17

When he saw her give no outward reaction he put the mask back on. Bouvier understood why he was being so harsh to her. Now, a long awkward silence passed by. She spoke, "I did try to see you when you had your accident."

He scoffed at her admission.

He didn't believe it. He thought that she was lying to him. That was his thought. Bouvier however, wasn't. She had sent word inquiring about his health but it was no use.

When her letter had been returned. She hired a coach and had ventured here. She had been met by his son, the one who was missing now. He didn't care for her, which seemed to always be the case. Except this time, she could and wanted them to like and accept her because she loved his father.

He didn't care. He had turned her away, telling her his father deserved better than a cavorting whore.

She had complied and never spoke about the encounter. She hadn't thought she would be facing this, but here she was, listening to him tell her that she was a bad person. He was angry now and she knew it would be better for her if she didn't contradict him.

So she said nothing else on the subject. Instead, she apologized, "I apologize fo-"

"Don't insult me now by giving me a fake apology. You have been in that Brothel too long."

Bouvier was confused now. What did he want from her? She stood up from the settee then. She was staring at his broad back. He was still looking out of the window.

She felt the silence growing uncomfortable as the long seconds passed. She had almost thought he had forgotten about her, then he spoke, "My men report that my sons stagecoach was found. The majority of soldiers sent with him have disappeared or have been killed.They have found no trace of my son. They do have witnesses who say they saw him arrive on the island."

"So my story checks out?" She asked him.

"Not quite," he corrected her.

She was shocked at his words, "W-What..." she trailed off, afraid of her fate, which now rested securely in her ex-paramours hands who now despised her.

"You came to me and stated that this was an emergency. That the Lycans were becoming unruly and killed my son, and burned down your brothel. My men say nothing about that."

Madame Bouvier was shocked. How could they not tell him about the Lycans butchering people? She had heard from a very reliable source that they had murdered his son. "Your men are wrong." She stated.

She knew he could slap her or worse for her defiance, but at this point all love was lost from him. He was being a tyrant and she suddenly understood where his son had gotten his mean streak from.

He turned around then, and looked at her."My men are trained professionals. The best this side of the ocean."

"They are wrong! Something is wrong!" she declared. "Everyone saw what happened. The Lycans are a threat. They will kill you! I know they killed your son! I know-"

"Enough!" His voice boomed. "I need more proof than your hysterics, and at the moment, you have none."

There was another long silence, then suddenly he began to exit the room. Madame Bouvier was startled at his sudden move, and before she could think she spoke, "Where are you going?"

"We are finished." He said over his shoulder.

"What about me? Let me go! I have been-I have done nothing wrong!"

"No." He stated.

"No? And why the hell not?" She was angry with him now.

A cruel smile formed on his lips at her change in demeanor. Gone was the calm and calculated Madam, this was just Bouvier.

"You are safe here. I will make sure that Whitley continues to see to your every need." He turned around then and looked at her. His hard gaze softened. "I am sorry."

He seemed like he wanted to say so much more to her, but didn't. He exited the room. She heard the door lock behind her and once again Madame Bouvier was left to wonder about her fate...

CALEB

Caleb made haste, as he tried beating the sunrise of the next day. By the island standards, Caleb was a man and didn't have to answer to anyone- save his father. The man who had taught him everything. He had told him last night that Sylvie was unmarriageable, and while trying to do a good deed for her, by tending to the first real wolf he had ever seen, like a fool he had confessed his undying love for her and proposed to her.

She of course, being the sweet, stubborn Sylvie, she was turned him down. He had been so heartbroken and angry with her. He didn't want the life of comfort and wealth his father was preparing for him. He wanted a life filled with love with Sylvie. His father had warned him that it would be difficult to live a life with her.

They would be poor and desolate because of her mother's choices. Caleb chose not to believe that. Sylvie was unlike her mother. She was kind and her heart was pure. He worried about her being alone with the wolf.

He arrived at the edge of town. He made his way almost unseen to his home. He was startled when he was face to face with a wanted poster hanging on his door. On the poster was a grotesque drawing of a large, savage Wolf foaming at the mouth. He grew angry at the drawing, and almost ripped it from their door.

He opened the thick door and went inside. It was cold inside of the Smithy. He stoked a fire. Why had she said no? He wondered. His mind went back to Sylvie as he made the fire.

An hour later, his father entered the large work space. He looked surprised to see his son had already prepared everything. He was proud his son had taken the initiative and did it. Caleb made very little talk throughout the morning, his head was still trying to come up with a way for them to be happy and free of this island. He would need a small fortune How would he obtain a small fortune?

He had no idea how, but he would endeavor to try. Once they finished their orders for the day Caleb's mother requested he run errands for her at the market, and pick up food for dinner tonight. He agreed, hoping the change of scenery would change his mood, but it didn't. It made him see things he wished he could unsee. On his way to the marketplace, Caleb had noticed two strange men trying to discreetly survey people.

He wondered what they were investigating and who had sent them.

The closer he got to the marketplace he noticed the atmosphere as well as the crowd change from poor, common folk of the island, to the wealthy and elite. The marketplace was only accessible to a certain class. Caleb's family, though they lived poorly, were of that class. If his father's matchmaking scheme went on, without a hitch, it would solidify their financial position all that much more-or so that was what his father believed.

A young pretty girl who worked as one of the marketplace attendants greeted him. "Good afternoon, Master Caleb. How may I be of assistance today?"

"Good afternoon. My mother has sent me on this errand. She did give me a list." He pulled the folded piece of parchment paper from his front pocket. "I would be ever grateful for your assistance." He smiled at her and saw its effect on her.

She slightly blushed and looked as if a prince had just asked her to dance. Now that he was a young adult he had that effect on all of the young ladies. All except Sylvie. That was probably a big reason why he had fallen in love with her. She saw past his good looks and just saw who he was.

She had never once looked at him with doe eyes or blushed when he spoke to her. She thought he was her friend. Caleb wanted to be so much more. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Last night I proved it. He had and still was worried about her.

The fire. Then the wolf. Those were events no strong person could come out of unscathed. He knew she had a mental fortitude like no other and she took care of herself. That was a big reason society shun her.

For a female, in their society, she was too independent. In their society an independent woman was not an asset-It was a problem. Caleb began walking the cobblestone walkway that was flanked on both sides with fresh food vendors. He passed a potato cart, then a cart filled with luscious greens. He could still smell the rain in the air from last night.

He spotted the young, female attendant. She waved at him with her free hand. Her other hand held a medium sized basket filled with the ingredients his mother had requested. He weaved through the other patrons and made his way to her, quickly relieving her of the heavy items. He then reached into his pocket and took out silver coins and handed them to her.