“He left for town about a half hour ago, said something about trying to find some supper.”
“Do you think that’s safe?” Alyse asked. “I mean… I certainly don’t mean to sound rude or anything but…”
“No it’s fine.” Shanaea said. “…I understand. He asked me if he could go alone, and I agreed. He’s not imprisoned here after all and I don’t want him to feel that way.” She paused. “I take it by your comment that you’ve already been told our story.”
Alyse nodded. “Yes I have Shanaea and I have to say I hope you know what you’re doing. You seem like a sweet young girl and I’d hate to see something happen to you.”
Shanaea smiled. “Well thank you…” She paused again. “I don’t believe I know your name.” She said.
“Oh I’m sorry.” Jenna said.” I brought her up to introduce her to you and we got to talking and I’m afraid it slipped my mind. This is Alyse. She’s new in town.”
“…ah.” Shanaea said with a grin. “Well thank you Alyse. I don’t think I’m in danger anymore, and Blaize obviously doesn’t either…” She stopped and sighed. “Though there are those in town who think different.”
“…well I wasn’t meaning to imply that.” Alyse said.
“I know,” Shanaea said. “…but none the less there are those that would like nothing more that to see Tiembe banished from Nome or even killed for what he’s done. My brother Josh is among them.”
“That must be hard.” Alyse said.
Shanaea nodded. “Yeah, it is, but… well, I can’t change the way he feels so…”
Shanaea fell silent.
“Well I wish you luck Shanaea.” Alyse said.
Shanaea’s smiled returned. “…thank you Alyse. He really is doing much better. He hasn’t been the least bit violent toward me since the incident. The only thing that I’m really worried about is… well, he hasn’t come to terms with what he did to the other three yet. He’s extremely remorseful, which is a good thing because it shows he’s feeling again and he realizes what’s right and wrong, but… well I don’t want his regret to turn into depression.”
“Wait a minute,” Alyse said. “You said he knows the difference between right and wrong now, but even a pup knows that murder is wrong.”
Shanaea sighed. “…that’s true, but Tiembe didn’t see it as murder at the time.”
Alyse looked confused. “I’m afraid I don’t follow you Shanaea.”
Shanaea smiled. “You see, Tiembe saw it as self defense. He appears to have had a rough childhood. Apparently his mother was extremely possessive, even going as far as to kill Tiembe’s girlfriend. When that happened Tiembe lost control and killed his mother. That act caused something to snap within Tiembe’s mind and completely wiped that event from his memory, both the murder of his mother and his girlfriend. After that occurrence, every time Tiembe would get emotionally attached to a member of the opposite sex he would hallucinate a vision of his mother. She would tell him that the girl was going to consume him, mind, body and soul, much as his mother truly had before. Tiembe wanted to keep that from happening as much as possible, fearing that had his mother not left him she would have eventually killed him. The vision of his mother would tell him that in order to save himself he had to kill the girl… so he would. That’s what happened between us… but something happened that was different, something to break the chain.”
“…and what was that?” Alyse asked.
Shanaea smiled. “Apparently I look a lot like his murdered girlfriend. When he attacked me he didn’t do the job completely because I turned at the last minute… his mother appeared to him again and told him to finish me off… but he couldn’t. My appearance caused him to stop. He realized then that he loved me. He attacked the vision of his mother and “killed” her. When he did that he was saved… sort of. He still didn’t remember what really happened to his mother and girlfriend, but he did carry me back to Nome. That was his salvation. I’d’ve died had he not brought me back. It wasn’t until I got to talk to him a few days later that I got him to remember his past. At that point I feel he was saved… but there are those that don’t share my beliefs.
“That’s a sad story Shanaea.” Alyse said. “…the poor guy.”
Shanaea sighed and nodded. “It is, but I’m hoping he’ll work through it.”
“Well you’re doing a good job so far.” Alyse said.
Shanaea smiled. “Thank you, I’m trying. I don’t know how it happened exactly, but I fell in love with him and I’ll not leave him alone, even if I have to be banished with him.”
It takes a lot of courage to have that kind of commitment to someone, something you don’t see too often these days, especially in someone so young.”
“Well that’s a credit to my parents,” Shanaea said. “They had some pretty rough times when I was a pup, but they worked through it. I guess I picked it up from them.”
“They seem like a nice couple.” Alyse said. “I got to meet them this morning.”
Shanaea smiled. “Yeah, they’re pretty special dogs…” She paused and yawned. “Ah, excuse me, I was awful lucky to have them to teach me.”
“You look tired Shanaea.” Jenna said.
“Yeah I am a little.” Shanaea admitted. “Tiembe has these horrible nightmares so he’s up all hours of the night, and since he’s up so am I.”
“Well we should let you get some sleep then.” Alyse said. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier Shanaea? We’d’ve left you alone.”
Shanaea smiled. “It’s not that bad, besides it was nice to talk to you.”
“Yeah, but you do look tired.” Jenna said. “…so we’ll get out of your hair and let you take a nap.”
Shanaea laughed. “All right Jenna thanks.”
“Well it was nice meeting you Shanaea.” Alyse said.
“…nice meeting you too Alyse.” Shanaea said. “Have a good day and I hope you like it here in Nome.”
“Thank you Shanaea.” Alyse said.
“You take care Shanaea.” Jenna said. “…and get some sleep. You look like you could use it.”
Shanaea smiled. “I will.” She said. “…thank you.”
“There’s a meeting at the old mill tonight.” Jenna said. “…nothing big, just a social gathering. I’m going to take Alyse there, if you make it look us up.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be there or not.” Shanaea said. “…depends on how Tiembe is feeling after he gets home.”
“Alright,” Jenna said. “Well stay in touch. Just cause you live all the way out here now doesn’t mean we don’t still want to hear from you ever now and again.”
“Okay Jenna.” Shanaea said with a smile. “I will.”
Jenna and Alyse stood up and Shanaea smiled. “It was nice talking to you too.” She said.
Jenna smiled back at her. “It was nice talking with you too Shanaea.” She walked over and put her paw on Shanaea’s shoulder. “I know you worry about Tiembe, and I’ve got to admit, at the beginning, I had my doubts… but if anyone can help him I’m sure you can, everything’ll be alright Shanaea.”
Shanaea nodded and sighed. “I hope you’re right Jenna, and thank you.”
“You’re welcome Shanaea.” Jenna said.
“Well you two take care.” Shanaea said.
“You too Shanaea.” Jenna responded.
Alyse smiled. “It was nice to meet you Shanaea.”
“…same here.” Shanaea said. “…bye.”
“…bye Shanaea.” They both said.
Jenna and Alyse walked out of the wheel house.
Shanaea yawned. “Jenna is right about one thing.” She thought. “I am tired.” Shanaea curled up on the blanket and laid her head on her paws. “…Jenna’s right, everything will be alright. Tiembe will get over this and we’ll be a happy normal family.”
…but in her heart Shanaea wasn’t so sure.
“I do know one thing for sure though Tiembe.” She thought. “…and that’s that I’ll never give up on you.” Shanaea closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to a comforting sleep.
Chapter 7:
Two black wolves sat on a ledge overlooking the main chamber wheere the remaining wolves of the Talbourne were gathered. They were only two of over forty wolves that had been assigned to guard the captured wolves. Some of them, like these two, were visable, while others were not.
“I don’t see him Jules.” One of the wolves said.
Jules smiled. “You worry too much Tyre.” He said.
:Well I am justified this time aren’t I?” Trye asked. “I mean… Shadow is a very dangerous wolf.”
Jules smiled again. “Tyre, there are over two hundred wolves down there. Do you really expect to be able to pick out one of them?”
Tyre paused. “Yeah… yeah, I guess you’re right Jules…” He paused again for a moment.
“…so Jules,” he continued. “What do you think of Lytion’s plan?”
Jules
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