The Pack

Chapter 5: In The Store

"Jonathan, go inside and make sure the Dursley's are out of sight." Jonathan nodded and rushed inside as Mark unloaded the hybrid. "Easy boy, we'll get you cleaned up in a jiffy." The hybrid limped close by Mark's side as he was led into the store.

"Whoa!" Mark motioned his sons back as the hybrid whined in distress at being crowded.

"Go get a towel and a bowl of water. Hurry!" Jim nodded and raced off as Mike hesitantly stepped foreword. "Easy boy, you're okay." Mark knelt and allowed the hybrid to basically crawl onto his lap.

"Why isn't he all snappy?" Mike asked as Jim returned.

"He knows I won't hurt him." Mark said as he gently pressed the towel onto the bleeding wound. He set the bowl of water onto the floor and the hybrid eagerly lapped at the water.

"He'd be beautiful if we cleaned him up." Jim said.

"Go get some of the bandage wraps and gauze. Make sure the Dursley's stay away." Jim nodded and raced off again. Mark gently stroked the hybrids back and sides in a soothing manner.

"How do you think he got this way?" Jonathan asked. "And can he change back to the form the Dursley's found him in?" Jim returned and Mark went about bandaging the hybrid's shoulder.

"I don't know. He's very wary right now, so lets just get him better and cleaned up." Mark patted the hybrid's side. "What's his name by the way?"

"Harry, I think." The hybrid perked his ears.

"All right then Harry. How does a bath sound?" Mark led the hybrid into the bathroom, thanking god that the owner had installed a bathroom in the store, complete with bath.. eccentric old man that he was.

Mark led Harry into the bathroom and closed the door halfway. He filed the tub with lukewarm water as Harry watched on in fascination. "Come on, hop in." Harry cautiously limped over to the tub and peered in.

Mark lifted Harry gently when the hybrid showing no signs of fright and placed him in the tub. Harry stiffened momentarily. "See? It isn't going to hurt you." Mark began to wash him off with some mild soap and was pleased when the hybrid rested his head on the side of the tub and sighed.

"What're we going to do about the other dogs?" Jonathan asked from the doorway. "Think they'll still give us problems?"

"I don't know. For now we'll leave them be, but if they start attacking again then we'll have no choice but to kill them." Harry's head snapped up and he growled softly. Mark blinked down at him. "Harry..?"

"No.hurt.pack!" The hybrid growled softly. Mark's eyes widened. Up until now Harry hadn't said anything, and because of his form Mark doubted he could.

"Harry, they're the one's attacking us. We'd leave them be if they leave us be." Harry shook his head, hackles still raised.

"Starving.need food.." Mark glanced at Jonathan.

"We can't help that Harry, unless they allow us to take them to a shelter." Mark tried to explain.

"Shelter..?"

"It's a place where stray animals go. It provides food and shelter until they are adopted." Harry rested his head on the tub again. He didn't say any more. "If you could convince them to 'surrender', we can find good homes for them." Harry stayed silent as Mark rinsed him off and drained the tub.

"Could you talk to them and convince them? Just shake or nod your head." Harry shrugged. Mark helped him out and began to dry him off with a fluffy towel. "Would you try?" Harry nodded and shook, spraying Mark with water.

"May not.trust..." Harry yawned as Mark stood up and replaced the towel.

"After you rest, we'll let you back out to try. Promise me you'll come back though?" Mark asked as he arranged a bed of towels for the hybrid. Harry nodded as he curled up and immediately drifted off to sleep.

"Poor kid." Jonathan said softly. Jim and Mike came over and looked down at the hybrid. The rest of the people in the building, minus the Dursley's, nodded in agreement.

"Hopefully we won't have to kill the other dogs." Mark stood and wiped his hands. "I guess we'll just have to wait a while. Jim, get some meat out for him. He'll be hungry when he wakes."

"We should let the Dursley's out. He'll have to face them sometime, especially if he has to stay with us for a while." Jonathan muttered. He left to inform the Dursleys that it was safe.

"Let's just hope he doesn't attack them." Mark muttered as a howl sounded out in the woods.

TBC