Ansuya made no noticeable gesture, but began walking toward the street, the rest of them followed. William looked back at Charles who had a sympathetic look on his face. He smiled slightly and shook his head mournfully. Katherine was distant as she hugged at one of her arms. She was staring at the side of the road as they walked. William glanced at Nicolas to find that he too had a distant, uncomfortable look on his face. It was as if seeing their alpha being dominated so easily was not just a blow to Aceso but it seemed to have affected all of them. William still felt terrible, but seeing the rest of his pack feeling just as he did, if not worse, didn’t make him any happier.
Ansuya walked through the town in a very matter of fact direction. She turned down one street and then onto another. She never so much as paused at intersections to look down either side of the street. Either she knew exactly where she was going, or she was extremely confident in her abilities to find what it was she was looking for, William thought that it was probably a little bit of both.
The sunlight around them got dimmer and colder as the old man dipped himself under the horizon. The brilliant golds of the evening light turned to the deep reds of dusk. They continued to walk. As the evening light dimmed, the wind coming down from the mountain turned cold and the remaining light from the sun was replaced by that of cold white florescence of the street lights that sprouted along the road periodically. Eventually, Ansuya led them up to a rustic looking building. There was a small sign out front, “Alan’s Rest Inn.”
Ansuya walked right up to the front steps and entered through the front door with Alexiares in tow. William hesitated; most places didn’t allow dogs or pets of any kind into them unless they were service animals. He glanced down at Aceso who was holding her head straight and high with her tail raised as well. Facing the modest three story building in front of him he raised his gaze to the brightening stars overhead. Shaking his head, he followed after the two elders.
The inside of the Inn looked just like the outside said it would. The walls were made to look as if they were made from thick logs of the surrounding trees. The tables were carved wood and branches. The wooden floor was well worn and covered in a thick coat of clear protectant. The hanging ceiling lights looked to be made from wood as well or some kind of animal horn or antlers. The lights themselves were electric, but dressed up to look like kerosene lamps. The front desk was wood as well which was where Ansuya was standing.
William approached the desk as he felt the eyes of the few guests in the lobby watch him and the wolf at his feet. Alexiares could probably fool some idiot tourist here for the weekend, but these people had probably been born here, raised here, and would probably die here, and he knew that they knew what a wolf looked like. And from the hairs standing up on the back of his neck the good people of this small mountain town didn’t take too kindly to wolves, or to strangers for that matter.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
There was a thick armed man just coming up behind the desk. As soon as his eyes touched Ansuya a huge smile cracked his massive bearded face. “Well, I’ll be dipped in…excuse my language ma’am.” He scratched at his neck still beaming, “Ansuya Das.” Shaking his head he lowered his gaze to the desk in front of him. Lifting his head up once more he said, “I never thought I’d have the pleasure of seeing you again.”
Ansuya bowed her head to the man, “Thank You, Alan. How have things been?”
The man stretched out his arms to encompass the whole of his Inn. “This place is doing all right, I still can’t believe how much work this place is, but we manage.”
Ansuya smiled up at Alan, “I believe we have made arrangements?”
Alan nodded his head with a smile of his own, “Yep, every thing’s takin’ care of, Miss Das.” He turned around and ran his fingers along a long portion of the wall behind him. He nimbly grabbed three keys from their racks. Turning around he laid them out on the desk in between himself and Ansuya. “I have three reserved rooms for you tonight, the Mountain Suite, a King sized, and a Double.” He looked at the Elder for a moment. “You look even younger than I remember.”
Ansuya gracefully slid the keys into her open palm. “You flatter me, Alan.”
“If only it was simple flattery, ma’am.” He lifted himself back away from the desk and looked at the whole group of them. “Ok folks, the kitchen is open for a little while yet, we usually shut it down around one in the morning for room service.” He pointed to the collection of tables off to their right. “The diner is open till eight, you’re free to eat there if you’d like.” He glanced down at the two wolves. He tried to hide a smirk but even the beard couldn’t do that. He winked at William as he said out loud, “Your service dogs are allowed in your rooms but unfortunately we can’t allow them into the dining area.” He looked apologetically at Ansuya, “I’m sorry Miss Das, but the health regulations have tightened a lot since the last time you were here.”
Ansuya tilted her head ever so softly and smiled, “I understand, Alan. We all must operate within the restrictions of our society.”
The man behind the counter wiped at his forehead. “Thank you for understanding.” He leaned over the counter and in a very soft voice, almost a whisper, he said to the two wolves. “I’m sorry. I hope you can understand.” Alexiares nodded while Aceso kept her head rigid. Alan looked at the group again and said in a much louder voice, “Welcome to Alan’s Rest Inn. I hope you folks have a great night’s stay with us.”
Ansuya smiled at the man, “Thank you, Alan for everything. I’m sure our stay will be fine.”
William and the rest of his pack followed Ansuya around the corner to the elevator. The stainless steel doors opened and they all piled in. Ansuya pressed the “3” button. The doors closed and rose smoothly up to the third floor.