Chapter 256 TRAJAN
By the treeside, Piper and Warrick stood in silence, the air thick with tension. Claw marks marred the tree, a detail neither could shake off, as Warrick leaned over to whisper into Piper’s ear, “Someone’s been here recently.”
Cold and still, that early morning, the smell of dew on earth moved like a ghost from its folds. I stood at the edge of the forest, the toes of my booted feet in the dampening earth, and gave little heed to the soft tints of rose and gold across the sky. I leaned against a tree, staring into the woods, lost in my own thoughts.
Last night’s laughter from Joclyn echoed in my mind, a sound that stirred something in me I wasn’t ready to name. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed.
“Focus, Trajan. You’ve got a patrol to lead.”
The crunch of dry leaves snapped me back into the real world. Coming out from behind the trees with my casual stance, I was straining my eyes, catching every movement.
“You haven’t said a word lately,” Dane mentioned, curiosity sounding in his tone.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Just trying to keep everything running right on schedule. It’s always all about the pack.”
Dane tilted his head, viewing me at an angle. “Responsibilities or something else?”
“I do not know what you are driving at,” I replied, my rigid tone becoming more weird.
Dane shrugged knowingly. “Look, I am not here to play, but sometimes, following your heart doesn’t mean you neglect your duties; it may just make you all the more stronger.”
My jaw clenched. “This isn’t about me, Dane. The pack.”
“The pack is better served when its leadership is whole,” Dane ventured, his firm tone soft. “Just something to consider.”
The patrol moved deliberately through the close forest as I barked instructions without reserve. “Check the northern perimeter well. No shortcuts.”
My squad nodded as one, breaking into smaller units, each to their appointed tasks. Still, even as they worked, my mind began to stray.
I envisioned Joclyn, the quiet strength in her, the softening of her smile, and how her laughter could fill in even the most negligible of silences.
“Trajan?” It was one of the younger wolves that spoke, nudging my back.
“What is it?” I asked, showing my distraction.
“Just finished the surveillance. Nothing out of the ordinary to report,” replied the werewolf.
“Good. Keep moving,” I replied, gesturing them onward. I pray they don’t notice my clumsiness.
Later that day, as the pack fell into their routines, I found myself moving toward the gardens. There, in between rows of herbs and flowers, was Joclyn.
She knelt in the dirt, her hands filled with it as she gently worked over some piece of earth. Her blond hair waving in the wind, she took a piece of leaf to her nose and closed her eyes as she sniffed. Her beauty is out of this world. Joclyn, she looked like a forbidden fruit… a tasty forbidden fruit.
I gulped as I slowly stepped closer to her, lost as I watched her. “Busy as ever,” I said, sounding softer than I was accustomed to.
Joclyn looked up, her smile warm but questioning.
“The plants don’t tend to themselves. Do you want something?”
I hesitated and sat on a nearby log.
“I just wanted to thank you. For your advice. It helped more than you know.”
Joclyn dusted her hands and stood back onto her heels. “You have always known, Trajan. Sometimes you just need someone else to remind you.”
Joclyn leaned into some of the old manners and balanced her voice soft, but alive with vibe.
A lighted lantern floated up in the sky, it was almost the celebration of the lanterns' season and some folks were already engaging in it, the light within her eyes danced.
“It was so nice,” she said. “Every one of us lights a lantern then lets it go in the air to carry all lost hopes and wishes away.”
“Perhaps we should revive it,” I said, catching myself off guard with the suggestion.
Joclyn’s eyes, alight with surprise, met mine, her smile spread. “That would be great. Something for the pack to see.” She carried her basket of herbs and walked away, her eyes on the floating lantern.
I sighed as I watched her leave, her ash-colored dress flowing on the grass behind her. From my perspective, she looked like a goddess.
As the sun continued to set, even lower now in the horizon, I made my way toward my quarters. I sat before the desk, and picked the block of wood and my carving knife.
I worked my hands, trying to form a shape that took the form of a small lantern. My hands moved swiftly.
Deep into the night, I stood in the hallway, looking down at the carving in my hand. I took a few slow steps down the corridor, and when I perceived the scent of herbs, I halted.
I have reached my destination. I bent my knuckles as I knocked on Joclyn’s door. The little lantern, cut out of a piece of light wood log, felt heavy in my hand as I anticipated her presence.
There came some creaking from inside, and she thrust the door open. Joclyn wore a night robe, her shoulders were bare. She looked up at my face.
“Trajan?” she asked. “What is it that you want so late in the evening?”
“Hmm, well I thought perhaps you might like this,” I said as I opened my hand in front of her.
Her eyes first widened in surprise, softening into a smile that caused my chest to tighten. She reached for the lantern, her fingers brushing mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to stay stagnant.
But then, that same distant howl pierced the silence once again, echoing through the night. My smile faded, my instincts sharpening. As I looked away into space.
“Is something wrong?” Joclyn asked, her gaze flickering to where I was looking at.
“I don’t know, this sound is getting too constant every night," I replied, my voice steady but tense. “Stay inside. I’ll check it out.”
I balled my fists as I walked out of the pack house. I heard Jocyln’s door shut and I gritted my teeth. I couldn’t enjoy my time with her because of this strange howl.