The Pack

Disclaimer: Nada… but the plot is mine.

Chapter 13

Squall immediately looked to Zack when we entered the clearing.

Zack, I need you to follow that strange man in the forest. I need you to make sure that he's removing all of those traps.

Got it. Are you okay Cloud? We all freaked out when we heard your screams. Zack's voice sounded.

I nodded with a smile. 'I was trying to get the guy to go away. It worked.' I thought.

Zack nodded and moved out of the clearing.

Ewww… this guy smells rancid! Do I really have to scout this guy? Zack's voice again.

I laughed and Squall grunted. Yes. Please go.

Xemnas walked over to us. As much as I would love to think that you really scared him off Cloud, I can't help but feel that he gave in too soon. He's more persistent than that.

I frowned.

Found him. Zack's voice returned.

'So what's the guy doing?' I wondered.

He's picking up all of the small traps. The big one's haven't been touched.

I bit my lip. 'Any idea on why he's leaving them.'

Wait… he's talking to himself… he said… 'That kid said it was the second time he'd gotten stuck in a trap. I was there both times… so… who was stuck in my large cage, and who broke the cage to get him or her out?'

'Shit… I'm so stupid. I didn't think he would really analyze what I said.' I slumped.

It's alright Cloud. I don't think you're a suspect. The only problem is that he has evidence to believe that other people are in the forest.

'But I still made it worse…' I trailed.

That's not true. He's picking up the smaller traps, which means we can run easier now. And we don't have to fret so much over the kids wandering off. Squall noted.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Riku added.

I smiled a little. 'Thanks.' I thought before slumping to the ground.

The midnight blue wolf sniffed my face before giving it a lick. Thank you, Cloud.

I smiled before petting the sides of the wolf's face. He nuzzled his face in my hand.

Can I check on this guy later then? HE STINKS! Zack yelled.

You may come back. Was Xamnas' command.

Thank you! Zack yipped.

It took maybe five minutes for Zack to get back to the clearing.

Zack why do you smell like that? Xigbar asked.

I couldn't get the smell away so I tried rolling around in the dirt and rubbing myself on trees.

Xigbar yipped and nuzzled the side of the dark brown wolf's face.

I smiled.

"So… now that we're off the subject of that creepy guy… I have to say, you two can be pretty darn loud when you're doin' it. I mean, I think we could all hear it loud and clear!" Zack laughed as he began to put on some clothes.

I blushed. "I'm sorry! I didn't know you could hear it! I didn't mean to disturb you! I'm sorry!" I babbled in embarrassment.

"I'm just kidding… we didn't hear anything. But you sure don't hide it." Zack said.

"Hide what?" I asked confused.

"Your 'I just got eaten pheromones.'" Zack yipped.

Xigbar bonked Zack on the head and moved to retrieve his clothes. "Don't listen to that idiot. He likes to tease." Xigbar said.

"Oh… but how did he know about…" I trailed off.

Well, you are giving off pheromones. But that's not your fault and they're not a problem. Zack was just teasing you. Riku voice sounded.

"Do you guys give off pheromones?" I asked.

"Well yeah… but there's a way to suppress them. They can be pretty overbearing sometimes." Axel suddenly piped in.

"Are mine too strong? I'm sorry! Can I suppress them too?" I asked feeling guilty.

Alright, that's enough. Leave my mate alone. Squall growled.

We're not accusing you or finding fault with you Cloud. Emitting pheromones is one of your body's many natural functions. Sometimes, a mate doesn't like it when everyone else can smell them because they're like raw emotions flowing from your body. They can make you vulnerable and that can sometimes lead to conflict. I apologize if we made you feel attacked or victimized. Riku explained.

I nodded, looking to the ground. I couldn't help but feel very exposed and embarrassed.

"Zack, I think you went too far this time." Xigbar said in a stern tone.

Zack whimpered and his ears when flat on his head. "Kitten? I didn't mean to make you upset. Sometimes I say things without thinking. I'm really sorry… please don't be sad."

I took a breath and smiled. "No, I'm sorry. I was being too sensitive. If I was making it obvious, then I should have been prepared for when the subject came up." I said.

"B-but it wasn't your fault! You didn't know! You weren't being too sensitive, I was being inconsiderate. I exposed your private life without thinking about your feelings. Here, bonk me on the head!" Zack said and moved his head closer, face wincing in the anticipation of contact.

"I'm not going to hit you." I said and rubbed his ears a little. "Can we just leave that subject alone for now?" I asked.

Zack nodded and wrapped his arms around me. "I LOVE YOU CLOUD!" He yelled.

I giggled. "Love you to Zack."

Zack scooted away when Squall and Xigbar growled.

"We don't love each other like that! Come on!" Zack and I yelled together.

The others snickered at our antics.

"You guys are great! Don't you think so Zex?" Demyx said with a smile.

The quiet wolf simply nodded before relaxing again. Xion yipped. He's a little anti-social. She said.

I turned to see a bluish-silver wolf sitting next to one of almost the same color.

Her eyes were the deepest cerulean I had ever seen.

'You're eyes are beautiful…' I thought.

Thank you. She nodded.

I blushed. 'I forgot you guys could read my thoughts again.'

It's fine. But have you really looked at Zexion's? They are much more interesting. She said.

I got up and moved closer. Zexion lifted his head and opened his eyes.

They were the same but… the color faded to gold as it got closer to the pupil.

"Whoa…" I said. "I've ever seen something like that before. I wish I had a fancy eye color."

But you do. Xion said.

"Nah, mine's just regular blue."

No, you're eyes resemble the sky most brilliantly. Her voice again.

'I'll take your word for it.' I said.

You shouldn't have to. You'll understand one day. Xion's voice rang in my head.

I nodded with a puzzled look. I turned when I felt a tug on my shirt.

I turned to see Zell tugging on my shirt. 'What's wrong?' I wondered.

Squall growled and stood. He's used to being fed everyday. He doesn't know restraint.

'Well, how do we teach him restraint?' I wondered.

Don't feed him. Squall said.

'WHAT?' I yelped.

Don't feed him.

"What kind of care taker would I be if I deprived a hungry child of food?" I asked.

Zell seemed to sense the negative energy between us and backed away slowly.

This is why I'll never understand humans! He's Loup Garou! He won't starve to death even if he didn't eat for a week! He doesn't need to eat everyday! Squall growled.

I growled. "This is different Squall! He's been conditioned to feel hungry every day. It has to be a gradual change otherwise you'll hurt him! It's you who doesn't understand!" I yelled out loud.

I won't have it! I won't have him acting like a pampered dog in a wolf pack! If he doesn't change then I wont have him! Squall growled deeper.

"Excuse me! But who gave you the right to deny people into your pack. The last time I checked, Xemnas was Alpha!" I yelled.

Squall snarled at me. And who gave you the right to scream and defy me? He said bearing his teeth at me.

Zell whined and scooted closer to Squall with his head down.

Squall snarled and snapped at Zell. My eyes widened at the murderous look in Squall's eyes.

Zell yelped and ran from the clearing whining with fear.

My eyes started water. "You… you monster!" I yelped before running after Zell.

When I was a far distance from the clearing I looked around. "Zell!" I yelled.

I ran around yelling his name, listening for a sound, anything.

That's when I noticed small little footprints in the dirt. I kneeled down and touched them.

They weren't very fresh. But I took my chances in following them. When I saw the four trees of the sacred spot I walked over to it.

And there he was, curled into a little ball, trembling with fear.

"Z-zell…" I trailed off.

He lifted his head and whimpered at me. I let out a sob. "I'm s-so sorry."

Zell howled and I slid to the forest floor in tears. "I-I'm s-s-so s-sorry…" I sobbed.

Zell crawled over to me and we cried together. "I c-can't feed you… but I-I'm n-not neglecting y-you… o-okay?" I said through my sobs.

Zell whimpered and I scooped him up and held him to me. Zell nuzzled into my chest.

'I only wanted what was best for you Zell… but… it seems that I don't really know what's best for you… I'm… I'm not Loup Garou…' I thought with a sharp pang in my chest.

I placed Zell back down and gave him a kiss on the head. "Zell, go back to the clearing." I said.

Zell tilted his head in confusion.

"Zell, go back to the clearing and stay with Riku. Don't forget to watch out for traps okay?" I said again.

Zell whined and snuggled next to me.

"No Zell, go back. You need to stay with your own kind. I love you but you need to go back and learn what it means to be Loup Garou. Go back and be proud of what you are okay? Go… Go Zell." I said and pushed him along.

Zell whimpered before walking back to the clearing.

I sighed and let a few more tears fall before I wiped them away and walked towards my house.

I just need to go back to what's familiar. And only for a little while… then I'll go back and see if they still want me. If they don't then I'll just accept things for what they are and return to my normal life.

I bit lip as I walked in an attempt to stop the rush of hurt that kept crashing at my heart like a wave in a tempest.

I walked up to the front door and took out my key from by back pocket. I opened the door and walked inside.

"Honey, is that you? What did the police say? Will they start searching for Clo-" My mother paused in surprise.

I nodded at her and started towards my room.

She caught my hand. "Where the hell were you? I thought you were dead or something!" She yelled.

"Nowhere, I was nowhere…" I said quietly.

"Cloud Strife you will tell me the truth right now!" She yelled.

"NOWHERE! GOD! I WASN'T ANYWHERE! I JUST WANT TO GO TO SLEEP! P-PLEASE!" I screamed before falling to the floor in despair.

"Cloud…" she trailed off.

"P-please let me go to my room…" I said.

She let go of my hand and I stood slowly before entering my room and closing the door.

I moved to my bed… I was so tired. I laid down and closed my eyes.

I was cold and uncomfortable.

I pulled the blanket from my bed and wrapped it around me. I then got up and laid down on the carpeted floor.

I closed my eyes. I imagined the carpet was the soft grass by the lake and the blanket around me was actually Squall's warm body. I drifted off to sleep.

I stirred when I felt a hand combing through my hair. "Squall…" I mumbled before drifting again.

"Cloud…" his voice. "Wake up."

I opened my eyes to see Squall sitting next to me on the floor of my room.

"Squall!" I jumped in surprise and in fear.

Squall whimpered. "C-Cloud… I-I'm s-so sorry. I…" He whined.

I looked at Squall. His ears were flat on his head and his body was close to the floor in a subordinate pose.

And then I really looked at him.

He had cuts and bruises everywhere and a large open gash on his forehead and face. He was shaking as if his muscles could barely hold him up.

"Wh-what h-happened to you?" I asked now extremely upset.

"I was punished for hurting you." He managed to get out smoothly.

"I didn't want this! I d-didn't want you to get hurt!" I cried.

"P-please… please don't cry." He whimpered and moved closer.

"S-squall… I don't want to leave your pack! I d-don't want to stop being your mate." I said.

"B-but I snarled at you and I hurt Zell! I was so angry for no reason! I promised I wouldn't hurt you! I'm a monster!" his muscles collapsed and he fell to the floor.

"NO! I didn't mean that! I love you more than anything and I want you be with you forever and solve any obstacle with you! Don't make me leave you and Zell and Sora and Kairi and everyone else! I c-can't… I love guys so much…" I whimpered.

Squall pulled himself up and he wrapped his arms around me. He let out a series of whines.

He was crying.

I combed my fingers through his hair as he whined.

I held him tightly before focusing on Squall. I gasped when the pain he was feeling transferred to my body.

"Cloud. Stop. Don't do that." He said before nuzzling his face in my neck.

I could see that some his bruises were gone and the gash on his forehead had scarred.

But now I had a headache and my legs felt weak.

Squall pulled away from me and planted kisses on my face.

"Can we go back home now?" I asked.

Squall smiled and stood. "If I ever get out of line like that again. Smack me in the nose before I do anything stupid okay?" he said.

I tried to stand but fell back down. "Got it." I said.

Squall lifted me up and into his arms. "I love you." He said.

I smiled and licked his cheek.

Squall cheeks turned pink and I laughed. "Are you blushing?" I asked.

"No. Wolves don't blush…" he said quickly.

I sighed and snuggled into his shirt. "Is Zell okay?" I asked.

Squall frowned. "He's still afraid of me."

"By the way, how did you get in here?" I asked.

The window.

'Oh…' I thought before he placed me on the bed and opened the window again.

He scooped me back up, we left the house and we were on our way home again.

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