Dog On A Rope

29 - New Direction

Afore worked hard and long days, directing others and getting the tribe all together. With every passing moment, Laika watched the expression on his face grow hungrier and hungrier, a fire like a forge ignited within him. It was never enough for him, and he grew large and greedy.

His chosen prospects for his metal working ideas were given a selection of three large huts to use as their forge. Those that lived in the huts were subsequently slaughtered, unless of high status in the tribe. Somehow, Afore felt lively and comfortable and powerful; he fit right in to this tribe, and Laika so desperately wished she could get away somehow. She wondered about all that Afore had told her of his pack back home, and how the pups all lived with their mothers. Laika wondered how such a calm, happy background could produce such a beast.

She had to remember that he was a wolf, and nothing else now.

She knew that Veal Tribe would need a suitable leader to fight against the growing power that Afore and his new tribe was. Afore had already talked openly about conquering other tribes, and Laika was suddenly very fearful for her friends and family back home.

Although she hadn't thought much of them, she missed the group of dogs that she hunted with before she met Afore. Pitifully, she thought of Kelo, the very first canine that Afore had killed. At the time, it was just another death while working, but now, Laika could see just how defining that moment truly was for her and Afore. She felt like somehow, had Kelo still been alive, none of this would have happened. She turned that broiling hatred towards Afore, thinking if only he had stayed underground. But, then again, he had saved her life so many times. Laika couldn't help but think of the good times, and the days and nights they spent freely chatting with one another, being open and smiling. Now, everything felt stiff and awkward.

But didn't Afore just want the best for her? His leadership over Castimun was a big change, but perhaps it was needed, and perhaps Laika would like it. She tried to reason silently within her head, trying to paint Afore in a good light, and making sense of his actions. Hadn't he done it all for her?

But as the day wore on, Afore grew tired, and as night fell, he would retire to the den that used to belong to The Baron's. Unlike most Barons, Afore wore no jewelry nor leather hide armour, expressing his primitiveness and his ability to kill without the aide of technology. He advanced technology for Castimun Tribe, and leather workers were busy, busy, busy stitching together armour for every dog in the village.

Afore walked to the brilliantly white hut which was reserved for The Baron. For a moment, Laika wondered if he would walk her out back in the barley field and tie her up to that post, just as he and Laika were both tied up to it upon their first night of arrival. But he didn't; instead, Laika was allowed into the hut with him. They were still roped together, and Laika just couldn't make sense of it all. Afore circled twice, and then laid down on one of the fluffy hides in the dark, resting his head on his paws with a sigh.

"Afore," Laika spoke softly and with shyness.

He looked away from her, his eyes gleaming in the dark, "I'm sorry, Laika. I never intended for any of this to happen."

"I know, Afore," Laika soothed, unsure of what else to do or say. And frankly, his words seemed stupid and unthinking. Laika sighed, "But you didn't do anything to prevent all of this. We could have ran away whenever I said to, and you wouldn't have been made Baron!"

Afore sat up, his eyes reflecting nothing, "No, Laika. Just think of the difference we can make here. You will never have to be tied up again. You'll never have to worry about anyone again. I'll protect you, always. This is what is best for you."

She shook her head, her feathered ears batting side to side, "Afore, you are not listening to me. I never needed your protection, I just needed you to run with me so we could get out."

"I'm scared," Afore said, "That you're going to leave me once we escape, once we get this rope cut. You're not going to want anything to do with a wolf."

Laika scoffed, "Not at all, Afore. But I will want to live my own life, you know. I'm not going to be this close to you all of the time."

He shook his head, deeply saddened, "Laika, I don't want you to leave me all alone again. Do you understand how hard that is?" His eyes gleamed, "Do you even know how difficult it is to be all alone, with nobody in the world to care about you, and everyone wanting you dead?"

"I'm sorry, Afore."

"This is what is best for us," he repeated firmly. "This tribe, here, can be a beautiful home for us, Laika. And for our pups."

"Our pups?"

"I've suspected you're pregnant," he gave her a charming wolfy smile.

She was flustered, and a little reluctant, "Pregnant?"

Afore nodded with enthusiasm, "Well, of course! I'm sorry that it wasn't your will, but here in this beautiful tribe, we can raise our pups together, where they will never know fear, discrimination, or hatred."

Laika was terrified of being pregnant— and even worse, she would have no idea who the father was, although she could take a wild guess. She thought of Bellamy then, and pitied him, wondering suddenly where he had run off to. At the same time, Laika considered how wonderful it truly would be if her pups could live without fear, without discrimination. What a wonderful world that would be, she thought. She considered Afore may be right, and looked at him with a strong affection, feeling the trust that was once there begin to warmly return. She knew she could trust him. She knew, no matter what, that she would be safe with him.

Would having pups with him really be such a bad thing?

"It's too early to tell," Laika said, feeling a little more relaxed.

"I know," Afore said, "But I just get the itch, the scent that you are." Laying beside her on the fluffed hides, he placed a large paw over hers, "I promise, if they have been conceived, that our pups will be safe and happy within this tribe."

Laika nodded, allowing herself a small, calming smile.

Maybe this is what was best for her. Maybe Afore was just trying his best to protect her; and she considered that she shouldn't let her bias against wolves get in the way of how she sees Afore. He was just trying to protect her and provide for her.

"And hey," Afore said, a little hesitantly, "Now that I run this tribe, we can cut this rope that binds us." He chuckled, "Although, I think it's the best thing that's ever happened to us."

Laika nodded, smiling then, "That would be perfect... I'm tired of it."

Afore nodded, "I'm just worried, is all, that you're going to leave the second I cut this rope."

"I promise, Afore," Laika said, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Can you prove it?"

"Prove it? How?"

He lowered his gaze to their paws, "You must just do one thing for me."

"Alright, Afore. If it will make you feel better, then I will do it."

He smiled, nodding, "I would like us to be mates, officially."

"Oh." Laika was a bit taken aback, but she also knew that this moment would come, and she did not dread it. In fact, she'd begun to understand that she quite liked Afore, even so with all that had happened. And even more now, as she realised all he had done had been in her best interest. Hadn't it? She hesitated still, but finally brought herself to say, "Okay, we can do that." The words felt sour, her tongue thick, her mouth dry. She hadn't meant to say them so callously, as if she was afraid.

Afore chose to ignore it, ears pricking and eyes gleaming as he smiled, "I'm so glad to hear it! When should we plan for the ritual? The mating? Oh, so exciting. I'm so happy, Laika. I truly am. You're the best thing I've ever found in this sorry life. I'd do anything for you."

She had her doubts... would he really do anything for her? She pushed herself to believe him, and nodded with a shy smile.