A Son of Wolves
Chapter 14: A Living Hell
Tony couldn't believe what he was going to do; he was going against everything his instincts told him, his Alpha training and his responsibilities. It was unthinkable, unimaginable that anyone, let alone he would do. But he had to; he just couldn't live and have Leo in the pack anymore. He spent three days trying to rally together wolves to make a stand against him via conspiracy theories and chase him out the pack again. But they all knew his hatred to the human, so they all ignore him now. He couldn't get him out on his own, the pack wouldn't help him, couldn't they see he was a danger to the entire pack?! That he wasn't going to save them, but destroy them! They came back smelling of humans three times in the last four days, they continued to socialize with them. What if…maybe, he caught them in the act? Winston appeared to be oblivious to their actions. Never he passed his den and Leo was inside, he never asked about them. Did the pack know? This was perfect; maybe his drastic plan wouldn't have to be done yet. It was the last thing he wanted to do. And a good thing too, he was on the territory's borders when it came to him. So now he could head back and launch his new plan. Leo was finished.
Three days after Leo and his parents last met with the humans had passed and they came back one other time. This time Kate refused and even snarled at her own son in saying they were not going back to the pack or their den and they weren't leaving this stop. It was a one off that she allowed it and she reminded him as the Alpha that he was that the pack came first above all else. So they sat around the rocky patch in the forest. Sahara pleaded she came again to do more research on the humans, so who were they to deny her. In Kate's mind, she wanted her to come. Another Alpha let alone a wolf gave them more numbers should the humans turn. According to Leo, the reason they didn't come back for a few days was because of this "school" thing were humans learn things, much like Alpha school, but not as physical and strenuous. Apparently, unlike Alpha school, they come home every day and not at the end of spring! "Funny humans" she thought. The last time they came, it as without that leader of theirs, that "Caitlyn" one. In a way, Kate was relieved, now there was less of a chance for her to take her son away. These human pups weren't much of a threat, not that she or Humphrey cared.
Yesterday, they came again, the two human pups on their own, meeting in the usual spot as soon as they finished this school thing of theirs. Sahara was with them, now fully confident and loving their presence. She would now run up to them and begin scenting them to smell what the human world was like and what was different from the last time she saw them. And what she smelt she found fascinating. Kate was much more relaxed, as was Humphrey, but they still showed affection and protection to their son. They usually came with those treats, so slowly, and the more they brought with them, Kate was starting to see them as friendly and would now actually turn her back on them without fearing them doing something.
Rick and Ciara found it amazing to be up and close with Wolves and hearing from Leo how their lives were nothing like they were taught and watched in school and on documentaries. That they had this thing call a "moonlight howl" where they really found their mates, they had their healing methods, Alphas and Omegas, they sing, how it was like they led a secret life beyond the films. The visits they did were educational for both wolves and humans. But now they could all be more causal and relaxed around one another, but they still tensed up when the other side moved. Sahara on the other hand wanted to go everywhere they went.
Today, they planned on meeting up again in the same spot. Sahara was already at their den and waiting patiently for when the time comes for once rather then bouncing around everywhere in excitement like a pup. It's not that she was bored of them, because she never could be. It was just that she wanted to start acting the Alpha she was and not some ambitious Omega like Humphrey and Leo were acting now. They were play fighting in the middle of the den. Kate was bathing, but not for the humans, but because she needed one and hadn't in a while. She stank, even if her mate didn't admit it and needed one himself.
She finished quickly, only making it a quick one and hopping out then shaking dry. But before she entered the den again, a howl called for her from across the Valley. She seethed and growled to herself when she heard it. Tony requested her assistance. As much as she wanted and would ignore the order, she couldn't, for it was one of her leaders after all. She couldn't disobey him or her parents. She howled in return, confirming she heard the message and asked for what he needed. Once more he howled back saying that it was a request from her mother for healing ingredients, it sounded like sage. She felt a little better hearing it was for her mother and not for Tony. But why didn't she or her father howl instead of him. She shrugged it off, perhaps her father was busy, as were her mother and he happened to be around. She walked back inside, smiling when seeing her mate and son playing in the middle like boys and pups. "Boys…" She called out and making them freeze how they were. Humphrey lay under Leo with his arm in his mouth and Leo had a hold of Humphrey back legs and lying over him. "I have to go and get some things for mom. Think you can wait until I get back?"
"Sure mom, we won't go without you." Leo smiled. She nodded and turned around to leave, but as she reached the back entrance to the slope, she turned around. "And Sahara you can do as you please to Humphrey." She giggled playfully.
"No problem there." She giggled back and playfully winking at Humphrey who only gulped. Kate laughed it off and began trotting down the out and down the slope they used to use for log sledding.
She slid on her rump most of the way down, finding it quick and more stable as she did. She knew where to find a patch of sage, not far away from the place they're supposed to meet the humans later on. Only one hundred yards east of it. Sage she knew and learnt from her mother is great at stopping deep wounds bleeding and quickening the healing process. But it made her think. Was someone hurt? Or was it that she ran out and needed some for when that happened? She didn't think much of it, but when she reeled out of her thoughts, she found she was in the general area for the sage to grow.
This was the only place in the entire Valley. She started scenting the area, making sure she was headed in the right direction. Her nose was filled with the smell of wild sage. She arrived at the place, finding several small patches scattered around. She moved around to each patch, scenting each individual one for the perfect bunch. Some were still growing, others were dying, she needed the right aged bunch which she'd figure out by sight and scent.
She heard laughter behind her, making her gasp in a small freight and whirl around. But to her disappointment, it was those two humans. "Oh great." She mumbled. They heard her whine and stopped to see her among the patch. She looked back at them, seeing who was making the first move.
"Wait, isn't that Leo's mom?" Rick asked. "If she's here he'd gotta be somewhere."
"Kate, wasn't it?" Ciara added. Kate only nodded marginally and then turned her back to them to continue looking for the right sage. She smelt and saw they didn't have anything on them this time, not even a rucksack, they were harmless. She mumbled to herself while she moved around to each batch and inhaled them, unable to find the right sort. Rick and Ciara just watched, puzzled as to her behaviour. "What are you doing girl?" Ciara asked as if talking to a dog. So in a sweet and high pitched voice.
"Not that you would know, but sage." Kate answered while looking back at them momentarily before scenting again another batch, this one being too young. All they heard was a few barks and a whine. She moved to another bunch, scenting it and only inhaling the perfect smell and the one she had been looking for.
"Where's Leo, is he around?" Rick asked as if expecting a real answer. But wait; now he was acting crazy and wanting an answer for a flipping wolf. This forest can to crazy things to your head it seems, and Ciara knew it as well.
Kate took the bottom of the sage in her mouth and pulled hard. But the sage didn't move, only her paws as they slipped against the ground. She paw spun as she tried to pull it out, but as she knew, this was going to be hard, as were all the other times she retrieved wild herbs for her mother and pack mates. She stopped, taking a breather and then looking back at the humans to see they were still stood there. She sighed and shook her head. Were they really going to stand there and watch? But then, "Need a hand with that?" Rick asked as he stepped forwards towards her. Kate jumped to her paws and growled lightly as he neared. But he did something he learned form Leo. He lowered himself to the ground as not to look daunting in size and moved in towards the sage on pretty much his hands and knees. Kate eyed him and didn't move away, she stood her ground. Rick took the sage in his hand and pulled hard. Even he struggled, but he did it, even taking the roots and surrounding earth out with it. He moved onto his knees and bowed his head as he held out the sage towards her. Yeah, he felt awkward and embarrassed to be doing it, but he and Ciara promised Leo to try and fit in around his parents and even promised each other they'd go to lengths like this.
Kate, for some reason saw his submissive posture and granted his permission to stand up by nosing the top of his head. Another sign Leo taught the two of trust and to get up if one of them did it. So he slowly stood up and held his hand back out the Kate. But then, her ears perked as she heard something, her eyes widened and her nostrils flared as she tried to find out what it was that made her alarm bells ring. Her ears moved on the top of her head like radar dishes and, her eyes widened to take in her surroundings and her nose inhaled to take in foreign scents. She looked to the right, and her vision zoomed in and hearing hardened as she sensed someone else. Tony came walking down towards them with Winston and some other Alpha's in the pack. "Oh no." She whispered and looking back up to the humans. They couldn't be seen, she couldn't be seen with them. Hers and the human's scents were all around them, so the damage was down. But at least if they go away they wouldn't be caught in the act. She ran to her left to get away, but when she looked back to humans were still stood there, oblivious to what was happening. "Come on, this way, hurry." She said quietly yet desperately. But they didn't move, for they couldn't understand her.
She looked back at Tony and the pack who approached even closer, but still not aware of their presence. She looked around, how was she going to tell them to run? She ran to the feet of the male human and dug a single claw into the soil. Ciara came forward and watched as Rick did. She moved away as they read what she wrote. "Follow me quickly." They looked back and forth from the message and Kate. Did she really just do that? But they saw the frantic and desperate look not only in her eyes, but in her body language. So they walked towards her, but as they did, she took off into a run. They began running after her and she led them to the only place she could think of.
Leo and Humphrey finished their game a little while back, now they were waiting for Kate to return so they could go. Leo sat back against the stone wall of the den, drawing onto a notepad he brought with him. Sahara lay on the other side of the den, so he used her. He looked it over, smiling at the drawing. He thought it looked good, so did his father who sat beside him and watched what he was doing. "What are you two doing?" Sahara asked with closed eyes after sensing they were doing something.
"Nothing." Humphrey replied innocently.
"I know better then that." She said and sitting up to walk over to them. "What were you doing?"
"Drawing you." Leo answered.
"Whating me?" She asked puzzled, so he turned around his pad and showed her. "Is that me?"
"Yeah, do you like it?" He asked.
"It's wonderful, can all humans do it?"
"Not all. Like singing or dancing, not all can."
"You're gifted son." Humphrey smiled.
"Thanks dad." Leo returned his smile.
Suddenly, Kate came bursting through the back entrance of the den, huffing and panting away like crazy. She slid to a stop in the centre of it, making all eyes fall on her. "Kate, what's wrong?" Humphrey asked running over to her and Leo throwing his pad to the side.
"I didn't have a choice." She said as she looked back and Ciara and Rick came running in panting just as, if not, more heavily then her.
"Guys?" Leo asked in shock.
"Dad, Tony and the Alphas turned up when they were there. I had to bring them here or they'd be killed." She said as though she had committed a crime. Whereas really, she had. She brought humans into the pack, again! She's put the pack in danger and now there was enough evidence to link her in with consorting with humans. "They'll smell me and then your friends. I'll get thrown out the pack." She said as she began to cry. Humphrey wrapped his paws around her and let her cry into his shoulder.
"That won't happen." He said rubbing her back. "You're dad won't let you, I won't let you."
"They have my scent, their scents, oh god I'm so stupid!" She wailed. While she cried, Leo was explaining to his friends what was happening, and they felt terrible for making this happen. They didn't have to come, but they did; and now Kate was in trouble. The sound of thundering paws steps came running up the slope and into their ears. But before Leo could get his friends out, Winston came running into the den.
"Kate what have you..." He couldn't finish, especially not when he saw the two other humans in their den. "Oh my…" He gasped as Eve then came barrelling and slide to a stop beside him and pulled the same awestruck face.
"Sir it's not what it seems." Humphrey said.
"What's going on, what are they doing here?!" He demanded.
"Tony howled for me dad..." Kate sobbed resting her head on Humphrey shoulder and still wrapping her paws around him. "He said mom wanted me to get sage for her, so I did, but then I ran into them again. They're my son's friends and I couldn't see Leo in pain if they were hurt. So I brought them here and I swear they've never been up here before."
"Before?" Winston snapped. Was this going where he didn't want it to go.
"I've been seeing them." Leo said and standing in front of his friends protectively. "But I can promise you that mom wouldn't have brought them here if she didn't have a choice. That day when you said we could see them again was the only place we have been."
"How man times have you seen them after that?" Eve demanded.
"Two, this being the third, but we've been meeting there and no-where else."
"Kate, did you say Tony asked you to get me sage?" Eve then asked a little calmer.
"Yeah, why?" She asked as a fresh tear ran down her cheek.
"I never said such a thing." She said a little quieter and trying to piece it together. "I was at the hunting grounds supervising the new Alpha's hunt all morning."
"It was a set up." Winston sighed. "He still wants to get rid of Leo."
"What are they talking about?" Ciara asked as she, Rick and Leo stood at the back. All they were hearing were barks, growls and whimpers.
"There's one wolf that hates me, he asked mom to get sage when she ran into you two. But it was a set up. Tony wants me out of the pack so badly he'll do anything. He tried to hurt me not long ago, but now he's after you guys. If he catches me or my family with you then he can throw us all out or kill us for breaking pack law."
"It's all our fault." Rick sighed.
"No it's not." Leo chuckled lightly, but in amusement, but in a way to try and raise moral. "I asked you to come."
"So what are we going to do?" Humphrey asked as they all looked back at the humans talking to one another and Leo.
"We have to get them out the park." Winston said. "We get them out the park and they'll be safe."
"Since when do we go protecting humans?" Kate asked a little chirpier now.
"Since they're Leo's friends, and from my years of life, friends are like family and family stick together. Or would you rather we let Tony and the pack have them."
"Sir, breaking pack law? I never thought I'd see the day." Humphrey chuckled lightly.
"You haven't, and you won't. Understood." He ordered. What he was implying not only to him, but to everyone is that they don't mention this or talk about it again. If any of the pack found out about any of them doing this, then they'll all be in trouble.
"We can take them to the construction site." Leo said. "You ordered the pack not to go near, and it's closer so we can get their faster."
"Good idea son, let's move."
"You're coming?" Kate asked.
"You may need us if you're seen, now let's hurry." Eve said licking her cheek as they passed.
Kate, Sahara and Winston led the ground as they ran; scouting the area they ran towards. Leo, Rick and Ciara ran in the middle and Leo making sure they didn't slow up or get too close to the wolves behind or in front of him. Humphrey and Eve ran at the back to close in the group. They ran fast, but at a pace the humans could handle. It wasn't a secret anymore in the pack Kate was around human's only moments ago. Why, was going to be unclear, but It would look like she was consorting with them, socializing if not. But she had a plan that could make other think otherwise. They had to head towards the area before, which they hated; they didn't want to go back. But they had to go through it to get to the site.
They came near the area, and that was when Kate peeled off, saying how she had a plan to make it look like a hunter was there. Winston sent her away and the others kept running.
They weren't far away, only a few minutes more. But suddenly, Tony launched out a shrub and blocked their path. Surprisingly, only him. He snarled and growl as he blocked their only way of getting out. "Consorting with humans Winston?" He asked. "That's going against pack law. Adding that to the fact you're escorting them out the territory only makes matters worse."
"They're harmless Tony." Winston growled back. "They can return and we don't need to fear them returning again or bringing more of them back."
"Is the human pup that lives among us going with them?"
"No." Leo spat. "I'm never leaving again." He said looking into his eyes threateningly. "Guys, keep moving." He added and stepping in front of the group.
"Leo what are you doing?" Rick asked.
"It's me he has a problem with, not you. Dad, grandpa, get them out of here, now!" He ordered but not taking his eyes of Tony.
"Leo we can't…"
"GO!" Leo bellowed at Ciara. They all took off behind him and to the left and go around Tony.
"Are you challenging me human?" Tony snarled as the two began circling again.
"If I must." Leo answered coldly. "You've had it in for me since I came back."
"And before." Tony cackled. "You are a danger to the pack, I must destroy the danger."
"I saved Lily, I stopped the humans coming back and with my friends we destroyed the Construction site. What danger are we to the pack. I'm an Alpha, and I know the pack comes first."
"You're a human!" Tony screamed. "You aren't an Alpha!"
"YOU'RE WRONG!" Leo roared back. "My life is out here. My life ended when I left and started again when I returned. You can't throw me out unless the pack wants it as well!"
"The bitch's scent is among the humans." Tony snarled at the mention of that species. "She''' be tried and exiled for being with humans. The evidence is bountiful. If she goes, her Omega mate won't be able to leave her and neither will you. You'll all leave and therefore I'll have my pack back to how it was."
Leo screamed as he ran towards the pack leader as he charged as well. They flew into one another's arms and collided into one another and crashed into the ground. Tony scratched, snapped and clawed at Leo while he punched and kicked. Neither no longer afraid to do some real damage this; even kill if they had to. Tony preferred killing him, but Leo didn't want that, but he would if he had no choice. Tony raked his claws across Leo's face, implanting three scratches down his cheek that bled quickly. Leo kicked him in the stomach and held back Tony's head as he stood over him to snap down on his throat.
Leo roared and managed the get his legs on Tony's belly and throw him over his head. He landed with a thud, but before Tony managed to move, Leo grabbed his hind legs and swung him around and across the clearing they were in. Leo didn't know what was going through him, he didn't feel normal. But it helped and he went with it. He dived back over Tony and hit him across the face. Tony yelped, unable to move with the human over him. Leo moved off him and grabbed Tony by his throat and slammed him with one hand and a sudden new found strength into a tree just in front of him. Leo roared and snarled in his face as if some human possessed by a wolf. Tony cowered but looked threateningly into Leo's eyes, but only then became more fearful when he saw something. In Leo's eyes were hatred, aggression… an animal. But not only that, his eyes flashed an entirely different colour. They were a sea blue, but in a blink the iris's were a deep orange as he snarled in Tony's face.
Minutes later, Tony was about to pass out, and Leo snapped out of his animal trance. He dropped Tony, and as he did his eyes changed again and he had his actions to his own again. Tony looked up at him in fear for the first time and Leo growl down at him from the bottom of his stomach. A real threat in the wolf world. He turned around and walked away to find his friends without saying another word. He brought his hand up to his cheek and felt the blood running down it badly. It stung, but he had other things on his mind to worry about then that.
Tony was left awestruck, unable to understand what happened or what he saw. Leo's eyes changed! How was that possible? But not only that, he lost a challenge, bringing disgrace and shame to him. Maybe he didn't understand what a challenge meant if he won or lost, maybe Tony was safe for now if they never brought it up again. He looked over his body, feeling aches and pains coming all over him. He had evidence to show Leo did this. But the pack wouldn't listen, they won't, they'll say how he did it to himself. He had no choice; he had to do what he had to do to protect the pack. Maybe they'll help him, they had to, he'll strike a deal with them if he had to.
Winston, Eve, Humphrey, Sahara, Rick and Ciara peered over a rock at the construction site and at a certain thing. They looked around after hearing noises, but gasped as they saw the state of Leo as he walked through. Humphrey ran to him and jumped on his chest to examine the wound. "What happened?" He asked.
"Tony, that's what."
"That wolf did that to you?" Ciara gasped.
"I took care of him, don't worry."
"You killed him!" Eve gasped.
"No, regrettably. He's gone and hidden under a large rock for now." Leo seethed as Humphrey poked the wound and apologised after. "I'll deal with it later, don't worry. Why are you here?"
"The site is going again, look." Rick answered. Leo knelt behind the rock and Humphrey sat beside him. Foundations for structures were dug out again, beams and bricks were being placed. Things were going again as per usual, and at a faster rate then they anticipated. "But we've done something that might slow them down a little." Rick chuckled.
"You're friends are rather useful as it turns out." Eve giggled. Leo looked at them puzzled; he was only told to watch. But watch what?"
A portable toilet caught his attention just as someone walked inside. It was a large thing, capable of ten people going inside and doing their business in at once. They waited a moment, when suddenly, this thick blue liquid shot and burst out the doors and under the trailer it was on. Moments later, several men came running out covered from head to toe in the stuff, but with their trousers down their ankles. Leo smiled and looked over to Rick who looked at him and waved a wrench at him. But then Ciara motioned for him to look back, so he did. The men pulled their trousers up and moved over to what looked like a hose connected to some pipe it seems was already built under the ground. One man turned it on and the water flowed out. But then it stopped and started spluttering. Right before the entire tap exploded and water flew high in the air and rained down on them. A second explosion echoed from across the site and another shooting fountain of water spewed out the ground, shortly followed by a third, and then a forth. Four taps burst open and rained water down on them. "Ok, I wasn't planning on that, only one." Ciara giggled as they all started laughing.
"You guys did this?" Leo asked while laughing hard.
"We got bored, so we thought we do some more sabotaging and came here."
"And you were ok with it?" Leo asked looking at his grandparents and Alpha leaders.
"We didn't know about it." Winston chuckled. "But being humans what would they do to them, so we let them."
"They can come again if they do this." Eve added. "They can have a den if they stop them completely." Everyone other then the humans who carried on laughing looking at her in awe. "I'm kidding, pack comes first." They all sighed or chuckled slightly in relief.
"The manual service classes at school come in handy." Rick laughed as he turned around and sat back against the rock as did Leo and the wolves turned to face them.
"Guys run." Ciara said.
"Huh?" Rick asked.
"There's someone coming!" She said fearfully. They all shot up and peered back over the rock to see three men, two wearing suits and another in workers uniform. But all had one thing the same, angered faces.
"Crap, run!" Rick laughed as they did. This was a fun game in the wolf's eyes. But as they did and the wolves had already scampered into the trees, Ciara was grabbed by the back of her shirt, causing Leo and Rick to stop and look back. She managed to shake her capture free and run to Rick and Leo.
"Did you three do this?" A suited man demanded to know.
"Us?" Leo questioned. "No, we're just kids."
"How can three totally innocent kids do this?" Ciara added as she put hers arms around the boys shoulders. They saw through the lie, even if she was being sarcastic.
"Come near this site again and we'll call the cops." The worker threatened.
"And arrest three fourteen year olds?" Rick questioned. "How are they going to believe that?"
"We'll find a way, keep out."
"Or go away." Leo added.
"Excuse me?" The first suited man exclaimed in shock of his attitude.
"I said go away." Leo added. "You're killing innocent wolves when all they want is their territory back."
"Oh and what a shame too." The second said. "We'll be sure to give a donation to some wolf sanctuary."
"You don't care about them?" Ciara asked.
"Why do you think we're doing this then?"
"You're building a new street." Rick said.
"They look smarter then I thought." The worker said but louder then whispering so they could hear.
"As long as you people are here, we're going to make your life a living hell. Either pack up, or we'll do it for you." Leo threatened. The first man stepped forwards.
"We look forward to the competition."
I managed to get this done and up today, and in record time too. So final Leo settled things with Tony, but what is his plan now. What was Kate's plan to make it look something else rather then her being around the humans. All will be answered in due time. But the big question, was Tony being serious when he saw Leo eyes change, or was he speaking metaphorically when he said his eyes were full of aggression and hatred. Read and review to find out. Until next time. :-C) (My attempt at a new smiley face, tried to do a mexican. hahaha)
The FalconWolf