Romulus entered the tavern and seated himself at a table. He knew he was attracting attention from the villagers, but at the moment he could care less. Remus' words hurt him and he did not want to face him at any time. His words showed him that he was different from the family. He always was different. While in school, while the other were playing games or talking about the latest trends, Romulus spent his time in the library researching. Instead of going out and hanging with friends, he did his homework and extra credit or spent that time alone in the park. Truthfully, he had no friends to speak of. Remus tried to integrate him into his groups of friends, but Romulus was still an outcast. He was silent and because he listened to his teachers, he was at the top of his class.

Romulus shook his head to dispel his thoughts and peered around the room. A shiver went down his spine at the hostile looks he was receiving from the villagers. He stood from spot and turned to leave when two men stepped in front of him. Behind him, he could feel a few of the other villagers coming to their feet. One of the men in front of him, presumably the ringleader, sneered at him. "What're ya doin' in our tavern, boy? Yar kind don't belong here." Murmurs of agreement from the other villagers met Romulus' ears. His eyes searched for an exit, but he bit his lip in fear when he found none.

"I came here to think. If I am bothering you, I will leave." He started forward, but was thrown back by the ringleader.

"I don't think ya understand me, boy. Yar kind don't belong anywhere and we're goin' ta make sure dat no one can find ya." He stepped forward, his arm raised to punch Romulus, when another hand shot out. Romulus glanced to the side and stared at his rescuer. He could see nothing of their face or body, as it was covered with a thick, grey cloak. The hand was also covered, but in black rather than grey.

"The boy said he would leave. It does not matter if he is a Wolf or not." Romulus stared at the man in surprise. He did not know he was that obvious. The ringleader shrunk back.

"Take 'im out of our village. It's de only way we'll be able to sleep with knowing dat one of them even set foot here." Silence reigned for a few seconds before the cloaked man let go of the ringleader's arm. He latched onto Romulus' upper arm and pulled him from the tavern. He led Romulus down the road until they stopped a little ways from the village. Romulus suppressed any fear that wanted to erupt and stared at the man. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a brush on his leg. Glancing down he met Mer's ice blue eyes. It was only a matter of moments before the man turned to face him. Mer pressed closer to him and she shivered against his leg.

"What did you think you were doing? Going inside that tavern by yourself and with so much Wolf blood in you. Are you that oblivious to your surroundings? Or just ignorant? Did you parents teach you nothing?"

"I…I never knew I was a Wolf until tonight. What were my parents supposed to teach me?" Even cloaked, Romulus could see the man deflate.

"Are you an orphan?" Romulus shook his head in a negative. "Your parents never said anything to you about your heritage? What were they thinking?" The man said it to himself, but Romulus answered him.

"They probably hoped I would inherit more of my mother rather than my father, like my siblings did. Are…are you a Wolf, sir?" The man chuckled and Romulus pouted angrily. "It is not that funny, sir. In fact, it is a valid question."

"You are right, but no, I'm not a Wolf. Far from it."

"Then how do you know so much? Did you grow up with Wolves or have any friends that told you?" The man was silent for sometime and Romulus felt as if he was regarding him. Without answering, the man swept his hood back. Ocean blue eyes stared at him from a tanned face. Golden blonde hair fell about him in waves and Romulus spotted a few streaks of grey blended in. A frown covered Romulus' face. "Who are you? The way you dropped your hood meant that I was supposed to know automatically." The man smiled and Romulus felt an odd flutter in his stomach.

"You have no idea who I am?" Romulus shook his head. "My name is Wendell. May I inquire your name?" Romulus did not answer and only the widening of his mismatched eyes showed his surprise. Wendell tilted his head to the side and watched the young Wolf closely.