Hello Readers,
This chapter is paired with Howlington Present and is the final planned chapter for Beatrice and Cherry. Sorry for the delay in the main story. Expect A Weasel's Watch to be updated next week. Criticism always welcome and enjoy!
-CG
It was the full moon after the election, which meant a party was to be held. All the way on the top floor, taking up the space that the Alpha's apartment didn't use was a ballroom for special events. Two ornate double doors, painted white with gold trim, opened for guests and revealed the space. The ceiling was mirrored and electric candlelabras hung on the wall provided the light for the event. On the far left wall was a table filled with assorted delicacies, even some choice fruit and vegetables, for all Wolves present to enjoy. Several cocktail tables were scattered throughout the room, all on the edges of a large wooden dance floor. The wall to the far right had wide windows that revealed the dark, snowy landscape of Tundra Town at night. A dj was set up on the wall farthest from the doors. It was a recent addition, one that replaced the traditional live band normally brought in. All in all it was always a sight for when the Howlington complex threw a party, one that Beatrice always tried to avoid.
The she-Wolf was wearing a sleeveless, powder blue box pleated dress that reached just below her knees. The white gloves she was forced to wear, as well as the large white bow tied around her waist and resting on her back. Her mother said she was wearing a dress, so she wore a dress. Grown adult or not, her mother's word was law. It didn't help that there was no alcohol at the event, a Pack tradition that could have had the lupine sipping on a cranberry vodka without the vodka. The officer should have been in a foul mood, but she wasn't. Maybe it was because this party celebrated Arnie's resounding victory over her annoying cousin Thaddeus. Maybe it gave Beatrice hope that change Was possible in the Howlington Pack. Maybe it was also the company she decided to invite.
"This is Amazing!" squealed Cherry, "It's so beautiful!"
Beatrice frowned as she glanced about the familiar setting, "Yeah...I guess it is."
"That's all you have to say?!" exclaimed the very excited vixen, "I feel like a princess here!" The Fox was wearing a long burgundy dress that just stopped above her ankles. Small lace sleeves covered her shoulders, but still allowed the red of the vulpine's fur to stand out. Even with its length, the fabric rested perfectly against Cherry's natural curves, so much so that it would be forgivable to not realize it was a thrift store dress. Like Beatrice, a large white bow had been tied around Cherry, but it sat just above the Fox's tail.
The she-Wolf glanced down at the vulpine and shrugged, "I've seen it before I guess. Doesn't 'Wow' my like when I was a kit." The lupine waved her paws for effect. It was more complicated at times than age for Beatrice. Anytime the family gathered together, she became a punching bag for all of her cousins. It taught her to avoid these type of events.
Cherry's gaze narrowed and her paws went to her hips, "Are you saying I'm a kit?"
Beatrice smirked and bent closer to the vulpine, "In size...yes!"
The vixen huffed and folded her arms, looking away from the she-Wolf. There was a moment of since in which the lupine was worried she had actually offended Cherry, when the Fox spoke up. "So how can you tell who the single males are?"
The officer cocked her head in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Well the bow are for single females, right?" The vixen poked the bow on her back. "So, how can you tell if the males are single?"
Beatrice blinked, "Oh...well you can't."
Cherry turned back to the she-Wolf, "So how do you know?"
"Well...they kind of just...approach you..."
The vixen stared blankly at the Wolf, her ears lowering before she turned back to the room. "Now I feel like a prostitute," muttered Cherry sadly.
Beatrice grimaced and placed a paw on her friend's shoulder, "You look like a princess to me."
Cherry glanced at the she-Wolf and smiled timidly. "Thank you," she whispered.
The sound of a clearing throat caught the females attention. "E-excuse me," said the voice, "Would you like to dance?" The question came from a young Red Wolf, thirteen at the oldest yet almost as tall as Cherry. His uncertain gaze flashing between the two, but mostly settling on the Fox.
"Me?" responded the vixen in disbelief, a paw coming to her chest. The young male nodded. "Beatrice," whispered Cherry, "What do I say?"
The she-Wolf smiled, "Present your left paw." The Fox did as told and the red Wolf quickly grasped it. "Curtsy." The vulpine awkwardly curtsied. "And say, get lost."
The vixen opened her muzzle, but stopped when the words sank in. She shot Beatrice a heated glare, then turned back to her young suitor. "I would be delighted to dance."
The young Wolf's tail, which had fallen at the older Wolf's words, started waving frantically. The goofy smile on his muzzle as he led Cherry to the dance floor showed how much the dance meant to him.
"He's been staring at her from across the room," spoke a soft, smooth voice, "It didn't make much for me to encourage him to ask."
Beatrice turned to her right and smiled at the Wolf beside her. "Jackson! Congratulations to both you and Arnie. Also you look amazing!" Her cousin wore a light grey suit with dark red button down. A white tie and vest finished the ensemble and made the male one of the best dressed at the party.
The white Wolf smiled and gave a curt bow, "Thank you Beatty. You look amazing as well."
The she-Wolf snorted and rolled her eyes, "I look frumpy in comparrison to some of the other Wolves here. Cherry doesn't help either!"
"I'm a little jealous as well," admitted Jackson, "I was hoping to be the Beau of the ball, but your friend has turned it into a Belle." He chuckled at his joke, but the female tilted her head in confusion. "You know, instead of Belle, I wanted Beau...the male version of..." The white Wolf sighed and pinched the bridge of his muzzle, "You're a charlatan sometimes Bee."
Beatrice shrugged, "I don't know what that means."
"No matter." The white Wolf gazed back at the young red Wolf and Fox dancing, Cherry's mirth evident from here. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was older, that he would ask Papa Kamots for permission to date."
"Really?" balked the she-Wolf, "He would allow that?"
Jackson smiled fondly, "The Sawtooths are a different type of pack. Old World beliefs in family mixed with twenty first century idea of love." He glanced knowingly at the female, "They may be small now, but I wouldn't be surprised if they become one of the strongest packs in a few years." The female hummed in thought. "Besides," continued the white Wolf, "I don't see Papa Kamots and Mama Chemukh discriminating after what they went through."
Beatrice looked towards a group of Wolves that almost didn't seem to fit. There were nine Red Wolves that appeared close to her age. Standing next to some of them were a few Timber Wolves and a Red Wolf that didn't seem related. Around the adults ran several young kits ranging in age. Some had the red tint, while others sported grey and black. They all stood semi-circle around an older couple in the middle of the group. A slightly hunched male Red Wolf, wearing a plaid suit and thick framed glasses had his arm wrapped around the waist of a tall female Red Wolf who wore a matching dress. She smiled as she watched the wife place a kiss on the ear of her mate. They were adorable. "What's their story?"
Jackson hummed. "Nothing too crazy to any other mammal. Guy meets girl. They fall in love, run away together and live happily ever after."
"And to wolves?" The she-Wolf asked cautiously.
This time the white Wolf sighed, "...He has scoliosis and was deemed an Omega at birth. She was the Alpha's only daughter, making her a prize for many different suitors. They met, talked, and fell in love. When they asked permission to date, both Alpha's denied it. Seeing no other alternative, they ran away and made it to Zootopia. Several years later they were tracked down, but by that point she was pregnant. With nothing they could do, the packs backed off and they began their own pack."
"And the name?"
"His pack was Sawfang, her's Sharptooth. They combined the two and created Sawtooth." Jackson shook his head, "The amazing part is, they don't hate their former packs. In fact they never wanted to leave, but they weren't willing to give each other up."
Beatrice sniffed, "That's so romantic...Have you..."
"I already introduced your parents to them," supplied the white Wolf, "As I suspected, your father and Papa Kamots get along amazingly."
As if on cue, a pair approached the semi-circle. It was a familiar Grey Wolf and Black Wolf wearing the same powder blue as the she-Wolf. Her parents closed in on the other Wolves, and Beatrice held her breath. Whenever Brian and Bridget Howlington were close to members of the pack it could end bad. Instead of the expected rebuke, the pair was allowed entrance into the protective circle and were greeted by the Alphas like old friends. The she-Wolf let out the breath, relieved in the turn of events. "I'm so glad..."
"Hey! Vetsi!" called the Sawtooth Alpha, waving for Jackson to come.
"Vetsi?" snickered Beatrice.
The white Wolf glared at the she-Wolf, but his smirk ruined its heat. "It means 'Snow' in his native tongue. Papa Kamots gives nicknames to all his in-laws."
"Oh Vet~si," sing songed the Alpha.
Jackson chuckled and rolled his eyes, "I better go. Enjoy the party and..." He cocked his head to the dance floor with a mischievous glint, "I'd keep an eye on your friend if I were you." With that the male rushed off, hurrying over to his in-law before the older Wolf started shouting again.
Beatrice was flummoxed by what her cousin said, but shrugged it off. It was probably nothing. She turned her attention back to Cherry, just in time to see the vixen leave her young Wolf companion. The vulpine nearly skipped over to the she-Wolf, brimming with joy.
"That was great!" said the breathless vixen, "I've never danced like that before."
The lupine glanced back at the dance floor, and spotted the young teen Wolf looking longingly at Cherry. He blinked, and then scurried back to the safety of his family. Beatrice chuckled, "Looks like you have an admirer."
"Why shouldn't I?" The vixen shot back teasingly, "And what a handsome admirer to have."
The two giggled. "Come on," Beatrice said through her mirth, "let's get some drinks and you can tell me all about this suitor." She offered her arm to the vixen, who accepted it without hesitation.
"Careful Honey, that could be my future mate!"
Beatrice chortled into a paw. "I think he's a little young for you!" She finally choked out.
Cherry sighed dramatically, teasing smile on her muzzle. "A girl can dream..."
The pair made their way to the refreshments table, ignoring the curious glances and disgusting glares. There wasn't too many choices for the two, but the both settled on some sparkling water mixed with orange juice. They settled out of the way against a wall, sipping on their drinks and commenting on the different dresses others had worn. Eventually Beatrice parents approached them.
"Jacks said he introduced you two to the Sawtooth's," commented the daughter, "how'd that go?"
Her father grinned and her mother pinched the bridge of her muzzle. "Apparently bad jokes are the hallmark of a good Omega," the black Wolf supplied.
"Oh come now deary," Brian spoke, hugging his wife close, "They weren't all bad!"
"Love, they were terrible," deadpanned Bridget shaking her head, "If Chemukh and I had rolled our eyes any longer they may have stuck like that."
"I would love to hear your jokes, Mister Howlington." Cherry offered politely.
"Well, why don't I amuse you as we dance Miss Daquari," the father said, "My mate doesn't like too, and I see that the rest of the Howlington males have failed to ask. So, if you would do me the honor..." The male bent low and swept a leg back, offering a paw to the Fox.
The vixen giggled as she noiselessly pawed over drink to Beatrice. She accepted the paw and curtsied as well, "I would be more than happy to dance with you." The mismatched pair set off, Brian leaning down to whisper the terrible jokes in his repertoire and the vulpine trying to hide her mirth behind a paw.
"Cherry is a darling," spoke the older she-Wolf, "though I must admit, when you said you were bringing a guest I didn't realize they would be so..."
"Foxy?" Beatrice joked.
"Female," concluded her mother.
The younger Wolf frowned. She hadn't thought of what other mammals may believe to be her and Cherry's status. It was one thing to bring a non-Wolf to a Pack event such as this, but it was another entirely for the Pack to believe it was an unauthorized relationship. The officer sighed and ran a paw over her ears. "We're just friends mother, nothing more to worry about." The older female hummed in response and Beatrice turned to look at her. "What?"
"I must admit I'm quite surprised anyone from the council allowed you to bring her," admitted Bridget, "They're normally quite strict about this type of thing."
"Cherry is about to become an important figure in Tundra Town," began Beatrice with practiced ease, turning to watch Cherry and her father on the dance floor, "She will be opening up a new shelter in the northern part of the district in order to fight against prostitution and sex trafficking that plagues our snowy paradise." She turned with a smile to her mother, only for it to lessen under the amused grin of the older female.
"So that's what you told Arnold?" Bridget replied, amused by her daughter, "And here I thought you just wanted your best friend to come."
The officer huffed and folded her arms, doing her best not to spill either drink, "If you already knew I asked Arnie, why ask why a council member approved it?"
"I just Had to hear your compelling argument Beatrice."
Beatrice rolled her eyes but remained quiet. She knew that once she had asked Arnie, others would find out. There was no question that otherd disagreed with Cherry being present, still the one good thing about the Pack is that personal biases were put aside so long as someone approved it. The young Wolf caught a glimpse of red and grey heading her way. She turned and smiled at the mammal of the hour.
"Arnie! Congratulations!" Beatrice exclaimed. Her ears pinned in embarrassment, "Sorry...Beta."
Arnold wore a similar grey to Jackson, but a white vest with red tie. "Beatty," started the red Wolf with grin, wrapping an arm around the young female, "If I stood on ceremony all the time, I wouldn't get anything done!" His grin turned wry, "Though I do expect you to call me Lieutenant...Officer!"
The young Wolf instintively snapped to attention and the older female chortled. "You tease her too much Arnie."
"It's just the older brother in me!" teased Arnold as he gave the she-Wolf a shake, drink spilling everywhere, "That and I'm just so Excited! I know the Alpha said I could, but I didn't actually expect to Win!" The normally calm Wolf released the now ruffled officer and breathed in deeply. He let it out with a smile, "Not very Beta-like, I know."
"Being different isn't always bad," countered the older female. She straighted out her daughter's dress and fur, ignoring the protesting lupine. The mother then grabbed the drinks from her daughter and deposited them onto a cocktail table. "Sometimes different is what mammals need...What the Pack needs!"
"Speaking of needs, Beatrice I meant to speak with you earlier." The mirth and excitement from the red Wolf was replaced with the professionalism he was known for. "We're going to be sending an officer over to Precinct One, and in return they're sending us an officer to fill our vacated Sergeant position." He cleared his throat and straightened up, paws clasped behind his back. "It would be terrible of me to not let you know that there has been...interest in you going to Savannah Central."
Beatrice's eyes went wide and she heard her mother gasp, "Me? At Precinct One?"
Arnold smiled, "You've shown the Z.P.D. that you Are one of the best. It wouldn't be fair to not offer you a place among the best."
"I've never heard of a rookie being transferred!" The she-Wolf said, still shocked by the turn of events.
"It's...rare, but not impossible." The Lieutenant placed a paw on the Officer's shoulder, "I know its been rough for you, but this could be the opportunity to really see what you can do! Trust me when I say it's an honor to be asked."
Beatrice beamed, the idea of being in Precinct One was alluring. She could fight crime with Reggie and work on cases needed to be solved! The female pictured her standing in front of the imposing structure, making Zootopia better one step at a time. The smile faded when she looked to her friend on the dance floor. Her father twirled Cherry and the vixen's laughter could be heard from where she was standing. Being in Precinct One would take her away from the Girls, from movie nights and take out whenever. Sure they would still talk, but it wouldn't be the same. She let out a heavy sigh and turned back to the Lieutenant. "I think I'll stay...I kinda like it in Precinct Six."
"Oh bless the moon!" Arnold sighed in relief, "losing you would have hurt Precinct Six Badly."
The she-Wolf chuckled, "Is now a bad time to bring up a raise?"
The Lieutenant's glare was undercut by his grin, "Let's jus-"
"I can't believe it!" A slurred voice rang over the music and cut off the red Wolf. "I thought y'all were jokin' when I was told a Fox was here!?"
Beatrice's head whipped towards the offending mammal, ears pinned and gaze narrowed. It was Thaddeus. The protocol for the Wolves who lost an election was to show their public support for the victor to help unite the Pack. Her cousin didn't do that. In fact he complained of rigging to his supporters, even though it was considered impossible. The white Wolf had staggered onto the dance floor, a bottle of cheap beer in his paw as he approached Brian and Cherry. She shrugged off Arnold and her mother, deaf to their words as she strode towards the mammals. Her father moved between the younger Wolf and vixen, his body conveying as much submission while staying rooted in place.
"Get outta the way you damn Omega!" spat Thaddeus, swaying slightly as he poked the older Wolf in the chest, "I ain't gonna let the Pack get mixed up with Her kind!"
The she-Wolf snarled and her fist balled as she sped towards the dance floor. She was almost there, about to throw herself between the belligerent drunk and her friend, when her cousin's words stopped her cold.
"So how much Beatty pay ya?" Thaddeus sneered as he pushed past the older male, towering over Fox, "Ta come and prove that she ain't a waste of space?" He leaned closer to the quietly frowning vixen and stage whispered, "How much to getcha back ta my place?"
Something in Beatrice snapped. Whether it was the insulation that she had to pay for friendship, the disrespect in pushing past her father, or the nerve of her cousin to thrown Cherry's former profession back in her face, it was impossible to say. All that the furious female knew was enough was enough. The officer wound her fist back, ready to strike insulting male, when a strong paw stopped her. She whipped her head around to see Arnold sternly gazing at the female.
"Don't do it," spoke then Beta calmly, "He's not worth it."
"Yeah Beatty," chided Thaddeus drunkenly, "Listen to the knot licker an let me have some fun!"
Beatrice stared daggers at the intoxicated white Wolf, and felt the red Wolf's grip disappear. "As you were officer," commanded Arnold. The she-Wolf grinned wickedly, cracking her knuckles as it appeared her cousin had forgotten about her. "Oh Taddy!" called out the grey Wolf with a growl, cocking her fist back once more. The cousin lazily turned back to her, his eyes glazed and blind to the danger. "Don't talk to my Friend like that!" The female punch the male in the nose.
Beatrice was unsteady on her hind paws and was being guided back to her apartment by Cherry. The Fox was underneath the Wolf's arm, keeping the lupine steady as he fiddled with the key to her apartment. Her left eye was swollen, lip split and paper towels were hanging out of her nostrils. The fight hadn't gone as planned. Two supporters of Thaddeus had decided that seeing the Wolf they voted for pummeled by the female they normally pick on wasn't good. It led to the female wrestling the other males while trying to kick the downed drunk. Eventually Arnold and several other Wolves broke it up, but not after more than a few shots were exchanged. "It's not goin' in," mumbled Beatrice, her key scratching the lock, "I dink I needs some help."
"Are you sure you don't have a concussion?" asked the vixen, her voice filled with worry, "You're a little woozy."
"Ah I'm fine," the she Wolf said, waving a paw at the door. She dropped the keys and her gaze slowly drifted down to them. "Oops..."
Cherry sighed, and moved Beatrice paw from around her to the door. "Steady Honey. Hold the door frame while I get the keys."
The she-Wolf nodded slightly, the world spinning as she did. She leaned her head against the door as she watched her friend clean up her mess. "Sorry," mumbled the lupine.
The vixen snatched the keys and stood up in the small space of the Wolf and the door. She looked at the officer with a frown and a confused look. "For what?"
"For ruining your fun," quietly whined Beatrice, "I shouldn't have punched Tad!"
Cherry chuckled and turned back to the door, her tail brushing against he larger mammal's legs. "Honey, you didn't ruin anything," she replied as she slid the key into the lock, "I got to dance with two handsome males and watch my best friend make a male cry. Sound like a perfect night to me!" She turned the key and the knob, swinging the door open to the small apartment. The vixen glanced mischeviously at the lupine, "Besides...your cousin deserved everything you gave him bee." The Fox motioned for the Wolf to follow into the apartment, but stopped in the doorway. "This is your apartment!?"
Beatrice frowned as she staggered through the doorway and past the vulpine, "Well...yeah." The she-Wolf's apartment was a standard affair, living and dining room the same area with a small kitchen with working stove top, fridge and cabinet space. Two doors were open, showing her bedroom and the bathroom. There wasn't much furniture except for the couch that the she-Wolf enjoyed sprawling out on, a small television and her laptop sitting on a foldable table. "Nothing special about it."
"Honey...bee..." started Cherry, before she paused. The vixen chuckled, "Honey bee...I can't believe I just realized that."
The lupine turned slowly to look at her friend. She blinked, "What?"
The vulpine waved a paw and entered into the apartment, closing the door behind her, "Nevermind...what I'm trying to say is I thought you said your place was a dump."
"It is!" Beatrice stated as she gestured around, "An there isn't anything here!"
"Like sixteen other females?" Cherry retorted as her gaze ran across the apartment.
The she-Wolf frown deepened, her mind playing catch up. Her ears shot up as she realized what the Fox was suggesting. "Oh! No interrupting movies!"
"Or complaints from others when we want to watch some Rom Com!" exclaimed the now smiling vixen.
"No trying to watch over Ginger when she does her stretches!" Beatrice stated, her excitement matching the Fox's. "Maybe even no more "Ew" moments!" A shot of pain had the she-Wolf flinching and a paw coming to the side of her head, "Ow."
"Another night Honey bee!" replied the vixen. She giggled as Beatrcie pouted at her new nickname. "You'll grow to love it honey...they always do." Cherry winked suggestively and the lupine groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Ew..." muttered the officer, her ears tilting back.
The Fox giggled again and approached the Wolf. "Come bee, time to relax." She grasped the larger mammal's arm and pulled her towards the couch. "You got any ice packs?"
"In the freezer." replied the she-Wolf. She slumped onto the couch, stretching out and letting out a contented sigh. "I'm pooped," mumbled Beatrice as she closed her eyes and covered them with her arm.
"Hey," Cherry spoke softly, "Can't sleep just yet honey. I gotta check on you."
"I'm fine," grumbled the she-Wolf, waving a paw blindly in the Fox's direction, "Go out with the girls and have some fun." She thought that was the end of the argument, until something wet and cold touched her nose. The lupine flinched, causing a splitting headache and opened her eyes trepidly.
Cherry was sitting on the edge of the couch, wet cloth in paw and dabbing at the Wolf's sore nose. The furrowed brow of concentration was punctuated by the tip of her tongue sticking just out of the side of her muzzle. "I...think the bleeding has stopped," stated Nurse Cherry, "We can probably remove the paper towels."
"I said I'm fine." Beatrice tried to push the Fox off the couch, but the smaller mammal easily swatted away the paw, "You shouldn't take to take care again." The Wolf turned into the couch. "When we first met, after the Rotta case, even now. You always take care of me, and you shouldn't have too..."
"First off Miss Bee, I don't have to do anything," corrected Cherry. She pulled on Beatrice to get the lupine to turn back over. Eventually the officer acquiesced and laid back on her back. "Second off, you were defending my honor." The vixen smiled coyly, "And what kind of female would I be if I didn't take care of my knight in shining armor?" The she-Wolf snorted and rolled her eyes. "Finally," the vixen continued, her gaze and voice soft, "You're my best friend. Defending honor or not, I'll always help you."
Beatrice sniffed, eyes watering, "That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me."
"Aw that's not true Honey bee," comforted Cherry, "remember when Jezeabel said your fur was luxurious."
"Was this before or after she accosted my tail?" The Wolf retorted, trying to hide her growing smile.
"I think it was during," replied the vixen with a sly grin. The pair's laughter was short lived as another bolt of pain struck Beatrice. "Do you have any pain meds?"
The Wolf nodded gingerly, "In the bathroom, above the sink." She watched the Fox slip off the couch and to the bathroom. The lupine closed her eyes again. With her head a little clearer, she could focus on the mess that was made. She was missing the Howl, but everyone may think that the best. She defended her friend, who was granted permission to come to the event, but was more than likely going to call out of work tomorrow. Her actions would be smoothed over as fulfilling Pack law, but the scowl her grandfather gave her said he still disliked her decision. To top it off she definitely had a concussion, with a sore face and ribs.
"Got it!" called out Cherry. The vixen reappeared with a large bottle of pills walked to the kitchen. The she-Wolf saw her open the fridge, "All you have is diet Root Beer." The Fox peeked her head from behind the door with a raised brow, "How have your teeth not rotten out?"
"I brush twice a day!" countered the lupine with a huff and folding her arms, "forgive me miss 'A lollipop a day, keeps the dentist at bay!'" She grinned as the vulpine huffed and grabbed a can, their banter familiar and calming. The officer caught a glimpse of the front of her dress and gasped in horror. "My dress! It's ruined!" The dried stains of blood stood out on the light blue dress. "How didn't I notice this earlier!" The she-Wolf let out a pitiful whine.
"Relax honey," Cherry said reassuringly, "Some baking soda and vinegar with a little elbow grease and it'll be good as new." She pawed over the pill bottle and drink. "The question is, were the stains worth it?"
Beatrice thought back on the night. The vixen's saucer wide eyes when they entered the ballroom, the dancing her friend did, seeing everyone having fun, and then possibly breaking her annoying cousin's nose. She smiled, using a claw to pop the soda tab, "Definitely."