Mariah open her eyes and quickly snapped them shut again. She opened them slowly to get used to the sunlight. Once she had adjusted she sat up and took in her surroundings. She was lying at the entrance to a cave. The sun was shining through the trees and was rising steadily. She looked behind her into the cave and heard the rhythmic sound of many beasts breathing in sync. She peered into the darkness and saw about twenty houndoom and houndour sleeping together. As she looked she aw the largest one open it's eyes and look at her. She took a step back but it still walked up to her.
"Hello human." It said. She gulped.
"Hello. Sorry I'm disturbing you." She said quietly. It laughed.
"Disturbing? No quite the opposite, I felt a bound with you as soon as I saw you." It walked closer.
"You have Houndoom blood." I stared at it.
"Is that how I can understand you?" It nodded.
"I am Fang, alpha male of the southern pack." He mewed.
"I'm Mariah. I ran away from my father, may I live her for awhile?" She asked the Pokemon.
"Of course! Your welcome to stay for as long as you like." A soft whine sounded from inside the cave. They noticed the other Houndooms beginning to awake.
"She's good." Fang told them. They seemed to understand. At that moment about four Houndoom and a few houndour left the cave and padded into the forest. Mariah looked at Fang.
"They're going on a patrol." He told her.
"To make sure none for our enemies are too close." He snarled. She nodded, though on the inside she was still confused.
"Come meet the rest of the pack." Together they walked into the cave. Fang led the teen over to where a Houndoom was lying in a pelt with a few eggs. A few houndour pounced around her feet, squeaking in delight.
"Iron. This is Mariah. She is staying here for a while." The Houndoom looked up.
"Welcome to the Southern Pack. These are my eggs, and my friends pups." She gestured to them. Mariah smiled.
"Her mate is Storm. He just went out on patrol." Mariah nodded. She looked at her friend and for a second she thought there was a flash of longing in his eyes, but it was over so quickly she couldn't be sure.
After being introduced to the rest of the pack, Fang led Mariah over to a spare pelt, where she could sleep. "I'll wake you up in the morning." He barked gently. She nodded and settled down. She closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep. She kept on thinking that the Houndoom would attack her, and eat her.
About an hour later, the last patrol came back. Most of the pokemon settled down on their pelts to sleep, but one came up to Fang. Mariah kept her eyes closed, to appear asleep but listened to the conversation.
"Don't worry, the human's asleep." Fang told the other wolf.
"Good. They're crossing the border again."
"What! This is the fifth time this moon cycle."
"I know. We also heard a patrol saying they were planning an attack."
Fang shook his head. "This is terrible."
"And it's going to happen tomorrow."
"Wouldn't they attack in the night?"
"They're smarter then you think Fang, they think we will prepare for a night attack, so they'll attack during the day."
"Don't patronise me Claw." The smaller wolf bowed his head, then left for his pelt.
"Mariah." The teen jumped at her name. She rolled over to look at the alpha.
"You heard." It was more a statement then a question but she still nodded.
"I'm sorry you had to come at this time. It's a very difficult time."
"I'll help."
"You don't have claws or teeth."
"I can look after the pups so Iron can fight. Just consider it as thank you for taking me in." The Houndoom nodded. "Fine. Slee now, I'll wake you at dawn." With that he left to his own pelts, living the teen to sleep alone. She slowly closed her eyes and felt sleep wash over her.