As Ric led me through Howlington I raised an eyebrow at his back, unsure as to where he was taking me. "Ric, what gives? I thought you wanted to teach me self-defense?" I asked and he stopped walking giving me a tiny grin that made me cross my arms against my chest. "You know my leg's healed right?"
"Of course, I'm going to teach you, Alex but that comes later. Right now I wanted to show you something cool." Ric answered, stepping close to an open window before he changed his moon band from hold to morph mode. Hunching over, he grunted before changing into his wolf form, stepping close before lightly touching my moon-band.
"Alright if you're sure." I finally agreed, copying him and after several seconds I transformed. Now in wolf form, I grinned at him, watching Ric touch a paw print on the wall. As I stared the wall opened up revealing a staircase and when he saw me blinking at it Ric chuckled.
"Follow me but watch your step," Ric said, hopping down the stairs, and with a sigh I followed being very careful before I reached his side. "Welcome to Howlington's ancient initiation challenge. Think you're up to it, Alex?"
"Whoa, this is amazing. Why didn't I know about this all sooner?" I asked Ric who just climbed up to a walkway. As I stared at the obstacles in front of me Ric placed both paws on the walkway, smiling down at me.
"Well, you are an unofficial member of Howlington, Alex. You did miss the tour." Ric explained, waiting for me to get into position. When he saw me hesitate, he chuckled. "Alex, you've faced down a pack of wilderwolves remember?"
"Oh yeah I remember, Ric," I growled, baring my teeth before I scratched at the stone floor with my claws. "Bring it on!"
"Thought you'd like this surprise. Be careful, okay?" He called out and I nodded, timing the pendulums before I raced toward them. Even with the timing right I felt the breeze of one of the pendulums as it flew over my mane, barely missing me. Keeping calm, I darted for the wheels next briefly noting that they moved at different speeds and as I jumped onto one and then the other I quickly leapt down.
"Take your time, Alex!" Ric called out but I barely even heard him, seeing stone pillars rising and falling out of the ground. Gritting my teeth I darted forward dodging one though when another rose nearby I grinned, stepping quickly onto it. The rapid rise of the pillar sent me into the air and as I landed on all four paws I laughed, leaving Ric chuckling as I did the same to the next.
Clearing that obstacle I jogged ahead seeing a ledge a few feet away though as I rushed toward it I saw the drop. Shaking my head I ran as fast as my legs could carry move and when I leapt forward Ric rushed toward the other side.
I landed on the other side only to stumble though Ric was ready and he grabbed my paws, keeping me steady. "Easy there, Alex. You did amazing." He told me as I panted, stretching my legs before I stood on my hind legs. "I'm not kidding." He insisted when I tilted my head to one side.
"Thanks, Ric it means a lot to hear you say that," I replied and he chuckled, setting a paw down on my shoulder. "Now about that dinner you promised me?"
Glancing down at his watch I saw Ric grimace and I growled under my breath when he lifted his head. "Sorry, Alex but I have to go. Night Patrol needs me."
"Hmph I need you right now," I complained, following him back into the hallway. "You promised," I muttered, and Ric paused near the front entrance before he gave me a tiny nod.
"I know, Alex but I'll make it up to you," Ric replied, gently cupping my chin before he nuzzled my head. "That's a Ric Rawls solemn vow. Now you get something to eat."
"Fine, Ric just be careful okay?" I told him after a pause, and he nodded. Squeezing one of my front paws he headed for the entrance leaving me with a slightly lowered head.
Shaking my head I walked through the hallway, entering the mess hall where I found my friends all eating. "Hey Alex…. why are you in wolf form?" Aggie asked and I sighed, giving her a shrug before I started to grab something to eat. In the end, I made myself some soup though I could barely eat, too focused on what Ric might be doing right then.
"Ric will be fine, Alex. He's been in the Night Patrol since he graduated." Freddy pointed out and I sighed, taking another sip of the soup I had grabbed. "Now you didn't answer Aggie's question."
"I changed forms because Ric wanted me to try Howlington's ancient initiation challenge," I announced, blinking when everyone immediately crowded around me. "Before you ask I aced it."
"Way to go, Alex," Freddy told me and I just nodded, getting several pats on the back before I heard someone clearing their throat.
"Sorry, Principal Pincus were we being too loud?" I apologized but Pincus just held up a hand, smiling. "So you heard everything just now?"
"So Mr. Rawls showed you that did he? That must mean your leg's healed." Pincus commented and I nodded, crouching before I raised myself by my front paws into a handstand. "While that is impressive, Miss Wolff you need to be careful. You don't want to injure yourself again so soon, do you?"
"Of course not, Principal Pincus I promise I'll be more careful," I answered, standing back on my hind legs. "I hope Ric comes back soon. He still owes me a date."
"Right now I would think you would be more focused on your camping trip," Pincus answered, and I blinked, my head tilted to one side until she sighed. "Mr. Rawls never mentioned the camping trip did he?" When I shook my head, giving our principal a shrug she shook her head. "Of course he did."
"Your first camping trip at Howlington. Actually, the second one if you count the one with you and Ric." Ivan commented and I winced, wondering if I was blushing under my fur as everyone broke into laughter.
"Yes, yes very funny. But I did learn a few tracking skills from Ric." I replied, returning to my soup so I didn't have to make eye contact with my friends. "Which I'll prove on our camping trip," I added, grabbing my spoon.
Once I finished my dinner I jogged back to my dorm, pushing open the door only to feel my face fall when I noticed the empty bed. Seeing me looking lost Freddy placed a hand on my shoulder and I turned to see him and our pack smiling at me.
"Don't worry, Alex he'll be fine." Batty told me before Freddy could and I nodded though when I glanced at the moonlight shining through the nearest window she nudged me. "Ric wanted to keep it a secret but he's coming with us."
"Really?" I asked and when she nodded that brought a grin to my muzzle. Feeling a little better I bid everyone goodnight, stepping into the room before I closed the door behind me. The moment I looked at the bed I snorted, curling up beside it on the carpet instead once I realized that I wouldn't be able to fit with my werewolf form.