Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves (Folk Lore 2)

He frowned when he picked up a nagging, high-pitched tone coming from the receiver. Was it Radek’s Mother? The woman was definitely saying something about the fox farm at the pace of a rocket. He tried to focus on it and understand the conversation.

“Yeah, I closed the farm because it’s completely unhygienic and all over terrible. The animals are held in awful cond—”

“Radek, what do I care? What is this eco-awakening? I need half the income, and that’s it. Or are you gonna send the cops to investigate your own business?”

Radek trembled in Yev’s lap. “No, I’m not, that’s why I ordered the clean-up. We’ll figure out how to do… this better.” He squeezed the phone harder, and Yev noticed his nails grow spikier.

Shit.

Yev grabbed Radek’s wrist and pulled it up to show him what was going on. ‘Hang up,’ he mouthed, but it became clear it had been a bad decision when the golden eyes grew wider, their pupils changing shape.

“Do what better?” asked the woman on the other end of the line. “Jeez, Radek, I think they use gas or something at the farm. They don’t skin them alive. Get over it.”

But Radek’s shifting had already been triggered and he shrank in Yev’s lap within seconds, the phone dropping right next to him. Ember pushed his head out from under the heavy jacket and complained in a whimper.

His face was so adorable with its long muzzle and whiskers that Yev only picked up the cell after a moment’s hesitation.

“He can’t talk to you right now,” he said sternly, pulling Ember close.

“Um… Who is this?” Now that he could hear her clearly, Yev had a vague idea that she had to be young.

Ember made the tiniest of squeaks, climbing onto Yev’s arm and sticking his little face between Yev’s shoulder and neck. Yev petted him in long strokes that started at the head and ended on a pull at the lush tail. “A friend. Radek is unwell. You’ll need to talk to him another time.”

She made an impatient groan. “I’m so done with this farm shit. Tell him it’s best if we talk in person anyway. I’ll be in Cracow in two weeks.” She hung up the moment she said her piece.

Yev rolled his eyes. “Did you hear her? Who does she think I am? Your major-domo?” he asked, dropping the cell phone into the pocket at the side of his door before he hugged the little fox close.

A familiar cackle made him smile. Ember nuzzled his cheek, tickling him with his whiskers, but then moved away with a sigh and settled on the pile of Radek’s clothes in Yev’s lap.

Yev couldn’t help but smile at him, switching on the motor. “Just relax. I’ll take care of everything, little red.”

He snorted when Ember let out another cackle and closed his eyes. They really needed to practice the shifting if Radek was to ever feel safe among humans again.

The sun was setting when they arrived in Dybukowo valley, and Yev spent the peaceful drive stroking Ember’s back and tail whenever his left hand wasn’t busy shifting gears. He couldn’t believe they’d be making the drive again tomorrow if Coal pulled through. He also couldn’t believe he’d just gotten another pet fox, because for as long as Radek was staying with him, so would Coal. Maybe taking care of him would teach Radek some responsibility, but Yev didn’t even want to begin thinking of the mischief two foxes would get up to in his house.

But the longer the drive took, the more he realized Radek remained tense, and as he took a turn into a small lane that bypassed the village and led through the woods, it occurred to him that maybe the thing that always relaxed him might work on Radek as well. He kissed the ginger forehead and found a bit of space by the dirt road, where the snow wasn’t so thick, and switched off the car.

“I know what we should do.”

Ember made a ‘hn?’ sound, blinking slowly, still drowsy from his nap as the last of the sun colored his fur a warmer hue. He looked so adorable Yev could’ve eaten him up.

“How about we hunt together? Right now. The sun’s setting, so there’ll be no people walking in the woods,” Yev proposed with a wide smile and kissed both of Radek’s eyelids, unable to contain the need to make him feel better. He would not stop trying until it happened.

He instantly got all of Radek’s attention. His ears, and even his tail, perked up. Throughout the month Radek had spent with him as Ember, Radek had only accompanied him to work, but Yev hadn’t gone out to hunt since the little guy had joined him at the lodge. It might have been too dangerous. But now that Radek was in on Yev’s secret, Yev the wolf could provide Radek with the protection he needed in the wild.