Chapter 4
Orion eased himself into the large armchair in his chambers, the weight of the day pressing heavily on him. The trek through Black Manor had been grueling, even with Walburga’s steady arm for support and Red, his service dog, working tirelessly by his side. Now, in the quiet solitude of his sitting room, he let the exhaustion settle over him.
Pain radiated through his legs, a deep ache that pulsed with every beat of his heart. He sighed, letting his head fall back as he focused on steadying his breath. Across the room, Walburga stood silently, her sharp gaze assessing him. She knew Orion well enough to allow him these moments of silence—moments where his pride could remain intact despite the strain etched across his face.
Orion shifted his focus to Red, his loyal companion, who stood alert at his side. The sleek black Cane Corso had become an extension of himself, attuned to his every need and movement. Red’s dark, intelligent eyes stayed locked on Orion, patiently awaiting his next command.
“Red, meds,” Orion instructed, his voice calm but firm.
Without hesitation, Red turned and padded out of the room, his movements fluid and precise. Orion watched him go, the familiar pang of gratitude warming his chest. The dog’s training was impeccable—retrieving medications and essential items was second nature to him, but it was Red’s quiet presence that Orion found most comforting.
Walburga broke the silence, her tone measured but approving. “He’s remarkable. A credit to you.”
Orion gave a small, tired smile. “I needed him to be. He’s made life… manageable.”
Before long, the sound of soft paws against the manor’s cold floors signaled Red’s return. The dog carried a pouch of medication in his mouth and balanced two water bottles carefully between his teeth. He trotted directly to Orion and set the items on the low table in front of him with practiced care.
“Good boy,” Orion murmured, his voice low with affection as he reached out to scratch behind Red’s ears. Red’s tail wagged once, subtle but content, before he sat back on his haunches, his focus still unwavering.
Orion reached for the medication, his hand trembling slightly from the effort. The day’s toll had left him drained, but Walburga’s steady presence and Red’s unshakable loyalty made the moment feel less daunting. As he fumbled with the pouch, Walburga stepped forward and wordlessly handed him a water bottle. Her tone, though soft, carried the authority he had come to rely on.
“Here,” she said simply.
He took it with a nod of thanks, swallowing the pills with a few gulps of cold water. Relief was slow to come, but he felt the familiar dulling of the sharpest edges of his pain. Leaning back into the chair, Orion let out a long exhale, allowing his body to settle.
Red, ever perceptive, placed his head gently on Orion’s knee, applying grounding pressure as if sensing the turmoil still lingering in his handler’s mind. Orion’s hand fell to the dog’s head, his fingers smoothing over Red’s fur in slow, repetitive strokes.
“You’re a good boy, Red,” he said softly, the words laced with gratitude. “Better than I deserve, sometimes.”
Walburga, now seated across from him, folded her hands in her lap, her posture regal as ever. “You’ve spent years taking care of this family, Orion,” she said, her tone both firm and kind. “It’s time we take care of you.”
Orion met her gaze, the weight of her words pressing against the walls he had so carefully built. “I’m not used to… leaning on others,” he admitted, his eyes flicking briefly to Red before returning to her. “But I’m beginning to see I don’t have much choice.”
Walburga’s expression softened, though her resolve remained steady. “Relying on us doesn’t make you weak. It makes you wise. And it shows the strength you’ve instilled in all of us—to step up when you need us most.”
The room fell quiet, the tension of the day giving way to a calm understanding. Orion closed his eyes, his hand still resting on Red’s head, feeling the rise and fall of the dog’s steady breathing. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he allowed himself to relax, letting the burdens he carried ease, if only for a moment. Red stayed close, his silent presence a reminder that Orion was never truly alone—not with his family and his loyal partner by his side.