The Apple Tree

Chapter 3

    Brie slowly backed away, probably going over to complain to Caden. Lukas gave Mitch a look.

“I've told you to stop getting into fights with Brie." Lukas licked Mitch's ear, it was bleeding.

    Mitch ducked out from under the older boy, embarrassed. If he'd had cheeks, they'd have been red as a radish.

“I'm fine, you don't have to take care of me all the time."

“Mitch, you know Brie has a lot of other wolves to back her up. If I hadn't stopped the fight-"

“Okay, I get it. Thank you." Mitch said the last word a bit quieter. Lukas had been his mentor for awhile, and was Mitch's last crush. He'd told Lukas, and he'd taken it in stride, politely declining and instead being like an older brother. It'd been okay the last few years, but it was a bit embarrassing now.

“I'll be with the other highschoolers. Don't be afraid to come sit with me, alright?" Lukas looked at Mitch.

    Mitch nodded, and Lukas padded away. Mitch turned to Kazumi, who looked in shock.

“Are you and Brie-"

“It's all because of rumours. Don't worry about it." Mitch looked up at the sky. The sun had fallen, it's last rays filtering through the brown and red leaves of autumn. “It's almost time for the meeting. We shouldn't have to do anything, we're only here so we know what's going to happen."

    Kazumi's tail was still behind his legs, but he didn't ask a question.

    A lone howl was heard about a mile off. All the wolf's heads rose, and they began to run, towards the origin of the call.

    Three packs had already arrived, all relatively small, considering it was just out of town. About 15-20 wolves made up each pack, and most were from nearby towns, like Blue Mill and Shining Valley.

    Mitch was from Green Hills, which was led by three highschoolers; Lukas, Vayden, and Damien. Vayden and Damien were pretty chill.

    An excited bark came from the other side of the clearing, and Mitch looked over to see a delicate black wolf charging towards him.

“Mitch!"

    Mitch quickly jumped out of the way, as Jarrett quickly skidded to a stop.

“I've missed you!" Jarrett nuzzled Mitch's neck. “What's been up these last few months?"

“Eh, nothing much." Mitch lied. “This is Kazumi." Mitch pointed his ears at the silver-white wolf, who was standing awkwardly to the side.

“Oh, hey Kazumi." Jarrett wagged his tail, still happy.

    Mitch led Jarrett and Kazumi over to the center of the clearing, sitting on the other side of Caden as the meeting started.

***

    Mitch stumbled into human form, eyelids drooping. He'd said goodbye to Kazumi and Jarrett, and Lukas had walked partway home with him, insisting on it.

    Mitch opened his door, heavy feet somehow making their way to his bed. He fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.