I heard a sigh escape her lips but she didn't say anything. We were in the foyer about to go into the dinning room when she stopped me. I looked at her hand touching my shoulder and then to her face.
"Last night...when we...I thought I heard a wolf howling?"
"You did," I replied and then went into the dinning room where Mrs. Porter had placed the eggs and bacon for us to eat on.
I sat down and immediately began to eat while Simone stood and nibbled nearby.
"Sit," I said a bit forcefully.
"I'm just in a hurry to get back to some sort of normalcy."
She gave a shrug and I watched her pick up a buttery croissant and bit into it. The pretty little mouth of hers was going to get her into deep trouble. I knew it was a dangerous game that I was playing at, but I didn't care.
I cleaned my plate and continued to let her day dream. Smacking a few crumbs out of my lap, I stood and pulled her outside. Ignoring her pleas, and the frightened look on her face, I didn't stop until we were in the back garden. It was dead here, but a few red roses were blooming.
"Are you going to kill me now?" she yanked her arm away.
There was a gun at the base of my back. Had she seen it? Ignoring her I put my fingers to my lips and the shrill sound of my whistle cut through the quiet. Simone immediately tensed and began to look around. Within moments, the sounds of crackling sticks filled our ears.
He appeared out of nowhere, a majestic creature the seemed to blend into the newly fallen snow. His breaths came out in slow puffs and Simone went to grab my arm.
"Don't move," I told her.
"What...you have a fucking wolf?" she said.
"Yes..."
"Is he going to attack me?"
Something odd bubbled up inside of me and I laughed. Getting down on one knee, I called to him and he bounded over. It almost looked as if he were smiling but I knew Simone was about to pass out.
"Fedor," I smiled and began to rub him behind his ears.
For a few moments he allowed me to rub him but then he noticed Simone. It was almost as if the energy had shifted and we both knew it. His golden eyes seemed to track her every breath.
"Why is he looking at me like you haven't fed him in months?" she asked standing extremely still.
"Fedor is harmless to those he likes."
I stood and Fedor began to sniff. He started with her legs, winding around her and then he sat down at her feet and continued to peer at her. I didn't bother to tell her that every single one of my men were terrified of him.
"What should I do?" she asked.
I chuckled and came over. "Very slowly, reach down and pet him. He's extremely loyal and will follow your lead...he would protect you once you accept him and give affection."
Simone's gray eyes turned on me. "Sure he's not a vicious creature like his master?"
"He has a better judge of character," I said.
Very slowly, Simone leaned down and touched his white fur. The wolf almost seemed to mew at her touch. Once she felt more comfortable, she got down as I had and began to scratch him behind the ears.
"Enough!" I snapped at both of them and they turned their heads to me.
They both ignored my words and finally I had to force Simone up.
Fedor let out a low growl.
"You have a fan," I sneered at the animal.
