Mary adapted quickly to her new house guest, she would make food for both of them and then let Thunder out for a while before going to work on her manuscript for her novel. Then around noon she would make lunch and the afternoon varied whether she had to go to town or not. All in all Mary was comfortable and obiviously her new 'pet' was as well.
They had been quite comfortable until he showed up. Mary had been working in the garden when she heard a vehicle approaching her small home. Rising to her feet she glanced at Thunder who was clearly not happy with the intrusion into their comfortable little bubble. "I'm going to go see who it is, you stay here ok Thunder?"
A soft growl told her the wolf was content to stay put for now, and Mary walked around front just in time to see her ex-boyfriend Scott slide out of his little sports car.
"What do you want weasel?" Mary crossed her arms as she glared at the smarmy man in front of her.
Scott ran a hand over his oily black hair and gave her a charming smile, "Now darling be nice, I'm only here for a little chat." He moved a little closer, "I was just wondering if you would consider going to lunch with me at the club this Thursday."
Mary raised an eyebrow, "And why would I ever consider doing such a disgusting thing like that? You're little 'club' is no more than a bunch of lecherous snakes that don't know what no means."
"Now just because there was that one little incident with Marcus doesn't mean that everyone in the club is like that." Scott spread his hands placatingly, "Besides darling I'll be right there to keep things from getting out of hand if anyone gets to ah, over zealous."
"No." Mary shook her head, "Besides you and I aren't together anymore and I wouldn't ever consider taking you back."
"Oh come on darling, we could be something, me with my charms and contacts and you with your skills in the literary arts." Scott got a little closer and snaked an arm around Mary before she could react.
"Get off me!" Mary tried to push him off but he was too strong, suddenly he screamed and twisted in agony letting go of Mary to flail at something now attatched to his leg.
Thunder had his jaws clamped down on his left leg, not crushing just yet but definitely breaking skin. Mary stared at Thunder for a moment in fascination as he seemed to swell in size and his lips drew back in a silent snarl showing where his sharp teeth had sunk into Scott's pant-leg.
"Thunder! Down boy, let him go, it's alright." Mary let out an audible sigh of relief when the massive wolf released Scott's leg with a look of what was most likely disgust.
Scott all but fell over, his face white from the pain of the bite and his eyes bugging out as he took in the snarling wolf that had positioned itself between himself and Mary.
"What the hell is that thing doing here?" Scott shouted as he wobbled backwards when Thunder took a menacing half-step forwards.
"Thunder is my new pet, and you are not welcome here anymore Scott Marton." Mary glared at him again, "And if you ever come back I will call the police and have them arrest you for harassment."
"But-" A low growl from Thunder whose teeth were dripping red silenced him rather swiftly.
"Now get." Mary's tone was steely, and there was clearly no room for negotiation. Scott scrambled away as fast as he could, he was in his car and out of sight as fast as the weasel he was could move.
Mary looked down at the still ruffed up wolf who was glaring down the drive still, "Thunder, it's alright, he's gone and won't be back." She stretched a tenative hand down and placed it very carefully in Thunder's ruff which started to settle back down.
Mary winced when Thunder swung his head around to face her and blood ran from his mouth, "Let's go get you cleaned up shall we?" She tried to be cheery but the sight of the blood reminded her of some very bad moments in her life and it honestly scared her to realize how much power her 'pet' had in his bite alone, not to mention his massive size.
The two made their way back to the garden where the hose and washtub sat, while Mary filled the tub Thunder stood off to the side with his ears down against his skull and tail tucked in-between his back legs clearly sad about something.
"Hop in my friend, I'm going to go get the soap." Mary motioned for Thunder to get in the tub as she headed into the house to retrieve the shampoo she used specifically on him.
After the bath and subsequent towel down Mary decided it was time for dinner, "What do you want tonight Thunder? Stir-fry or hamburgers?"
Thunder's ears went up at stir-fry and down at hamburgers, a sign that he was more excited for the stir-fry than the burger.
"Stir-fry it is." Mary smiled when she saw, and heard, Thunder's tail swish back and forth in happiness. While she was preparing the food Mary noticed that Thunder was splayed out on the hearth rug watching her through lidded eyes.
Once the last piece of chicken was consumed with the last clump of rice and the table had been cleared Mary pulled out their nightly book and settled herself in the floor to read. Thunder shuffled as close as he could without actually being in her lap before she began to read, by the end of that night's chapter Thunder's chin rested on her leg in comfortable companionship.