The Protector

Chapter Nine:An Old Friend

The travel down the road seems rather quiet and yet not as tense as it normally is. In truth, Gabriel has been thinking about Kara's kind words the night before. He told himself that that wouldn't continue thinking about it but it refused to leave his mind. It both bothers him and yet makes him happy. A happiness that he is not exactly use to. He had spent the better part of life on a land he was not familiar with, watching over someone he never even knew. Always remaining close enough to hear her calls or pleas for help but remaining out of sight and silent. And if he was being truthful with himself, he never had an interest in making contact with her. This was partially due to him blaming her for things that he now finds himself reassuring her about and also not entirely knowing how to communicate with others well. This was one of his many flaws and he knew at some point he would have to improve. " I'm suppose to take over my parents kingdom someday " he thinks to himself. He would have to step up and be the man that his parents believed he could be. Though he hopes it won't be for a long time so he has some time to prepare. That and so that he can spend time with Kara every so often. Being close to her is something that makes him feel stronger, though he isn't sure entirely why. " Its not because she is weak..of course I know that" he thinks. Despite her own doubts, Gabriel does believe that she will make an amazing Queen someday and has never truly viewed her as weak. He watched her overcome so many challenges through her life that many would turn away from or shut down. But Kara never did. Kara, while timid at times, would never completely give up. Perhaps that is why he loves being around her so much. He knows all the great things she is and the even better things she can become and perhaps, deep down, he wants to witness it and be there for every moment.

" So I know this is random" Kara breaks the silence. " But does it hurt when you transform? I know it might be too personal to ask but I was genuinely curious about this. Gabriel continues facing foward and smiles a little " No. It doesn't hurt at all. If anything, it's almost like releasing yourself from a constriction. Normally, in my human form, I feel like I'm being weighed down and limited but in my wolf form..I feel free. I feel I can access my full strength and speed. I can be my true self" He answers, almost shocked that she has taken an interest in his wolf form now considering how long they've been journeying together. " So your true form is the wolf? So like..how are human? You are just born this way? I'm just trying to understand.." Kara glances over at Gabriel with genuine interest, her arms resting above her head.
" Well, we are born as wolves. The important thing to understand is that our kind, is very old. And there was a time where we were being hunted. And from what I've understood, we developed the ability to shift both through magic and adaptation with survival instincts" he explains which makes Kara lean forward. " So...this would be a way of fitting in better. Does this mean you were hunted by humans at some point? "
" No " he answers. " Not all of us have Human forms. Some of us have alternative forms that we can shift into. I've never completely understood how that works but what I do know, is that I was one of the few that could change into human. Which I can only assume is another reason that I was selected to come to earth with you. Many of my people thought this was destiny while others were outraged that I had been selected"
Kara leans forward a little more, focusing on the road, the same as Gabriel. " Well Destiny or not, I feel like it should have been your choice as to wether you came or didn't. That wasn't fair to you" Kara feels an intense relief being able to have this conversation with Gabriel. It finally feels like they are truly bonding.
" Well as I've said, there is not much that can be done about it now. And besides, I don't exactly regret it. I got a pretty good friend out of this " he smiles which catches Kara's attention. "You are my first real bestfriend too Kara. I mean, there was someone from my childhood before I left. But I don't know what happened to her. I'm assuming she has probably forgotten about me" this peaks Kara's attention. She takes a mental note of the sadness in his voice. " So this girl...she meant alot to you? " Kara persist with her curiosity. " Well, I cared about her but that is also because we pretty much met and grew up together from the beginning. She was someone that was always kind to me. Her family was the leader of one of the older tribes and so our parents were friends which meant we got to spend time together which was nice. She wasn't there when I had to leave though. I believe at the time, her parents had taken her on a hunt for a few weeks. I almost feel they did that on purpose because they knew she wouldn't be happy about it"
" So what is her name" Kara asks. " The girl" she adds as she nudges Gabriel's arm playfully. He seems to battle over wether wanting to continue talking about her or not but finally relents " Her name was Victoria". This was a name he had not spoken in years and it felt weird to leave his lips again. It had been so long and the words almost hurt to speak. There was so much time they had missed out on, and he feared she would have forgotten him. And yet, somehow, having Kara around was comforting. This is the first time he has gotten to open up about his feelings and this was therapeutic for him in so many ways.
" I'm sure she hasn't forgotten you. I'm sure she thinks of you everyday, awaiting the return of her Prince" Kara laughs trying to reassure him and then turns her head away to look over the vast green fields they were now passing.
She would be lying if she said she wasn't slightly jealous of this girl. But why would she feel so jealous? Perhaps this is simply because she has never had a true friend before and she just doesn't like the thought of sharing. " Yeah.." Gabriel respondes as they continue down the path.