A/N: Sorry about the long wait. My brother had Spring Break during the last 10 days and I didn't get my peace and quiet, that I usually get Monday to Friday when he's at school. Brothers, eh?
Anyway, there's two songs in this chapter, "How Do I Live" by Trisha Yearwood and "I'll Be Alright Without You" by Journey. Just thought you should know that.
Enjoy Chapter 2!
Chapter 2 - Sorrow
Kate's POV
The packs had left, leaving Mom, Dad, Garth and Lilly, and I, with Tony's body. Dad approached Garth, "we'll give your father a proper burial, then we'll have a Moonlight Howl to celebrate your's and Lilly's marriage." He said, "if that's alright."
Garth shook his head, "my father has always told me to bury him beside my mother." He replied, "and only my fath-, only I know where it is."
"Alright." Dad said, "we'll wait for you."
"Don't bother, Winston." Garth replied, "I'm going to be for a while."
Garth turned to my sister, "would you mind coming with me?" He asked her, "I don't want to be alone."
Lilly nuzzled Garth and smiled, "of course, Garth." She answered, sweetly.
Garth picked up Tony's body, then he and my sister headed towards the Eastern territory. Dad turned towards me, "go tell Humphrey the good news." He said with a smile.
I was about to ask how he knew I loved Humphrey, but a memory suddenly occurred to me and I bolted towards Humphrey's den.
Please still be here. I thought, as I ran through the forest. I reached his den within a few minutes and slid to a stop outside the entrance, then readjusted my fur before going in.
"Hey, Humphrey?" I called, as I entered the den, "you in here?"
There was no sign of him. "Kate, have you seen Humphrey?" A voice asked.
I turned around to see Humphrey's three friends standing in the entrance of the den. "Not since this morning." I answered, "you?"
"Last night, after the two of you returned." Salty said, "you have any idea where he is?"
"I was about to ask you that." I replied, even though I knew full well that Humphrey had probably already left..
"He wasn't at the lake, he wasn't at the hill we usually log-sled at…" Shakey said.
"He wasn't at the feeding grounds." Mooch said.
Salty and Shakey looked at him, "that's where you've been?" Salty asked, "while we were out looking for Humphrey, you were at the feeding grounds?"
"You said you were going on a diet." Shakey added.
"Yeah, but I was hungry." Mooch replied.
I sighed, then left Humphrey's den, while the three of them argued over Mooch's eating habits, and sadly walked to the Alpha den, knowing Humphrey had already left. That's it? My mind asked, just like that, you're going to give up on your soul mate?
He's left. I thought, and I have no idea where he went.
Come on, Kate, think! My mind said, I know you have a working brain in that thick skull of yours.
My own brain is criticizing me on thinking? I thought.
I heard that! My mind replied, look, put yourself in his paws, where would you go?
I imagine he left, because of me marrying Garth. I thought, if I were him, I'd probably go somewhere where I'll forget about the bad, but still remember the good times we had.
And there's only one place where that is. My mind said.
Sawtooth! I thought.
Bingo. My mind replied, then I started running towards the Alpha den. When I got there, I found Mom and Dad sitting inside, they saw me enter and looked at me with confused expressions. "Where's Humphrey?" Dad asked.
I lowered my head in shame, "he left." I answered, "he thinks I married Garth."
"Then go after him, dear." Mom said, "I can't wait to welcome him into the family and father my grandpups."
I widened my eyes and stared at her in shock, then glanced at my father with a look that said, "is she okay?".
Dad walked over and leaned towards my ear, "it's that time of year and your mother's affected earlier than most." He whispered, then I nodded in understanding.
"Do you know where he is?" Dad asked, after he sat back down beside Mom.
"I believe he went back to Sawtooth." I answered.
"Well, you better catch him before he repopulates with another she-wolf." Mom said.
I stared at her in shock, "uhh…" I mumbled, as I felt my face heat up from embarrassment.
"I think you need to lay down for a little bit, Eve." Dad said, "you're not exactly yourself right now."
"Oh, nonsense, Winston." Mom replied, "I'm perfectly fine."
"Just go lay down." Dad said, "and tonight I promise we'll have some special time to ourselves."
Mom giggled, "ooh, someone's being naughty." She growled, playfully, then retreated into the darkness of the den. By now, my face must've been beet red.
"Sorry about that, Kate." Dad said, once Mom was out of earshot, "I realize you've never seen what your mother is like while she's…umm, you know."
I honestly expected the disappearance rate and death toll in the pack to increase. I thought to myself. "Anyway…" I started, "I can't just leave the pack, it's my responsibility as an Alpha."
"Did the pack fall apart when you backed out of your responsibilities with marrying Garth?" Dad asked.
"Well…" I said, then remembered the fight that took place shortly afterwards and winced.
Dad winced as well, which meant he must've been thinking of the exact same thing, "okay, maybe not the best example, but you understand my point." He replied, then gestured outside the den, "look at the packs right now, they're getting along just fine and their well-being won't change if you leave."
"I…I just…" I stuttered, but couldn't find the words.
"Kate, I already made a mistake once by looking out for the pack's well-being, instead of your own happiness and finding a different solution to unite the packs." Dad said, "don't make the same mistake that I did, go, find Humphrey."
"Now whatever you decide when you find him…" Dad continued, "just know, your mother and I will be very happy and proud of you."
I smiled, as I moved closer to him and he pulled me into a hug, "thanks, Dad." I said, "I'm going to go say good-bye to my sister and Garth before I go."
"Okay." Dad replied, "if I don't see you again before you leave, then be safe."
"I will, Dad." I said, "thank you."
Dad smiled, then I left the den to find Garth and my sister. I soon found the two of them sitting in front of a stream, while they had their pelts pressed together. Watching them smile and laugh with each other made me wish Humphrey was still here with me and we could be together like that.
"I love you, Garth." Lilly said, softly.
"I love you too, Lilly." Garth replied, then they connected muzzles in a kiss. I sat down and lowered my head in sadness, as Garth and my sister professed their love. A tear fell down my face, as I felt the heartache of being away from my love. Garth and Lilly pulled away from each other and smiled with happiness, then turned their attention towards me after I sniffed.
"Kate?" Lilly asked, concernedly, "are you alright?"
I nodded, then wiped my nose with my paw, "I'm fine, Sis." I said, "just, uhh…seasonal allergies."
Lilly frowned, as she approached and sat down in front of me with a worried expression. "You're not alright, Sis." She said, "what's the matter?"
"Hu…Humphrey…left." I managed to choke out, "and after watching you and Garth, it made me miss him even more."
"Well, maybe the Moonlight Howl tonight will cheer you up, Kate." Garth suggested.
Lilly turned around and gave a "what is wrong with you?" look, "not…helping." She growled under her breath, making Garth whimper in fright, which made me chuckle lightly.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Lilly asked.
"I came to say good-bye." I blurted out.
Lilly looked at me with a confused expression, "why?" She asked.
"I'm going after Humphrey and the sooner I leave the better." I quickly explained, "I'll stick around for the Moonlight Howl, but I'm leaving early in the morning."
"But the pack-" Lilly started, but I cut her off.
"Will be fine without me." I said, "you and Garth will be great Pack Leaders, Lilly, I know it."
Lilly wrapped her forelegs around me and I pulled her into a hug, "it'll be fine, little Sis." I continued, "I'll be back once I find Humphrey."
"You know, he's only an Omega, Kate." Garth pointed out, "he doesn't know how to survive."
I glared at him, telling him that his minutes, let alone days, were numbered.
Garth laid his ears back on his head, "I'll shut up now." He muttered.
Lilly pulled away from me and sat down beside Garth, "be safe, Kate." She said.
I smiled, "I will, Lilly." I replied, then I noticed the sun was setting, "you two better get going, you don't want to be late for your own celebration."
"You're not coming?" Garth asked.
I shook my head, "there isn't any point in me going to a Moonlight Howl without Humphrey." I said, "I'm going to just get some sleep, so I can be up earlier tomorrow."
"Will I ever see you again?" Lilly asked with sadness.
"Difficult to say." I answered, "I'm not going to return unless it's with Humphrey alive…or dead."
I lowered my head in sadness at the thought of me finding Humphrey dead. Lilly must've noticed, "hey, you'll find him, Kate." She said, softly, "it's only been a few hours since he left, he can't have gotten far."
"I hope you're right, Lilly." I replied, then sighed, "I guess, this is good-bye, Lilly."
"Bye, Kate." Lilly said, "don't take too long."
I lightly chuckled at that, then we went our separate ways, me to Humphrey's den and them to Howling Rock.
Lilly's POV
Garth and I headed towards Howling Rock for our "wedding" party, it wasn't much of a wedding, but I didn't care. I only wished Kate would be there, "hey, you alright?" Garth suddenly asked.
I shook myself out of my thoughts, then looked up at my mate, "I'm fine." I answered, "I just wish my sister wasn't leaving so soon, that's all."
"Put yourself in her fur, Lilly." Garth said, "let's say I was an Omega and you were the Alpha."
"What are you getting at?" I asked, confused.
"Just listen, Lills." Garth said, "let's say I left, because I found out you were being forced to marry someone, then the same events happened and here we are."
"What would you do after you found out that I left?" Garth asked.
"I would hunt you down and drag you home by your ear if I had to." I answered with a devilish smile.
Garth raised his eyebrow at me, "and?" He asked.
"And…that's exactly what Kate's doing." I said, "alright, I get your point."
By now, we had reached Howling Rock and many couples were already enjoying the night, howling and dancing with their mates, boy or girlfriends, or just as a family. Salty and Mooch were dancing in front of a group of pups, I guess with the intention to allow some couples to have an enjoyable night without their pups. I saw Shakey howling with the two vegetarians, Reba and Janice, while they circled around him.
"Shall we, my dear?" Garth asked, then he gestured towards the top of the mountain, reserved for the Pack Leaders.
"Oh, I don't know." I said, "I've never been up that high before, let alone actually going to a Moonlight Howl."
"You've never gone once?" Garth asked, surprised, "I thought a beautiful she-wolf like you would've gone to a Moonlight Howl many times."
"No one has even bothered to ask me out." I said, sadly, "mainly because Mom chased all the boys away, but I'm very shy too."
"No one asked you out once?" Garth asked, then I shook my head in response, "well, then let me be the first, would you like to howl with me, Lilly?"
"Hmm, do I have a choice?" I asked, playfully.
Garth frowned, "technically, no, since we're married and all." He answered, "but-"
He was cut off, because I had planted my lips against his, "yes, Garth." I said, after I pulled away, "I'd love to howl with you."
Garth smiled, then we continued up the slope and made our way to the top. Once we climbed up, with a little help from Garth to get across some of the steeper ledges, we sat down across from each other.
"You want to start?" Garth asked, "or shall I?"
"Show me what you learned." I said, then he raised his muzzle to the night sky. Garth let out one of the most beautiful howls I ever heard, then I started to think back to when he sort of howled with Kate and his howl was terrible. After a few seconds of listening to his howl, I approached him and raised my own muzzle into the sky, letting out my own howl. We howled our love song and our howls mixed together perfectly.
Kate's POV
I entered Humphrey's den, just as the sun disappeared behind the mountains, and laid down to go to sleep. After a couple hours of struggling to fall asleep, I found I couldn't sleep and decided to sit outside the den and enjoy the cool night. While I was sitting outside the den, I could hear the howls of the many couples at Howling Rock, celebrating Lilly and Garth's marriage and the unification of the east and west.
Listening to the love songs of the many young couples made me reminiscent of the train ride back to Jasper and when Humphrey and I howled at the moon. I should've realized right then that we were meant for each other, when our howls matched, and confessed my feelings for him, then maybe we'd be together right now. Another tear fell down my face and I felt my heart ache even more. Humphrey was always able to cheer me up, but now that he wasn't here anymore, I was depressed.
"I need you with me, Humphrey, where are you?" I muttered under my breath, "how do I live without you?"
I raised my muzzle to the sky and began to howl…
How do I get through one night without you
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be
Oh and I, I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soul
If you ever leave
Baby, you would take away everything good in my life
Without you there'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There'd be no world left for me
And I, baby I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby, you would take away everything real in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I, how do I
Oh, how do I live
If you ever leave
Baby, you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby, 'cause you know that you're everything good in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I, how do I
Oh, how do I live
How do I live
Without you baby
I lowered my muzzle in sadness, as tears started streaming down my face, and I silently cried to myself.
"I miss you, Humphrey." I said.
Humphrey's POV
I was sleeping peacefully, as the train chugged its way out of Jasper and to new places, when I heard a voice, almost like a whisper. My ears twitched from the sound, then I sat up and listened to the voice, quickly recognizing it, "Kate?" I asked, curious.
From the melody in her voice, I realized she was howling a song, most likely singing and dancing with Barf.
"I bet he's enjoying himself." I muttered in disgust.
"How do I live without you" Kate's voice howled.
"What?" I asked, confused, "she can't be talking about Barf, can she?"
I scoffed, "He probably just left to get a drink and already she can't stand being away from him." I muttered, sourly.
I thought that was true…until I heard Kate's voice again, "I miss you, Humphrey." She said.
My ears drooped down after hearing that, "she does care about me." I muttered, "doesn't matter though, it's too late, I can't go back."
She's an Alpha and can get over me to continue her duties. I thought, she chose her life, I chose mine, there's no turning back now.
I raised my muzzle to the sky and howled…
I've been thinking 'bout the times
You walked out on me
There were moments I'd believe, you were there
Do I miss you, or am I lying to my self again
I do these things
(It's all because of you)
I keep holding on, but I'll try
(Try not to think of you)
Love don't leave me lonely
I'll be alright without you
There'll be someone else I keep tellin' myself
I'll be alright without you
Oh love's an empty face, I can't replace
(You don't need it)
People wonderin' why we broke apart
The great pretender here I go again
These things I do
(It's all because of you)
I'll keep holdin' but I'll try
(Try not to think of you)
All I wanted was to hold you
I'll be alright without you
There'll be someone else, I keep tellin' myself
I'll be alright without you
Love's an empty face oh I've got to replace
I'll be alright without you
There'll be someone else, I keep tellin' myself
I'll be alright without you
Oh love's an empty place, I can still see your face
I'll be alright
I lowered my muzzle and smiled, "good luck with your new life, Kate." I said, then curled back up to sleep.
Kate's POV
I sniffed, then I heard Humphrey's voice, "I'll be alright without you." He howled.
"He heard me?" I wondered to myself, then Humphrey's voice said something that pained my heart.
"Good luck with your new life, Kate." He said.
I cried to myself, because I realized he thought I went through with my forced marriage and wasn't going to come back. "I'll find you, Humphrey." I said, determinedly, "even if it takes me the rest of my life."
A/N: And…that's it! Updates should be more regular now that my brother's back in school and I can get some peace and quiet like I usually do.
Please Review!
Till next time,
-Demonwolf102
danan
I honestly have no clue why there's a lot of stories that are like this, I'd imagine it's because it's an easy way to start a story that is Canon to the first movie and it's the type of "What if?" fic that readers seem to enjoy. That's what I think, but I'm not entirely sure.
I'm not sure how many chapters this story will be, but I know where I want to end it. (Just have to wait and see, I guess.)
I've finally found the It movies and watched the first one, also gonna watch the second later today (April 7th, 2021). The idea I had for the crossover could work, just need to do a little tweaking. As of right now, Idk when I'll write the first chapter, but I feel it's safe to assume that I'll have it up within the next 2 weeks, along with the first chapter to The Snap: Alpha and Omega, my A&O/Avengers crossover.