Part Three

Lotor shifted himself around to see his left back leg was also bandaged and it didn't throb, leading him to conclude that some healing salve had been applied. Either a doctor did the dressings or Allura did it. His tail swished at the thought of Allura tending to him. He still loved her even though she clearly did not love him. He then whined sadly. She wouldn't love him now; if she learned the truth, she would likely think he deserved this.

He exhaled and closed his eyes. I haven't really thought about it these last few weeks as I was occupied with survival, but now that I can think on it, maybe I did deserve this. I've caused such trouble for the Voltron Force that I should be reduced to an animal. I'll let myself be relocated and I'll keep to myself and not bother anyone. Lotor slipped off to sleep, content with his decision.

"Yeah, I noticed the fur too," Hunk said. "I didn't think much of it."

"I like it as it is unusual," Allura said. "Just as the wolf is unusual. I gave him food and water and he ate it and did not growl at me or try to hurt me. He doesn't act like a normal wolf."

"Well, that will make it easier to care for him," Keith commented before standing. "I volunteer to bring his next meal and apologize for tranquing him."

Lance snorted a laugh. "He's a wolf, Keith. He's not going to know about tranquilizers much less who used them."

Keith thought Lance had a point as he went to get the wolf's tray a few hours later. It was a simple animal who only though in the moment. It wouldn't matter who brought his food as long as he got to eat. Keith headed to the wolf's room and entered to see him sleeping, his back to the door, giving Keith a clear view of the white fur before the wolf shifted over to face him, eyes open and showing intense dislike that was surprising to see. He gave a low, angry growl.

"Easy, boy," Keith said as he slowly approached. "I'm just bringing you your food." His assurance was met with another growl. He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry I used the tranq on you but we needed to insure our safety in helping you." Another growl. "Fine, then." He put the tray down on the bed tray, uncovered it, and pulled the bed tray across the bed before leaving. He shook his head. If I didn't know better, I would think he hates me.

Lotor growled to himself as he viciously seized a piece of meat and chewed. Of all the people to bring my food, it would be the commander. I couldn't resist making it clear that I despise him, not that he would think along those lines. I would prefer Allura to bring my food for the rest of my time here. He continued to eat.

"He growled at you?" Allura asked. "He was quiet and calm when I was there."

"Maybe he likes women over men," Pidge suggested.

"Or it could be Keith," Lance said. "Maybe our leader exudes something the wolf finds threatening."

"Then why don't you feed him next?" Keith challenged.

Lance shrugged. "Sure." He was sure that Keith's leadership trait felt threatening to their patient. So, if I don't show similar confidence, only friendliness, it should be fine.

Lotor gingerly moved his right foreleg before putting some weight on it. It stayed steady and didn't hurt. Well, it was only partly tagged so of course it heals faster than my back legs. He craned his neck to look at his injured limbs. He heaved himself to his forelegs before bringing the back ones around and planting the paws on the mattress. He pushed up to all fours before the back ones buckled and he nose-planted into the pillow. He gave a soft bark at a jolt of pain in his right back leg. Darn it! I thought I would be better by now. But I guess not and I shouldn't have expected them to heal so soon. Heh, must be my instincts wanting out of here and back to the forest. He sighed as his eyes slid shut and he slipped off to sleep, deciding to sleep at night until he had been released.

The door swishing open woke him the next morning. He lifted his head, yawned, and craned his neck to see a man who looked like a doctor and held a first aid kit. He put the kit on the table and opened it, smiling at him.

"Hello, boy. I'm just going to check your legs and apply fresh bandages. Just relax."

Lotor faced the pillow and rested his chin on it. He didn't move as the doctor worked on him. He only whimpered when healing creams or ointments were applied. He listened to the doctor's comments about how well his injuries were doing. He felt no ill will toward the doctor as he had done nothing to him before his change. When the doctor went to check the foreleg, he licked the man's hand and received a chin scratch in return.

"Well, you're a friendly one, aren't you?" he remarked as he un-dressed the leg. Lotor softly barked in reply.

"Hmm, this leg seems a lot better. I'll just put a little healing cream and that's it." He rubbed the cream over the injury and, as he put it away, added, "You are recovering nicely, most likely helped with food and rest."

"Did someone say food?" a voice quipped. Lotor squirmed around and his ears slicked back when he saw Lance enter with a tray. The sight of the Red Lion pilot irritated him as much as seeing Keith. Lance had given him as much irritation as the commander and he had no hesitation in showing his dislike.

He began to growl and bark as Lance came closer. "Whoa, hey there. I won't hurt you." Lance put the tray on the table, uncovered it, and swung it over the bed. Lotor continued to growl and bark and Lance looked at the doctor. "I don't get it. What did I do?"

The doctor shrugged. "I couldn't tell you. Before you came in, he was well-behaved and friendly. All I know is that he clearly doesn't like you."

"Man," Lance moaned and once he left, the growls and barks ceased and he proceeded to eat. The doctor also left and went to look for Allura to report on the injuries.

"He growled and barked at me," Lance said to the team in the lounge. "The doctor said he was friendly before I came in. It's clear that he dislikes me too and I haven't done anything to him."

"Hmm, perhaps only I should feed him. He hasn't been angry with me."

The others nodded before the doors and the doctor entered. "Princess," he greeted.

"How are the injuries, doctor?"

"They're healing nicely and the foreleg no longer need a bandage, just a healing cream."

"Lance said the wolf was friendly with you."

"Yes, your Highness. He was relaxed, licked my hand, and softly barked at me. It could be that he associates me with his feeling better. Why he was hostile toward Lance, I cannot say."

Keith shook his head. "I don't get it. He likes you, princess, and the doctor but dislikes Lance and me. I don't know. Maybe he likes Arusian people and no one else."

"No, that's not it," Coran spoke up as he entered. "I just went to check on him and he growled loudly at me."

"You?" Allura gasped.

He nodded. "Princess, it's possible this isn't a normal wolf. It could be someone sent by Zarkon to distract us so that he can attack us with a large fleet or robeast."

"He's been attacking us with fleets for weeks so that doesn't hold up, Coran. Our wolf could be unusually smart and his sense of smell could explain his actions toward us." Allura was thoughtful the rest of the morning and thought of talking to the wolf during lunch.