Chapter 38: Nothing lasts forever

Humphrey pounced playfully on his mate. Kate smiled as she felt Humphreys wait on top of her. It had been a day since the burial, surprisingly, everyone was handling it well, all knowing in their hearts that he was in a better place. Everyone except Snow that it. She hadn't left Tonys den since she said goodbye to her mate, now she waited quietly for her pups to be born.

Kate stared at Humphrey, the sun shining behind him dying the blue sky in a faint glow.

"You heard Flare, we are in each other's squads now, were going to have to take care of one another." Said Humphrey with a sly smile.

Kate rolled her eyes "and how do you plan to (take care of me?)" She asked kissing him softly.

"Well, I'm always here for you and if you ever need anything…" Humphrey raised his eyebrows in a suggestive manor "And I mean ANYTHING, I'll be there in a flash."

Kate laughed, knowing what he wanted "Well…I guess there is one thing you could help me with."

Humphreys tongue fell out of his mouth as Kate pressed herself against him.

"Do you like that?" She asked with a seductive tone.

"Uh-huh" Was all that Humphrey could muster.

Humphrey grinded himself into Kate's soft fur, softly. Humphrey felt himself beginning to (rise) when he heard someone's voice, faint, come through the trees.

Kate groaned "That's my dad… you wait right here I'll be back soon."

Somewhat disappointed Humphrey let out a small hurumph before taking a seat, letting Kate up. As Kate walked by she slid her tail against Humphreys muzzle before giving him a wink and running into the woods.

Humphrey smiled as she watched her go, lying himself on the ground to watch the clouds and wait for Kate's return.

Diablo grinned, Hunter hadn't told him who his target was but he couldn't be happier with the results. Diablo watched Kate run into the woods and laughed this was going to be way too easy. Clearing his throat Diablo prepared himself to put his talent to use.

Humphrey stared at a cloud that resembled a rabbit when he heard Kate's voice come through the trees. "Comon big guy, let's take this to the den."

Humphrey was up in a flash running through the woods towards his den. Humphrey stopped as a unfamiliar scent hit his nose… it smelled like…death.

Humphrey shook his head and continued to his den. When he was only a few feet away he called out to Kate.

"I'm in here Humphrey" She responded coming from inside the den.

Humphrey shook with excitement as he entered his den, "I thought you were going to come and get m…"

Humphrey stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed a crimson wolf sitting in the middle of his den.

"So, are you ready?" He asked in a perfect imitation of Kate's voice.

Humphrey gasped, the wolf had the exact voice as Kate's, but this wasn't Kate. He picked up the same decaying stench coming off the wolf.
"Who are you and why are you in my den?" Asked Humphrey a little nervous in case this intruder turned out to be hostile.

The wolf cleared his throat and coughed "My name is Diablo, and I'm here to kill you."

Humphrey flinched at the dark reply, but not because of its nature, but because the wolfs voice sounded like dead leaves blowing in the wind.

Diablo smiled as he stood up, "You look just like your mother."

Humphrey frowned, forgetting this wolf was threatening his life "You knew my mother?"

Diablo laughed a terrible sound, like a tortured soul "And your father." Diablo cleared his throat and coughed again. The voice that left his mouth nearly caused Humphrey to faint. "What a silly boy you are my sweets."

Humphrey couldn't move. Diablo was getting closer, speaking in his mothers caring tone. "Don't you remember me son? Remember? Don't go too far into the woods?"

Humphrey whimpered, that was the same thing she had said before…she died.

Diablo grew closer, clearing his throat again, followed by a small cough, "Son, listen to your mother."

Humphrey started to back up slowly at the sound of his father's voice, to fearful to turn and run as Diablo grew even closer, not even five feet away.

Humphrey swallowed hard, is he could distract Diablo long enough, someone was sure to smell his scent, they would sound the alarm and Humphrey would be safe.

The thought of defense faded as quickly as it had appeared as Humphrey gazed into Diablo's eyes, dark and menacing. He knew this wolf would kill him as easy as he would a pup. Humphrey didn't even think Kate could kill him, his size, his voice; he would freeze her in fear before he ripped her throat out.

Humphrey continued to back up, half way out of his den. "Why are you trying to kill me?"

Diablo coughed, returning to his deathly voice "I'm not going to try, I'm going to succeed. And, Hunter wants you dead; if I kill you then I will be accepted into the pack."

Humphrey frowned someone had to notice the smell, it was almost too much for him to bare. "Yo-you kn-knew my pa-parents?" asked Humphrey, trying to stop his voice form quivering in fear.

Diablo walked up to a frozen Humphrey and chuckled. "You have grown up so much since we last me Humphrey, you even know what mating is I'm shocked."

Humphrey stood his ground and asked his question again, realization ebbing its way into his frightened thoughts "answer me…did you know my parents?"

Diablo put his muzzle to Humphrey's ear, the smell of death almost causing Humphrey to gag. Diablo whispered into his ear in a proud voice "Humphrey my dear boy…I'm the one that killed them."