Chapter 7: Reasons

Humphrey moved through the trees, the rest of his patrol squad close by . He scanned the forest with sharpened skill looking for a sign of hostiles.

"Hutch you got anything?" Humphrey asked with a commanding whisper.

"No sir" Hutch shook his head as he looked around for anything.

"All right fan out and report back to the rendezvous when you find anything" Humphrey said rising from his camouflage. "Sir!" The squad said quickly and broke from his sight. "I really hope they don't find anything" Humphrey thought to himself.

Humphrey hadn't gotten very much sleep over the next few days. His shattered relationship with Kate wasn't easy when she was his second in command. He definitely needed to talk to her, but felt he could not for the damage was done. Humphrey felt his heart ice over and he became very solemn and performed his job. He realized that he was becoming Hutch to his fear. He put together hunting patrols for the morning and returned to his vacant den.

"I miss you Kate so so so much!" Humphrey said to himself tears pouring down his face not realizing they were. He needed her as much as he hoped she needed him. He just couldn't fulfill her wish. He didn't know quite why he just was not ready to be a father. Humphrey dreamt that she would scream in pain during child birth, her scream pierced his ears. She begged him to end her misery and Humphrey couldn't he ... he just watched her bleed out from the complications. He did nothing but watch in the nightmare and that scared him.

Humphrey woke up early and walked to the squad's meeting place, his mind unfocused. Kate was already there and he looked at her with a face of stone.

"Morning" Humphrey said quietly to her. He could tell she had been crying.

"Morning" She answered back just as soft.

"Sir Sir!" Candu came running.

"It's its Hutch sirs" He said panting acknowledging Kate.

"What is It Candu?" Humphrey asked instantly attentive.

"He's gone!" Candu said upset.

Humphrey looked at Kate her eyes full of worry.

"When was the last seen" Humphrey asked.

"Well he was with the squad yesterday" Candu answered.

"Send out a search party ... NOW!" Humphrey yelled.

"Sir" Candu quickly nodded and ran away.

Humphrey looked at Kate before walking away.

Kate walked alone through the northern most point of the forest. Tears gently streamed down her face. Words could not describe the way she missed Humphrey. She needed him like air she said lostly. She continued walking aimlessly until she heard a twig snap. Her ears snapped forward as she moved into a defensive stance.

"Hey easy easy Kate it's me John" The large alpha stepped towards her.

"Oh sorry hello john" Kate said relieved, recognizing him as one of the packs best hunter.

He was very strong and very smart also not to bad looking at all.

"Hi Kate" John said innocently.

"What are you doing out here John?' Kate asked, nobody came out here.

"I could ask the same" John said smiling.

"I just needed some space..." Kate spoke hoping he couldn't see her eyes.

"From Humphrey right?'' John asked with an odd look.

"John I don't think that's any of your business" Kate said trying to be nice.

"Oh okay sorry it's just that you two don't seem to talk that much anymore" He said with a frown.

"John what are you doing out here?'' She asked nobody came out here.

"Lovely day isn't it" John said ignoring her question. " excuse me for a moment " He said jogging into the bushes. Kate was interested in what John went to do so she followed him.

She came upon a small clearing with dead grass.

"John what are you?" Kate asked as she looked at John.

Between John's jaws was a black wolf. It's neck bloody and torn. The poor thing was very clearly dead.

"John what are you doing?" Kate asked now scared. John turned around surprised at her voice.

"Kate what did I say!" John yelled angrily.

Kate ignored him, "John is that ... Is that Karen?" Kate asked looking at Hutch's now dead sister in John's jaws. "John ... John you killed her didn't you?'" Kate asked shaking.

"There's no one her Kate...no one to help you" John said letting go of Karen.

"Why John why did you do it?" Kate asked backing away slowly.

"Well Kate it's just that when I ask for something I get what I want" John smirked.

Suddenly it made sense to Kate why John hadn't taken a mate yet.

"John you didn't please tell me you didn't? "Kate pleaded.

"Oh I certainly did Kate and I'm going to do the same to you then I'll kill you" John said evilly moving towards her.

"No!" She yelled and slashed his face spraying blood drops onto her.

"I like them rough" John said as he grabbed her and pushed her down onto the ground.

John held her down, still struggling, and he kissed her laughing.

"I love how they squirm and plead!" John laughed trying to force her legs open.

Kate cried and begged for him to stop while also scratching and biting him. He was too strong for her she quickly found.

"Please John don't!" Kate begged crying.

"Here we go!" John said laughing as he prepared to do the dark deed her legs weak and open.

"GET OFF HER YOU FREAK!" Humphrey yelled tackling John off of her.

"Humphrey Thank you thank you" Kate said crying.

"I am going to kill you!" Humphrey yelled his eyes seeing red.

Humphrey pushed John down as he tore at his face his teeth a blaze. The two struggled , John's stronger body getting very close to overpowering him. John's teeth were almost at Humphrey's throat , a wicked look in his eyes.

" Oh this is good fun! " John laughed as he pushed harder on Humphrey's throat.

"Heres some fun!" Humphrey yelled pushing off John and ripping into his face.

The slash ripped through Johns eye and his entire left side of his face. John fell back in pain , the wound sprayed blood onto Humphrey's face. John jumped up still screaming and ran from Humphrey , his wound still bleeding.

Humphrey shaking with anger , wanted to chase him and choke him and and ... he could'nt . His anger died as he looked at Kate . She needed him now. He'd sent a kill team for John later.

" Hey Kate I'm here" Humphrey said ignoring his wounds.

She moved into his warm embrace. Humphrey wrapped around her and comforted her, Kate cried into his shoulder her tears soaking his fur.

"It's okay Kate I'm here" Humphrey whispered to her,

"I'm here and I'm not going to leave you"