How It Might Have Been:

Chapter 4

Encounters with Wolves and Humans

When Numair saw the wolf-girl pounce at the cattails, he abruptly snapped back into reality. Fear hit him like a ton of bricks and he scrambled madly on the slippery grass, but it was too late. The girl landed exactly where he was a second ago and, dagger in hand, turned her blue-gray eyes on him.

Both of them were panting, Numair from fear and the girl from exhilaration. Daine stared at him. A moment ago she had been completely prepared to kill and eat whatever had been watching her, but the fact that he was a human threw her off guard. A human! Another thing surprised her- he wasn't running or trying to kill her. He just sat there, watching her. She tried to meet his eyes like she did other animals, but looking in them made her dizzy. She contended her self with looking at his face and waited for herself to kill him, as she would any other creature. But she couldn't. She ordered her body to move, but something stopped her. She started to lift the dagger, but stopped. He must have placed a human spell on me! she realized. She made a small fearful noise in the back of her throat as she continued to look into his face. When she chanced another glance into his eyes, she saw that he look as afraid as she felt.

Numair stared at the girl, scared. He saw her dagger hand start to move, then froze. Her eyes were fearful as she growled a low, deep growl. Numair was as frozen as she. Frozen for the second time in so many minutes... he thought. Then he suddenly decided he had to help this girl. She couldn't live as a wolf, pretending to be something she was not. It wasn't right.

As soon as he reached this conclusion, the feeling surged back into him. Relieved, he stood up. The movement seem to trigger something in the girl and suddenly she stumbled backward. She then growled, and lunged.

Numair didn't stop to think. He only turned tail and ran. Get her away from the pack... he thought vaguely as he ran. The girl was incredibly fast on four legs and was catching up with him easily. Panting, he somehow managed to run faster. Half-formed thoughts drifted in his mind. I'm crazy! Trying to outrun a wolf! Lunacy! Get her on her own. She was gaining on him easily, while Numair's strength was nearly spent. Sucking up what magic had regenerated during his long sleep, he shape-shifted into his hawk form.

Daine stopped dead as the man disappeared, to be replaced by a hawk. What...? she thought confusedly. The hawk flew around her head. The hawk is the human! she thought wildly and, terrified, slashed at the air with her blade. Numair the hawk saw how fearful she was. This isn't helping, he thought. He cast around for ideas, and settled on one.

Numair streaked off. Daine followed. Her thoughts were going crazy-she had no idea what to do. She did the simplest thing and followed the human-hawk. Once the two had gotten a far distance from the Pack, Numair changed back into his human form. The girl was advancing at an amazing speed. Numair summoned his clothes and they dressed him without his blinking an eye, and then (with no clear plan in mind) yelled "Stop!"

Daine skidded to a halt, startled. Before, she had never understood the harsh shouts that came out of human mouths. But now this human's voice resounded clearly in her head.

The human put his hands out in front of him. "I'm not going to hurt you," He said slowly and clearly. "I only want to help." Daine glared at him. He was lying, of course. Why would a human want to help a wolf? The human sat on the ground within easy dagger range, but now Daine was too curious to kill it.

Numair frantically tried to think of something to say. If he told her to put down her dagger, she might think he was trying to disarm her and attack. Plus, if she thought she was a wolf, she might not even know she had a dagger. He was too scared to tell her to come closer. "Um..." he dug around in his pockets. The girl quickly raised her dagger defensively. "No, I won't hurt you," said Numair again. His hand gripped something and he pulled it out. It was a piece of traveler's bread. "Here," he said, putting his hand forward.

Daine drew back when the human extended his hand, but then advanced again. He was holding out food. Daine's hand shot out and grabbed the bread. She brought it to her face and sniffed it. It seemed fine. She devoured it quickly. It was not as good as meat, but beggars can't be choosers. She then turned to face the human again. He pointed to himself. "Numair," he said. "I am Numair."

What an odd name! Daine stared at him. Numair? she chanced in her mind. Then she remembered he was human. She couldn't talk to him. Wolves can't talk to humans. Then why can you understand him? asked some part of her. She made a noise in her throat. It came out as "Ughun." Not very useful, hissed that part of her head. Try again.

I don't want to! Daine argued.

Do it! NOW!

Daine opened her mouth. "I-" she stammered. "I am D-d-daine," she managed. How am I talking to him? she thought wildly.

Numair smiled in an astonished way. She has obviously been with the wolves for a long time. How can she speak with me? "Hello, Daine." He could think of nothing else to say.

Daine was utterly perplexed. And then she became frightened. I am a wolf! she thought, but this time it didn't help. The human was smiling at her. The human! Wolves can't be around humans! Humans kill wolves! I can't stay here! Daine turned and raced away, back toward the Pack. "Wait!" called the human, but Daine didn't listen. Soon she was out of sight of where Numair was sitting.

Author's Note: Hello again! Sorry I haven't updated in a while... Things have been really hectic. My family is trying to move to Boston before the school year starts, and we haven't really even chosen a house/apartment yet. So updates might be few and far between for a while. Anyway, down there points downward I'm goind to start answering reviews. See you all later! Darking Queen: I'm extremely flattered! Don't worry, I won't do that again! I'll try to update more often. Dave the L's gal: We have that little misunderstandng sorted out...thanks for giving me the heads up! Also, the is no Stormpaw in Warriors. another angel: Thank you so much! I'll try to update! Demonkitty2007: Thanks! Brokefang is the leader's name in the books, but all the wolf's names are changed here. Unless it takes my fancy to use some:) Thanks! I'll update as soon as I can!