A Son of Wolves 3
Chapter 3: The Lone Wolf
As ordered by his Uncle and Alpha leader, Leo reported his discovery of that lone wolf in the territory. From the single scent she left behind, a wolf could know much about that wolf or animal. It was a she-wolf, still young, healthy it seems, the main worry was that she might have brought a disease with her, but Leo smelt she was clean and healthy. There were no reasons for neighbouring packs to attack, so she can't be a spy. Garth ensured Leo that if she was found before leaving the territory then she'd be taken care of and offered shelter with them. They weren't going to drive this girl out and away, she smelt too young to be of any harm to anyone. Being the Alpha he now was, he had completed his duties for the day after giving his report. The verdict, this she-wolf would be found by the parties Garth had organised to find her, but the pack must remain cautious of her where about a, she might still be dangerous and possibly bringing others with her.
Leo left happy, knowing she's be treated fairly. But someone wasn't quite ready for him to leave, well, two wolves to be honest. Grace and Collette, Garth and Lily's daughters. Grace had her mother's white fur and her father's eyes, where as Collette was pretty much the opposite. She had her father's orange fur with a white underbelly, but bore her mother's eyes. Both with Omega personalities passed down from Lily, something she loved, as did Garth, but he did wish he had an Alpha heir to carry on as Pack Leader. As I said, they were in love with Leo, and when I say in love, I really mean it. They being two of many she-wolves in heat only made them worse. They refused to see him as a cousin, because really he wasn't. They knew he was with Sahara, but they were putting up a fight. Sure he thought and admitted they were beautiful and stunning, but he was a one she-wolf kind of guy. He loved them as cousins, nothing more. Their heat took them over most times; they'd never act this way around his usually. Garth and Lily could only laugh, most times finding it too funny to stop them. When they had their desires under control, they'd fully regret their flirtatious actions and take back everything, until next time that was. He found their actions funny as well though and knew they couldn't control it, not all the time however.
Garth gave him the rest of the day off to spend some quality time with his friends and family, but really his only friends were his family, they were the only friends he wanted and needed. So he started walking, seeing what would come his way as he walked around the Valley. He greeted wolves a good day as they did back, he watched horny girls in heat flirt with their friends, he even smelt recent mating on some that he passed. He remembers the countless times he's smelt the same on Kate and Humphrey, her saddening barren nature providing them with safe mating all year round. The sun was up, pups pounced in the long grass he walked through chasing bugs, the stream not too far away flowed slowly, making a peaceful sound he knew Sahara liked to hear and sit by sometimes. Maybe she was here? The hunt must surely be over now? Curiosity got the better of him; he wanted to see her again.
He took a sharp right turn to where the river's sound came from, the sounds of the water growing louder with each step. But not only that, the sounds of two males silently talking. "Ah man, and he pulled that?" One familiar voice said in disappointment.
"Leo had to get the hot one." Another familiar voice added.
"Bro, she's like seventeen years old, a year younger then mom and dad. She took that same stuff she made for the rest of the pack and she hasn't changed since."
"Really guys?" Leo chuckled as he pushed away some grass to discover Dom and Jasper lying and watching the stream. They whirled around, banging their heads as they did and groaning from the bang. "Who are you spying on now?"
"No-one…"Jasper seethed as he rubbed his head. Leo just scoffed in disbelief and walked beside them to peaked through a slit in the grass, seeing something beyond creepy. It wasn't the fact it was Sahara washing in the stream not too far away, it was the fact they were watching her. Yeah, he's caught them before spying on girls, but his own girlfriend.
"Watching my girlfriend are you?" He chuckled again and turning back to them. They just sheepishly grinned and nervously laughed and nodded. "Then why didn't you invite me?" He asked.
"What?" Dom asked puzzled.
"Do I really need permission to spy on my own girlfriend with you? You should have told me."
"No, you don't!" Sahara suddenly called out to them. "But at least tell them to talk a little more quietly next time." She giggled. Leo only laughed as he turned around.
"Nice try boys, I'll see you at home." He walked out of the bushes as Sahara scrubbed her neck with her back paw. How long were they there for?" He chuckled.
"Must have be at least ten minutes, that's when I heard them anyway."
"Are you mad?" He asked as he sat on the side of the stream
"No, not at all." She giggled. "Two hormonal Omega boys looking for something to memorise. It wouldn't be the first time I've heard or seen that. Now what were you doing?" She asked slyly.
"I just came back from Uncle Garth's den, there's a lone-wolf in the territory somewhere so we need to keep a look out."
"Really? Anything else?"
"Yeah, Aunt Lily wants to have a family dinner tonight, and guess what? You're invited." Her eyes widened and she stopped to listen in.
"Oh, I don't know…that sounds a little awkward don't you think?"
"Of course not." He smiled reassuringly. "If it's anymore awkward, I've got to go and ask Charlie if he wants to come. She's invited him as well."
"Oh dear me." She sighed.
"Come on." He pleaded and lying down. "You're a part of the family now. Caleb and Ciara won't be there so we need the numbers."
"Numbers? There are twelve of you in that family already, and you're worried about numbers?"
"Please…" He whined again and giving her his best puppy dog eyes. "It would mean everything to me."
"Fine." She giggled in defeat and from his cute attempt. He grinned triumphantly and kissed the corner of her mouth.
"Thank you, who knows, it could be fun. Even more so if Charlie comes."
"How on earth are you going to convince the human to come?"
"A bit of brotherly love, that's how."
Soon enough, both Leo and Sahara were outside the cabin in the fields, scratching at the door and waiting to be let in. They waited for some time, it's not like he's ever busy. He's either inside dealing with work from Robinson or he's out taking researchers and tours around the Valley, all a part of the job he gets paid for now. Eventually, the door opens and they were greeted by not only Charlie, but a half naked Charlie. Shirtless, and only wearing a pair of jeans, he looked exhausted.
"Have you only just got up?" Leo asked.
"Leo, not a good time brother." He replied and rubbing his eyes with a groan.
"Why, what have you got going on in there?" He asked and trying to see passed his legs. Charlie stepped outside and shut the door.
"Like I said, this really isn't the best time bro. Can we wait a couple of minutes?" Leo inhaled his scent, his scent and the smells of inside the cabin flooded his nostrils. Not only that the smells on him indicated something.
"So who's the lucky girl?" Sahara giggled as she smelt the same thing. Charlie couldn't believe it.
"Ok, don't do the whole "we've got a better sense of smell then you" thing please." He sighed. "And be quiet, she'll think I'm crazy for talking to you."
"I didn't know you had a girlfriend." Leo chuckled as Charlie sat back into a chair on the porch and Leo and Sahara lay by it.
"You never asked. Her names Kala and we've been together for a year now."
"Well you know Sahara already."
"Yeah, I know her. Who could forget the…"
"Seriously, we've had this conversation already. Leave the feathers out of it."
"Sorry, but why do you even wear them?"
"It was a tradition in the pack I was from for Alpha's to have their ear pierced and feathers looped through on a vine to show they were an Alpha."
"That explains a lot." He yawned. "So, what brings you by today guys?"
"Well, my Aunt Lily is having a family dinner, and seeing as you're my family she invited you as well."
"Leo…that's your family, not mine. I don't think…"
"Please, I really want you to." He couldn't, it just wasn't right. He was a human and not in this family. Sure he roughly knew them, he's seen them time to time, but he wasn't in their family.
"I'm sorry Leo, but that's your family, not mine."
"Mom and dad think of you as family." Leo replied and lowering his head saddened.
"My family is your real one, our real one. You grew up with that one and I grew up with this one, I think it's best to keep it that way. I love you Leo, nothing can take that away, but I think I'll sit this one out though. That's your world; I'll stick with this one." Leo nodded, he understood. Charlie's world was with the humans, Leo's with the wolves, it was going to hard to bring the other back into the other's world now.
"It's ok, I'll tell her." He replied with a saddened smile.
"You guys are always welcome to come around here anytime you like though, you know I like talking to Humphrey."
"Thanks, there was something else as well." Leo added. "There's a lone wolf in the area, I don't know if that's something you need to tell anyone or if anyone might want to look more into it."
"I'll let anyone know who asks. I've got a research group coming in later on today; I thought you should know that."
"I'll let Garth know, thanks." He nodded as he jumped to his paws.
"Come back anytime bro, you're always welcome here."
"And you're always welcome in the pack; it would be good if you came there more often."
"Maybe one day. I'll see you around Leo." He jumped onto his brother's chest and hugged him tightly; inhaling that scent he came to love. His brother's scent, one until only two years ago he came to find existed and couldn't get enough of. Each day with him was a blessing and each day without him was heartache, they had so much to learn and feel off one another, and Charlie felt the same way.
"See ya Charlie." Leo said after licking his cheek and jumping off. Charlie walked back inside, closing the door behind him and Sahara walked with Leo across the field.
"Seeing you two like that is sweet." She smiled. "Make me wish I had a brother or sister, or both.
"It's the greatest feeling ever." He smiled back, receiving a quick kiss as he did. "Come on; let's find mom and dad to tell them about tonight." The walked through the trees, talking about tonight's events and the coming moonlight howl that is to take place in three nights' time. Sahara was excited like all she-wolves before a howl, insisting Leo keeps away from her the entire day before paw so she can get ready and make the night all the more special. She had something in plan for him, and she wanted to carry it out. But there was one thing stopping her, but she was working on that.
So, walking through the trees, having a little fun along the way, Leo couldn't help but allow his Alpha instincts to go into overdrive as something didn't feel right. Sahara felt his change and after reaching out her own instincts she felt the same thing. They looked at one another, before inhaling the air, wanting to know what was causing this feeling. They maybe wanting some alone time to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but they still had a responsibility to keep the pack safe and now they had that chance. Nothing in the air, but when Leo came across some tracks he scented the ground, soon finding another familiar scent. So much familiarity in one day. "It's the lone wolf." He said. "She came through here not a few minutes ago."
"Her scents everywhere, maybe she's still here." Sahara replied, it would make sense. Her scent was everywhere, it lingered heavily, maybe she was hiding out here behind the bushes or in a temporary bolt hole. They split up, but stayed in sight and hearing range of one another without having to shout. They looked around; this she-wolf's scent proved she was here somewhere. "Come on out, we're not going to hurt you." Sahara called.
"We want to help you." Leo added. "Please, just come on out." Of course nothing answered. In this small area there were many spots to hide in. There were large bolt holes, bushes, patches of tall grass and plants, rocks even, one wolf was going to be hard to find. Her scent went around in circles, so it was a matter of looking for her with their eyes, smelling her out was not an option. Leo walked around one side of a patch of rocks and Sahara the other. He guessed he didn't hear it, but in between the gap at the bottom of where two rocks met were a bolt hole, large enough for a wolf to crawl in and out of, and inside he could he faint crying and muttering. He approached it cautiously. "Hey, I know you're in there, come on out, we want to help you." The mutter only continued and he couldn't hear anything else, she wasn't moving. But suddenly, it stopped, worrying Leo. "Hey, Sahara, come here, I've found…"
Suddenly, a flash of black and grey leapt out of the hole and tackled Leo to the ground. It stood on his chest and in a flash brought a set of white teeth down towards his neck, but his quick reactions caught the she-wolf's jaws. Her eyes, red, must have been from crying, her fur was grimy and filthy, matted with mud and dirt. If anything she was slimy. He would feel pity towards her if she wasn't attacking him. But what amazed him was the strength of the she-wolf; she fought against in and brought her snapping teeth closer to him. He strained to push her off, he needed help. "Sahara!" He yelled desperately, but his grip on her slipped but so did her bite. Her teeth only made a small cut in the side of his neck and he took this as his moment to act. He pushed her shoulders down and rolled on top of her, standing above her and pinning her against the ground, she still continued to fight against him, but now he had the upper paw. Sahara came running around the rock to this sight.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I don't know, but she's psycho and bit me." He growled as she continued to struggle. "Can you help me?" She quickly nodded and walked up to the she-wolf, pressing in a spot on the side of her neck with some pressure applied to it.
"Shh, it's ok, just go to sleep. You're safe." Her actions became slower and less aggressive, her growls and snarls falling silent until eventually she fell still. A pressure point located in the neck, with enough pressure applied it can cause sudden unconscious in but a few seconds, something many Alpha's are taught to quietly subdue a target. "What happened to her?"
"I don't know, but she must have been through a lot, just look at her." Leo breathed as he stepped off her and looking up and down at disgusting body. "Let's get her back to Garth and Lily; they'll know what to do. Help me get her on my back." She nodded as Leo lay down, lifting her left front and back paws over her back and waiting for Sahara to hoist her up.
"Did she hurt you?" She asked as she pushed up and onto his back.
"She bit my neck, a little scratch, it's nothing." He answered after moving around, making sure she was secure and wouldn't fall off.
"This doesn't ruin your aunt's plans does it?"
"I doubt it; Garth will have her taken to a den with someone outside to watch after her. She needs cleaning up."
Lily was going frantic about the following night, the den needed cleaning, dinner needed to be ready, the girls needed to be presentable, so far, it wasn't going to plan. The den was still dirty, the girls had ruined their fur three times now already through play and messing around after they promised not stay clean, and Garth didn't know what was wrong with how the place looked already. Eve had to agree, but Lily wasn't. It came to the point she let out her inner Eve and started ordering her mate in a desperate attempt to help. He gathered his daughters' and brushed them down again while Eve gave her daughter a break in order to get herself ready. Dinner seemed to be the only things prepared, a fresh caribou carcass in the corner of the room and a pile of small bones.
Garth led his daughter outside and back to the pond not far away for the fourth time when he saw Leo and Sahara walking towards them, but with something else. He told his daughters to hurry it up and get back quickly before turning to them. "Leo, what have you found?"
"That lone wolf uncle." He groaned from the long walk and showing her to him. "She needs looking after, she's hurt and scared, she even attacked me."
"You can't bring her in here; Lily's going insane about tonight and I don't think she'd be happy about all this." He took a moment to think, how can they deal with this problem without causing another. "Eve, can you come out here a minute?" He called back into the den, and soon she emerged to this surprise.
"What's this? Who's that?"
"The lone wolf Leo discovered this morning, can you take care of her?"
"Of course, if you can let Lily know I'll be late tonight that is."
"Of course, I'll send someone to you soon just to make sure she doesn't hurt you."
"You're a sweet boy." She smiled. "Bring her next door Leo; I'll take a look at her." He nodded and followed after her, leaving Sahara to explain to their leader how they came across her and what happened while Leo did the same with Eve. The she-wolf was set down in a den not too far away from the leader den, pretty much just next door. Before Leo left, he wanted to hear from his grandmother's mouth her condition. After a brief looking over and while continuing to do so, Eve spoke. "She's dehydrated, malnourished, exhausted by the looks of things. Her fur's disgusting as you can see and she's been bitten on her back." A large bite mark was revealed underneath her fur in the midsection of her back. "It looks infected, I can deal with this."
"Can you come and get me when she's awake? I'd like to talk to her."
"Certainly." She smiled. "Well done."
"Ma'am?" A voice called into the den. They looked back, seeing a young, brown and grey Alpha stepping inside. "Garth asked me to keep watch out here for you."
"Yes, thank you. But I'll need your help as well."
"Certainly ma'am." He nodded as he stepped inside. "I can take over now Leo."
"How do you know my name?" He asked curiously.
"I'm err…I'm going to the moonlight howl with Skye, she's told me a lot about you. But then again, it's not like nobody in the pack knows you. The name's Logan."
"Fair point, I'll leave you guys too it. Logan, grandma." He finished with a nod.
"Have a goodnight." Logan smiled. Leo only nodded as he walked away. "Wow, my sister's date. Not bad." He shrugged as he continued walking. Sahara met him on the way out.
"So, everything ok?"
"Grandma's taking care of her, she'll be fine. Plus I got to meet Skye's date."
"Oooh, is he handsome?" She asked interestedly.
"He's cute, but I don't judge from looks. I'll be seeing more of him later on." He chuckled. "Come on; let's go home, we can wash up there."
"You're inviting me home with you?" She asked.
"Yeah, you can wash up in the pond and walk down with us later on."
"Thank you Leo." She smiled and licking his cheek. "I'm so happy to have you."
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
"It was worth it, seventeen years of waiting and I finally found the perfect guy for me." He replied and leaning against his side as they walked. "You're not a human pup anymore Leo, you're a full grown, Alpha wolf. I love you so much."
"I love you too, my sweet, gorgeous girl." He smiled at her, giving her a lustful but quick kiss.
Later on that night, the girls were washed to their finest and most radiant, and the boys to their utmost best, a simple submerge and scrub before getting out again. Skye, Ciara, Kate and Sahara took their time like all she-wolves despite this was a simple family get together. Whereas Humphrey, Leo, Rick, Dom and Jasper used the faster method. They waited for the girls to finish their final adjustments and also for Nikita, Rick's girlfriend and Caleb's sister. She was to be a part of the family soon as Rick told his father and brothers, he planned to propose to her on the night of the full moon and during the howl. Of course he was congratulated and they promised to keep it to themselves, if the girl's knew about it he'd never hear the end of it. It was then the girls felt they were presentable, s the group left, encountering Nikita along the way and Rick receiving funny and embarrassing looks from the boys of the family.
Lily greeted her guests, and apologised for Eve not being there. Garth explained everything to her and to his surprise she was ok with it, as long as her mother turned up eventually, without her it wouldn't be a family dinner now would it? They small talked for a little while, Lily feeling her night was being a success, but she refused to start the dinner until Eve showed up. Eventually however, she saw how hungry they were getting, so they started on eating the carcass that was causing them to drool from the sight and smell of it. Greedily digging into the large body, there was little talk going around. The talk that did happen were mostly between one or two people, one conversation being between Skye and Leo about her date.
"Now this is nice." Kate said while chewing her piece. "We don't get everyone together enough."
"I agree, if only mom was here." Lily agreed.
"She'll be along soon Aunt Lily, she's busy at the moment, I'm sure she'll be here soon." Skye added.
"Sooner then you think." Eve giggled from the entrance and making all eyes fall on her.
"There you are." Lily smiled; finally her night was going to plan. "Sorry we didn't wait but the kids were getting hungry so we started."
"It's ok, as long as there's plenty left because we're both hungry."
"We?" Humphrey asked as he tried to dislodge a piece of meat stuck between his teeth.
"Come on dear, don't be afraid." Moments later, the she-wolf from earlier came walking nervously through, her tail tucked under slightly to show it. Her fur neatened and cleaned to near perfection, but she still looked skinny and thirsty. Her eyes darted at everyone, waiting to see their reaction. "Everyone, this is Cara, she's going to be joining us this evening." Leo swallowed the piece he was chewing and walked around to face her. But his quick movements frightened and she took multiple steps back as her tail tucked under more tightly.
"Hi, I'm Leo. I found you out there." He said with a friendly smile and holding out his paw.
"This is my grandson, the one I was telling you about." Eve whispered gently. Cara looked at her before back to Leo who still had his paw extended and waited. She gulped and walked back towards him, gently taking his paw in hers and shaking it.
"Cara." Was all she said with a single up and down motion before letting go and scampering back to Eve's side. Her voice, it was so young and innocent.
"Come on, we know you're hungry." Cara struggled to keep her eyes off the meat and as Garth and Leo moved to the side to allow room, she and Eve settled down to dig in. Only Cara practically dove straight into it, tear greedily and viciously like a mad wolf. Everyone shared a look, that of pity and slight disgust at the strange she-wolf in their midst. Soon they shrugged it off and continued their meal. They continued to watch her though while they talked amongst themselves and leaving her to gorge away. They all noticed the red veins in her eyes, all still guessing from some extensive crying. After a little while, all but Cara had finished eating, but Leo wanted to know more about this wolf that tried to kill him.
"So Cara…" He started, in an instant she became fearful of him and waited as if a beating was coming her way. "Hey, it's ok; I'm not going to hurt you." He eased. "None of us will."
"What do you want with me?" She asked.
"We just want to take care of you." Lily answered from across the scrap of bones. "You look like you've been through an ordeal."
"What happened to you honey?" Eve asked sweetly. She was the youngest wolf around, she was like the pup of the group and her shy nature was getting the better of her.
"You're not the first wolves to tell me that I was safe and that they wouldn't hurt me." She replied as she took another bite, but continuing to watch everyone around her.
"Why, what happened to you?" Sahara asked from the other side of Leo.
"I ran away from home." She answered before randomly, and without any queue, turned around and walked away out of the den. She didn't go far; she just sat overlooking to rise just outside.
"This girl is weird." Grace whispered.
"She's been through a lot sweetheart; we can only give her time." Garth replied.
"But this isn't good either." Eve added quietly. "If she's a run away from the North or Southern Pack, they might think we kidnapped her and they might start another war."
"We can explain things to them if that happens." Leo added as he got to his paws. "Let me try and talk to her."
"Be careful baby." Sahara said as he walked out.
Cara was observing her surroundings, never had she seen a place like this in such a long time. But everything as of lately has been a blur. "So, where are you from?" Leo asked as he came to her side, making her jump as he did. "Kind of jumpy aren't you."
"I'm from a pack outside of Jasper, I ran away after I was bullied that I had to get away and never come back." She answered.
"Want to tell me why you tried to kill me?" He then asked. A tear leaked down her face.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I can't even remember it."
"Need a hug?" He asked. She nodded gently, so he opened his paws to her and welcomed her. She cried quietly against his chest, Sahara even felt a hint of jealousy when she saw them.
"I can't remember much, I don't even remember doing that." She muttered.
"It's ok, you only scratched me. I'm ok." He reassured. "You really are safe here; nobody is going to hurt you here."
"The last wolf to offer me shelter said the same thing and acted the same way." She sniffled as she pulled away and wiped off her damp muzzle.
"Wanna tell me about it? Maybe we can help you?"
"After I ran away, I was hurt when a wolf found me. He looked after me, helped me get better. He was a great guy. But then he started acting funny and soon he bit my back after he turned crazy. I started running again and I can't really remember much since then, everything's a blur."
"It's probably stress." He replied. "You've been through a lot and you're so young, but really, we do want to help you."
"I really am sorry I hurt you, I was just so scared, I don't know what's happening to me or why everything's happened the way it has." She said and beginning to cry again.
"We can help you. You can stay here and learn to get back on your paws. When you're ready you can decide what you want to do, you can stay or leave, it's up to you."
"I can't thank you more then enough."
"You're welcome. Why don't you come back inside and finish eating? You still hungry."
"I'm starving." She replied with a weak smile.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone." He waited for her and soon she got up and walked ahead of him back towards the den. He started following after her, but soon he had a sudden, painful itch on his neck. It was soon found and ridden of before he followed after her with a thought on his mind. "She better not have fleas."