you need to show him that you care."
He continued his exploration, each of us occupied by our own thoughts. I still didn't know if I loved him, but I couldn't imagine not knowing what it would be like if I never did. We were going to be with each other forever.What would we gain in the end if we were stuck like this?
~
I took Gideon off his patrol to accompany me to the infirmary.Many of the new mothers spent time there with their children or dropped them here when their duties called them. I didn't let him know we would spend our time this way. It was a surprise.
I cooed softly at the child in front of me. He had dark brown hair and eyes. He giggled some crawling into my lap. He reminded me of my time spent with Tom and Jack, I prayed for their safety often.I missed that part of my life, knowing I could make a difference and see it happen firsthand.
I nestled the child into Gideon's lap. He hadn't been bothered by our destination, at least he didn't let on that he was. I placed his rough hand in a position to hold the child properly. He was awkward at first before I told him to relax.
The little boy quieted down, staring at Gideon with wide eyes, before taking his small hand and hitting Gideon's cheek repeatedly. He began to laugh and tap his face, hiccuping in the process.
I then showed Gideon how to burp him before the child went to sleep in his arms.
"Will it be like this with our child?" he asked.
I suddenly became nervous at the prospect of conception. I didn't even know he wanted any. But then again who was I to deny something that was possible.
"Perhaps."
THIS IS AN UNEDITED DRAFT.THANK YOU FOR READING.