Chapter 20

Wolf walked back to the house lost in thought. When he got to the house he ate and then took care of some stuff and went to bed. The next morning he had breakfast then went out and started walking to the stream. When he got there the wolf was already there.

“The first thing I would teach you is about how we communicate. But since we already are communicating I don’t see the point. So the next thing I will teach you is how we hunt. We are wolves and we love a good hunt. The first thing you have to master is patience. As wolves we aren’t the fastest animals. But we have endurance on our side. So long hunts don’t bother us. It’s not always about running after the prey. It's about setting yourself up and waiting for the prey to come to you. That’s our hunting strategy.

“Now let me teach you how we actually hunt. You have to be able to do multiple things to hunt successfully. The first thing is to blend into your surroundings and to do that you will have to slow your breathing. You want to calm your breathing and not stop, similar to a bear who hibernates. You want to slow your heartbeat. You also want your heart beats to be shallow and slow. This skill will be used throughout our training for different things. So get to it,” said the alpha wolf.

With this Wolf used what he was taught in martial arts. He slowed down and calmed his breathing. “Good but you also have to be aware of your surroundings. So don’t focus too much on your breathing, that you lose focus of your surroundings. We will work on this tomorrow. I will see you here,” said the alpha wolf.

This went on for another week with the alpha wolf teaching Wolf different things. Then he told Wolf he would tell him about something that only wolves were capable of doing.

“There is something that us wolves are good at and that is to sense the world around us. By that I mean we understand how the world works. Through this we get a kind of foresight. We can sense the world around us and bring it into balance. We hunt for animals to keep the population in balance. We go after dangerous animals to keep our own population in check.

“But I’m getting off point. I was talking about sensing the world. We could know what’s wrong with an animal. We will know which way the wind will blow before it blows. We use all of this to hunt and guide our lives. This is why you will never truly learn how to be like a wolf. You must be a wolf to hunt like a wolf. As wolves we are in tune with the world. We understand how it works. Through this understanding anything is capable,” said the alpha wolf as he got up and ran back into the forest. I got up from where I was sitting and saw it was getting dark. So I started walking back to the house.

Along the way I was thinking about the last thing the wolf said to me. All about wolves being in tune with the world and anything being capable. It didn’t make sense to me how anything can be done through understanding the world. All I knew was I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life worrying about it. But it was something intriguing to think about when nothing else was going on.

But one thing I did learn from the wolf was I was a lone wolf and a lone wolf needs family. I understood that I was looking for a family for people to love and be loved by. But one thing I knew from my psychology classes is that it is hard to find people to love and be loved by. Especially when that’s what you are looking for. But at least my time with the wolf had eased my pain of killing those people.

It taught me that I was a lone wolf and I should act like one. I don’t have beta’s to protect me so I have to protect myself. What I can do now is move on as best I can with what I have now. Also looking for beta’s to protect me. With this in mind I walked out of the forest and onto my new grandfather’s land.

“So how was your day,” asked my grandfather. Even though I didn't speak he would always ask me how my day was.

“Good,” I said. That was it he didn’t ask for more or make a big deal about me talking.

The next day at breakfast, Grandfather said he wanted to speak to me later. After breakfast was over I walked out and over to the barn. The alpha wolf made it sound like there was something special to be seen in all animals and I wanted to see if I could figure it out. So once I got to the barn I tried to feel the horses around me. It didn’t work but it was nice to look at the horses. After the horses I went out to the field and sat down to meditate. I hadn't meditated in a week and I thought it would be useful. As I was meditating I could feel something around me but it was very weak and as soon as I tried to push I would lose the feeling. I spent a long time trying to capture that feeling until I couldn’t meditate anymore because my stomach was growling. The trouble with a growing body was that it couldn’t be pushed to the extreme just yet.

So I went in and was just in time as my Grandfather was about to come get me.

We had dinner then we went to his study.

“Your mother has been telling me that you like to read. She mentioned that she has seen you going through the books on business. So I have a question. An opportunity has arisen for me to purchase a luxury hotel. But to do this I would have to sell off most of my other assets. So what do you think I should do,” asked my grandfather?

“I don’t know, I've never seen the hotel. I would have to know more about the hotel,” I answered.

“Ok how about we go there tomorrow and spend some time there. We will check it out together,” said my grandfather.

Before I left I asked my Grandfather if he had a book on hotels. He gave me one so I went to my room to read up on the business of hotels concentrating on luxury hotels. From what I could figure out it was hit or miss with luxury hotels. Luxury means rich and influential people. Such people liked stuff a certain way and if they didn’t get it they would leave and never return. That meant that it had to be perfect every time or you would be losing customers. But to me it looked like that if you got it right then it would be a very profitable business.

But I also realized that there was a lot that went into running a successful luxury hotel. It would be interesting to see where Grandfather took me. I was excited to see what a luxury hotel would be like.

The next morning we had breakfast then we headed into Manhattan. I was going to ask where we were going but I decided that I was just fine not knowing. Also I somewhat enjoyed not talking. It let me focus more on listening to what was going on around me.

“We are here,” said my Grandfather a few hours later. We got out of the car and once the valet took the car we walked into the hotel. From looking at the sign in front I knew that the name of the hotel was Astoria Hotel. The second we got into the hotel I felt like I was in some super special club. It was weird that I felt that way considering I have been in nice places before. There was the palace that I owned there was Pakas’s house and a few other places. It just felt like this was the place to be. I can’t explain it beyond that.

We walked over to the check in desk. Only to be told we were too early for check in. So Grandfather told the person to check us in for the few hours left of today like we checked in yesterday. With that taken care of Grandfather and I followed the bellhop to our suite. Grandfather got us a two bedroom suite that had a kitchen so we wouldn’t have to go to restaurants for all our meals.

This looked like a great time to get into cooking again. Since being here on earth I haven’t cooked yet a nice meal for Grandfather looked like a great way to start. But I should worry about that later. After we unpacked, Grandfather asked what I wanted to do.

“I think we should go to the dining room for some lunch,” I said.

We went down to the dining room and got shown to a table. A waiter approached and asked us what we wanted. Grandfather went with salmon, I went with steak. A few minutes later the food arrived and we ate. The food was very good in my opinion. My steak was cooked perfectly and it was just right.

After that we went to the lobby and sat down and just watched what was going on. For dinner we went to one of the restaurants after that we went back to the room.

“So what did you think of this place,” asked grandfather?

“I think it’s a wise investment as long as you have more money left over for some other investments. I wouldn’t spend more than eighty percent of my wealth on this hotel. The money isn’t in the property but the name. The name means luxury. People who hear it think it's a classy hotel for the rich. With the name you can open other hotels in other locations. If you keep the standard up you can turn it into an extreme luxury hotel chain. You would locate them in major cities only thus increasing its precision.

“But I thought I saw some problems that should be addressed before you bought the hotel. The first is it will need an update in a few years that will cost a few dollars. Also the staff was very good but I felt that there was something missing, someone who knew everyone and everything they liked. Like a maitre d but with the hotel as his responsibility. Otherwise I think this place is a huge hit and it would be stupid not to buy it. That is if you can afford it,” said Wolf.

“We will discuss this again another time,” come let’s go to bed then we can do what you want tomorrow.

Grandfather

After Wolf went to bed I called my daughter and told her I would meet her downstairs if she wouldn’t mind coming over. It was only three quarters of a mile away from her house so she said she would be right over. I knew that meant that she would first have to get ready then with Manhattan traffic it would take a little longer. So I waited a half an hour then I went down to look for her. I had to wait a few minutes then she came in. Kelly saw me and I motioned her over to a set of chairs for us to use.

“Kelly, tell me what is it about Wolf that had you send him to me in the middle of the school year,” asked grandfather?

“He doesn’t speak and he got into a fight with a classmate. Apparently this classmate's father is in the mafia. So Richard thought it would be best if Wolf wasn’t around,” answered Kelly with a pained expression on her face.

“So what is it that you plan on doing with Wolf next year concerning school,” asked grandfather?

“Richard and I haven’t discussed it yet. But if I was to take a guess it would probably be bordering school,” answered Kelly.

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“I was thinking that he could stay with me if it wasn’t a problem. I don’t mind having him around on the farm. It’s peaceful and the only people who would start a fight with him would be a stubborn horse. He could stay with me until he has to go to school next year. But I want to give you a heads up that I will be traveling. I’m getting old and I would like to see parts of the world that I’ve never seen before.

“Is there something else I should know? Or just stay away from the New York mafia,” asked grandfather?

“As far as I know there isn’t really a problem, just stay away. What else is there to know? I barely know my own son, he doesn't talk. What will I do with him? I look at him and it looks like he is in pain. But I ask myself what’s he in pain from? Maybe I could help but no he doesn’t speak so I don’t know what it is. Maybe some time with you will help heal his wounds,” said Kelly Klyborne with pain all over her face.

With the conversation over they said their goodbyes and split apart. Kelly Klyborne going back home and Grandfather going back to the suite. When Grandfather came back he called his lawyer and told him to make arrangements to buy the Astoria Hotel. After that he took care of his nighttime routine then went to bed.

Wolf

The next morning Wolf got up and went through his morning routine including exercise. Then he took a shower and went out to the common room. Sitting there was his grandfather.

“Did you have a good night's sleep,” asked grandfather?

“Yes,” answered Wolf.

“Is there something that you would like to do today,” asked grandfather.

“I would like to go to a grocery store,” answered Wolf.

Wolf’s grandfather was going to ask why but he stopped himself. Realizing that Wolf still didn’t like to talk even though he had started. He still liked talking as little as possible. But Wolf noticed that he wanted to ask a question.

“What,” asked Wolf?

“I was just wondering what you wanted from the grocery store,” asked Grandfather?

“I wanted to cook something,” answered Wolf.

“For that we don’t need a grocery we can just go to the kitchen. Since I plan to buy this place on your recommendation I can just ask for some time. Let me call my lawyer and he will make the arrangements. It will take a few minutes but then we should be able to make something in the kitchen if you want to,” said Grandfather.

A few minutes later Grandfather’s lawyer called back and said that it was arranged that we could use the hotel’s kitchen. So we went down to the kitchen where we were greeted by a chef.

“Hi, my name is Robert. Is there something I could help you with,” asked the chef?

“My grandson here wants to make something so ask him,” said Grandfather.

“Is there something that I could get for you,” Robert asked Wolf.

“Could you show me where the raw food is kept,” asked Wolf?

“Sure, follow me,” said Robert the chef.

Robert took them to a walk-in fridge on the side of the kitchen. “The fruits and vegetables are kept here. The meat, fish and chicken and the like are kept next door,” said Robert.

Wolf walked into the room after putting on a pair of gloves and started picking up different items. Wolf was looking for inspiration as to what to make. He knew he wanted to make something he just wasn’t sure what to make. Eventually he decided and started collecting his vegetables and fruits. Then he went next door and picked up three pieces of meat. After that they went back to the kitchen where Robert showed Wolf a place he could work then he left them having to go back to overseeing the kitchen.

Wolf got a bowl and put in some salt and spices. Then he started cutting up fruits and squeezing out the juice into the bowl. Once all the fruits were squeezed, Wolf added water to the bowl and put in the steaks making sure they were covered by the fruit brine. Then Wolf started chopping up the vegetables and got them ready for grilling. Once the vegetables were cut he started grilling them. After the vegetables were finished grilling Wolf put them on the side. Then he took the steaks out of the brine and patted them dry then added some salt and pepper. Next the steaks went on to the grill where they cooked quickly and off they came to rest.

Next Wolf got three plates and started putting on the grilled vegetables. When the steaks finished resting Wolf plated them. Then Wolf went looking for a bottle of wine. Wolf found a bottle that smelled perfect for this meal that he prepared. Wolf opened the bottle and poured two glasses and brought it to the table with the plates. Once everything was at the table Wolf sat down with Grandfather to eat.

A moment after they sat down Robert came to see what Wolf had made. Wolf motioned for him to sit down and have a bite to eat. Robert thought that the meal was a very interesting mix because you never have a fruity piece of meat and the vegetables were grilled just right. But the meat was delicious. It was a really weird combination that worked perfectly. With the wine just finishing it off.

Wolf thought that he could have done a little better. But overall it was a good first time cooking on earth.

When they finished eating Wolf and grandfather left the kitchen and went back to their room.

“I spoke to your mother about you staying with me. I’m getting older and I would like to travel and see the world before I die. So she said you could come with me as long as you were back for school next year. So what do you think about that,” asked Grandfather?

“It’s fine,” answered Wolf.

“So we will leave here in a few days. I want to finish up some things and then we will be moving on,” said Grandfather.

Wolf heard about a library that was in the Astoria Hotel. The library held books about art mostly. Which wasn’t surprising considering it was next door to an art museum that was part of the hotel. So Wolf spent his time reading up on paintings which was the art of choice in the museum.

While Wolf was in the library Grandfather was on the phone with his lawyer making plans to purchase the hotel. There were assets that had to be liquidated to get money for the purchase. There were reviews of the actual hotel that had to get done. Inspections of the hotel, the building and the like. All of this had to get done before the purchase.

Then there was the obstacle of finding someone to run the hotel. All of this had to be figured out. Well at least Grandfather had an idea for the management of the hotel. That was to let a hotel chain run it for them for now at least.

Then they discussed changes that Grandfather wanted put into the new will he was having made. Plus the other legal work Grandfather was having done. This all took time and before Grandfather knew it it was time for dinner.

Wolf looked up from one of the books he was reading to see Robert walking towards him.

“I heard you were up here and I wanted to know where you learned how to cook? The meat this afternoon was delicious and just wanted to let you know. I also wanted to tell you that you can always come and cook in my kitchen. When and if I get a kitchen,” said Robert.

“Well thanks for the compliment. As for cooking in your kitchen, thanks for the offer and we will have to see what you can cook so I can see how good you are. I’m sure with age you will only get better like a fine wine. As for where I learned to cook that will have to remain a mystery until you cook in my kitchen,” said Wolf.

After Robert left Wolfrealized this was the longest conversation that he had with someone since getting to Earth. But Wolf also realized that he liked Robert and he really would like to cook with Robert and hopefully learn a thing or two. As Pakas was fond of saying, learning never stops and life is a struggle to continue learning.

A few minutes later Wolf went up to the suite for dinner.

This time they had room service for dinner and ate at the kitchen table. After dinner they went their separate ways and headed to bed.

The next day Wolf came out of his room just in time to see someone new show up. Wolf didn’t really care who he was; all he knew was that today was going to be their last full day in New York for a while. So after breakfast Wolf went back to his room to meditate and become one with the World like the wolf told him. Wolf sat down in the lotus position and tried to let go. Again Wolf felt something on the edge of his mind and when he would try to get closer it would disappear. Wolf spent the day like this skipping lunch. Eventually Wolf had to stop because he had no energy left.

“We sold off all the assets you didn’t want and kept the few you did. We moved the money to an escrow account for the hotel purchase. I found a hotel management company to run the hotel. I also set up an account in a Swiss bank for your travel coming up,” said Grandfather’s lawyer.

“What about the other thing I asked about,” asked Grandfather?

“That will take a little time to make sure it is set up right. You told me you wanted it to be anonymous. Plus there is the other stuff that you wanted included in the rules of the trust. I have people working on it and by the time you come back from your around the world journey it will be done. Then we have your will and that’s where we have a small problem that is easily fixable,” said Grandfather’s lawyer.

“What’s the problem,” asked grandfather?

“The problem is that there won’t be anything left in the will to be given to anyone. This will raise suspicion as to what happened to your money and assets. The fix will be to leave some money and stock in the will. But the stock to be in a company going down hill. This will look like you made some bad investments and lost your money. Which will stop anyone from looking any further and finding the trust,” said Grandfather’s lawyer.

“Give me some time to think about it,” said Grandfather.

Grandfather got up to see if Wolf would join him for lunch. Grandfather walked to Wolf’s room and stuck his head in. There he saw Wolf meditating but then he made a face like he was trying to concentrate then it disappeared. So Grandfather wanted to see what that was about so he stayed. A few minutes later Grandfather saw Wolf’s face start contorting again in concentration and then it disappeared a few seconds later. Grandfather watched this happen a few more times before he left and went back to have lunch with his lawyer.

After some small talk over lunch they got back to the conversation at hand.

“Invest in some manufacturing company. It doesn’t really matter which company as most manufacturing will start moving overseas,” said Grandfather.

“Ok I will get on it. But again I have to ask are you sure about the trust rules. It’s highly irregular and to give him so much power,” said Grandfather’s lawyer.

“Yes, he will figure it out and it will all workout. You will see in the beginning and then you will be dead so you won’t have to worry. I will also be dead and I won’t be able to worry about it then either,” said Grandfather.

They continued to talk and once they were done the lawyer left. Leaving Grandfather to wonder if he was making the right choice at the end of the day it was the only choice.

When it was time to eat dinner Grandfather went to check on Wolf to see if he would be joining for dinner. Grandfather watched Wolf for a few minutes and again noticed that strong amount of concentration then relaxed pattern that he saw before. But now it looked more like a dog gasping for his last breath. Wolf looked worn out after doing this the whole day. Grandfather was about to tell him to come eat dinner when Wolf opened up his eyes.

“Take a minute to calm down and take a shower. Then come join me for dinner. I will order room service again,” said Grandfather.

Grandfather didn’t think Wolf would be interested in something heavy. So Grandfather ordered off the breakfast menu. He got some eggs, potatoes, pancakes, and a small steak. With it there was an assortment of fruit juices.

Wolf took a shower and put on some pajamas. Then he went out to the table and started eating the food that was there. All the while appreciating that it was on the lighter side of the food spectrum. Wolf had most of the food that was there except the steak which he only had a little bit of.

After that it was time for bed even though it was still early. Wolf was shredded as soon as his head hit the sheets he was out.