The Wolf Came on Christmas (Johanna and Alexander) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99-1

Rex’s words struck me deeply, for some reason.

“…but that doesn’t mean they’re beasts,” I replied firmly. “You are not beasts.”

+25 Points

“…well, I’m not saying we are, but a part of us is still wild and instinctive. It’s the use you give to the beast that separates you from being a monster.”

I realized that Rex, unlike Alexander, embraced his canine essence more freely, without prejudice or questioning. He was-and allowed himself to be-perhaps taking somewhat literally the part about making use of his animal side. Maybe that was because he had never had to pretend to anyone that he was a “normal” man. Alexander, on the other hand, had spent many years of his life pretending to the world that he was an ordinary person, to earn Anya’s love, and then he turned his back on everything he knew to get rid of it, one way or another. It took very strong convictions to deny such a fundamental aspect of oneself to that degree, and that made me feel more connected to him. Because I knew he was different, and wanted to be even more different, perhaps.

And, definitely, Alexander was afraid-marked by doubts about his father and about the destiny awaiting him and his small children. That was the perfect moment to ask, again:

“…Rex, forgive me for getting into this, but how much truth is there in what Alexander said- that his father might have ordered the killing of those Red Chinese he was talking about?”

He stopped, and I stopped too. We looked at each other for a moment.

“There are rumors,” he finally said to me, and I think that if he truly hadn’t wanted to, he wouldn’t have opened his mouth at all; Rex was a federal agent and knew very well how to behave regarding information. “There aren’t many facts about it. The books aren’t clear. What happened with the Red Cuones of China has several versions, like Lai himself told you.”

“…I understand, but what do you believe?”

“That there must be some explanation,” he murmured, turning his back to me as he continued speaking. “Illya Valinchenko is a… controversial leader. But he has been a good leader. The degree of refinement and productivity of our global organization exists only thanks to him, to his ability to guide us. I suppose that if it hadn’t been for Illya, when the Soviet Union fell, the status of the White Wolves would have collapsed like a house of cards. You know where all of us would be now. If you ask me, I think he knows how to do what must be done, when it must be done. For everything else, there’s surely an explanation.”

He started walking again, and I followed him.

1/2

Agent Aguilera’s “plan” turned out to be very simple: he and Alexander would advance to the sawmill and try to find a telephone (and pray there was a line) or get rid of the cats- whichever opportunity presented itself first. Nika and I, with Andre, would stay in the forest at the “shelter” site and wait for them to return. According to Rex’s instructions, if they didn’t come back within three hours, we had to flee toward the road and try to locate Luke and the

others.

Comments

LUCK DRAW >

Vote