Chapter 3 : Love Under The Storm

The bright sun rose high up in the sky, showering the territory with its powerful light. Claudette woke up from her wonderful dreams and began to open her eyes. She heard from her parents that Mark's sleeping at her grandparent's den, and decided to have breakfast with her crush. So she got up on her feet, stretched her muscle and yawned, then began to walk out of the den silently as her parents and brothers were still asleep. It was early in the morning when she arrived, and she enters the den, Winston and Eve were still asleep, but Mark was nowhere to be seen.

'He must be at the Hunting Ground.' She thought, and began to walk out of the den.

When she arrived, she began to feel someone watching her. She ignored it and continued in searching for Mark. A few minutes later, she found him stalking on a Caribou. She sat down and watched as he leaped and slashed its throat open with his claws. He then stood over it with pride, and she began to walk towards him.

'Good morning Mark.' She greeted with a smile.

'Morning.' Mark greeted with a small smile.

'Nice hunt.' Claudette said.

'Thanks.' Mark then began to blush as he had an idea. 'Would you like to eat with me?'

'Really?' Claudette said in surprise.

'Yeah. I can't finish this alone.' Mark said.

'Okay.' Claudette said, then three wolves appeared around them.

'Hey Claudette.' The first male wolves said.

'Who are you?' Claudette asked, feeling that these wolves are here for trouble.

'Don't you know that he like you?' The second male wolf asked.

'Um, no?' Claudette said.

'Come on, I know you like him.' The third male wolf said.

'I don't!' Claudette growled.

Mark's anger grew inside him as Claudette struggled from the first male wolf's hug. He tried to help her, but was pinned down by the other two wolves. His anger reached its maximum when the first male wolf said.

'Why don't we mate here?'

'What? No!' Claudette said as she struggled.

At that very moment, Mark began to feel a surge of power inside his blood. Suddenly, yellow sparks began to appear around him. The two wolves looked at him with shock, then was sent flying to the trees. Mark stood up with a new appearance; His eyes were now yellow, his body, tail and claws were covered by yellow electric sparks, and the best of all, he revealed his fangs to be two large, sharp yellow electric blades. Claudette was lying on the floor with the first male wolf above her, and looked at Mark in shock. Mark charged towards the first wolf at lightning speed, and knocked him towards a tree with powerful strength, causing the tree to collapse. The first wolf spat out blood and looked at Mark with fear as he stood infront of him.

'Please… Don't kill me.' The first wolf pleaded.

'Don't you dare touch her again! Or I'll kill you anytime or anywhere I want, even though you're from this pack. Now run!' Mark roared.

The three wolves then ran away cowardly with their tails in between their legs. He then turned towards Claudette immediately.

'Did he do anything to you?' Mark asked.

'No, I'm fine.' Claudette said as she got on her feet. 'Thank you.'

'It's what I must do.' Mark said, and made a small smile.

'Well, let's eat.' Claudette said, looking at the dead Caribou.

'Okay.' Mark said, and they began to feast on the Caribou.

Mark watched as the yellow electric sparks on his claws began to disappear slowly, and began to wonder.

'Was that related to who I am?' He thought.

After an hour of their meal and chats, Claudette and Mark decided to play a game, but has no idea of what game to choose.

'Wanna race?' Claudette said, finally had an idea.

'Sure.' Mark said.

'Who arrived at Darren and Princess's den first wins.' Claudette said.

'Okay.' Mark said, and they made a ready position.

'One…two…three!' Claudette shouted, and they began to run.

Mark took the lead immediately and sped off. Claudette was far behind, looking at him in amazement. In the end, Mark arrived first and Claudette last.

'Wow. You're-a-good-runner.' Claudette said, panting as she speak.

'Thank you.' Mark said.

'Why don't we check on Princess and Darren? They should be awake now.' Claudette said.

'Um. I don't know…' Mark said, unsure of something.

'What's wrong?' Claudette asked.

'Well, I don't know if Princess and her mate will be able to forgive for what I've done to him…' Mark said as he lowered his head.

'Don't worry. They'll forgive you. Trust me, they are a friendly couple.' Claudette said.

'Okay…' Mark said, and entered the den with Claudette.

As they entered, they found Princess playing with her pups, and Darren was missing. Princess and her pups turned towards them as they approaches.

'Hi cousin!' The pups greeted.

'Hello.' Claudette waved with a smile.

'Who's this? Your boyfriend?' Luna asked.

Claudette and Mark blushed at such words, then Claudette spoke, trying to change the subject.

'Where's Darren?'

'Well, he's-' Princess's words was cut-short when Darren came in, dragging a large Caribou with him.

'Dad!' The pups said as they ran to their father.

'Hey my little angels. Time to eat.' Darren said as he dropped his prize infront of Princess.

'Sorry that I took so long, darling.' Darren said as he gave Princess a passionate kiss in the lips.

'It's fine.' Princess said.

Mark and Claudette felt awkward at such view, then Darren spoke as he turned towards them.

'Are you looking for me?'

'Um, no. We're just playing a race to your den, and decided to visit you at the same time.' Claudette said with a smile.

'I see. Mark, if you remembered anything in your memory, please let me know, okay?' Darren asked.

'Yes sir.' Mark said.

'Just call me Darren.' Darren said with a smile.

'Okay.' Mark said.

'Well, we better get going.' Claudette said.

'Okay. See you two later.' Darren said as the two wolves began to leave the den.

'So, where are we going now?' Mark asked.

'Well, I don't know…' Claudette said, think of something to do.

'Why don't we hang out at Garth and Lilly's den? I wanted to see their cute little pups, like Darren and Princess's.' Mark said.

'You like pups?' Claudette asked.

'Yeah. They're cute. And plus, I don't really like to stay under the hot sun.' Mark said with a small smile.

'Okay then.' Claudette said, and began to lead Mark to Garth and Lilly's den.

They were too distracted by their conversation that they didn't notice the dark clouds forming above them. A few seconds later, it began to rain and Mark and Claudette began to search for shelter. They then came across a large tree that has thick layers of leaves, and sat below it. Lightning flashed in the sky, followed by thunder. Claudette screamed and hugged Mark tightly. Mark then blushed, surprised by her actions. Claudette noticed and blushed too, then let go of him.

'Sorry. I'm scared of lightning.' Claudette said.

Another lightning flashed in the sky, causing her to scream again and hug him tightly. Mark then bravely place one of his paw on her back and another on her head that was lying on his chest, and spoke in a gentle voice.

'Don't worry. I'm here.'

She felt protected by Mark and smiled, then had a feeling that she doesn't dare to speak about. Finally, she managed to spit it out.

'Um, Mark. Do you… like me?'

Mark looked at her shyly and blushed, then spoke with bravery.

'Yes. I do, Claudette.'

'I like you too.' Claudette said, feeling the warmth of Mark beside her.

'This storm will be over soon.' Mark said, looking at the dark sky.

'How did you know?' Claudette asked.

'I don't know, but I can feel it…' Mark said.

'Well, as long as you're here, I feel safe.' Claudette said.

Mark made a small smile, then hugged her tightly. While a few distance away, Darren was watching them from his den. He smiled when he saw Claudette and Mark hugging each other tightly, and now know that they love each other. Princess came out of the den and sat beside Darren under the rain.

'Looks like they love each other.' Princess said.

'Yeah.' Darren said.

He then turned towards her and spoke.

'Sorry for the returning so late, Princess. It's because I was watching Mark at the Hunting Ground, and he revealed something to me.' Darren said.

'What is it?' Princess asked.

'At the Hunting Ground, Claudette was there and was about to be… raped by three male wolves from our pack. I was about to rescue her until…' Darren said, remembering what Mark's powers were.

'Until what?' Princess asked curiously.

'Until Mark's body began to appear sparks, and in the end, his eye colour changed to yellow, his body, tail and claws were surrounded by yellow electric sparks, and his fangs… are large, yellow electric blades.' Darren said.

'Wow.' Princess said in amazement.

'Well, we better get out of the rain, or we'll get sick.' Darren said.

'Okay.' Princess said, and entered the den.

Before Darren enters, he took a last glance at the dark clouds and spoke in his mind.

'This is strange. I'm sensing a powerful aura from the storm…'