C4 Day At Sycamore Pup Home

Rosella

“You all, stay right here. Do you understand? Don't make any sounds.”

They all stared dumbly. “Good luck,” Gundulf managed to say as I pulled the doorknob.

Why did he feel that I needed good wishes? I wondered. Or did he sense something?

Vladimir cleared his throat and stood on his feet upon seeing me. "Come in,” I told the men politely, but they wouldn't heed.

“We are comfortable out here. They wouldn't give you a day with your kids as we promised.” He said without any iota of concern, and I wondered how he was able to do that.

“We have the form, fill in the details and sign right below.” He placed the paper on the car's hood-top while one hand searched for a pen in his pocket.

“Come in, our home is safe.” I insisted.

“Alright, it's not night yet, and the full moon is not coming out anytime soon, let's go with her.” He urged the other men and they obeyed.

“I have five thousand bucks for you,” I dumped a bundle of dollar notes on the table. “Take it and leave me and the children alone, let's run away.” I tried to bribe Vladimir after we had sat around the table.

“Break the banks or mop the Colorado River, I'm not backing out. We must take the pups to a safe place. You caused this for yourself.”

“I'm innocent, I can swear to it,”

“It doesn't matter now. Please sign on this or else, we'll have to involve the cops.”

I heaved and took the pen. I listened carefully to Accalia's melodious voice, she was singing and humming a song of victory.

“Termination of parental rights, serial number 09.” I read out loud. “I'm the ninth person on the list.”

“And you won't be the last person on the list, hurry, put your signature below.”

“Take this from me, you are going nowhere with my children. We are running away, but if you want to stop us, shoot us.”

Vladimir cocks a gun, You care for a silver bullet shot? It's right here, are you going to sign or not?” He pressed the gun to my head.

“Ah!,” A sudden sound escaped from my mouth.

Trying so hard so as not to cry out and attract the attention of my children, I scribbled something on the paper with my convulsing hand. Afterward, I pushed the paper to him.

****

I stood by my window and watched as the Toyota Tacoma pulled out with my kids. Tears ran down my face uncontrollably.

“Rose!” I heard Paula call out. “I'm home, prepare the children, the van arrives in 15 minutes.”

I wiped my face before turning around, “They are already gone but… Thanks, Paula.” I said, hoping that she doesn't hear the crack in my voice.

Dumbfounded, Paula stood immobile by the door as I began to pack my bags.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, I want to go back to The Wintermoon Pack to meet my half-father."

"Why would do that, you were banished, remember?"

"I'll plead with him to proffer solution to this, I hope they'd welcome me.”

"You could get killed, they don't ever want to see you again."

"I learned to fight, I can defend myself."

“Don't,” Paula flung the Las Vegas Weekly on the table before sinking into the sofa. “Hunter, the owner of the orphanage needs a caretaker for the pups over there, I think you should give it a try. No one will ever know that you are their mother, and you will have all you need ranging from accommodation, food, and other basic needs.”

"Oh, Paula!” I rushed to the old woman for a hug. “I can't thank you enough.”

“I got your back anytime. Unfortunately, the requirement demands expertise in the field of caretaking.”

“That's no big deal, I can get someone to forge something, a certificate, anything. I'll apply tomorrow morning.”

“Good luck,”

“Thanks, Paula. Where is this orphanage located?”

“Along the path that leads to the forest after the Nevada mountain.”

“Oh my, that's totally out of the heart of town.”

“Where else do you expect him to live? I've heard a lot about that man. He is mighty and can even lay down his life for his pack members or any friendly werewolf. Well, I learned he has a block house at Abbey Drive, but he barely visits the place.”

“I'll check out by tomorrow.”

I began to unpack my bags.

The following day, I made myself ready to visit the blockhouse for the job. I was told at the gate that he'd just left for his permanent abode.

“Sycamore Pup Home,” I checked the write-up on my leaflet again and nodded. After several knocks, I hissed and turned around in disappointment. When I had taken about four steps away, the gate opened on its own and a uniformed man stood by the gate.

“We need a caretaker who is patient, loving, and sweet. Judge yourself, are you fit for this job?”

“I am,” I bowed, trying to show curtsy. “I'm ready to work.”

“Come in, sit in the park. I will have to meet one of the servants to call the Alpha, today is one of his busy days, but I'm sure he'll want to create time for you.” He smirked and walked away, while I moved toward the park with a double mind.

My eyes were busy searching around for my kids. Silly me, how would they be allowed to roam around the premises?

The place seemed busy with many people going around, mostly servants and workers. The Alpha lives here and had separated a part of the land to build an orphanage.

There was a training field meters after a mahogany tree and a welfare home beside it. Wolves loved a shady place, they love to live in a place surrounded by trees, and it was accurately how Hunter built his home.

In no time, I spotted a lady approaching. “I'm so sorry, but Hunter asked us to send you away because he will be meeting with two caretakers already.”

“What? He hasn't even met with me yet, how sure is he that I won't surpass the others?”

“I'm sorry, but I don't know the answer to your question and besides, Hunter is busy training for a combat.”

“Oh really?”

“Of course. Alpha Antonio of a rival pack has issued another public challenge to our pack. The Alpha received the call-out this morning and as we all know, Hunter is fearless, so he is training harder than ever for the challenge.”

“I don't know about that. I know that I'll have to come back, he's probably not in a good mood today. I feel so unfortunate,”

The lady turned around and began to walk briskly toward the house, I peered closely, and my eyes caught up with a very hairy man. He should be about 7ft 2.13 m tall. His biceps and triceps trailed visibly through his body-fit polo shirt.

“The Alpha needs me now, see you around, Rosella.” The woman said and ran off to meet the widely known Hunter.