Brotherhood of the Wolf

Chapter 12.2: Camp Awoo

I'm awakened several times during the night.

First Mrs. Adelaide, then Carlos nudge me from my sleep and give me water, making sure that I remain coherent and hydrated. Apparently it's concussion protocol.

They repeat this at least one more time before morning, who while the intention was well-meaning, it leaves me sleepy.

But no matter how hard I try-whether due to the daylight or unfamiliar surroundings-I can't stay in bed later than nine.

After slipping on my shoes, I go downstairs expecting Clayton to be at the breakfast table, but while everything is set, his place is empty.

"Dr. Ward has asked that you make yourself at home and stay for as long as you'd like."

The unexpected voice from behind me makes me jump. It's a woman I hadn't seen before. She's carrying some linens or bedsheets, and she appears pleasant enough.

"Is he here?"

"No, miss," she responds with a shake of her head.

"Thank you," I say, deciding not to ask any other questions. If I had run into Carlos or Mrs. Adelaide, it would be another story. "I think I'm going to go home now."

I expect to walk, but outside, there's another man I've never seen before standing next to Clayton's SUV. My best guess is that he's part of the security team. Since he doesn't introduce himself, I'm going to think of him as Carlos, Jr.

He's gotten orders on driving me home, and since he won't take no for an answer, I reluctantly accept. I do try to ask if he knows where Clayton is, but I just get a "no, ma'am" in response.

When I get home, logic tells me that I should rest, but I'm too jittery from everything that's already happened this weekend. Plus, I'm starving. So after taking a long, steamy shower, I head back out.

It's definitely a puffer vest and boots kind of day because although it's sunny, the air has a sudden crispness to it as though autumn finally decided to arrive in full-force. It's my favorite season-and not just because I look darned cute in a knit pom hat-but rather the back-to-back holidays that are about to begin.

With a pastor father, we weren't allowed to celebrate Halloween in the modern gore-fest kind of way, but there was always tangy apple cider, gooey campfire s'mores and vibrant chrysanthemum flowers to always set the fall vibe. The small-town parades and home cooked feasts on Thanksgiving, and then all of the whimsical decorations of Christmas also made the shorter than average days bearable.

Reminiscing about Christmases gone by, I don't even notice the length of my cross-campus trek before I find myself in front of Howling Good Bites. Oy. I knew I'd eventually run into a bad wolf pun.

I was also worried that it would be crowded, but it's early enough on Sunday morning where most of the students are still asleep, so there's hardly a line before it's my turn.

I order a chocolate croissant and a tall latte before finding a small table in the corner, but a familiar face carrying a loaded tray out from the kitchen catches my eye. I give Galina a little wave and after she puts the tray on a back counter, she comes over.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" She greets me with a huge smile and a quick hug before handing me an iced sugar cookie. It's a cute werewolf head and it makes me chuckle.

"Real subtle," I say, taking a bite of the ear before pointing to the empty seat across from me. "Got a minute?"

"What? We have ghost and bat ones, too." Galina shrugs innocently as she sits down. "But I do only have a minute. There's a huge order of pumpkin scones I have to finish before the pack retreat. You are coming to that, right?"