Chapter 3

Max POV

After I punched Fang in the stomach, I took refuge in my room. Fang isn't the type of person who will just let these kinds of things go. He's more likely to do something now since we're both starting to go through heat again. I took me a while to figure it out, but everything makes sense now because whenever I look or think of Fang, I get that tingling sensation. It explains why we've been acting so out of character for the past week or so.

As I sit on my bed, I hear someone clear their throat behind me and spin around in alarm. I'm surprised to see Hunter outside my window. I didn't even hear him open the window.

"Can I come in?" the grey wolf asks as he holds on tightly to the windowsill.

I nod and he scrambles in. Hunter falls and he chuckles sheepishly. "I'm not used to crawling through windows to enter a room. Normally, I use the door, but I figured you locked it."

Hunter stands and brushes himself off as I say "Yeah, I didn't want to cause trouble if Fang came in so I locked it."

I bring my knees to my chest and hear Hunter sigh as he takes a seat beside me.

"I understand that you have mood swings due to the hormones flooding your system, but you really shouldn't have hit Fang," Hunter says softly.

I remain quiet and unmoving so he continues. "I know you weren't happy with what he did, but you need to think before you act. I've learned a lot in my lifetime. Years ago, I found happiness just like you. I found love and became dependent on that individual."

The way he said 'love' is strange. It's not how I had imagined he'd speak about his relationship with Angie. It doesn't sound like he truly means it. I choose to ignore it, hoping I'm just hearing things.

"Yeah, you'd go to the ends of the Earth for Angie," I state.

Hunter turns to stare at me. He laughs quietly to himself before asking "That's true, but when did I say it was Angie?"

From his amused facial expression, it's obvious that shock is written all over my face. I guess that would explain why he didn't sound like he meant it when he said 'love.'

"But you said you found love and you love Angie!" I'm not sure why I'm responding this way. Something tells me it involves my phase again.

"You never let me finish my story. Love comes in many different forms as I'm sure you're aware. You've experienced a few yourself after all. Of course I love Angie, but that doesn't mean I hadn't had a girlfriend before her. After all, you dated a boy named Sam while Fang went out with a girl named Lissa. At least, that's the information I received."

My teeth clench at the mention of the Red-haired Wonder. My gaze becomes a glare and I mentally strangle the girl. Who did she think she is kissing Fang?!

Chuckling brings me out of my thoughts. "No need to feel jealous, Max. Remember, Fang loves you."

The statement cheers me up. I'd rather hear it from Fang himself, but I'll probably need to wait for him to settle down first.

"Anyway, my story is important so let me finish before you jump to conclusions. So it wasn't Angie, but another experiment. We were so happy. She was the first being outside my family to care for me beyond friendship."

There's no emotion in Hunter's tone as he begins the story once more. I can already tell that what comes next isn't the happy ending. The sadness doesn't appear to affect Hunter however and he continues. He must have moved on and is happy again.

"One day, she learned that I have wolf in my blood. For some reason, many dogs see their wild cousins as evil. Her instincts reacted no differently and saw me as a threat to her own survival. Anyway, she left and I fell into a deep depression. I began to see myself as a threat to all I cared for. No one would be safe if they got close to me. My world seemed to have ended."

I'm not exactly sure what any of this has to do with my situation, but I don't interrupt Hunter. I think he just needs someone to listen to him. He pauses and looks down at the floor. The wolf seems to be deep in thought.

"Time passed and I didn't seem to be making any progress," he murmurs quietly.

He appears so helpless right now and my mothering instincts kick in. I scoot closer to him and rub his back comfortingly just as I would any member of the flock if they were upset.

"I remember the day I started getting better as if it was yesterday." A small smile spreads across his face as he thinks back. Hunter closes his eyes as he remembers the event and I stop my actions.

"I was sulking in my room as I had been every other day for about a month. My mom had sent yet another experiment into my room to check on me. I turned to them so I could send them away when I realized I'd never seen this experiment before."

Hunter laughs and says "I had been such an idiot. Immediately, I stood up and almost fell over in my haste. If I didn't have fur, they would've seen my flushed face. They laughed at me and I stood up straight. I had to let them know I was one of the most powerful experiments in Mezon."

Hunter looks over at me. "We have the need to be respected by all," he explains as he rolls his eyes. "It's like an obsession."

"Anyway, this experiment treated me equally to anyone else. I expected them to be fearful like so many others. I grew curious and began hanging out with them more. Eventually, I memorized their scent and even the sound of their footsteps. I knew all of their habits."

Hunter grins at me and says "I think you can guess the end now."

I nod. "So, Angie was able to help you. What was the point of telling me this story?"

"You're happy with Fang now, but your world can change in an instant just as mine did twice. That change can be for the better or worse so live life to the fullest while you can. Who knows what tomorrow may bring so don't take Fang for granted now. You shouldn't go around hitting your boyfriend for simply having fun. You don't want that to be the last thing you did to him should something terrible happen," Hunter explains.

I take a moment to let the information I just received soak in. It makes sense and I feel a bit guilty.

"Well, that's all I had to say. Now you just need to talk to Fang," the wolf says as he stands.

"I'm going to use the door this time if that's alright."

I don't move as he opens the door. I vaguely register him tell someone "She's all yours. Just keep it PG. There's a 6 year old mind reader here after all."

The door closes and after a moment, I feel the bed dip. Reluctantly, I look to my left to see Fang lying beside me. His face is calm as lays with his eyes closed and his hands behind his head.

I stare at him for a while until he lazily opens his eyes. They're empty of all emotion and I just wish he would do something, anything. I'd even deal with him yelling at me.

"Do something," I say in frustration.

Fang raises an eyebrow before sitting up. He bends down and places a kiss on my forehead. I blink once, twice.

"What the hell?!" I practically shout.

"You said do something so I did," he states.

"Fang, I freaking punched you in the stomach. I expected you to be a little madder!"

"Looking back, I realized that we're going through…our phase again. You're anger was a side effect so why should I be upset over something you can't control?" he asks.

His logic makes sense, but I find it a tad annoying. "You still had to be mad that I punched you. Just take out some of your frustration on me already!"

Fang gives me a strange look before asking "Are you sure?"

I give him a look that says 'yes, just do it already.' I'm surprised when he smirks and am caught completely off guard when Fang's lips crash to mine. With the force he's using, I know my lips are being bruised.

This isn't exactly what I had in mind. I guess he's frustrated in more ways than one. I'm not complaining though. Hell, I want to see this Fang more often!

No POV

After dinner, Ella caught up with Gazzy and Iggy. She figured she should keep an eye on them for Max.

They are walking through the halls when Iggy suddenly sticks out his hand. Ella and the Gasman stop and hear talking inside a room to their left. Inside, a discussion is going on between Lucky and Rollo.

"Have you noticed how strange Hunter's been lately?" Lucky asks.

Rollo nods solemnly before responding quietly. "Of course I have. Hunter's like the brother I never had. I notice things about him just like you do."

"Yeah well, I think someone needs keep a close watch on him. He's already closing up to everyone. I need you to figure out what's going on with him. Will you do that for me?"

There's silence between the two experiments. Outside the room, Iggy is straining his ears to catch any sound.

"Sure. I'll do anything for you guys. I won't let Hunter fall apart," Rollo replies dutifully.

Before Iggy, Gazzy, and Ella can react, the door opens unexpectedly and they are spotted by Lucky and Rollo. The shock on Lucky and Rollo's faces makes it clear that they're worried that their conversation was overheard.

There's silence in the hallway as the two groups stare at each other. Every so often Lucky will fidget uncomfortably. When a scent reaches their noses, they cover their faces.

"Holy crap!" Rollo shouts as the Gasman acts embarrassed.

"Jez Gazzer!" cries Iggy as he fans the air.

One of Gazzy's 'gifts' replaced one awkward silence with another. He murmurs an apology. The group walks a little down the hallway and away from the stench. After a moment of choking and gagging, they can all breathe properly again.

"Alright you guys. You should probably be off to bed," Lucky suggests before leaving awkwardly.

A smirk slips onto Rollo's face and he turns to Ella, Gazzy, and Iggy as soon as Lucky is out of sight.

He leans closer to them as if to tell them a secret. "From what I've heard, you guys are going to go to an amusement park tomorrow. Roller coasters and rides that make you dizzy and want to vomit," Rollo whispers to them. "Not to mention the overpriced food and beverages," he adds with a laugh.

The wolf straightens and says "There's also talk of going to the zoo. I think someone's trying to get on your good sides. Anyway, you didn't hear it from me."

With that, Rollo departs. The news he told them fills them with excitement. Gazzy immediately rushes off to share this newfound information with Nudge and his sister. This leaves Ella and Iggy alone in the hallway.

"I'm going to go say good night to Mom. 'Night Iggy," Ella says cheerfully before heading in the direction they came.

"Yeah, 'Night Ella," Iggy responds as he hears her footsteps retreating.

Instead of going to his room however, the pyro ventures through the halls. He hopes to catch another conversation. The discussion between Lucky and Rollo has left him feeling uncomfortable and he needs to find out more information.

Unfortunately, Iggy doesn't come up with anything to ease his mind and reluctantly goes to his room. Collapsing on the bed, he lies there silently. He's excited about going to the amusement park tomorrow, but lately the behavior of the Mezon experiments is making him feel restless.

With a sigh, Iggy turns on his side and attempts to fall asleep.

Alright guys, I need some suggestions. As I was writing (or typing, whatever), I realized that Iggy could really use someone. I mean he was happy in MR 2 when Tess hung out with him. I sort of feel that he needs someone. I'm not saying I'll do it, but I'll consider any suggestions you have. Unless they're completely crazy. Still send crazy ones though. Maybe they'll get my own ideas flowing. Besides, they're good to see.