The Pack
Disclaimer: Nope… nothing except the plot!
Kay! Now that more people are reviewing and liking this story... I expect more reviews! If you guys can do that for me I will be a very happy person and I will update more!
Chpater 6
"You can't expect me to run as fast as you! I read once that wolves can run for hours at speeds up to 40 miles an hour! It's impossible!" I yelled.
"I'm not asking you to run as fast as me… you just need to keep up." Squall said before taking off.
"H-hey! Wait!" I yelled and ran after him.
I was maybe two yards behind him, my breathing already becoming labored… when did I get this out of shape?
You're slowing down girlie! At this rate you'll never make it!
"SHUT UP!" I yelled and sped up again.
He started jumping over rocks and logs…
At this point I had to focus more on keeping up with him and less on my aching body. I leapt over a log and tried my hardest to keep the pace.
Squall did a sharp turn, almost sliding on the leaves before rocketing forward.
I tried the same thing only to slip and fall.
I heard Squall's mirthful yips in the distance.
I growled before getting up and running again. This time annoyance was fueling my speed.
Squall weaved in and out of trees. It made it very difficult to keep up.
You can run, but can you climb? Squall's voice rang in my head.
We reached the outside of the park.
'We're going back into the city?' I wondered.
Try to keep up with me.
I hustled after him. There were a few people out on the streets but that didn't seem to phase Squall.
We ran down the streets, looking like two delinquents running from cops. Suddenly, Squall slipped in an alleyway.
I almost ran past it but managed to get back on track at the last minute.
My jaw hit the floor as I watched Squall.
He stepped onto a crate, jumped onto the closed dumpster, turned, jumped onto the fire escape, climbed the steps, jumped, and pulled himself up to the roof of the building.
Think you can do it? Squall looked down at me raising an eyebrow.
I growled and stepped onto the crate. I then realized I wouldn't be able to do this without a running start.
I stepped off the crate and walked out of the alley. I could hear Squall snickering at me.
I ran full speed down the alley, I stepped on the crate, jumped onto the dumpster, turned, and jumped onto the fire escape.
Well, almost.
I managed to grab the railing before I could fall. It hurt like shit regardless.
I yelped and pulled myself up. I probably had a bruise from my chest smacking the edge of the escape. I got up and ran up the steps. When I was reaching the wall of the building I closed my eyes, bent my legs, and took a large leap of faith.
I managed to get half of my body up on that roof. Squall pulled the rest of me up.
I laid on my back and looked up at the sky, trying my damnedest to catch my breath.
Squall nudged me with his foot. Now isn't the time to rest.
I whined and stood.
He took off running. He jumped to the next building.
'Are you trying to kill me!' I thought.
Squall grinned wolfishly.
I focused my sights on the other building. I took off in a sprint. I was going to make this jump.
I didn't close my eyes, I got as close to the edge of the building as I could before leaping.
There was a moment when I felt my stomach rise and flutter as I flew through the air.
I even landed on my feet. I looked back at the building I had just jumped from, eyes wide.
I yipped and jumped up and down. I really jumped that far! It was really like I could fly! And the feeling of absolutely nothing beneath me, it was fantastic!
I'm surprised… I didn't think you would like this kind of thing.
'Are you kidding me! This was probably the biggest accomplishment of my life… well, besides making a cake that looked like a Volks Wagon beetle... it was so exciting and something I would never think of doing normally!' I thought.
Well, let's run back and cool off.
'We have to run some more!' I yelped.
Think you can handle it, kitten? Squall smirked.
I took off running. I leapt back to the other building, jumped down onto the fire escape, ran down the stairs, jumped onto the dumpster and back onto the crate. I then took off out of the alley and down the street. When I made it inside the park, I really didn't know where I was going but I figured if I kept running I'd get to the clearing eventually.
I kept running and running when suddenly there was a loud bang and I bumped into something.
I fell back and banged my head on something as well.
I when I stopped seeing stars I looked around.
I was… in a cage?
"Ummmmm… help?" I said quietly, not really sure what to do.
Maybe I should just wait for Squall, he'll come and get me… I hope.
"So I finally caught a big one, huh?" A gruff voice said behind me.
I turned to see a large man standing next to the cage.
"Excuse me! I'm pretty sure this is illegal! This is a park! People walk around here! You can't just set up traps that people can walk in! You could have given me a concussion!" I yelled angrily.
"Well, that's fine. Because once I reveal you to everyone, people will be paying me to catch your kind." He sneered.
"Sir, are you off your rocker! What are you talking about! If you need to go through this much trouble to catch a blonde, then maybe you should go for another type." I said acting oblivious.
"Wait, let me get a good look at you." The man said.
"Ew! You perv! Get me the fuck out of here! I'm going to talk to the police about this! This is illegal! You can't catch humans! You can catch bunnies and squirrels and shit but not people!" I screamed in anger.
"Shut up! You're not what I'm looking for. I thought those spikes on your head were dog ears."
"Are you out of your fucking mind man! Why the fuck would I have dog-ears on my head! I'm seriously about to flip a shit! Let me out!" I yelled.
The man took out a key and unlocked the cage. He lifted it and I stomped out.
"You are so not getting away with this. How many traps did you put down? I want them all out of here! I've seen parents take their kids out here to see the wildlife! You could kill someone! I saw one of those bear traps take out a rabbit! The police will find out about this!" I yelled, hopefully it will scare him into taking out all the traps.
"Quit your yapping! I got you out, I don't see what the problem is." The man said.
"The problem is I don't want to get caught in your traps when I come out here! And what about the other civilians! Just go! Go put away all your traps!" I shooed.
"You're gonna keep quiet about this." The man said in a threatening tone.
"Sure I am…" I said sarcastically.
"I'll say it again… you're going to keep quiet about this!" he pushed me against a tree and put a knife to my neck.
"O-okay man! What the hell, dude?" I said pushing myself as far away from the knife as I could.
The man put the knife down and walked away. When he was completely gone I slumped against the tree and sighed.
'That scared the shit out of me…' I thought to myself.
Suddenly Squall came running towards me with a very angry look on his face.
"Are you fucking stupid? What were you thinking! I told you to be careful! It's dangerous!" Squall roared.
I was leaning back against the tree, trying to distance his furious face from my terrified one. I had definitely never seen Squall lose his cool before.
"You could have gotten yourself killed! That man is not to be trifled with! The guy had a knife to your neck! He was this close Cloud! This close!" Squall snarled at me, his thumb and index finger pinching a very small space.
'I-I'm s-sorry! I was hoping I could scare him into taking out the traps. I… I thought if I threatened him he would back off…' I whimpered.
Squall gave me one last glare before huffing and turning away from me. "You stink… that guy's scent is all over you…"
"I'm sorry…" I said softly.
Follow… at my side. Do not stray from me. Squall demanded.
I got up slowly and walked next to him with my head down.
I need you to be more responsible… you're supposed to help us out of traps, not the other way around.
I nodded looking at my feet.
We walked for maybe forty-five minutes before we stopped.
The fist thing I noticed was the sound of water. I looked up to see a decent sized lake.
'I had no idea there was a lake here…' I thought in amazement.
No one ever goes this far in. I happen to know all the right short cuts… without them, it's maybe a four hour walk to get here.
I nodded.
Get in.
'What?' I asked.
He pushed me in.
I told you, you smell… I don't want the others to have to deal with that stench.
'W-well, my clothes are all wet now! If I keep them on, I might get sick!' I yelped.
I'll get Zack's clothes… they might be a little big, but they'll work.
'The water is cold!' I whined.
Squall was gone.
I sighed. I would really like to have a proper shower… with soap preferably… but I guess this is all I can get. I took off my shirt and other pieces of clothing and hung them on a tree branch to dry.
After that was done I quickly ran back into the lake. The water really was cold!
I sighed again and tried to relax in the frigid water. If my parents could see me now… I wonder what they would say… I mean, here I was, naked in a lake, living for five days with seven wolf people… six of which are male and at least a little attractive, learning to make noises like growls and grunts and hopping buildings. They'd probably think I was on crack or something…
I shivered a little and thought about what happened today… I guess I really was being irresponsible… I didn't even think about the traps and one of them could have easily hurt me… or worse.
'But I was only trying to help… he didn't have to yell at me… he was really mad... and scary as hell… then again, it really was all for my safety. I guess you could say it was Squall being kind in a very roundabout way.'
Well, it's not like you have to have a mate… and you can find someone else… but Squall is a really great choice. He's strong, he's handsome, and he's kind!
Maybe Squall would be a good mate… though he was kind of mean on the outside, he really was kind… kind of like a fresh baked cookie, tougher around the edges but soft in the middle. So if we did choose each other, I don't think I would be unhappy… I mean… my time with Squall had its rough patches but he always came through for me… and in the end of it all…
I was always smiling…
I thought it over and dunked my head under the water in an attempt to get used to the water temperature.
When I came up, I wiped the hair from my face. Still cold…
But now you don't smell. Squall's voice said.
I almost jumped out of my skin. I turned to see Squall in the water.
I blushed and swam away from him. 'Why are you in here?' I asked.
I was dirty… why else would I bathe?
I mentally smacked myself… I was being stupid. Just because there is a very attractive, naked, muscular man very close to your very naked body, doesn't mean anything…
Wait! I can't believe I just thought that! Ah! He's coming closer, swim away! I thought to myself as I swam a little further into the lake.
You're going to have to remember that I can read your thoughts…and I'm not stupid, your face is redder than a maple leaf.
Shit! I submerged under water again and swam even further away from Squall… that was mortifying! I liked it better when my thoughts were mine alone…
It's only for four more days… Squall reminded in a teasing voice.
'That doesn't change the fact that you just listened in on my private thoughts…' I trailed off.
Cloud, even if I couldn't read your thoughts… I can read the signs. You're face is red, your heart is beating faster, I can even smell the pheromones.
Well that sucks…
I wouldn't worry… we're not like you humans. We choose one person… only one. And I won't choose you.
'W-well why not!' I asked, offended.
You're a human.
'What's wrong with that! You're kind of human too!" I said.
No I am not… don't ever say that again… I'm nothing like you.
"Well f-fine! I-I wouldn't want to be your mate anyway!" I yelled getting out and putting on Zack's clothes. When I was done, I walked away from the lake. This time I was very cautious of traps.
Why did I feel so disappointed and hurt by all of this? Thanks Kairi for putting the idea in my head.
It's just my luck… only when I start entertaining those thoughts and liking them do I get turned down…
Well, I didn't need a mate anyway… but…
I really liked the idea of being together though thick and thin… and running to paradise…
Fuck! I am being such a girl! I don't need anyone! I like being a lone wolf…
You look cute in my clothes kitten… A voice said.
I turned to Zack and put on a smile. 'Thanks for letting me borrow them.'
You smell upset… wanna tell me what's up?
'The sky…' I answered.
Where's Squall?
'Bathing.' I said.
Ooo, do I hear a little anger in that tone? Yes I do! Tell me what he did…
'Nothing…' I said.
You really shouldn't keep secrets. We're a pack now! You can tell me anything and I can tell you anything. How about you tell me what happened, and I'll tell you what me and Xiggy did a minute ago.
'That's okay… you don't have to do that. I was just being stupid…' I thought.
Why do you say that?
'Well, I was thinking about my conversation with the kids yesterday.' I said.
What was that?
'Well, we were talking about packs and mates… and Kairi said something about how I should choose Squall… and of course I thought about it… I really thought about it seriously… and I really liked the thought… I want to be able to depend on someone, and have them look to me for support. I like the idea of complete devotion… no betrayal… and I want to be able to run to paradise too when we pass on… I'm really being stupid about this. I was really foolish to like the idea of Squall and I…' I rambled.
What did he say to you? Zack asked starting to understand the situation.
'He said he wouldn't choose me because I'm human… it was like he was gagging in disgust at the idea… It hurt me a little…' I said.
That was really mean of him… I don't really think he means it. Don't worry a hair on your pretty head! We're gonna fix this!
'Huh?'
Operation: Pull the stick out of Squall's ass has now begun!
'O-okay…' I said and followed him back to the clearing.
A/N: How can you not love Zack… he's such a precious character.