When Dusk Falls
Chapter 11: The Den
Max looked around smiling nostalgically.
Then her eyes landed on a tent Chloe was approaching.
It was massive, the front flap was open and displayed the inside; it was stuffed full of soft fake fur blankets and mats. With long pillows for extra cushioning.
The tent itself had some regular blankets or tarps draping over top for darkness.
The room itself was fairly dark, except the higher up enormous ship-guiding light spinning around the center.
Silver lined the lower parts of the encircling window, but not so much that it prevented the light from reaching the sea as it always did. Just enough to keep out unwanted guests trying to break in.
Chloe let Max off her back and reverted to human form, brushing off her hands and standing.
"Go on in Max, theres room for like, twelve people in there. We'll be safe here, so make yourself comfortable. I've gotta go get something", stated Chloe casually.
She back tracked to the open hatch in the floor and started down the stairs; disappearing into the shadows.
"Wait where are you go-"? Max tried, looking back to where Chloe had walked off to, but she stopped herself when she saw Chloe was gone.
Max sighed lightly and returned to looking around the room contently.
She looked up and out through the top of the large windows; watching the sunset lighting, darkening into a greyish purple and soon a pale dark blue, that slowly deepened into a blackish navy blue. Dusk had set in.
Chloe soon returned, carrying something under her arm. She shut the hatch behind her and approached Max.
"Dude, I said you could go in", Chloe stated calmly stopping behind Max.
Max glanced at her with a smile, folding her hands behind her back a moment.
"I know, I was just taking in the nostalgia first. Its been so long since I was in here with you; I got caught up with the scenery", Max smiled calmly with a soft toned voice. She took another look around.
Chloe looked around as well, eyes partially closed in thought.
"Yeah, I guess it has", replied Chloe quietly.
Max's eyes drifted half closed, she frowned slightly.
"Chloe, doesn't all that silver make you feel sick"? Max asked glancing at the covered part of a section of window.
"I've gotten used to it. I barely even need to worry about touching it now. The front door of the lighthouse is barricaded too. Theres no way in for uninvited guests; the silver lining the windows here, is just extra precaution", Chloe stated.
She walked forward, reaching an arm behind Max's back, guiding her closer to the tent and helping her walk on her injured leg.
"I thought silver is like your kryptonite, how could you get used to it"? Max asked curiously.
"Silver mildly bothers me, but its not as bad as it used to be; since I've trained my body to tolerate it. Others are not so lucky and wouldn't be crazy enough to risk death like I did, in order to pass my body's pain limits", stated Chloe calmly.
"Why would you-" Max tried worriedly as Chloe stopped them in front of the tent opening.
Chloe tossed the plastic box under her arm in to the tent.
"Max when you were gone, Rachel became nearly everything to me. Then some rich asshole took her from me and cursed me in the same fuckin night. Then my mother held me at gun point and told me to get lost, thats after she shot me" Chloe started sharply.
"I was completely alone, Max, and left to suffer. I tried helping others with my new body and despite saving their lives, they still turned on me... I took the hint after a month of that shit" Chloe continued, looking to Max's worried gaze.
"So I became a recluse, and had a dark mind set for a long time... Just, scarping by to survive. Not wanting anything to do with anyone... Aside from screwing over Nathan time to time..." Chloe trailed off a bit and looked away again.
She was quiet a moment.
"At least... Not until you came back... You're the only one that hasn't turned on me for... Being like this..." Chloe stated tensing her hand in anger and frustration at the memories of betrayal.
Her eyes narrowed coldly.
Then they were shocked open, her heart jolting at a very sudden pressure around her shoulder blades, under her arms and the top of her shoulders. With weight pressing to her chest.
She was a bit staggered and slowly looked down at Max, seeing her hugging her tightly, burying her face into her collar bone.
Chloe entered her partial transformation from the surprise. Human aside from her ears, fangs, claws and tail. She was stunned silent.
"Chloe, I'm so sorry for everything you suffered through" replied Max her tone upset and nearly breaking in genuine sadness and hurt.
Max tightened her arms around the older girl.
Chloe remained quiet, her eyes softening.
Slowly, Chloe lifted her arms hesitantly around Max, but stopped herself from making contact, letting her arms drop to her sides again; looking away solemnly.
Chloe listened in the silence of the room, to Max trying to hide her tears from her.
"... Come on... Lets go in...", Chloe spoke calmly and softly.
Max nodded. Though she lingered the hug for a bit longer, before she slowly released Chloe.
Max climbed in the tent first, Chloe followed, closing the tent flap and zipping it.
She nudged the front door a bit and a blanket slid down partially and covered the entrance, to complete the darkness.
Max laid down on the furs, Chloe sat next to her, retrieving the tossed plastic box.
"Comfy and warm, reminds me of the pillow forts we used to make" , Max stated with a smile; looking away from Chloe to wipe away her remaining tears.
Chloe smiled at the memories lightly. She opened the box; it was full of medicine and bandages of all kinds.
She set it aside and gently gripped the ankle of Max's wounded leg, making Max look at her curiously, she was a bit taken back in surprise as she saw Chloe's blue eyes were glowing in the dark.
"Alright lets have a better look at that leg, Max" Chloe stated.
She untied the blood soaked strip of fabric setting it aside.
"Chlo, your... Eyes"? Asked Max still surprised.
"Yeah, I can see in the dark. Not that I made it dark just to show off the neon vision or anything. Its cozier and more relaxing in here when its dark... Don't ask..." Chloe replied lightly.
Chloe frowned at the length of the wound, though not deep.
"Max, how do you feel about styling the first pair of slit jeans..."? Asked Chloe.
"Don't even think about it fido... You've noticed I've basically got two pairs of jeans in my wardrobe, right ? And they're the only pants I have...", Stated Max narrowing her eyes.
"You only have two sets of day clothes ? And you've moved here... Planning to live here"? Asked Chloe with a quirked brow.
"Heh, I was, kinda, planning to raid a thrift store and, give myself a new look... I... never got around to it...", Replied Max awkwardly.
"I can give you a pair of daisy duke's right now"? Replied Chloe.
"You are not ripping my pant legs off"! replied Max firmly and stubbornly.
"Come on Max, this wound needs to be treated. It needs to be cleaned so it won't get infected and make you sick. Let me help you, its not like its the first time I've taken care of you~", Chloe replied teasingly with a smirk; using Max's own words against her.
Max narrowed her eyes on her.
"I hate you...", Max retorted dryly.
Chloe laughed.
"Love ya too Maxie", she teased back.
Max blushed caught off guard by the wording. Chloe blushed as well when she registered what she had said.
They looked away from each other a moment.
"I uh...mean... Y-you know as a friend... Person... Thing... Thats something we used to say all the time back in the old days, right" ? Chloe replied awkwardly and a bit nervous. Though the words were slightly hollowed, it felt.
"Uh yeah, of c-course. I mean duh, like you said, we used to always say that stuff when we were tweebs... No big deal", Max replied a bit shyly and flustered.
It felt differently though.
"I uh, sh-should take care of that wound now...", Chloe replied as calmly as she could.
"Yeah, r-right. Um go ahead and take my pants off- The legs ! Take the pant legs off I mean"! Called Max quickly, blushing in embarrassment.
Chloe quirked a brow, smirking.
"Wow Max, nice to know where your mind is at", Chloe teased.
Max groaned, covering her face with her hands as she blushed and fell back on the bedding.
"Shut up...", She groaned in embarrassment.
Chloe chuckled.
"You know, you could actually take them off, if you don't want to sacrifice them. I'll just step outside. They're just too tight for me to roll them up, in order to get at the cut", Chloe stated.
"... How do you know they're too tight ? You haven't even tried to roll them up yet"? Max asked with a smirk, raising her brow.
Chloe turned red.
"I uh, it, well, j-judging by the area around the wound, I um... Shit, its not, I-I didn't-", Chloe tried, blushing in embarrassment.
"Now who has the dirty mind"? Max teased playfully.
"Sh-shut up...", grumbled Chloe.
Then Max looked over her jeans and the bloody pant leg. She sighed.
"Teasing aside, go for it Chloe. These jeans are already totaled beyond saving... Just please, not short shorts, for the love of all that is merciful... They can be cut off at the knees", stated Max calmly; resigning.
"Alright if you're sure, hold still", Chloe replied calmly.
Chloe grabbed the top part of the rip in the jeans; then she tore off the lower part of the pant leg, holding up Max's leg gently, to tear all the way around.
She tossed aside the bloodied pant leg, leaving Max with some coverage still on her knee. Chloe gently set the leg back on the pillow cushioned bedding and pulled over Max's other leg to compare.
"Okay, right here", Chloe mumbled.
She gripped Max's other unscathed pant leg and ripped the lower half off, keeping it even with the opposite pant leg; tossing aside the torn fabric.
"There we go, you can totally rock these Mad Max", Chloe stated a little proudly.
"Thanks. If this werewolf business doesn't work out, you can always go into tailoring", Max teased.
Chloe laughed. "Smart ass. Anyway, lets get you patched up", Chloe replied as she grabbed the medical kit.
Chloe paused briefly, looking at the wound, narrowing her eyes in thought.
"..I could just... But after our recent conversation, that may not go over well... Better not chance it, I mean, the wound isn't that bad; I can just use the kit. I did manage to pretty much seal it up earlier... So its not an emergency... Would it even work ? It didn't fully...", Chloe thought, trailing off a bit, before sighing.
Internal debates aside she got started cleaning up the wound. Max watched her.
"Chloe, can you explain more about Were weaknesses ? I mean, I've seen the silver, but, whats with people, namely my other friends; thinking holy ground or holy water helps ? You said yourself silver is the only thing that works, and even that doesn't work the way people think it does"? Max asked curiously.
"You and the random questioning out of no where... Okay lets get into details", Chloe replied as she continued thoroughly cleaning the wound.
"Okay first off, silver is not werewolf kryptonite exactly. Its an allergy. Even normal humans can react to silver. Some get rashes, others have their skin turn green. Right"? Chloe started.
"Yeah, I've heard of it"? Max answered probing.
"Yeah, so Werewolves, get the rash part. Silver causes our new more sensitive skin to rash to the extent of burning. We're not about to be set on fire by it or anything. But, its because of the accelerated warm blood cells inside werewolves, which increase our body temperature...", Chloe continued.
She put away the medical cleaning products and took out some ointment, starting to gently apply it to Max's wound.
"When combined with the bonus allergic reaction to silver, it heats the silver on proximity, giving the illusion of the glow as if it were being burned by a forge", Chloe continued.
"It causes us discomfort like any allergy would for like, anyone. Its like, say... Peanuts. Proximity is uncomfortable, but in some case, SOME; if it gets inside, it can possibly kill. That kind of reaction is rare however", Chloe added.
She paused a moment thinking over the words.
"Sometimes when it gets inside, its an irritation at best. But if it hits something vital in the form of a bullet or knife, just like a human, a werewolf will bleed out and die. But its not because of the silver specifically", Chloe explained.
"Its kinda confusing but there you go. Werewolves are nearly as sensible as humans; and tend to appreciate avoiding things that warrant discomfort to them", Chloe added calmly.
She put the ointment away and rummaged through the kit for the right size gauze pad. Max watched her, bracing on her hands as she sits up.
"Okay, but that still doesn't answer the other part of my question", Max replied calmly.
"Sorry to burst your friends' bubbles but, holy water and holy ground mean nothing to werewolves. There are no scents of food or fresh people burgers wafting around the churches at night, so they have little more interest in "holy ground" than they do in dirt", Chloe stated.
"The reason you and that hunter were safe in the church was because I drew attention to myself and away from you two. And you two were lucky you went exploring in the middle of a rain storm; that covered your scents", Chloe started.
"Otherwise wild ones absolutely would've stormed the church without a second of hesitation. Then it would depend on my speed to return, and the hunter's ability to fight, for whether or not you two made it till morning", Chloe explained calmly.
She got the right pad and started ripping it open.
"But werewolves, including you avoid holy water when its splashed at you", stated Max in confusion.
"Okay, how 'bout I go grab a jug of water and throw it at you. Then you can show me how different your reaction to it is, compared to my own. Recoiling, or avoidance is a normal reaction from anybody Max power. It doesn't mean the jug of water would actually hurt you, if some splashed on you, well except a mild sting if it gets in the eyes", Chloe replied with a shrug.
"Fair point. So what you're saying is, a werewolf can be killed like any human or animal can. Using their allergy can sometimes increase the odds. But I'm guessing due to their size, strength and speed; the attack has to seriously count with a vital shot, or their natural healing will overtake the wound and they brush it off like nothing... And... There actually is no safe haven anywhere in Arcadia Bay, beyond allergy shutters...", Max replied calmly.
"Ding ding ding. Give the lady Maximus a prize, thats exactly it. The humans aren't as safe as they think they are, but they won't listen to a werewolf", Chloe stated.
"And any humans that have had the luck to figure it out for themselves, were killed or turned shortly after the revelation; so they couldn't make flyers and take up the role of town crier. "Hear ye hear ye ! Citizens of Arcadia ! We're all fucked"! You know that kind of thing", Chloe stated calmly.
She gently pressed the pad over Max's wound and grabbed the medical tape.
"Well... Unless you plan on pulling a classic, "I've told you this, now I have to kill you" line... I could try getting the truth out", replied Max.
"You can try and teach your friends at Blackhell, but you won't be convincing the town's people after they've lived years of routine and small comforts. Besides, its more than likely to go south on you in a few ways...", Chloe started.
"One, you convince them and they take up arms and more than likely get wiped out by the army of wild ones, or get more terrified and suicidal; thinking death is inevitable. Two, they don't believe you and think you're high and have you locked up in the funny farm...", Chloe continued.
Max looked down in thought briefly.
"And three, the worst... They question you. How did you learn this and survive ? When ? They won't fall for a "I just know". You will have to reveal you learned it from talking with a werewolf friend. BAM ! You're a werewolf sympathizer and have betrayed your own kind ! Execution"! Chloe started. Max flinched a bit.
"Are you cereal"? Max asked uneasily.
"Of course. Can't have you pull any inside jobs to assist the werewolf take over. Basically you'll be looked at like you're that kid Lindsey from the Walking dead. Thinking werewolves are just misunderstood people that want to be your friend. And soon you'll try to sacrifice children to them or in this case, lure people to be turned...", Chloe finished.
Chloe sighed. Finishing securing the pad with tape, putting the tape aside and grabbing the gauze wrap, but pausing momentarily.
"I wish I was exaggerating Max, but they will turn on you, I've seen a woman trying to defend her tame werewolf husband and their "friends" killed her; he went nuts, they killed him too. It was like some bullshit seventeen hundreds witch burning crap", Chloe grimaced firmly.
"Shit... But what if I made something up... Never mind that'd be the "when" question's category, if I say it was a tame in daylight... Who's the tame ? I say wild one; what were you doing outside at night ? Fuck...", Max stated quietly.
She glanced away.
"Plus if I do get believers, that puts you in more danger, the largest werewolf will become the number one target... I can't risk your life even more because of me... I... I'll keep it to myself then...", Max rambled a bit in a discouraged mumble.
"I'm sorry Max... Its a shitty situation, I know", Chloe replied calmly.
She started gently wrapping the gauze wrap around the bandaging to further secure it on Max's leg.
"You mentioned earlier the full moon doesn't do anything, like control your changes. So aside from the wild ones being nocturnal, you don't feel more active or have the urge to howl at it"? Max asked calmly and curiously.
"Yes thats pretty much it, I did say that movies and Tv aren't reliable sources of info", Chloe replied casually.
"I know, just wanted to confirm, I mean I've got years of movies and tv in my head; finding out that despite the myth ending up real to begin with; everything about the myth is sort of a lie... I'm still adjusting", Max replied a bit sheepishly.
"Dude I get it. The truth is the myth revolved around the werewolf syndrome disease and other things got piled on top of that for the scary, "its not normal" effect; because a few people made it their life mission to state that differences need to be feared", Chloe sighs.
"The years go by and its no longer relevant and just gets played with and twisted in movies and tv. Not to say you shouldn't be terrified currently, considering these werewolves are in fact assholes", Chloe shrugged casually.
"Sounds about right, no howling then", Max agreed calmly.
"Well, not exactly. We do howl, but more to the effect of regular wolves; its to claim territory. We also claw up areas at key points on the perimeter edging of the area, like bears do. The louder the howl, the further it carries, the more it claims", Chloe replied calmly.
"You have a nice chunk of land; since you're the biggest so far, you probably have the loudest howl, right"? Max asked.
"Yep. For a lone wolf anyway. Most rely on a pack of voices though", Chloe stated casually.
She finished wrapping the wound and ripped it, tying it off and putting the remains of the gauze away. She closed up the med kit.
"Thanks Chlo", Max stated with a smile. Checking out her patch job.
"No problem", Chloe replied. She moved and sat down beside Max, before laying back and relaxing on the cushions, tucking her arms behind her head, closing her eyes and crossing one leg.
Max looked to her.
"Speaking of packs; how come you don't have one Chlo ? I mean, you seriously seem like you could be an alpha, no prob. Well if you wanted to that is", Max stated curiously.
"As I said, I'm a lone wolf, its been that way since this mess started. A pack is too high maintenance; I'd have to constantly fight to prove I could keep holding the alpha position and I don't take orders from anyone", Chloe replied.
"Plus I work faster alone without having to worry about a dozen or more lives in a fight. And honestly, I just don't want to and I have no intention of changing my mind. Its just pointless and stupid", Chloe stated firmly.
"Fair enough. So... You prefer to be alone...", Max replied quietly. She averted her eyes a bit.
Chloe looked over at her a moment silently, before looking away from her and turning on her side with her back to Max.
"I've spent enough time alone to know I don't need anyone...", Chloe stated firmly.
Max glanced down a bit, somewhat solemn.
Chloe closed her eyes partially, a faint blush on her cheeks as she kept her eyes averted.
"...But... I uh... Don't hate... having a little bit of company... Um, y-you know... E-every now and then...", She stated evasively.
Max looks to her a bit surprised and sees Chloe's modestly hidden embarrassed blush, and smiles at Chloe's tough facade, knowing she's dancing around the admittance that she likes having Max around.
Max also faintly blushes and looks away.
"Um, g-good to know...", Max replied quietly.
"Y-yeah... Subject change"? Chloe asked evasively.
"Um alright... Are you sure we're safe here"? Max asked quietly.
"Yeah don't worry. We're deep in my territory; and since we went swimming earlier, our scents have been washed away. Like I said before, my scent can also act as a mask for yours as well. The zigzagging I did in the forest will confuse and throw them off too", Chloe stated calmly.
"You planned for all that"? Max asked curiously.
"Thats right, it was bonus fun though. Its also why I had you bring the stick, it has your scent on it, so its almost like you vanished. Nathan's tracking mutts won't be able to learn your scent... Hopefully", stated Chloe calmly.
"Thats why you made me bring it ? I thought you wanted to play some more fetch later", Max replied, surprised.
Chloe rolled to her back to quietly look at Max with a quirked brow, and a sarcastic expression.
"You uh, do know that even if I act on impulse to certain triggers, I'm not actually a pet dog, right"? Chloe asked sarcastically.
Max looked to the stick in her bag. "Damn, I was totally going to get you a collar tomorrow too", Max stated casually.
Chloe blushed darkly. "I-I uh... Um... W-wow, you... wow...", Chloe stuttered nervously.
"Just kidding, you big doofus, I doubt the pet shops even have dire wolf sized collars anyway. Though I suppose, if that blush is anything to go by; I could find you a big belt if you want me to collar you", Max teased playfully, nudging Chloe's arm, then giggling a bit.
Chloe remained blushing, finding herself unavoidably imagining it.
"R-right, um... On that, totally embarrassing note. The other day when you were in school, I went hunting and re-stocked the lighthouse kitchen with food; and its not just meat...Mostly meat... But not all of it, so don't worry if you're vegan, or sort of vegetarian. Just let me know if you get hungry", Chloe replied trying to fight her blush, but having to resort to looking away from Max.
"Sweet, I will, thanks", Max replied. She settled back down in the warm furs.
"...So Nathan can't find us, huh ? … At least now I know there was a good reason behind you deciding to smell like wet dog all night", teased Max with a smirk.
"Yeah well, you smell like wet human; so you've got no room to talk Maxie. Besides, you love it~", Chloe teased back.
"Oh yeah totally, the scent just gets me going all day and all night", Max teased. Chloe laughed.
"Dork", Chloe replied playfully. Max laughed.
Chloe suddenly narrowed her eyes sharply, the intense glow of her eyes, glaring off toward the closed tent flap, a low growl building in her throat.
"Chloe"? Max asked curiously and unnerved a bit by the growl.
Chloe snapped out of her tension and looked to the photographer, softening her gaze.
"You okay"? Max asked worriedly. "Uh, yep... So we'll be here awhile, wanna, reminisce, or something..."?, Chloe asked evasively. Max laughed lightly. "Sure why not", She replied calmly.
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Nathan walked onto a grass field in hybrid form; he looked around as multiple hybrids and dire wolves stepped behind him and around him.
Nathan sniffed at the air and tensed his claws.
He growled lowly and glanced sharply back from the corner of his eye.
"Find me that half-breed's pet. NOW"! He ordered loudly.
All the werewolves surrounding him took off in different directions speedily.
His fur swayed in the kicked up wind.
A pure white hybrid stepped up just behind him with a feminine figure, her own fur also caught by the breeze.
"Nate- Alpha... That mutt's scent is all over the place, considering we're on her territory; but I can't pick up a trace of Caulfield's", She stated.
"They're some where near here, Victoria... They can't have gone far", he replied firmly.
Then he whipped around suddenly and grabbed her by the throat and yanked her in close. She choked out a gasp and grabbed his arm, closing one eye and gritting her teeth.
"And this is not, HER, territory ! It belongs to ME. She stole it from me and I will take it back ! Don't you forget it"! Nathan snapped angrily.
"Of course, I apologize, Alpha", Victoria answered in a strained breath.
"Good. Now make sure the trackers do their jobs", Nathan stated calmly. He released her throat and turned his back to her.
Victoria briefly rubbed her sore neck, before going around him and changing into her dire wolf form; racing off into the woods after the others.
He watched her, an animalistic grin on his muzzle.
"I can't wait to see the look on that mutt's face, when she has to watch her precious human struggling in agony within my grasp. That'll teach her what happens when you fuck with the Prescotts", Nathan sneered aggressively.
Then he changed into his dire wolf form and sniffed at the ground, before taking off running, on his own search.
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Max slowly got more and more groggy as the hours ticked by while they talked and laughed; enjoying their brief reprieve.
Chloe grew quiet, crossing her arms behind her head as she gazed up at the tent ceiling. She crossed one leg casually.
Max watched her as she settled down on the furry bedding next to Chloe, laying on her side, her left arm tucked under her head.
She reached over her right hand and gently nudged Chloe in the side, getting the punk's attention.
"Hey, you're spacing out again. Whats up"? Max asked calmly. "Sorry, I'm just... Thinking", Chloe replied calmly.
"I'd tease you about that but, it looks like you're thinking about something serious", Max stated.
"I...Am...", Chloe sighed. "Want to fill me in ? I mean if you're up to it"? Max offered.
Chloe looked away indecisively and kept quiet.
Max eyed her a bit, before closing her eyes and rolling to her other side. "Alright... No worries Chlo. Just let me know if you wanna talk, I'll listen". Max replied.
Chloe remained silent, then she closed her eyes and sighed. "...I never... Went into detail about... Why Joyce shot me...", She started quietly.
Max opened her eyes and sat up, looking at Chloe. "No you didn't, but, I think you made an attempt before; when we were in that cabin", She replied calmly.
"Yeah...", Chloe admitted her voice trailing off quietly, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
Chloe opened her eyes and looked to Max.
"Know how I said, some of these scars were from humans"? Chloe asked. "Yeah, I remember", Max replied feeling worry gathering in her stomach at the ominous mention.
"Well, a few... Are from a specific human... My... Step father...", Chloe stated uneasily and quietly as she looked away.
"Wait what"? Max asked in alert, the worry building and mixing with fear.
"Yep, David. He's a combat vet, and has major PTSD. He and I did not mix well as I'm sure you could guess... He was paranoid as fuck. He had zero patience for me and on more than one occasion, the prick would try and beat me; usually not getting more than a couple hits in before he'd hear Joyce come home", Chloe vented bitterly.
"Jesus Chloe, I-... Holy shit... Thats, fucked up ! I'm so sorry...", Max stated feeling concern and anger twist in her chest now.
"Joyce, would take his side, pulling the "I'm sure he's sorry he hit you, he's been through so much and quite frankly you do try to stir up trouble. Whether you believe it or not, he does care about you Chloe", bullshit cards...", Chloe sated sharply.
"Yeah maybe I was rebellious, I'd lost my real dad and this new dick steps in thinking he owned my mother and me, no shit I'd talk back and act out. But the ass has clearly never heard of grounding", Chloe growled angrily.
Max stayed quiet and listened to her vent.
"Then when I got my little curse, I kept trying to live as a normal teen while mourning for my recently murdered friend. Then we got into an argument and he hit me again, harder than he ever did; I was fucking bleeding on the ground"! Chloe stated angrily narrowing her eyes and tensing her hand.
"I snapped. I went into hybrid and finally fought back. Joyce walked in and saw me change form and throw him, I had him on the floor in front of me telling him to get the fuck out of my room, warning him I'd tear his stupid arm off if he touched me again; but he was yelling at mom to get his gun. Then, Joyce pulled the trigger", Chloe stated angrily.
"...Shit, I... don't know what to say... Thats, so intense and messed up...", Max replied with a sympathetic tone, looking down.
"You know its kind funny. Before I even got the curse the asshole thought I was one of the werewolves, paranoid as hell. Well in the end he got what he wanted. I became the monster he thought I was", Chloe stated with a bitter smirk.
"Chloe ! You are not a monster ! Fuck what he, or anybody else says about you ! You're amazing ! And you're not scary... Except when you lose a game of monopoly... But it doesn't matter ! I'm not afraid of you, cause you're still you. My best friend, my Captain ! And honestly I think you look like a cute fluffy puppy and I seriously want to pet you"! Max stated quickly, grabbing Chloe's arm comfortingly, looking at her with unwavering determination.
Chloe blushed darkly. "Uh... Th-thanks... for the, um... Pep talk", Chloe replied awkwardly.
Max then turned scarlet as she finished processing her own words and quickly released Chloe's arm and dropped back to the cushions, turning her back to Chloe as she covered her face in embarrassment.
"Oh my god...", Max mumbled self-consciously.
Chloe grinned. "So, you wanna pet me huh ? How long has this urge been present ? Is it around the same time you were feeling the urge to collar and possibly leash me"? Chloe asked teasingly.
"...Fuck off...", Max groaned shyly, still very much red in the face. Chloe laughed.
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The night carried on with no incidents and Max eventually succumbed to her exhaustion and fell asleep.
Chloe quietly covered her with one of the many furs; finding herself watching over Max as she slept, occasionally leaving the tent to pace in front of it in her dire wolf form, and make her way to the viewing deck outside through a special hidden slot she kept open between the silver sheets.
With the sea wind in her fur she'd scent the breeze, her ears flicking as they listen over the waves crashing against the night darkened cliff side, checking for any disturbances that may threaten or wake Max.
She detected the occasional distant howls and movements of the wild ones in the town as well as Nathan's tame pack chasing their tails in her forest no where near her and Max, trying to locate them.
She scoffed smugly in amusement, with a satisfied flick of her tail that they were falling for her wild goose chase.
Then she would go back inside and re-enter the tent still in her dire form and found herself laying down next to Max, relaxing as she listened to Max's steady, calm heartbeat and soft breathing.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Nathan and his pack rendezvoused back in the field. Nathan in his dire form, galloped into the field from his own search area and took position in front of the gathered pack members, his tail high, a growl of annoyance in his throat.
"Well"?! Nathan demanded with a snap of his jaws. The other wolves bowed their heads, ears drooping slightly, their tails fixed between their legs as they stepped back from him anxiously.
"Its no use Alpha. The half breed's scent is everywhere. We managed to track her to a deep pond, but... We lost her scent. Her tracks are everywhere, we can't decipher the real path she took. She's too meticulous". Victoria replied stepping forward with a brief bow of her head. Tail poised somewhat lower than his own.
"Damn it ! You're all useless ! … Heh, but no matter, tomorrow is a school day. We'll get her pet then, while they're separated", Nathan replied, Going from sharp rage to an abrupt casual tone.
"Lets go ! We're done here", Nathan ordered firmly.
He started leaving and the others followed swiftly.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Some time before dawn...
Chloe, still in her dire wolf form; awoke to Max's subtle trembling as though she was cold or having a nightmare.
Chloe groggily reached over to bite at a good length of the fake fur blanket that had slipped off of Max in her slumber; moving to pull it back up over the girl.
"...Chloe...", Max mumbled in her fretful sleep.
Chloe briefly looked to her in surprise. "Is she dreaming about me now"? Chloe thought curiously.
She continued trying to bring the blanket back over Max with her fangs.
Abruptly Max reached out in her sleep and wrapped Chloe up in an unintentional choke hold on her neck and yanked the punk wolf down on top of her.
Chloe gave a quiet grunt, releasing the blanket; but froze once she realized Max's face was suddenly closer than ever.
Max's arms around her thick neck, gripping at the scruff of her dire wolf fur, in a tight fear hold.
Chloe nervously started calculating possible escape plans in her head; especially when Max shifted closer to her, pressing her smaller body to Chloe's fur.
Then she felt Max's arms loosen a little, Max's breathing and heartbeat steadied once more; her body no longer trembled.
Chloe paused and observed the mood-shift.
"Chloe...", Max mumbled again in her sleep.
Chloe swallowed nervously, uncertain, curious anticipation in her eyes.
"... Chloe... Don't, eat...Me...", Max mumbled trailing off slowly.
Chloe relaxed and stoically watched Max before moving to indifferently grab the fake fur blanket again, despite her current pin. "Great, a nightmare about me killing h-", Chloe thought solemnly.
When Max shifted closer to her and nuzzled her chest sleepily. "Yet...", Max finished her trailed off mumble with a sleepy small smile.
Chloe's face felt like an inferno and if it could, it'd likely resemble one too. If it weren't a cartoon restriction, she'd be sweating pinballs on the back of her head rapidly. Her eyes wide in alert, though her tail subtly wagged along the furry bedding.
She gave up on the blanket and laid down at Max's side. The human girl still held onto her, cuddling against her.
Chloe relaxed, curling her body around Max snugly; draping her long bushy tail over Max like a blanket instead and laid her head down comfortably on Max's chest.
Slowly her eyes grew heavy and they slipped closed. "Okay Price, time for sleep, you're getting delusional...", Chloe thought to herself, before drifting off cozily alongside her best friend.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~
~An IMPORTANT Note from Pure Set~
I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter, this last year has been chaotic with work, life or death concerns, and a house flood among other things that are still ongoing.
Even if its not quite worth the wait, I hope Chapter 11 was still fairly enjoyed by you all wonderfully patient people. I wish I could've gotten it out to you sooner, but sadly it wasn't an option.
Chapter 12, will also be a long wait, due to its size it'll actually be a part 1 and 2 both quite long, but I will work on it when I can, and I appreciate your patience and understanding.
Please review if you feel like it, it helps keep me going~
Thank you again for taking the time to wait and read, hope you all have a great day, week, month and year !