A Son of Wolves

Chapter 13: Counter Strike

Leo found it somewhat amusing, yet...interesting, that everything he grew up learning about wolves was nearly wrong. Sure they all had their hierarchy and pack leader, but it was so much more complicated then that. The moonlight howl, log sledding, healing, it's not what he learnt about wolves, they couldn't do those things in the documentaries, yet he was proved wrong when he saw it all happen due to being a part of the pack. It was like he had entered a whole new world, one where wolves were like humans, just less evolved in terms of physical appearance. But Sahara found it just as interesting while studying Leo and his behavior and life as a human. Hence why she was unable to resist going with them when she heard that Leo was meeting with some of his human pack mates later on the next day. Only she, Leo and his family knew about it, nobody else did. News of humans in the pack wouldn't go down well. As much as Winston, Eve and Leo's parents were against the idea, he had to see them, they were his friends and the only ones who helped him grow up. So it was allowed, if… they didn't come out the rock plain they were to meet in and came no further into the Valley, Winston forbade it to happen and would have to punish Leo and the humans for disobeying him. As much as Leo was family and a part of the pack, there was still a fine line that Leo could so easily cross.

So as parents, and seeing how desperate those other humans wanted to their son away, they went with him. And Sahara only went with them to see the funny humans and learn more about them. Other then Leo, these would have been the only humans she came so close to, if they even came. Only the four wolves went, no-one else knew other then their family. Sahara was starting to get worked up, getting excited yet nervous about this. But the nervousness was what made her excited. So to calm herself, when they arrived at the meeting point, she lay on her back on a rock that had heated up in the suns light. Basking in the sun filled her with relaxation. Humphrey, Kate and Leo sat around, but soon it became too much boredom for Humphrey. So he started poking Leo gently, and he returned it. Slowly the pokes became shoves, light punches, to the point where Humphrey tackled Leo over and off the large flat rock they were laid on. Kate tensed when she saw them fall off, but laughed it off when she saw them rolling away laughing also.

This area was full of rocks, boulders, large flat rocks to bask on and a large space that didn't have any of that on. It was nothing but short grass, perfect for games and running around in. They started running around in a two player game of tag, Kate shuffling onto her side and enjoying the warm day's sun on her fur while it was nice before the cold night's air came. She enjoyed it while it lasted; she was in the perfect place, and witnessing another one of her dreams. Watching her pup playing with her mate. Sahara smiled as she lay upside down; loving the feeling of the sun on her belly and hearing them have fun.

But suddenly, Kate was picked up, causing her to scream, but then laugh when she found she was in Leo's arms. She recalled the times when Leo was too young to walk far, so she and Humphrey carried him, but now it was the other way around. He spun her around, her tail and back legs spinning out wildly behind her while they laughed. He fell back onto his back, taking her with him to standing over his chest. Humphrey came flying over, tackling his mate off his son and tickling her. Even with her Alpha strength she couldn't fight him off with the laughter going through her. Leo then came over as well, jumping over the pair of them and taking his father in his arms as he did and pulling him off her. This turned into a play fight. All of them pushed, tackled and batted each other lightly as not to hurt one another as they tumbled around. Another of the parent's dreams, playing with their pups some day. They laughed and screamed in happiness. But as Humphrey stood over Kate who was on her back and Leo lay by her side, all three panting away. It was all stopped when they all heard a twig snap to their left, including Sahara who rolled onto her side to see.

Rick, Ciara and Caitlyn stood, all in awe at the sight before them. At first when they saw it, they thought he was being attacked. But then they saw and heard him laughing and the playful whimpers coming from the wolves with their tails wagging, all too busy having fun to notice them approaching until they were right there. "Hey guys." Leo said as he stood up. But as he did, Kate once more started showing her affection and protection over Leo by standing closer and grinding her side against him. He pushed her away a little with his leg. "Stop it." He chuckled.

"I'm not letting them take you away." She protested.

"They're not going to, and I wouldn't away." He chuckled as he approached. He walked up to them and embraced them all one by one. "How have you guys been?" He asked as he pulled away from Ciara.

"Better now we know you're ok." Caitlyn answered. "But we're still worried about you."

"I'm not going to say it again; I'm ok here, really." He chuckled to them. He then turned back to his parents. "Mom…Rick, Caitlyn Ciara…Ciara, Caitlyn, Rick, mom. Dad…Caitlyn, Ciara Rick… Rick, Ciara, Caitlyn Dad." He said as quickly as he could and in one breath. No-one knew what to say, but then Ciara looked further back as Sahara looked on with a smile.

"Who's that?" She asked pointing to her. He looked back and smiled while waving for her to come over. So she did, quickly at that and was by his side in a heart beat, eager to meet the humans. It concerned Kate and Humphrey how much she loved humans and wanted to be around them. It was like she was one in the shell of a wolf, like she was meant to be with them.

"This is Sahara, she really wanted to come and meet you guys. She loved humans."

"Hi." She greeted, but to them it was nothing more then a bark, so Leo translated it for her.

"Does she have feathers growing out her ear?" Rick questioned and leaning around to see it.

"She's the weird one." Humphrey answered, although he knew they wouldn't understand him. "She does that."

"Shut up you." Sahara giggled and shoving him playfully.

"She likes them, so she wears them." Leo answered. It was then that Sahara started to circle them, taking in as much of them as she could and how they looked compared to Leo and one another. She smelt their genders, age, how healthy they were as she did, all by her nose.

"What is she doing?" Caitlyn asked as they all held their hands up a little in case she snapped at them.

"Like I said, she likes humans, she practically is one."

"They' so funny looking, those two look different to you and him." She said pointing to Ciara and Caitlyn.

"They're girls, that's why."

"I thought they smelt different." She said as if she learnt something new.

"She's harmless guys, don't worry about it." Leo chuckled and seeing how aware of her they were. "It's these two you have to look out for." He added as he stepped back to Humphrey and Kate who scowled at them both. "Did you tell anyone anything?"

"No, we didn't." Caitlyn replied as she watched Sahara continue to circle them.

"What is she doing?" Ciara asked still unable to understand.

"Tell her I'm comparing them to you, you all smell and look different." Sahara said as she poked Rick's leg and jumped back a little skittishly as if expecting him to do something. But he didn't, much to her surprise.

"Curious isn't she." Rick said as he smiled down at her.

"She's just learning. It scares everyone how much she likes humans." Leo chuckled. Suddenly, she jumped up at Ciara, who screamed a little and made everyone tense up, even Leo. But she didn't do anything, other then get right up close to her face and stare into her eyes. She saw fear, the sense that she was going to die, but Sahara looked at something far more fascinating them that which she saw clearly in the human's soul. She had different coloured eyes, just like wolves did. Leo's are a cerulean blue much like Humphrey, whereas hers where a deep brown. "Sahara leave them alone." Leo said as he turned his back to them and walked towards the rocks.

"Do I have to, this is so much fun." She whined as she looked back at him but remained on her chest.

"They're not used to having wolves jump on them remember, you're going a bit too fast." She saw his point. Although she was that these humans weren't a threat and wouldn't do anything to her, they didn't know that about her. Unlike Leo, they had to understand what they do and sense about other as well as trusting. She hopped down and walked after Leo with Kate and Humphrey right beside him. "Come sit down guys, we don't bite."

"This is a little worrying Wolfie." Rick said as they approached the rocks. "You're talking to wolves."

"Did he call you Wolfie?" Kate asked amused.

"An old nickname." Leo chuckled as he turned to face them again and sitting in the middle of a large flat rock. "Apparently, according to this one..." He continued and shoving Sahara playfully. "When I was younger, like all babies, my imagination was high so therefore it opened my mind wide enough to understand them. After staying here a few years, it kept it open and now that I'm back I still can. I don't know how she knew this and I didn't, but there you go. The nightmares I had brought it all back."

"So, you can really understand them?" Ciara asked making sure she was hearing this right and shuffling over the rock to get closer and more comfy while the other sat still. Kate and Humphrey watched her closely and moving closer to Leo. "What are they saying?"

"That she's getting too closer for my liking." Kate grumbled and making Leo smile and laugh a little.

"Mom says stay back a little more, she doesn't like it."

"So they can understand us?" She asked as she did as warned and moved back.

"Oh defiantly, all animals can, you just need to be open minded to it all to understand them." Kate stared at the humans, but only then to find her subconsciously licking her lips as the scent of meat flooded her nostrils.

"Something on them smells good." She said as she carefully arose to her paws.

"Huh?" Humphrey questioned. She didn't answer, instead she cautiously walked closer, moving back quickly every time they moved, but made her way closer as she scented the air. The humans froze.

"What is it?" Leo asked.

"What's in that thing?" Kate asked nosing the bag opposite Caitlyn, so Leo asked her. She opened it, so Kate stepped back a little and prepared herself, she could pull out a bang stick or one of those sharp and shiny sticks the humans carry on them sometimes. Kate then had an overwhelming desire come over her and she blindly move closer and stuck her head in the bag, therefore casing Caitlyn to reel back out and let her get on with what she was doing. It made her and everyone laugh a little, she was only curious after all. It was a moment later Kate lifted her head back out, with a sliver package in her mouth, a long, tube looking thing in a sliver wrapping. Seeing and smelling it, Humphrey trotted over and copied his mate's actions, also pulling out a similar packet, but a little longer.

"What's that?" Leo asked as Kate dropped it in front of him as she couldn't get it open.

"I don't know, but it smells really good." Kate said as she nudged it closer for him to open.

"We kinda thought it would be nice if you guys had a little something as well." Rick said as Leo removed the packaging, only to find something that made him laugh rather hard.

"A dog treat?!" He exclaimed. Moments after, Humphrey tore his way into the second, to find something similar, only larger. "What the hell was this for?"

"We thought that if we brought something else then they'd leave us alone." Ciara said with an amused smile. "Or as a peace offering from yesterday."

"It smells great." Kate said inhaling it. "Hmm marrow, meat, bones, smells amazing. But how come yours is bigger?" She asked looking down at her mate who had already started trying to break it in half and holding it firmly in his paws.

"I dunna..." He mumbled with it in his mouth.

"You still want it?" Leo asked she nodded her head quickly as Leo began waving it back and froth across her face. He teased her, only beginning to agitate her until the point came she had enough. She jumped on him, therefore knocking him back and grabbing the treat in her mouth. "Remember who the parents is here dear." She giggled as she stepped off and lay next to him to begin feasting on it. Sahara sat to the side, feeling left out, and it was when Ciara noticed her she reached into the bag, pulling out one of Kate's size, opening the packaging and held it out to her. Being now skittish around her again, she jumped to her paws, moving back and forth away from her. It was like she was playing a game with her, both girls found it amusing. She'd edge closer, but then jump back again as if Ciara would reach out for her. Finally, she took it in her jaws and moved away to begin eating it.

"We brought a few, we didn't know if you were bringing anyone else." Caitlyn said a little sheepishly and watching as these "wild animals" didn't pay any attention to them. "But we did bring you something." She added but this time handing the entire bag over. He looked at her puzzled as he took it out her hand and pulled in to him. He opened it and inside were clothes, washing utensils, things he never thought about before. "We thought that if you were staying out here then you should at least have some clothes."

"Plus you stink." Ciara giggled.

"Hey, I took a bath last night!"

"Only because I made you." Kate added after swallowing a good bite. Humphrey wasn't paying much attention to anything, neither was Sahara.

"You guys look like you're enjoying that too much."

"They can have you back if they bring more of these." Humphrey mumbled with his stick in his mouth, gnawing on it with his back teeth.

"Oh thanks." Leo chuckled sarcastically.

"Don't mention it son." Leo turned back to look at the others, only to see them pulling crazed and completely freaked out faces at him. In their eyes, they just witnessed Leo have a crazy conversation with either himself, or genuinely with this other wolf who happened to bark and whine at the same time. Coincidence perhaps?

"What?" He asked.

"We've never seen you so…normal." Rick replied. "It's a great look."

"These guys explained everything and how I was before, everything seems normal to me now I'm here." Leo said. "But god how freaked out I was when I met them. I thought it was some prank show and they were robots or something." He laughed as they then joined them. It was then a howl was sounded, the wolves swallowed what they had and perked their ears to listen in to it, as did Leo, whereas the humans didn't know what to think of it.

"It's dad." Kate answered.

"The hunt's going to start." Leo added. "Oh guys you have to see the hunt." Leo said again more excited.

"What?" Everyone around him exclaimed. Kate, Humphrey and Sahara in shock that he would suggest bring humans closer to the pack, and the humans in awe that he would suggest it.

"No way." Kate snapped and getting to her paws. "We can't bring the humans back. I'm telling you we're not."

"Why not?" Leo questioned. "We can take them to our den and watch over the hunt from the back. It'll be great."

"No Leo." Humphrey ordered in a tone of authority, something no-one really saw due to his Omega nature. But his fathering instincts brought it out of him. All the wolves dropped their snacks to take this subject more seriously.

"We don't even have to go in the Valley dad." Leo said while getting to his feet. "We can go to the back of the den, let them watch and then we'll bring them back here to go home after."

"They'll bring more humans back." Sahara added. "As interesting as it'll be, as alpha's, we can't put the pack at risk."

"They wouldn't." Leo pleaded. "Guys would you bring anyone back with you"? He asked as they too started getting up and throwing their rucksacks over their shoulders.

"We wouldn't, but we don't need to understand them to see that to know we can't go." He said pointing to Kate's authoritative stance; she was putting her foot down. As an Alpha, she wasn't going to put the pack in danger; there was no way, absolutely no chance! Neither was Sahara, and as much as she loved the humans, her Alpha instincts and responsibilities came first. There was no chance!

Kate was stunned, stunned that she backed down that quickly. She stormed at the front, Humphrey just behind her just as disappointed and Leo, Rick, Ciara, Caitlyn and Sahara walking a little way behind them. Sahara walked beside Leo on the right, admiring the group of humans and how they communed and walked. Kate lost the battle, but she was going to be sure to keep an eagle's watch on them and be cautious that no-one saw them or brought them too far into the pack.

They walked the long way around, going up the slope they usually used for log sledding, away from the pack. There was so chance they'd bring them to the pack, their den was as close as they'd get, but she wasn't going to let them in. She as angry at Leo, and Humphrey for giving in before her and saying how it might help him. That is was good he still had friends from his passed. How would she feel if she ran away and wasn't able to see him, Sweets, Janice, Reba, her parents or Lily? It was the same with Leo; they couldn't deny him his friends. But she was enraged that she was bringing them into her home. She growled a little with each step or as a warning to her mate as not to come too close, so he was careful to give himself some distance to turn around and run if need be and she lost her temper. He's seen her when she comes into heat. It's like mood swings during pregnancy. She been all flirtatious and seductive most of the time, but she had her moments when if he didn't "help" her, she she's be aggressive towards him and accusing him that he didn't love her.

They walked the slope, panting and heavily breathing when they reached the top. "Home sweet home." Leo said as he walked towards the back entrance to the den. Kate was quick to run towards the archway and stand there to put her paw down and refusing them to come any closer or go inside. They stepped away from her as she snarled and growled lightly towards them. "Just don't go near the entrance and keep your voice down." He said as he motioned for them to move towards the cliff that over looked the hunting grounds of Valley through a gap in the trees.

The Caribou herd ran across the grounds with several black dots running not far behind them. Looking at this was something they thought they'd never see, it was like something in a nature documentary, it was one hell of a sight to behold. They gasped at the sight, the views, the mountain ranges in the background, the hunt; the entire picture was just amazing. While they watched, Leo walked inside and put the bag containing his clothing inside the den and then walked back out. Humphrey sat beside Kate and Sahara a little the right of the humans, but not watching the hunt. It was like they hadn't seen this before, she'd seen it too many times, but this was something they hadn't before. So humans had feelings too it seems. Not all are the cold blooded killers that she's seen of them or the only side of.

"It's great isn't it?" Leo said as he stepped back with them.

"It's beautiful." Ciara gasped.

"You live here?" Rick asked.

"And with them." Leo confirmed. But then he took a more saddened approach. There was one part of this place that he didn't like, the one part of this back part of his home he hated to see. "But it won't be here much longer; neither will any of them down there."

"What do you mean"? Caitlyn asked. He motioned for them to follow, so they did, just stepping around Kate but keeping distant from the other wolves. He pointed out over another gap in the trees and over the forest on the other side of the back part of the den. Only a mile away, they could all see smoke, dust and dirt being thrown into the air and the faint sounds of machines. "That's the construction site." Leo pointed out. "Their going to demolish the forest and kill anything inside it, including all of them."

"That's awful." Caitlyn gasped.

"They shot my Aunt, killed many of the pack and have put a cull on them. They were only trying to reclaim it. They have no right to do what they're doing." He said as he started to anger the longer he stared at it.

"Aren't you going to do something?" Ciara asked.

"What can I do?" He scoffed in amusement. "I'm just a kid, crazy enough to live with wolves. I can't do anything."

"You're not alone." Ciara replied and linking her arm around his. "They can't do this; whatever I can do I wanna help."

"And me." Rick said stepping around to Ciara's other side. She let go of Leo and put her arms around both their shoulders. "You're like a brother to us, we stick together."

"You crazy kids." Caitlyn giggled. "You really think you can stop all that?"

"We can try." Leo replied.

The construction site was on break, so workers were resting either outside, or in one of the many cabin like cubicles to pass the time and socialize with one another. They laughed and told one another stories of their life and what troubles they had during the day and machine problems. Some were still working overtime, other just standing around either by themselves or in groups. Oh how construction life was hard, manual labour for seven hours a day, five days a week. But the benefits were good. Good pay, the thrill of doing a pretentiously dangerous job, plus the physical weightlifting that only makes the babes come to you all the more. Or so they thought, most of the workers may have been strong, but it was all covered with fat.

The alarm sounded, indicating break time was over. The workers finished whatever they were drinking or eating and headed back to their stations. One individual was manning a crane for lifting support beams and other heavy objects. He stepped inside after climbing the steps and shut the door behind him and slouching in his seat while he waited for orders. Three half ton support beams were loaded and chained to the end and he was given the command to winch it up. He started the crane, and pulled back the handle to raise the arm, only something else happened.

The crane veered right, out of control or as if a different control was pulled, only he knew it was the right one. It was broken. It swung right, and started dragging the beams with it. Workers had the jump and dive out the way as the operator tried to gain control of it again, but no matter what he pulled, it only made things worse. He pulled another lever, this time causing the arm to rise as well as the beams. They swung around and crashed into what was the start of a home, knocking it down. It started a domino effect. It feel onto it's side, knocking the structure beside it down, then the one next to that, then the one next to that. As the ninth structure fell and the operator pulled the keys out and finally bringing the destructive path of the crane to a stop, it only signified the start. He opened the wiring box, but to find most of them ripped out and swapped so levers do different commands.

Suddenly, a giant herd of caribou came running through from the trees and stampeded through the site. Workers and staff had to run for their lives and dive behind booths and objects. Kate, Humphrey and Sahara hid behind a bush as they watched their plan unfold while Leo, Rick and Ciara watched from up a tree to get a better view at the destruction. The herd of nearly one hundred prey animals barged through, running into things and knocking more over. All six were laughing in hysterics. Caitlyn was at the bottom of the tree, able to see a small part of it. Even she found it amusing that these kids could do that. But she should be stopping this; she shouldn't be allowing them to do it. But she wanted to help Leo; she had to do that first. The caribou ran all the way to the other side, no-one was hurt, but the damage was done. The construction site was a wreck; the entire operation would have to start from scratch. Or they could learn that it wasn't going to work and pack up. That's what the seven hoped anyway.

You know...it hard to type with a nine week old kitten on your lap and another on your keyboard. lol. But it was a challenge. So Sahara likes the humans, too keenly if you ask me. Kate still needs to learn, but the more pressing question, is what is Tony's plan?

On another note, the updates have caught up with me, so i will not be able to update every morning and night like i have been doing. They'll be up whenever i do them, so most likely every few days. Look for Chapter fourteen tomorrow night, but seeing as i haven't started it i doubt it'll be up then. But never fear, as long as it may take to update, i will not leave it. I will finish this story! In the mean time, it's the perfect opportunity to check out my other stories. It would mean a lot if you do and review them. until next time. :)

The FalconWolf