Page 5 of How to Trust a Hellhound
I nodded, wondering how to discuss his feelings on the matter. He loved the new packmates—I could sense that amongst all thepack. The humans were welcomed and protected by all. Yet I could also sense a… yearning coming from Corbin.
“I scent him sometimes, I think,” he said.
I looked at him, waiting for him to continue. He was staring off into the woods, and I knew that he was talking about his own mate.
“The crows… I think they know him. But for some reason, part of me is holding back,” he finally said.
“You have always trusted your own judgment, and it has never led you astray. I know sometimes it’s hard for you. I know your hellhound instincts and your mystical knowledge are not always in agreement. Yet you make the right choice every time. A part of you knows what side needs to be followed,” I reassured him.
He hummed, but I could still sense his uncertainty.
“Do you remember the village baker?” I asked him.
Corbin looked at me then, shaking his head. I figured he’d forgotten the story, but I hadn’t.
“When you were still a pup and you were brought to me, one of the first towns we went to had a rotten soul—the village baker. We were all set to take care of the man, and I thought it would be a good bonding experience for the pack. We went to his home under darkness, and as we walked towards the door, you put your hand out and grabbed onto Dexter, who was in the lead. You said, ‘Not yet.’ We all stared at you, and I knew some of the boys thought maybe you were feeling nervous about killing with us.”
Corbin chuckled at the thought, and I smiled at him.
“I trusted my own instincts, and they said to trust yours. I could sense your hellhound yearning to bring justice to the man, but I thought perhaps you needed time to acclimate to the pack a little better. For two more nights, you said it wasn’t time yet, and the boys grumbled and groaned, but I said we’d give you time. The baker wasn’t going anywhere, after all, and even if he did, we could track him.” I trailed off, remembering the man. He had been truly rotten downto the core.
“I don’t remember a baker being our first kill as a pack,” Corbin said.
“Yes, because he wasn’t. The fourth night, the stench of rot was so strong in the air, and you told us all that it was time. The baker was meeting up with like-minded individuals, it turned out.”
Corbin smiled. “Ah, the barn massacre. I do remember that. It was the first time I felt like I had a family since my mother had died.”
I chuckled. “Yes, it was an excellent bonding experience for us all. We had many kills that night, and it was thanks to you. Your hellhound cried out to kill the man on that first night, but a part of you knew that greater justice would be served if you waited.”
Corbin nodded.
“Patience has always been your virtue. Have patience, son, and your time will come. Trust in yourself. You know what’s right.” I placed my hand on his back.
He looked off into the distance again, clearly thinking. His crow ruffled their feathers and cawed, and there were answering caws from the trees.
Corbin looked at me. “It isn’t my time, but perhaps it’s yours,” he stated.
We both heard the car a moment later, and Corbin smiled at me. “Time to go, old man.”
I laughed at him, ruffling his hair. “Alright, pup, I’ll go check it out.” I stood up and started walking, calling over my shoulder, “I love you, Corbin, and your murder of crows.”
I heard cawing in response, and then I made my way to Atlas and Aiden’s house. I heard their voices before I saw them. Despite their attempts at whispering, they weren’t very quiet.
“I can’t drive to the cabin, because we don’t actually have a road to the cabin. We should have thought of that!” Aiden hissed.
“He can stay here,” Atlas stated, and I knew from his voice it wasn’t the first time he’dsaid it.
“He doesn’twantto stay here, and we need to respect what he wants,” Aiden told him.
“But why not? We’ll protect him,” Atlas insisted.
“It’s a human thing, okay? He doesn’t want a lot of people around. And he doesn’t even know you,” Aiden insisted.
“He does so. He’s met me a bunch of times,” Atlas replied.
“No,” Aiden said slowly, “he’s metFluffya bunch of times. You’re going to have to be Fluffy.”
“But who will carry the stuff?” Atlas asked, obviously confused at why he couldn’t be Atlas.
