Lazer looks at Zoe with confusion. Zoe laughs.
"She's a first time mother. If she didn't act like that...then I would have thought something was wrong. Don't worry. As time goes on, she'll warm up to me being around them. It's just going to take some time." Zoe says, smiling. Lazer nods as his eyes travel back to the door. "Well, I suppose. I better get going. I have to go to the store to get some more steak." Zoe says as she turns away from Lazer. He nods again, and walks through the dog door. He goes in the room. When he doesn't see Mato, he goes over to the box, only to see her sleeping, completely protecting the puppies from outside the box. Lazer smiles, and lays down outside. He curls up, and also falls asleep, but doesn't drop his guard.
Sometime later, Mato wakes up to one of her puppies crying. She moves her head o her nose is next to the puppy, and proceeds to groom it. After a while, she stops so the puppy can eat. When it clamps on Mato lets out a short growl. When she does, she sees Lazer wake up.
*W...what's going on?* Lazer questions, still partially asleep.
*Nothing. Don't worry about it.* Mato says, looking at Lazer with apologetic eyes. He stands up, and walks into the box, which could probably hold four grown wolves and still have some room to spare. He rubs his head up against Mato's.
*Has your rage shrunk any?* Lazer asks.
*Yeah, it has. As soon as she left the room in his gone.* Mato says in an unsure voice.
*That's good.* Lazer says as he sticks his nose down, and touches the black puppy's nose. He then licks Mato's face. *They're beautiful.* He says in a soft voice.
*Yeah, but do you happen to know if there's any food? My energy is almost completely spent, and losing my temper did not help. It just took more away.* Mato says with a sigh.
*Yeah there is, but I'm afraid you'll have to leave the box to get to it.* Lazer says, looking at Mato with a critical eye. She thinks about it for a moment before laying her head back down. *Won't, huh?* Lazer questions, looking at her with understanding eyes. She nods sharply. Lazer walks out of the box, only to come back a moment later with food. Mato greedily eats it without standing. She then pushes the plate out of the way with her nose, and lays back down. Lazer lays behind her, and puts his head on Mato's back. They both soon fall asleep.
A couple days later, Mato slowly opens her eye. They soften almost instantly when she looks at her puppies. She quickly stands up as she hears a noise outside the box. She practically stands over the puppies, and gets ready to pounce. A hand suddenly reaches into the box. Just before Mato could lock her jaws around the hand, something clicks on her collar, and pulls her toward the back of the box.
*What the hell is going on!* Mato shouts, growling. She clicks her jaws as she sees the hand touch her puppies. She pulls against the chain, trying to jump at the hand, but the chain holds her fast. *Touch them and I KILL YOU!* Mato says with venom in-coating her words. Suddenly, Zoe kneels down on the floor, and reaches in. She touches one of the puppies, only to notice Mato's eyes narrow as she does.
"It's all right, girl. I won't hurt them." Zoe says in a soothing voice.
*How do I know that?* Mato demands, glaring at Zoe. Mato suddenly bares her teeth, and tries to jump at Zoe once again. Zoe shakes her finger disapprovingly.
"No need to hurt herself." Zoe says, shaking her head. Mato's eyes narrow dangerously. Zoe gets up, taking the puppy with her, and pets it.