Rising (Revised & Edited)

Chapter 4

I let out a low growl as slowly I opened my eyes. It felt like I had been crushed. I lifted my head but was stopped by my stiff neck...and a dark grey paw. The owner of the paw let out a growl to tell me that I shouldn't move as I lay on the stone slab, the wolf looking me over. Then I remembered who in our pack has dark grey fur...

Tyler came back around to my face, pushing some leaves to me. I wrinkled my nose. I'm not going to eat plants, I hated them with a passion.

I growled at the leaves. When I exhaled they flew off the slab, floating slowly to the ground. It's amusing, he thinks I will eat them that easily? Tyler growled at me, snapping the air near my face with his teeth before he shoved them more aggressively in my face.

I was surprised at his behavior. Why is he doing these things? It was about then that I remembered: he was an orphan like me and as such had been adopted by Vincent and Sasha, who were the ones who cared for the pack and helped heal injuries. If a healer was trying to help someone, even if they were the Alpha, that person had to listen to them, for in the healing caves the healers held all authority. So, this is where you hide all day? No wonder I never met you before.

He growled at me again and I slowly opened my mouth so he could stick them on my tongue. I hated the taste of them, and the whole time I ate them my lips were curled up in a snarl, ears folded back. I guess I'll go along with what you say, it's the least I can do considering how my brother is towards you.

Tyler then started to gently bend my legs, helping get rid of the stiffness. I slowly stood up on shaky, painful legs. I could barely move my head because of my neck and my back. "Walk, it'll help," Tyler told me.

I slowly started walking, haltingly and painfully at first, but slowly my body loosened up. Tyler stayed close by my side and we walked out of the healing cave, into the sunlight. His body was warm, and I felt an unexplainable pull to be near him. I never wanted him to leave my side. I walked with Tyler so close I could hear his heartbeat; bump-ba-bump, bump-ba-bump, bump-ba-bump. It was beautiful. I could have listened to it forever. Slowly I began to jog, which Tyler disapproved of as he nipped my shoulder, slowing me down.

Then we came out of the clearing and into the forest. I don't care if he didn't approve of it, I'm going to run!

I picked up speed, the trees were flying by me. My heart was beating fast, my breathing could be seen in small white puffs as the autumn leaves drifted down...and then Tyler flashed in front of me. He was fast. Faster than me, which was impressive. He slowed his pace, running close by my side as I whined at him, unable to keep up, forcing me to slow.

As he growled at me when I tried to push myself faster, Maverick slithered out from the shadows. "You're not the boss of her," he snarled. I crouched down, folding my ears back while my fur stood on end. I let out a loud snarl at Maverick. Tyler moved closer to me, pushing me back towards the pack. You're standing up for me, but you couldn't stand up for yourself when confronted by him before? Why? Why for me? Am I really someone you feel you need to protect? Do I matter to you when I matter to nobody else? Fine.

I complied. Fine. Fight for me then. I will respect your need.

Maverick stalked forward, slowly he and Tyler began to circle each other. Tyler's ears were back, white teeth bared as his blue eyes flared with a hidden rage. I watched as the tension between them grew, could see how Maverick's muscles clenched and Tyler's twitched.

Maverick was about to attack, and Tyler was ready to dash around him.

Maverick lunged with a snarl, trying to grab Tyler by the throat but he darted under Maverick before ramming his shoulder into him, who went skidding across the leaves. I wanted to jump in, but I couldn't. If I did, Maverick could kill me, or kill Tyler. If they clashed together when I tried to jump in, I could get caught in the middle. Not to mention, it's your fight, isn't it? I asked him in my thoughts as I watched in amazement as he showed his skill, he came alive as he fought.