Chapter 727 THE STRANGE BOY

He was a handsome yet boyish young wolf.

He had bright green eyes, no beard, unlike most wolves, and a small face that looked more like a scholar than a fighter.

Perhaps that was why I felt safe around him.

I realized he was staring at me.

His mouth agape, dumbstruck.

And yet I was not offended.

It felt nothing like the eyes of lust I had seen in men.

I raised a brow

“I th…thought I w- was alone.” He said immediately.

I smiled at him as I tucked my hair behind my ear.

“I’ll let you in on a secret,” I said as I walked up to him.

I picked out a nut from my pocket and squatted down to showcase it to the squirrel.

The squirrel watched suspiciously and then slowly walked up to me.

Moving from left to right before finding its way towards me.

It hopped onto my palm and took the acorn.

“Hello friend,” I said to it.

And then I looked up at the young man, gently rose from where I squatted, and placed the busy squirrel in his palm.

“The key to speaking to animals is leading them with food, and then being gentle with them. Watch them relax with you.” I informed.

He seemed scared and worried at first, the moment he had the squirrel with him.

“Relax,” I said.

He took a deep breath and grew steadier with the creature.

“That’s it.” I smiled.

He looked up at me. “Thank you. I’ve never seen anyone do that before.”

“I’ve never seen a man try to talk to an animal,” I replied. “My name is Ruby.”

“I’m Bale.” He said.

“Nice to meet you, Bale,” I replied kindly.

The way he was staring at me wasn’t disgusting.

It was just amusing.

Strange.

I had never met a man who gawked at me in such a way and took no offense at it.

He seemed to realize he was staring again, so he struggled to his feet.

The squirrel ran off instantly.

“I’m. G…Go… gosh. I’m so…r…r

I nodded at the Squirrel.

“It seems your friend has gone off.”

“Oh.” He mumbled.

He seemed to have forgotten about the creature.

As he rose to his feet and tried to arrange his disheveled appearance, some books fell out of his bag.

He hurried to pick them up, but more fell out.

I smiled as I tucked my hair behind my ear and bent down to help him pick.

“Here,” I said as I gently gathered the books.

“Er… thank you.” He said, still flustered as he tried to shove them back in.

I picked up one of the books that had been opened but was lying on the floor and lifted it to my gaze.

It was a beautiful book filled with drawings of stars and constellations.

I wowed as I flipped the pages.

There were scribblings around the drawing explaining what the instruments were.

“This is beautiful,” I said as I read through and looked up at him. “Did you do this by yourself?”

He seemed shy and ashamed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Yes.” He said.

I playfully shoved his chest.

“Why are you hiding it? This is amazing. I never knew that wolves could have such interest in things like this these days.”

I flipped through the pages and let my fingers touch the feel of ink along its path.

“You love the constellations?” I asked him.

He nodded numbly, his eyes downcast. “Errr.. ur… yes I do.”

I noticed his discomfort, and I suspected it wasn’t something he was publicly proud of.

“Well, take it from me. You’re good at what you do.” I said as I gently closed the book and handed it to him. “I’ve always been fascinated by the stars and the night sky. The comets. I have a spot where I go to and watch the comets from an angle that even telescopes won’t do justice.”

His eyes glowed. “Where?”

I laughed as I turned back towards my basket. “It’s a secret.”

I walked up to where the herbs were and put them in.

“You’re new here, aren’t you?” I asked curiously. “Never seen your face before.”

His face fell and became dull. “I’m just visiting some family business.”

“Thought as much,” I said as I added some items into the horse’s satchel.

I gently patted Penny’s mare, and she neighed.

“I am sorry I interrupted,” I said with a friendly smile.

It seemed that, with his gift, he wasn’t too forthcoming with people around him.

He was a male wolf.

His mates were off training, learning how to ride up to ranks within packs.

Taking over territories.

And yet here he was, in a quiet part of the forest, begging a squirrel to be his friend and having pages of astronomy

It was unheard of.

And that was why I understood.

He was different amongst his likes, the same way I was different amongst mine.

Two similar and yet different types of outcasts.

And that was why he was different from the men I had met.

His energy was light and warm.

The type of energy I had expected a very good male friend or a brother to have.

I climbed Penny.

“Sorry? Please don’t apologize. I’ve learned something very important from you. Where are you going?” He asked me.

“I have errands to run before I get into trouble,” I replied.

“Do you need an escort?” He asked me.

I burst into laughter. “I don’t mean to offend you, but I assure you I can take care of myself. Perhaps even better than a man would.”

His eyes widened in surprise.

“It was nice meeting you.” I nodded at home

“Perhaps we shall meet again?” He asked with a glint of hope in his eyes.

His eyes were filled with the happiness of finding a new friend.

“Perhaps.” I gave a light shrug. “What did you say your name was again?”

“Bale.” He said, less clumsily this time.

I nodded and dragged Penny’s reins and rode off with a loud Hiah!