Humphrey's POV
Days turned into weeks and all of a sudden I realized that it had been over two weeks since I broke my leg. Things did get boring every now and then as I expected but other than that I have no complaints. Kate has been spending most of her free time taking care of me, getting me water, food, and whatever else I needed. She would have to go to the river and carry a bowl shaped piece of wood with water in it all the way back to me. It was a hard task not to spill it all but she never gave up, luckily now I was getting to the point where I could walk again while leaning against someone.
She would bring me out on short walks to give my underused muscles a workout, at first it was only a short distance but got farther and farther with each new day. Eve had been telling her that it was important that I kept doing this every day since it was good to keep myself in shape while still not being able to move on my own power. I followed her advice and it did feel good to move around and stretch out after sitting on the hard den floor. Although recently Kate decided to make me a makeshift bed out of dead leaves, and it was quite comfy.
I really appreciated how much I was looked after, not only by Kate but her whole family a well, they were always asking what they could do to help. Most of the time I said I was fine but there were times Winston or Eve would take me to places such as the river to drink. Recently Kate decided that we could continue my alpha training while my leg was still broke, at first I thought she was joking but she had a good idea. We would sit in the head alpha den while she would verbally teach me the hunting, fighting, and defensive tactics. I found it pretty helpful and it would give me an added boost once the physical training resumed.
So far Eve still predicted that I would recover at the same time first anticipated which was two or so months. It had only been half a month so far, I still had plenty of time left to go but with the amount of recent activity that time would pass by fast. My three best friends Salty, Shakey, and Mooch all felt bad about my leg but I reassured them saying I would be fine. They came to visit me almost every day to chat about the usual subjects. They said they found a cool new log sledding hill that I was excited to try after hearing them explain it to me. They weren't the only visitors I had, in fact whenever Kate wanted to hang out with her friends they would just come to the den I was in. I had gotten to know them much better and there were no problems getting along with them. I even had random pack members come by to see how I was feeling.
Currently it was early morning and the light was dim in the den since the sun had only just come up. Everyone was still asleep as expected, Kate didn't have alpha duties today so she could sleep in. I was lying on my back looking up at the roots that dangled down from the celling lost in my thoughts. I learned to let my imagination get the better of me at times and for good reason. Why sit in a dark den when you could be anywhere you wanted inside your head. I came out of my little dream world once I saw movement in the corner of my eye.
I turned my head slightly to see Winston getting up from his spot next to Eve, it didn't take long before he noticed I was up as well.
"Good morning Humphrey" He lightly said to not wake up our wives
"Good morning" I replied back using a quiet voice as well
"I was going to go out and sit on the overlook in front of the den, care to join me?" He asked
"Sure why not, a change in scenery would be nice" I agreed rolling over onto my paws trying to get up so he could help me get outside.
"Easy there, don't need to hurt yourself" He said quickly getting next to me so I could lean on his side
"I'm fine, leg doesn't hurt too bad today so far" I said.
The white bandage that was put on has been long gone after my scar healed. My leg looked perfectly normal on the outside beside the fact that it was broke on the inside. He led me outside where we sat on the ledge that over looked the territory and everything else around it. Everything felt so huge all of a sudden since I was so used to being stuck in a small room.
"So how are things going for you so far?" He asked as we both looked out over the landscape.
"It's going fine for me, just looking forward to being fully healed" I replied
"Glad to hear, but I was talking about your life in general" He said rephrasing his question
"Oh, my life is going great! I live in a pack, I have a mate, and there's no drama like there once was." I answered
"Good, and I'm sure Kate feels the same way because I haven't seen her this happy in life since she was only a pup." He said
That made me feel good that I had that kind of effect on her "Thank you, I always do what I can to keep her happy" I said
He smiled before there was a moment of silence "So how are things with you?" I asked turning the same question on to him.
"It has gotten much better ever since the packs joined together, tony and I speak more often and everyone if happy about the peace." He replied starting at the nearby trees.
"That's good, I know you and him have been long time friends" I said
"Yeah we have, and I do have to thank you, Kate, Lilly, and Garth for making it all possible." He said
"You don't have to thank us, we were just following our hearts and desires. We're just happy that we can live where we've always grown up and not have to be out there in the untamed forest." I said
"And I'm glad about that too" He agreed
I had been looking out at the valley during our talk, the low sun rays castes long shadows across its floor. It was a little windy with the trees and bushes dancing along to the movement. Birds could be heard singing to one another as they flew from tree branch to tree branch. It was looking to be a beautiful day so far and hopefully not a hot one, at least in the shade of the den it didn't get too hot for me. I could already see a few wolves already up and heading over to the feeding grounds to eat. I myself was getting a little hungry but I should be able to wait until mid-day when Kate and I usually ate. Sometime had gone by with the two of us not speaking, simply just enjoying the new day, finally Winston broke the silence but with something I didn't expect.
"So have you and Kate ever talked about starting a family?" He asked catching me off guard
"Well uhh, yes we have and we decided that we would wait until I was an alpha before having a family." I replied sounding a little choked up at the beginning
He laughed a little from my reaction "Sorry if that was kind of sudden, I just wanted to know" He said
"It's alright, I knew you would ask eventually anyway, you're not mad are you?" I asked
At first I used to be afraid of Kate's parents due to the fact that her mother was over protective and her father being a strict kind of leader. I already knew that they had grown to think of me as a son so I really had nothing to be afraid of anymore. But it helps to make sure, I don't need to get ripped apart over getting Kate pregnant.
"Why would I be mad? You're both perfectly old enough to be making your own decisions without our conceit." He said looking at me
"I was just making sure" I replied
"The only time we would get mad at you is if you did something to hurt her, because then you will have to answer to Eve." He said
"I'll keep that in mind" I said
He smiled "But seriously, I'm glad that you both want to start a family, I always dreamt of the day I would become a grandfather." He said
"And I've always dreamt of the day I would become a father" I said happy that he like the idea of Kate and I having a family
"That makes two of us then" He said keeping a smile
"Winston!" A sudden new voice called
We both looked down to see Hutch standing below us looking back at us "Yes Hutch?" Winston replied
"The hunting party down in the valley wants to see you sir" Hutch said
"Well sorry but duty calls, need me to help you back inside?" Winston asked looking back at me
"No I'll be fine out here, I'm sure Kate will be up soon anyway" I said
"Alright I'll see you later then" He said
"Goodbye" I said before watching him get up and head down to Hutch
I watched them walk away heading towards the valley before I laid myself down onto the hard stony ground. I would have gone back inside to lie back down in my usual spot but the weather was nice right now and I could use the fresh air. I let out a sigh before closing my eyes waiting for Kate to get up.
A/N: A short filler to somewhat bridge the time distance gap, cya next chapter
Random A&O Fact: When Kate and Humphrey land inside the trains boxcar after escaping the bears both doors are seen open, but once the train reaches Jasper the door facing away from the park is closed.