Chapter 9 - First Date
Humphrey's POV
It's been a month since Lilly left for Alpha School and Kate has been spending more time with me. It seemed to me that whenever she had a chance she was always with me, which was all day, everyday. Since our first howl together, three months ago, I've always had a good feeling whenever I was around her. I was glad she was wanting to spend time with me, but I was beginning to wonder if she had any other friends to hang out with. Today, I decided to take my mother's advice and to take that chance at a good life here.
I arrived at Kate's parents' den and looked inside, only to find it was empty. "Can I help you?", Kate asked, making me almost jump out of my fur.
I turned around to see Kate standing behind me, smiling at me, "uhh, yeah", I answered, "where's your mom?".
"Skye left to go to the Alpha School", Kate explained, as she walked up the slope, "so, my mom has taken over as the pack's healer while she's away".
"Oh, okay", I said, "I'll head there right now".
"Okay, Humphrey", Kate replied, now standing in front of the den, "I'll see you later, okay?".
"Okay", I said, as she started to walk inside, but then I decided to take the leap, "umm, Kate?".
She came back out, "yes, Humphrey?", she asked.
"Actually, I wasn't, uhh, looking for your mom", I confessed, "I was looking for...you".
"What did you need me for?", she asked.
I gulped, "we've been growing closer together these past few months", I explained, getting extremely nervous now, "and, well, I was wondering, if you would want to, uhh…there's a Moonlight Howl tonight and, uhh-".
Kate cut me off, "you asking me, if I want to go to the Moonlight Howl with you?", she asked.
I nodded and she smiled, "sure, I'd like to go with you as friends again", she said.
"Actually, I wasn't thinking as just friends", I said.
Kate looked at me curiously, "you're...asking me out?", she asked, "like on a date?".
I hesitantly nodded, then she walked down the slope towards me and I gulped, she stopped in front of me and smiled, "sure, Humphrey", she said, "I'd love to go with you".
"Great", I said, "I'll be waiting for you".
"I'll see you there", she replied, then she unexpectedly kissed my cheek and ran back into the den, leaving me frozen in shock. I was frozen there for a good few minutes, until Eve approached me from behind, "hey, Humphrey", she said, snapping me out of my trance, "how's it going?".
"Umm, it's...going fine", I answered, nervously.
"Why are you nervous?", she asked, then glared at me, "you didn't do anything did you?".
I shook my head rapidly, "nothing at all", I answered, "uhh, I got to get going, I'll see you and Kate later, okay?".
"Okay, Humphrey", she replied, "be good, or I'll find you".
I bolted out of there as fast as I could and ran towards the lake and jumped in to wash up as soon as I got there, "I can't believe she said yes", I said out loud.
"You can't believe who said yes?", Salty asked, from behind me.
I turned around to see Salty, Shakey, and Mooch, standing there with curious expressions on there faces. "Why is everyone sneaking up on me like that?", I asked to no one in particular.
"Why are you getting yourself nice and clean?", Shakey asked, "you going somewhere?".
"Maybe", I answered.
They must've put two and two together, "what's her name?", Mooch asked, "do we know her?".
I chuckled, "do you know her?", I asked, "she log-sleds with us everyday".
"Kate?", they asked in unison.
I smiled, "the one and only", I answered.
"Wow, Humphrey", Salty said, "I can't believe you got a date with the most beautiful she-wolf in the pack".
"Yeah, well, I'm getting ready for our date tonight", I replied, "and I'm sure Kate's doing the same right now".
"Watch out for her mother though, Humphrey", Shakey warned, "you don't want to upset her, you know".
"Noted", I replied, as I started to wash my fur.
"Want us to help you, Humphrey?", Mooch asked.
"No, no I think I can manage", I answered.
"Well, if you need our help, let us know", Salty said, "we'll be at the hill log-sledding".
The three of them left, leaving me alone in the cold water of the lake. After a few minutes of scrubbing I got my fur nice and clean, then I got out and shook dry. I found a pinecone and combed my fur, making it all nice and straight, by the time I was done, I noticed it was getting late.
On my way towards Howling Rock, I spotted a purple flower and I decided to take it for Kate. I got to Howling Rock, just as many other couples were arriving for their special night out, and waited for Kate at the base of the mountain. While I was waiting, I saw Shakey coming towards the mountain with another she-wolf walking beside him. Shakey noticed me and a look of shock grew on his face, "uhh, Humphrey!", he exclaimed, "I didn't see you there".
"It's okay, Shakey", I said, "and I see you got a date".
"Umm, I, uhh…", he stuttered, nervously, then the she-wolf gave him a lick on his cheek and he calmed down, "yeah, this is Janice".
"Nice to meet you, Janice", I said, "I hope you'll treat my friend nicely".
"I always have", Janice replied, leaning against Shakey lovingly.
I looked at Shakey curiously and he smiled, "Janice and I have been dating for about two months now", he explained, "and we've grown to love each other very much".
"Well, I'm happy for you, Shakey", I said, sincerely.
"Thanks, Humphrey", he replied, then the two of them started walking up the slope to find a spot to howl. I turned back towards the base of the mountain, watching for Kate, when Shakey caught my attention again, "oh, and, uhh, Humphrey?", he asked.
I looked back up towards him, "yeah?", I asked.
"I'd appreciate it, if you didn't tell the others about Janice and I just yet", he said, "I want to tell them myself".
I smiled, "of course, Shakey", I replied, "you'll tell them when you're ready".
"Thanks again, Humphrey", Shakey said.
"You're welcome", I replied, then he and Janice continued up the slope.
I looked back down the slope, just in time to see Kate approaching and she looked more gorgeous than ever. She approached me with a smile, "what do you think?", she asked.
"You're more lovely than anything I've seen in this world", I answered.
"Aww, thank you, Humphrey", Kate replied.
I picked up the purple flower I found, which I placed on the ground when I arrived, and showed it to Kate, "here", I said, my voice muffled from the flower in my mouth, "I found something for you".
She moved her head to the side to allow me to put the flower in her fur and I did, completing her look. "How sweet", Eve said, "I can tell he really likes you, dear".
I jumped in surprise because I was so focused on Kate, that I didn't notice Eve was standing right beside her. "W-what are you doing here?", I asked, nervously.
"Oh, calm down, Humphrey", Eve said with a smile, "I'm only here to escort my daughter to her date".
"Now, Humphrey", she said, calmly, "If you don't show my daughter a good time, I'll make sure you don't see the light of day again".
I gulped, "don't worry, Ma'am", I said, "I'll make sure she's happy".
"Now that's a good boy", Eve said, "anyway, I'm going to go home now, have a good time dear".
With that, Eve left Kate and I alone, "don't worry about her, Humphrey", Kate said, then she walked by me and brushed her tail on my side, "now, are we going to howl or are we going to just stand her?".
I chuckled and followed Kate up the mountain to the same spot we howled at for our first time three months ago. The night sky was perfectly clear and the light of the full moon was reflecting off of the snow on the ground, giving a beautiful glow to the scenery. We sat down across from each other and stared into each other's eyes, "umm, I'm a little nervous", I said.
"You weren't nervous last time", Kate replied, "what's different now?".
I shrugged, "last time we were just going as friends", I answered, "this time we're...you know".
Kate smiled, "I know, Humphrey", she replied, "come on, howl with me".
I nodded hesitantly, "okay", I said, then we raised our muzzles to the sky and howled from the bottom of our hearts, putting as much feeling into it as possible. Our howls intertwined and mixed perfectly, showing anyone who was listening to it, that we were meant for each other. While we howled, the entire mountain watched us in silence as they listened to our love song.
After a few minutes, we lowered our muzzles to catch our breath, just as the entire mountain erupted in cheers of joy. Kate and I stared into each others eyes, just enjoying each others presence. "I, umm, I love you, Kate", I said, nervous about what her reaction would be.
Kate smiled at me and unexpectedly kissed me full on the lips, when she pulled away her smile grew even larger. "I love you too, Humphrey", she said.
"Yeah, Humphrey!", Shakey shouted from below us.
Kate looked down, then noticed him and Janice together, "is that Shakey?", Kate asked, "with...Janice?".
I nodded, "yeah, they've been dating for two months now", I explained, "I only found out shortly before you arrived".
"Well, I'm happy for them", Kate replied, "do the others know?".
I shook my head, "no", I answered, "and Shakey wants to tell them himself, so this'll be our little secret for now".
Shakey and Janice raised their muzzles to the sky and howled their hearts out. Their howls matched perfectly and Kate and I knew that they were meant for each other. "That's so beautiful", Kate said.
"Not as beautiful as you", I said.
"That's so sweet, Humphrey", Kate said, "thank you".
"No, thank you", I replied.
"What for?", she asked.
"For making me the happiest wolf in the world, Kate", I answered, "I love you very much".
"I love you more than anything, Humphrey", Kate replied.
"There's something I want to tell you, Kate", I said.
"What is it?", Kate asked.
"Since I arrived in this pack, you were always there for me", I explained, "even when my mother appeared to me, you were there for me with your caring personality".
"After the deaths of my parents, I never thought I would be able to move on", I continued, "but you made me realise that I can't dwell in the past and I must look towards a better future".
"You're the most caring and beautiful she-wolf I've met", I said, "and I love you for that".
Tears of joy started to form in Kate's eyes, "you really mean that?", she asked.
"I do", I answered.
Kate pulled me into another kiss, then pulled away with a smile on her face and leaned against me, resting her head under my chin, "that was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, Humphrey", she said.
"You're welcome, Kate", I replied, "now, do you want to howl some more?".
Kate leaned away from me and looked into my eyes, "I'd love to, Humphrey", she said.
We both raised our muzzles to the sky once more and howled our love song for everyone to listen to. Once again, our howls matched perfectly and silenced the mountain. When we finished, I stared into Kate's amber eyes and I was lost in them, being mesmerised by their beauty. "What is it?", Kate asked, noticing I was staring at her intently.
"You", I answered, "I love every bit about you, your eyes, your personality, everything".
"You do?", she asked.
I nodded with a light smile, "thank you, Humphrey", Kate said, "I love everything about you as well, you're funny and a great wolf to be with".
We noticed everyone was now leaving, since it was getting really late, "well, I guess, we should be getting home", I said.
"Okay, Humphrey", Kate said, starting down the path to go home.
I walked beside her and we leaned against each other with our pelts pressed together. Once we got to her parents' den, I saw Eve was sleeping in the back, "well, I'll see you tomorrow", I said.
"Yeah", Kate replied, "thank you for the great time, Humphrey".
I smiled, "anytime", I said.
"Good night, Humphrey", Kate said.
"Good night, Kate", I replied, then I kissed her before she went inside and laid down to go to sleep. I continued on towards my den, with a smile on my face, and went inside once I got there. I laid down in the back of the den and fell asleep, dreaming about how nothing will keep Kate and I apart.