She was placing another plate in front of his father, when she looked up upon hearing him enter. She smiled warmly at him and continued with her task of feeding his dad. In all his life his mother had never disobeyed his father. Caleb didn't want an obedient wife. He wanted someone with their own thoughts and dreams.
One with a wild spirit. He wanted Sylvie.
"Did that stray finally leave yet?" His father asked, refusing to call Sylvie by her name.
Caleb didn't find the barb funny. "No. She needs my help."
"Doesn't she always? What's new?" He took a bite of bread and continued speaking with his mouth full of food. "Why can't you just leave that stray bitch alone? She is not an acceptable companion for you. Your mother and I will disown you or kill you before giving our blessing for you to marry that thing."
Caleb was angered by his father's admission. "What !" He exclaimed.
"I have been speaking with Lord Rollington. The island bank owner."
"What for!" He was dreading the answer.
His father could be unpredictable at times. It had always been in a good way. Right now he wasn't so sure.
"He has a daughter. His firstborn, Amelia. It's been hard to marry her off. She fancies you. Like every girl on this island. Lord Rollington has offered to send you to proper banker school for a proper education. You will become a banker, a wealthy banker."
His father seemed very pleased with himself. Caleb had never been this angry at him before. His father was meddling in his life. Without hesitation he protested. "No! I will not do it! I will not marry that girl!"
"What!" His father was astonished.
His mother was shocked as well and had stopped mid chores to look up at him in surprise at his outburst. I will have the final say in my life and who I marry and besides, we are doing fine."
"Yes, we are, son, but someday we won't always be. The world is changing, and soon being just a blacksmith won't be enough. Think of it. You with a rich, beautiful wife along with wealth and a title. That strays fate has already been decided."
He hated how somber his father sounded. His father was a strong believer in fate, and not being able to change what was written in the stars. "Do you know what they call her? Lily, which is a term that they use for new whores who are sold to the highest bidder. Her mother has vanished. A selfish tart that one is."
"Dad!"
"Sorry, Caleb. It's the truth. Just be careful and think about it."
Caleb said nothing and left the room and entered his. While there, he retrieved his animal kit and first aid kit, along with some ointment for Sylvie's bruises. He left his home and went back out of the door, down the corridor. He opened the door to find Sylvie looking out of the only window. He cleared his throat to get her attention.
It worked.
She turned around and looked at him. "Are you ready?" She asked.
He nodded. "Let's go." He said.
She smiled at him, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Thank you."
He knew it was genuine. They exited the smithy and ventured out into the rain. It was a slippery, muddy trek. The torrential downpour made everything more difficult. Caleb held her hand and supported her the entire way.
It was new and different. He had never seen the place she had lived in and she suddenly felt self conscious. She realized then that she cared for Caleb a little more than she had in the past. They finally made it to her home. Sylvie ran up the porch steps Caleb followed her lead.
She opened the door, went inside, then stopped mid stride turning towards Caleb. "No sudden moves. Okay."
He nodded his head yes just to appease her. Not really thinking she was thinking straight until they walked further into the dark room.
In the far left corner was a large, black, furry mass. It resembled a small bear. He swallowed hard. They slowly walked closer and closer to it until he stood a few feet away from a real, living, breathing Wolf. Caleb could not believe his eyes.
There it was. A wolf. She had not been lying. Sylvie wanted to gloat but decided to save it for another time. Caleb took a step forward.
"Easy," she said touching is arm.
Caleb obeyed and walked with great care over to the wolf. Once he was there, he knelt down beside it and began examining it. As he did there was a whimper and a moan. The wolf was too weak to attack.
He did bear his teeth Caleb had noticed. Sylvie stepped forward, kneeling down in front of the wolf, capturing his snout and gently holding it. His big yellow eyes were barely open, but she could see he was still a very dangerous creature.
"He's here to help you. I am here." She reassured him, looking into his eyes.
Suddenly the wolf licked her face in acknowledgment. She looked up to see Caleb staring at her. He seemed surprised.
"You can begin." She urged him.
The way he stared at her made her visibly uncomfortable. She turned her attention back to the wolf. Their eyes locked once more as she comforted it. She noticed the wolves eyes didn't seem like an animal's. They were almost human.
When she stared in their depths she felt like she saw so much more. It was hard for her to understand. A few minutes of silence passed. She spoke, breaking it.
"How does it look?" She asked, referring to the wolf's wound. She looked in his direction.
He was always pleasantly surprised by her. That was a big reason he was falling for her. Caleb answered her then, "You were right to seek out help. This one's badly injured and the wound appears to be infected. I will have to reopen the wound. It won't be easy or pretty
Caleb confessed.
She wasn't shocked by his words. She knew what he said was true from her earlier observation of the animal.
"Alright, then," She looked at him then back at the wolf.
Caleb took his satchel off and placed it directly beside him on the floor. He pulled its flap back and retrieved a small knife. It was similar to a scalpel, but more rustic in design.
"Ready?" He asked no one in particular.
Sylvie couldn't speak out of nerves and fear. She just nodded her head 'Yes'.
Caleb began and sliced along the closed, infected wound. The wolf whimpered and snapped, accidentally biting Slyvie's right hand. She led out a loud yelp. Caleb in turn grew nervous. He was worried for Sylvie but knew if he made any more sudden movements, the knife or the wolf could be detrimental to them all.
He looked at her and saw her face reddening, as well as her eyes watering from the pain she was feeling. "Are you alright?" He asked her, quickly glancing back at the task at hand.
The wound expelled first, a clear liquid that turned to yellowish, green bile then seconds later it was dark, red blood.
"Now Sylvie, I need clean water."
Sylvie gently let go of the now trembling wolf. She could tell he was not scared or shocked by what was happening to him. He seemed to be holding back his animal nature. What a strong creature, she thought as she stood up then turned and quickly ran out of her house. A few seconds later, she returned with a small wooden well bucket that had sat on the edge of the porch, collecting rain water. He looked up at her.
His gaze never leaving her as she sat down beside him.
"What ? It's fresh. I collected it just now."
Caleb didn't argue. He used the water and a piece of material Sylvie had supplied him with that appeared to be severely lacking. It wasn't enough. He took his jacket off then removed his white shirt and began ripping it into shreds with his strong bare hands. With haste he put the jacket back on, failing to button it.
Sylvie caught a glimpse of his muscular, broad chest and shoulders. He was smooth and perfectly sculpted. He was wearing his jacket with nothing underneath. It was very enticing to her. He was positively male. She shook her feelings off and knelt back down in front of the wolf.
"He will be fine. I just need to clean and dress the wound."
Sylvie nodded her head in agreement and Caleb continued. It took over an hour for him to properly quite clean, medicate and dress the animal's wound. By the time he was done, Sylvie was able to feed the wolf. His breathing was back to normal. Once the wounds were dressed, Caleb washed his hands in the left over water and dried them on clean material.
He slid back on the wood floor until his back was resting on the wall. His head was slightly tilted upward. Sylvie knew he was thinking.
"Everything Alright, Caleb?" She asked, hearing the low snores of her furry companion in the background while she stroked his fur.