thirty
Milton sits in his pile of blankets, a beanie falling into his eyes and too-big gloves swallowing his hands. His eyes are focused on the land before him, squinting diligently at any movement in the trees or shrub.
Aldric is nearby, the steady thump of is digging bar vibrating the fold-out camping chair Milton is seated in. The man smiles at the little human 'keeping watch' for him as he continues to strike the ground, deepening the hole for a new post.
They were putting in a new water trough, most of the pipe work already done, but Aldric wanted to include a small lean-to and an outdoor tap. It would give the animals in their care some shade, and an opportunity for shifters to access fresh water that hadn't been sitting in the trough all day.
Wiping his brow, Aldric takes a moment to rest, leaning against the heavy metal pole as he calls out to his little helper. "See anything?"
Milton turns, nose pink from the cool morning air, huffing a little as he shakes his head. He lifts his hands to Al, clumsily signing the word 'snack', gloves making it more difficult.
The wolf chuckles, dropping the pole and wiping his hands on his work pants as he walks over, t-shirt already discarded on a nearby stump.
"You want a snack for yourself, or are you planning on feeding the wildlife?"
Milton pouts up at the man as he watches him dig through the bag he'd brought with him, pulling out a small blue container filled with cut up pieces of cheese and bits of fruit. He hands it to Milton after prying the lid off, setting it gently in the boy's lap and helping him remove his gloves.
The human would make a mess, no doubt, but Aldric couldn't help the overwhelming pride that flutters through his chest. Milton doesn't often ask for things. Always shy, always hesitant. Today, however, he seemed to know what he wanted and wasn't scared about asking for it.
That's what he called improvement.
Milton carefully takes out a little piece of cheese, hands a little wobbly as he brings it to his mouth and munches down, saliva already gathering at the edges of his lips.
Aldric turns back to his work, happy to let the boy struggle through his snack with eager hands. It would be good to let him get messy for a change. Let him figure out how best to pick up the food and guide it to his own mouth.
Of course, if his human needed help or wanted to be fed, he'd be beside him in a heartbeat. But the wolf wasn't about to put a damper on Milton's newfound confidence.
He continues to dig, occasionally glancing over at his charge and the forest that surrounds them with keen eyes. This paddock didn't have any shifters in it, but there would be wildlife. A couple of deer and a rabbit maybe. Not that Milton knew that.
The sun continues to slowly rise as Milton sits in the clearing, the warmth seeping into the grass and turning it dewy. Birds flitter amongst the trees as they preen in the sunlight, watching the two for a moment with their beady eyes before flying off.
Milton sinks back into his chair, content to stay piled beneath his blankets and watch the world around him. Aldric said it's officially winter now, but that they wouldn't see much rain until later in the season.
He hadn't meant to join Aldric at work, but when the man had gone into his room early this morning to say goodbye, Milton had clumsily asked to go with him. He'd been half asleep and not all that coherent, but the large man didn't seem to mind.
He wasn't looking forward to the trip back. Aldric had strapped him into a child's booster seat on the way there, claiming it was for his own safety. Milton disagreed.
Callum, on the other hand, sips tea from a mug while he looks out the lounge window, eyes unfocussed as he fights with the sleepy fog still plaguing his mind. He didn't join the boys. He'd been fast asleep when they left, actually. The little note his husband left behind cluing him in.
Was he anxious without Milton nearby? Yes. But Aldric would look after him, he knew this. If anything, he needed the alone time to really process everything. His body still shivering as muscles twitch beneath his skin; a side effect of shifting after so long.
He did feel... better. A little. He felt steadier within himself. That was... something.
Sipping at his tea again, his thoughts are interrupted by a timid knock on the door. Callum pauses, turning to listen as the knock sounds again, a little louder this time.
Wrapping his dressing gown a little tighter around himself, he shuffles to the door in confusion, opening it to see a very pale Dr Perin.
He's dressed in a jumper two sizes too big, his round glasses skewed on his face and his hands busy twisting the life out of a small travel bag.
"Matthew?"
"Hi, I'm sorry. Can- can I come in?"
Callum opens the door wider, the hinges creaking softly as he gestures for the man to enter.
Matthew does, breath coming out a little rushed as he watches Callum close the door, and after staring at it a little too long, locking it too.
"What's wrong?"
Matthew chews his lip, hands still wringing his bag's handles until Cal gently takes the bag from him and places it on the kitchen counter beside his mug of tea.
"Georgia came to the clinic."
Callum frowns, but doesn't say anything as the dam breaks, and suddenly Matthew's found his voice.
"She rocked up at the clinic, so I called Henry from the bathroom, and he told me to come here because he said it was safer, and I didn't know what to do—"
Callum reaches for his shaking hands and takes them into his own. "Henry sent you here?"
Matthew nods.
"Aldric's not home."
If it's even possible, the human's face turns even paler.
"It's okay," Callum quickly reassures, his own heart rate beginning to race. "He'll be home soon with Milton. They went to work together."
"Milton's not here?" Matthew's panic only seems to worsen at this, the sharp spike in fear clouding the air making Callum hold back a sneeze.
He guides the man to the couch, sitting him down before rushing to the kitchen to pour another mug of hot water. He hands it to the man, so he has something to hold, the warmth from the mug instantly easing the tension in Matthew's shoulders.
Another knock sounds at the door. Both men freeze, Callum growling low in this throat until a voice calls out. "It's Henry."
Quickly, he goes to the door, letting the large man in before shutting and re-locking the door once again.
The Alpha frowns, eyes darting from Cal to Matthew. "Where's Aldric?"
"He's out at the r-reserve with Milton."
The wolf growls, scowling at nothing in particular.
Cal heads back to the lounge. "W-What is going on?"
Henry huffs, taking a seat in the other chair diagonally across from the two smaller men, jaw ticking.
"Councilman Georgia went to the clinic this morning, outside of working hours with no authorised access to enter the building or approach any of the staff."
A very diplomatic answer.
"Someone broke in the other day too." Matthew whispers, staring at the mug in his hands.
Cal blinks at him. "What? Are you okay? W-were you working?"
Henry sighs, running a hand down his face. "I had some wolves check it out and the scent trail belonged to Councilman Paul. I'm not sure what's going on, but until I can get to the bottom of this, I want Matthew to stay at the packhouse."
Matthew chokes on his breath. "I can't—"
"You will." The Alpha growls, shutting the human up rather quickly.
"All packmates have been notified to ban both council members from entering pack grounds. They are no longer welcome on the premises. It's the safest place to be right now."
Matthew's hands clench around the mug. "I can't just abandon my work, Alpha. I have clients that rely on me."
The wolf shakes his head. "Your safety is more important. I'm not going to sit here and let what happened last time happen all over again. Marcy has volunteered to help take on your workload and I'm sure your secretary is already rescheduling appointments as we speak."
"You need to get someone who's good with humans." Matthew presses again, eyebrows furrowed.
Alpha Henry smiles at the small yet determined human. "I've already put the call out."
"So th-this is serious." Callum chews at his lip.
Henry sighs again. "Yeah, it is. I've asked one of our contacts at the council to look into it. I'll be making a formal complaint about both wolves. Their behaviour towards you and Aldric was appalling to begin with, but this clearly an abuse of power now."
The three sit in silence for a moment, all in their own heads. Alpha Henry looks particularly upset, frustration and guilt flashing across his face.
"I hoped they would send someone different, I'm sorry, Matthew. I should have refused them entry as soon as they arrived."
Matthew shakes his head; shoulders hunched in defeat. "No, it would've only made things worse."
Callum frowns. Watching as the human takes a few deep breaths.
"Where will I stay?"
Henry rubs at his chin. "There's an open apartment across from Callum and Aldric, a little down the hall. I'll have you stay there since it's close to these three and one of the border control officers lives nearby as well."
Matthew nods in defeat, the wolf beside him pressing a caring hand to his shoulder. "At least you g-get to see Milton more often."
He huffs a laugh, squeezing the mug in his hands.
Alpha Henry stands from his seat on the couch, walking back to the door. "I need to make some calls and get this report in to council. Cal, lock the door behind me and don't open it unless it's me or your husband, okay?"
Callum nods fervently, standing to follow him to the door and locking it behind the large man as he leaves.
He hesitates to take a seat back beside his friend, not sure what he can say or do to make him feel better, but decides he doesn't need to say anything. Just sitting beside him is probably all Matthew needs.
"You know, I think she's been tailing me."
Cal blinks. "What do you mean?"
The human lifts a shoulder, eyes glued to his cup. "There was a car outside the clinic. I didn't think anything of it at first but..."
"But?"
The man lets out a sharp breath, peering up at Callum with a pain-stricken face. "I saw the same car at the grocery store. And then again at the clinic. Yesterday I swore I saw it drive past my house when I go home."
The wolf sucks in a deep breath, fingers picking at his dressing gown. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"I thought I was just being paranoid."
"Did it start before or after the break in?"
Matthew hums. "After. I was already spooked so I thought I was just... seeing things. I didn't think she would go so far as to follow me home."
Callum frowns at the smaller man. Once seen confidently treating patients and commanding wolves of all ranks, shapes and sizes to take their medicine, now a ghostly pale, body shaking like a leaf.
Cal didn't really know what happened to Matthew, but whatever whispers he heard floating around the pack, they obviously didn't compare to what this man had really been through.