The Pack

Disclaimer:

Me: Square-Enix, you know you want to give me all of your characters! You really like my homoerotica! You love it!

Square-Enix: Seriously, you crazy bitch, YOU. OWN. NOTHING!

Me: EXCEPT FOR THE PLOT! :D

DooomWolf, this is only to get the ball rolling. But here is a new chapter and more will come this week. I PROMISE! So don't be sad/mad/anything that is bad.

I really appreciate all of you guys for being patient.

Chapter 27

It's been about a month since my transformation and I've pretty much gotten used to all of the craziness of being Loup Garou. I've learned to modify the strength of my senses and running is a breeze.

The only thing that I still have some trouble doing is eating raw animal… dead, raw animal. The first time I tried I literally cried before regurgitating all that I had eaten. And then I cried even more because I knew it was completely disrespectful of me to waste a used-to-be living soul like that.

Why would I kill it if I couldn't eat it?

And it's not like it tastes bad, but the human part of me just feels so disgusted. So when I eat dead animal I have to close my eyes and Squall usually distracts me with mind conversation.

Squall has been the BEST mate ever… he's done nothing but support me through all of these changes and I was actually really surprised by the amount of patience he had… usually he's such a hothead.

You'd think by now you'd understand that I read your thoughts almost all the time… you're almost always in my head. And now I can't blame it on you being a dumb human.

'I resent that remark! And anyway, it's not like you being a hothead is a big secret. It's one of the many qualities that make you, you and I love you for it.' I thought.

Nice save.

'Thanks.' I yipped.

Another really great thing that's happened now that I'm a Loup Garou is that I can easily juggle school/work, parents, and home. I go to school or work and go to parents in the afternoon where we have dinner and talk like any normal family and then I leave to go home to Squall and the rest of the pack.

Homework isn't a problem because I can usually finish it in study hall and what I can't I do before going home to the clearing.

I actually told Naminé and Tidus about my transformation. They actually didn't believe me at first but that's only because I don't have ears or a tail in human form. But when our shifts were over and I stood in the kitchen in wolf form they definitely believed me.

And I have to say, as much as I would have liked having a pair of adorable ears, it would have been very hard to explain to my parents, let alone the obnoxious kids at school.

Not that leaving every night to go to some boyfriend's house is easy to explain to your parents either. They were concerned that I night be doing something dangerous or illegal.

"Mom, Dad, I hope you guys can trust me when I say that I have not done or will ever do something illegal deliberately. I'm a good kid and I have way too many responsibilities to uphold… I can't just throw my life away like that. I have too much to lose. The only reason I go back to Squall is because I love him and I really love sleeping next to him, just like you like sleeping next to Mom. Also, Zell's there." I explained.

"Zell?" My mother inquired.

"He's our puppy. We rescued him and now he's part of the family. And I love him SO much!" I squeaked not realizing that just thinking about Zell's cuteness made me want to run to the clearing just so I could smother him in kisses. And when I thought about my other kids waiting for me back home I couldn't help but feel the need to go see them and drown them in love.

My mother smiled and my dad gave me a serious look. "Now your mother and I have seen this guy once and he didn't look like a teen to me… Are you having sex with him? You're only sixteen, son… and I can't say I like the thought of someone older than you taking advantage."

I smiled at my dad, if it were anyone else I would have gotten angry at such an accusation, but he was worried that I might get hurt. He was looking out for me and that's really all I ever wanted from my parents, for them to care. "Believe it or not dad, but he really is only sixteen. It's his circumstances that make him look a lot older… but I totally understand where you're coming from… he looks at least 19 or 20. And about the sex thing… yeah, I've slept with him but it's only because we love each other and are completely committed to each other. I really wish this stuff was something I could explain fully to you but please trust me when I say that he will never hurt me." I rambled nervously.

"I believe you Cloud… and we're not stupid, there's something going on with you and that boyfriend that you can't tell us… but as long as you're safe and you're happy, your father and I will support you, right?" My mom nudged her husband and my dad laughed.

"Yes, we support you. And I don't need to be nudged, woman!" Dad grumbled.

I smile and pulled them both into a hug. "I really love you guys." I said.

"We love you too." They replied.

-The Pack-

I unlocked the doors of The Bakery with a yawn and moved to get everything set up. I smiled as Zell trailed behind Squall liked a baby duckling following its mama.

You know Cloud, I'm starting to think you do this on purpose. I am no mama duck and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't refer to me as one.

'C'mon Squall, don't be such a hard-ass. You know you secretly love the fact that your son thinks you're a god. You wanted to impress him, that's why you took him to observe our hunt in the first place.' I thought with a raised eyebrow and I yipped slightly when I felt his cheeks heat up on my own face.

I watched as Squall looked down to Zell who immediately lit up and I laughed when I saw his tail wagging through his clothes. Squall patted him on the head and Zell leaned into the touch. With one last glance at my mate and his new number one fan, I moved into the kitchen to get started on the breads.

After placing the breads in the oven, I grabbed the bagels and left the kitchen to see Tidus entering the shop.

"Tidus! You'll never guess what I saw today!" Zell exclaimed as he ran over to the large blond, jumping up and down excitedly.

"What did you see, Zell?" Tidus asked and moved behind the counter to get the cleaning supplies for the tables.

"Mommy and Daddy went on a hunt today and I got to watch! Momma found the tracks and they managed to find this HUGE stag! It was gigantic! They literally chased it through the trees and whenever it almost got a way, they would block it off until it was finally cornered! But it wasn't gonna go down without a fight! I thought for sure it was gonna hurt someone with those enormous horns. But Mom and Dad were too quick! Mommy slid right under it and bit down on the front leg while Dad, in that spit second when the stag lifted its head to yell in pain, lunged for the throat and finished it. It was AMAZING! The pack ate so well today we probably wont have to eat for a whole month!" Zell cried out in the peak of his excitement.

I smiled at my son. It made me so happy that he had so much more pride in who he was. I was glad we could all be so proud of being Loup Garou.

"That's awesome, kiddo!" Tidus said and I frowned. What was with his tone of voice?

"When I grow up, I want to be just like Mommy and Daddy and you can watch me hunt! It'll be awesome!" Zell said with the biggest beam on his face and he grabbed hold of Tidus' pant leg.

"Yeah, totally!" Tidus said and moved to go wash the tables. I felt my anger flare a little at Tidus' attitude towards my son. There was no need to be falsely interested in what he had to say.

I heard my mate growl softly when my son's face suddenly drooped and the brightness in his eyes became the result of unshed tears instead of excitement. He whined and walked over to me and buried his face in my apron.

I growled, loud enough for Tidus to hear. "Look Tidus, I get it that you don't like kids. But don't talk to my son like that! He's not stupid, he can tell when you're being sarcastic. You basically just lied to his face. I'd rather you be completely honest then to try and trick him." I said and picked up my son and held him close when he whimpered.

Tidus doesn't like me! I can smell it on him! What did I do? I could feel Squall's anger start to boil in the pit of my own stomach.

"Sorry, kid." He said and Zell wiped his eyes before glaring at Tidus.

"No, you're not. I can smell lies…" Zell mumbled before squirming out of my arms to go over to Squall who ran a hand through Zell's hair before he climbed into the chair. Zell smiled at him and I relaxed a little knowing that Zell was okay.

I sent Tidus a glare before moving to take the breads out the oven and working on snicker doodles. I was about fifteen minutes into making the cookies when Tidus entered the kitchen.

I gave him a weird look. "You know I don't let you do much cooking in here." I said.

"I know… It's just that you're boyfriend keeps glaring a me and though I don't want to admit it, it's pretty scary." Tidus said.

"You know he can hear you loud and clear even in this room…" I said and Tidus shivered a little before deciding to speak. "It's not like I don't like your kid… it's every kid. I've never liked them. They have too much energy and they're grabby! They have no sense of personal space and they don't know what germs are so they get sticky and gross and just… they are too much to deal with!" Tidus said and I gave him a deadpan look.

"Seriously Tidus? That's your reason for disliking my kid? I can see the energy thing but he's never been sticky or gross. And yes, he gets in your space but only because he wants your attention. Zell just wants you to like him, he obviously thinks you are likable enough… which is completely weird." I said.

"Hey! I'm likable! You said I had charm!" Tidus glared.

"That was before you bullied my son." I said and turned my nose up at him playfully.

"It's not like I was trying to hurt his feelings, I was trying to treat him better than I treat other kids. Other kids I don't even bother to notice them! I was trying to at least pretend to be nice but it backfired!" Tidus sighed.

"Zell isn't a normal kid, he's Loup Garou. He probably knows about how and what you feel more than you do. We're sharp like that." I said with a puff of pride.

"Who's sharp? And I have to say, Zell and Squall must be listening in because they are quite focused on the kitchen door. Zell's ears were twitching under his hat." Naminé said and I frowned.

I walked out of the kitchen and moved over to Zell. 'What did we say about your ears, babe?' I asked in my head.

Zell gave me a guilty look. Not to make them noticeable.

'Honey, you can't move your ears while you are in public. Not even an inch, it's really dangerous. If someone sees they could discover you and take you away. Do you want to be taken away?' I asked looking him dead in the eyes so he could see how serious I was being.

He shook his head and bit his lip. I don't want to be taken away from my family. His eyes started to water and I sighed. I must have scared him a little with that thought.

'Well, all you have to do is keep your ears still. It's as simple as that so don't cry. Don't you want to be as brave as Daddy? Your father isn't crying at all. Not one tear!' I thought to him and Zell immediately cheered up.

"Yeah! Dad's not afraid of anything!" Zell said and I laughed when Squall pulled his son into a hug and kissed his head.

It was such a shock to Zell that he yelped before turning to look at Squall with surprise on his face. When he finally registered what had happened, he pounced and Squall actually let out a laugh when he caught the volatile ball of energy that was our son.

"We're going to need to fix those pouncing skills of yours when you turn two." Squall said and Zell snuggled closer into his father's chest. I smiled at the two of them.

'I like you best when you're like this.' I thought to him before moving to go back to work.

I thought you liked me best when you're writhing beneath me. Squall's voice resounded in my ears before he sent me an image of me arching underneath his body in pleasure. My face turned beet red and I growled at him.

'I don't like you like that. I can't stand it, you never do anything embarrassing that I can send back to you in retaliation!' I thought back to him before blocking him from my mind and moving into the kitchen to cook some more.

"Are you okay Cloud? You look really flushed." Naminé mentioned and I smiled.

"My boyfriend's just being a dirty old dog." I said knowing that Squall could hear me from the front.

Squall's POV

I chuckled inwardly at my mate. He was so easy to rattle and I had all the right tricks up my sleeve to do it.

I looked down to my son who was watching the customers order their food. I could feel his tail wag slightly in my lap when Tidus smiled at the customer and wished him a nice day. I nudged Zell and he turned to me. Why do you even bother with that guy? He's not worth it to me. Someone who can't appreciate who you are shouldn't be graced with your presence or your time. I thought to him.

He's really loyal towards Mom and Naminé, and there's something about the way he moves… it's like he's got something he doesn't like letting go of. Sometimes, if I wait long enough, there's a split second when he finally let's go and I can feel… I'm not sure what exactly I feel but it's kind of like when I feel the need to just run and never look back… the desire to be free. I want him to be able to feel free… no one should ever feel trapped.

I wasn't sure how to respond to that kind of response. Zell was really a lot sharper and more observant than I fist believed. And he was growing in a way that I didn't think would happen until later in life.

He was learning to cultivate his wolf pride. His awareness of the world around him… of the scents, the sights, and the flow of emotion was growing. He was learning to look deeper than the surface of things. He was searching for the cause of things along with how they work. It made me proud to think that my son could understand so much, so early.

I guess that's a sufficient reason to try and learn to understand a person like him. I waited and watched with Zell for a few minutes when I felt it too. In that short moment, there was a spark of passion and desire for liberation.

Did you feel it? Zell asked.

I grunted and let out a sigh before resting my eyes. Still listening to the sounds around me. Occasionally checking back to the forest to make sure everything was fine over there.

There was something else I was feeling.

The future certainly wasn't something I could predict… but I was sure, something was going to happen. I couldn't say whether it was good or bad. But I could feel something coming… soon.

A/N: Okay now that I gave you a rather useless filler after all this time… I know, feel free to call me a useless piece of shit. But now I know where I'm going with this and I'll write the last few chapters. (You're probably thinking: LAST FEW CHAPTERS! There's going to be maybe ten or so more chapters in a sequel that involves Roxas/Axel and Tidus/Zell) I know the second pairing is most odd but I liked the idea after a while of thinking about it. So anyway, don't fret more will be coming soon.