Chapter 25: Old Friends

"It's so nice to be back" Humphrey thought as before him was the sight of Jasper Park. "Humphrey" he heard a voice call him. "Kate?" he asked himself, recognizing that beautiful angelic voice. He just started running in the direction her voice was coming from. "Humphrey" her voice called again. "I'm coming Kate!" he yelled out aloud in pure joy in being able to see his mate after 2 months.

He came to a small hill that overlooked a large field with flowers littering the whole area, and in the middle he saw a beautiful, slim, golden tan wolf with a white flower just above her left ear. "Kate" he said as he stared in awe at his mate. "Humphrey" Kate said when she laid eyes on her newly-built mate. They then started running towards each other in pure joy, not seeing each other had taken its toll on the two of them.

Everything was in slow motion. The tall grass just seeming to sway in the wind, and the image of Kate and Humphrey were running towards each other. Humphrey saw that they were getting closer and he couldn't wait to feel her soft fur after 2 months of separation.

They were getting closer…and closer…and closer… their noses just a finger's length away…and finally…

Real World

Humphrey felt a splash of water hit his face and when he opened his eyes he saw he was completely drenched in water. He looked around and saw Winston smiling with what looked like some sort of wooden bowl next to him. "Time to get up Humphrey" he said again as if he didn't do what he just did.

"Can you please stop splashing me with water every single day, it's getting old" Humphrey said as he got up and shook himself dry. Humphrey was into the end of his second week of Guardian training. He had been performing the same exercises he did on the first day for twenty days straight and like in any kind of hard work, he did receive rewards.

He looked a bit different from the time he came. He had definitely put on some more muscle. His chest became just a bit more perked out, and this was a good sign that the training was working. All of his legs also gained a bit of muscle, even though it wasn't evident. If you looked closely only then you can realize that there was a new thin layer of muscle over all of his legs. His abdomen and chest have become stronger, the equivalent of abs but can't be seen on a wolf because of the fur, but can be told if touched.

Humphrey has also made good strides in controlling his Guardian skills. He has managed to control his 'moments' when he blanks out and his pure Guardian skills take over. That barely happens now when he and Winston go on hunts…and if he does do that Winston just knocks him on the head bringing him back to his normal self. "So what's on today's agenda?" Humphrey asked as he walked outside.

He was greeted by the sun's rays and a gust of fresh air that hit him like a freight train in the face. "Well today we're going to up the training level now" Winston said. "You mean that was the just the easy part?" Humphrey asked, partly surprised. "Easiest in the book" Winston simply replied. They made their way down to the river like every day they did for the past twenty days. "So what back-breaking, bone-shattering, mentally challenging exercise will I do today?" Humphrey asked as he sat in front of Winston.

"None of those today Humphrey" Winston answered. Humphrey was now really surprised. They were not doing any exercises today. Could this be his day off? "Then what are we doing today" Humphrey asked again, more curious this time. "Your commitment" Winston answered in a more serious tone Humphrey had heard in a long time. "My commitment to what?" Humphrey asked again. He was only focused on Winston and nothing else. "My daughter" Winston answered with a serious face.

Humphrey was not at all expecting this…especially from Winston. He was shocked first of all, but at the same time he was a bit offended by this. "You know as well as I do that I would die for Kate any time needed to" Humphrey replied strongly, hoping Winston would understand his answer, but he knew Winston wouldn't stop questioning him there. But he might as well ask questions himself right?

"Why are you asking me these questions sir?" Humphrey said, hoping for a good reason because he was slightly offended by the questions. "Just making sure Humphrey because Kate is unlike any other wolf in the pack" Winston said. That was not a good enough reason for Humphrey though, he wanted to hear more. "You're saying something that everyone knows sir, I need more than that" Humphrey said, making himself clear.

"The thing is in alpha school there are wolves from different packs and most of the males were only focused on her. They just fell head over paws because of her beauty and I was one of the teachers there and I could hear them whisper about how hot the girls are and if they could get them alone to…well you know" Winston said since Humphrey and Kate just did 'it' a month ago. Humphrey just made a small nod, saying that he understood what he meant. "Anyway they all tried to get Kate, even though they knew she was my daughter. I knew Kate was beautiful and that's the only reason why many young males fell for her. Just for her looks and her body, nothing else. I want to know if that's why you love my daughter, just because of her looks?" Winston finally asked Humphrey.

Humphrey never believed anyone would ask this question to him. Heck, he didn't even ask himself this question, but was it one of the reasons he loved her? Did her beauty play a big part on why he loved her? She was downright gorgeous, nobody could argue with that, but he never really paid that much attention to her beauty…that is until now when Winston had asked him this question.

"You can't tell can you?" Winston asked after waiting for a few minutes in silent while Humphrey collected his thoughts. "I thought you were different from the others" Winston said, a bit disappointed in Humphrey right now. Winston turned around and began to walk away when Humphrey called out at him. "There are many things I love about your daughter. Yes she is the most beautiful wolf I have ever seen, but she's also the most remarkable, brave, kind, caring, gentle, loving, smart wolf I have ever known. That crush I had on her when we were pups grew as the years went on. Those three months she was away was hell for me. I thought about her every single day when she was gone, and journey to Idaho and back brought me closer to her even more, and she got to know me better as well, what kind of wolf I was and still am. You brought me here to train, I don't see why you're asking about my love for Kate!" Humphrey yelled the last question at him.

"You know me sir, that I would never take advantage of anyone, especially your daughter" Humphrey said, clarifying his answer. Winston paid attention to every word he said and a small smile formed on his face. He wanted to hear Humphrey say it out loud. He knew he was not that kind of wolf but wanted to hear it from Humphrey, and directly from his heart. "I know you are not that kind of wolf Humphrey, I just wanted to hear it for myself. But there is one problem" Winston said ending it there creating suspense for Humphrey.

"What problem?" Humphrey asked starting to get a bit worried. "Do you know what tomorrow is?" he asked as he turned to face Humphrey. Humphrey began to think really hard, the word tomorrow echoing in his mind. Then after a few seconds of thinking extremely hard, his eyes burst open in a sign of realization. "Kate's birthday" he said looking at Winston. "Glad you realized it" he said. It was now the middle of the day as the sun was at its highest point in the sky. "I can't believe I didn't remember" he said in frustration hitting the ground with his paw.

"So what are you gonna do about it?" Winston asked. "What do you mean, besides, it's not like I can just run all the way there. It's a two and a half to three day trip to the pack" Humphrey said, disappointed that he couldn't be there for his mate's birthday. "Can't hurt to try" Winston said gesturing to the way they came. Humphrey couldn't believe what his father-in-law was saying. Run all the way back to the combined packs? "You have got to be joking" Humphrey said in disbelief.

"So Kate's not worth it then?" Winston asked again putting Humphrey in more turmoil. "Come on, I'm just a wolf" Humphrey said again, not remembering what he truly was. "You are joking right" Winston asked not believing Humphrey had already forgotten what he was. "You are a Guardian Humphrey. You're stronger than an alpha and besides Kate would really love to see you on her birthday" Winston said trying to convince him to go see her.

Humphrey just smiled at Winston. "I'll be back by day after tomorrow" Humphrey said as he began running in the direction of their pack. "Oh and Humphrey…" Winston called behind him. He slid to a halt and looked behind him. "Give Kate my regards as well" Winston said. "Will do" Humphrey said with a smile and turned around to get to his mate as fast as he could.

Western Territory (The Next Day)

It was another day for the wolves of Jasper Park. The new combined packs were working well together in many ways, even though there were one or two issues. Eve was in charge of the Western side since Winston was away with Humphrey to help with his Guardian training. Kate and Garth still weren't in charge so their parents still were, and Eve did a pretty good job for the three weeks without Winston. But in the last few days, she was planning her daughter's birthday.

Kate was now a young adult. She was strong, beautiful, kind, caring and stubborn (in a good and bad way) and strong willed. Eve knew any male would be lucky to have her and Humphrey said he considered it a miracle of Kate falling in love with him. But that's love and its weird ways for you.

Eve walked out of the main alpha den in the centre of the pack. It was early morning as the sun had just breached the horizon and was basking the valley in its sunlight. She took a deep breath of fresh air to prepare herself for a really good day. She walked back into the den and saw Kate sleeping peacefully in a curled ball. She looked so cute and it reminded Eve of how fast her daughters have grown up. Both of them have mates and one of them has already moved out of the den.

Just then Kate started to stir interrupting her thoughts. "Morning sweetie…Happy Birthday" she said as she came up to her and hugged her tightly. Kate hugged her mom back tightly. "Thanks mom" she replied. When they pulled away from the hug, Kate's smile turned into a small frown. "What's wrong honey?" Eve asked, curious about her daughter's sudden change of emotion. "I just wish Humphrey was here" Kate said in a sad tone. "I'm sure he misses you too Kate and would try every way to be here for this special occasion. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if he was on his way here now" Eve said in a cheery tone, hoping to lift her daughter's spirits.

Her actions paid off and Kate soon smiled again. "You're right, it's my day and I can do whatever I want" she said. "That's good honey, now go out and meet with your friends, I have to get things ready for tonight" Eve said as Kate left the den. She soon found herself walking down the hill to the river to get a drink of water, and as she was taking a drink she got a huge surprise.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE!" she heard four wolves shout behind her. She turned around and saw four of her alpha friends and whom she went to alpha school with. "Brady, Luna, Ally, Austin!" she said as her four friends came running up to her. Surprisingly she hadn't seen them in a while. They didn't really hang out together after alpha school since that was when she fell in love with Humphrey on the journey back from Idaho. They were there for her wedding though and did congratulate her and Humphrey but didn't speak that often.

Luna and Ally ran up to Kate and both gave her tight hugs. "It's so nice to see you again!" Ally said, also speaking on behalf of Luna. "It's so nice to see you guys too" Kate replied withdrawing from the hug. Brady and Austin also walked up to the girls. "Hey Kate" they both said at the same time. "So how have you guys been?" Kate asked as she sat down.

Her friends had changed a lot. Both Brady and Austin were average sized, strong looking wolves and Ally and Luna were quite beautiful and attractive like Kate was. "We've been really well. I still can't believe we haven't seen each other" Ally said. "So where's Humphrey, I thought he'd be here for you?" Brady asked looking around. "Well Humphrey has gone with my dad for some special training" Kate said, not telling her friends about him being a Guardian…not just yet.

"Ah, he wants to provide for you and your pups" Austin said with a slight smile. "What?" Kate asked, completely shocked to hear that. "Come on Kate, we all know what you gave Humphrey for his birthday" Brady said. "Well…I-I wasn't in…h-heat" Kate said stuttering a bit. "Yeah we knew since it's not the season yet, but wow girl…giving yourself as a present to him" Luna said winking her eye as well. Kate was blushing uncontrollably now. "Who told you guys?" she asked. "Lilly" they all responded.

Kate immediately face-pawed herself, "I am so going to kill her" she said under a breath which her friends heard. "Don't worry Kate, you're not the only one who got down" Ally said. When Kate looked at them she saw Brady and Ally looking at each other and sitting closely…so were Austin and Luna. "Oh my God" Kate said as she looked at the two couples. "Me and Brady did it a few days ago" Ally said. "And me and Luna did it a few days ago as well" Austin said.

"I guess it's safe to say that Kate was the first to do it out of the wolves here" Luna said, and they all laughed a bit while Kate giggled and blushed slightly. Then Luna signaled to the guys that they wanted to talk alone with Kate and it had to be about girl stuff. Since they were by the river side, the guys looked at each other. "Race you in!" Brady said and took off for the water. "You are such a cheat" Austin yelled and ran after him.

Kate just smiled when she saw them, they may be young adults but they're still the same when they were pups. "So how was it?" Ally asked Kate. "How was what?" Kate asked, not knowing what she meant. "You know, Humphrey's gift" Luna said, at which Kate immediately blushed. "You do know that's private right?" Kate said, although she did want to talk her friends about it. "Come on Kate, how was it?" Luna asked. Kate knew they would pester her until the day's end, so she might as well tell them, right?

"Honestly, it was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced…I mean, me and Humphrey doing that, and we love each other so much…and the time felt right, but overall it was incredible" Kate explained, recalling how she felt about the session. "I felt the exact same thing with Brady" Ally said. "Same here with Austin" Luna also added in. "Anyway, I'm sorry Humphrey's not here for, you know" Ally said.

"Yeah, but it's alright. I'll see him when he gets back" Kate said looking at the bright side. Truthfully she wanted Humphrey to be here for every second. She wanted to spend the whole day with him, and she knew he would have wanted the same thing. But he had to do what he had to do.

But little did she know, she would be able to spend a few minutes with later that same day.