Part Six

Lotor sniffed the air, picking up the scent of his dinner and the person bringing it. He didn't recognize the scent and wondered who it was. Whoever it is, I will lock in their scent as well as surprise them. He was up on all fours and on the floor. He had been practicing getting in and out of bed as well as walking around. His jump down wasn't smooth yet, but at least his legs didn't give out on him. Hopefully all my walking will strengthen them more.

The door swished open and Lance walked in. He blinked at Lotor on his paws and grinned. "I see you're feeling a lot better. That's great. Maybe after breakfast, we can-," he broke off when Lotor began to growl loudly.

"Oh, come on! You're kidding! You still don't like me?" Lance exclaimed. Lotor growled again, teeth bared. Lance put the dish on the ground, uncovered it, and left.

Lotor ate his dinner and reflected on his actions. He had growled at Lance for a couple of reasons. One was his scent. It was so unpleasant and off-putting that he didn't care to be around it for long. The second was Lance's attitude. He exuded a cockiness that he didn't like. Keith is easier to take. But Lance did provide a hint. Something about tomorrow morning. Could it be…that I'll move to my new room after breakfast? His tail swished furiously. He would soon be sleeping near Allura!

"He still doesn't like me. I don't get it," Lance said. "I thought I was a likable guy."

"You usually are," Hunk said. "But it's likely that White Fur doesn't respond to it."

"It could be your scent," Keith said. "Wolves have a keen sense of smell. Even though White Fur is a changed person, he clearly has the instincts of a wolf."

"So, he doesn't like my scent and because of it, he doesn't like me." Lance huffed. "That doesn't seem fair."

"Well, tomorrow the two of you can talk it out," Allura said and Lance perked up. He looked forward to clearing the air with White Fur.

Lotor leaped down and landed smoothly on all fours. His tail wagged. Perfect. I guess that means I'm all healed up. I can finally leave this room and explore my home. He heard lots of footsteps and smelled several scents, all familiar. The door opened to reveal the Force, Coran, and the doctor with Allura carrying the tray. She came forward, smiling brightly at him. "Morning, White Fur. Once you've eaten, we'll show you to your room. The doctor's going to look you over while you eat." She put the tray down while the doctor came over to check his legs and an overall check.

I was right, he thought. Lance was trying to tell me about moving to my own room. He felt the bandages come off and the doctor's expert hands gently probing him. He stood still as his eyes, ears, and mouth were checked.

"Well, despite his body's shape, he's in excellent health," the doctor said. Lotor preened at the diagnosis as the doctor took his empty tray. His tail stood up as he followed Allura out with the others behind them. He was happy to be out of the infirmary and seeing the castle. The only room he had ever seen was Allura's room and he was happy to see the rest of it.

"And this is your room," Allura said, gesturing to a room that was right across from hers. Lotor licked her hand in thanks and then turned and backed up as Coran removed a pendent from his coat.

"White Fur," he said. "I found this pendent in the treasury that will allow any animal to talk, even changed people, as long as the animal wears it."

Lotor kept backing up. He had thought long and hard about his inability to talk and firmly decided he would be better off not talking. His canine communication was sufficient and besides, once he could talk, he would be driven out. He barked and shook his head, hoping they would accede to his wishes.

Coran, thinking Lotor didn't want him to put it on, passed it to Allura. Lotor backed away from Allura, barked, and shook his head. "Why?" she asked, failing to see Lance slip the pendent out of her hand. "You liked the idea of being able to talk earlier. What changed?"

Lotor was about to gesture that he'd rather bark and make wolf sounds when he felt something go around his neck and a warmth at his throat: The pendent! "No!" he exclaimed, speaking his first word in weeks.

There was a collective gasp and Lotor put a paw to his muzzle. "Lotor!?" Allura gasped.

Keith's eyes narrowed at the ex-prince. "So, I was right to be suspicious. This was a trick." Lotor barked and shook his head while marveling inwardly that he could still speak wolf. "Don't deny it!" Keith snapped.

"Keith, please," Allura said. "It can't be a trick. He's been on Arus for weeks and spent several days with us."

"He was probably waiting until our guard was completely down before launching his plan."

"But that doesn't explain who did this and why." She looked at Lotor. "Who did this to you and why?"

Lotor sighed and turned his back on them. "It doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter?" she repeated.

"You won't believe me, so why bother answering?" He lifted a foreleg under the pendent. "Take this back. I won't need it."

"But without it, you can't talk."

"I don't care. I'd rather not talk and, in the wild, I won't need to talk."

"What are you talking about? You live here now."

"Not anymore." He turned and aimed a paw at the team. "The rest of the Voltron Force will not want me around. Better that I leave and live as a wolf as I've been doing." He lifted the pendent off his neck and tossed it to Allura before turning around and started for the front door, its location detected by his nose by the hints of fresh air.

"Lotor! Please stay," Allura pleaded.

Lotor flinched at her words but kept going. He heard footsteps behind him, gave a low growl to himself, and ran for the exit. He heard the footsteps increase their pace, and he sprinted, ignoring Allura calling his name. He saw the exit come into view and then he was out. He let out a howl that conveyed his sadness at losing a comfortable home and his joy of being free. He raced across the bridge and toward the nearby forest. I am through interacting with people. I am a wolf and I will live as a wolf; a lone wolf.

"Lotor!" Allura called, her voice carrying on the air as the gray wolf disappeared into the forest. She stifled a sob as she choked, "He's gone."

"Good," Keith said.

Allura whirled on him. "He's done nothing to deserve being driven out."

"Princess, have you forgotten everything he's done before and after he changed?"

"No, I haven't but that's the point. He only did what a wolf does when hungry and during his recovery, he could have injured us but didn't. It's possible that his being a wolf had changed him on the inside."

"That may be but I say if he is stuck as a wolf, then he deserved it." Keith walked off, pleased that Lotor was gone, the possible threat to the castle prevented.

Allura remained where she was, staring at where Lotor had vanished. She didn't love him, but he was certainly a friend. She wanted him back and learn why he had been turned into a wolf.