The Alpha's Beta

Chapter 3

After a week, our power was on, our boxes unpacked, and our routine set. I knew where my classes were, but I still walked with Tia. Noah joined us in the mornings, before he shared classes with Ethan. The howling continued every night, but I was getting used to it. It was actually kind of comforting, knowing that whatever it was was still out there and alive.

Today was Saturday, so I decided to do some exploring. My mom went to work at 9am, which was three hours ago. So I had the house to myself and the woods to my - well, almost - self.

I put on my customary sweatshirt and jeans - I almost always wore something like it. It wasn't yet cold enough to have to put on a coat, so I didn't bother. I laced up my sneakers and walked outside. Towards the woods, where I saw the dog. I hadn't seen him in full yet, only tiny glimpses once in awhile. 

As soon as I stepped into the woods, I felt a surge of energy. I stumbled a little with surprise. Where did that come from? It was like just being here gave me an automatic energy drink. Weird.

I shook it off and moved towards the back of my house, through the trees. Staying within sight of the house, I ranged a little farther in. 

The trees behind my house grew closer together, and after a few minutes of walking, I couldn't see my house anymore. Just go straight forward, and you won't get lost, I told myself.

I walked through the crunchy leaves, trying to be quiet but failing. On top of that there were birds singing, and the occasional rustle of leaves from a small animal. 

After an hour or two walking, something white went right through my peripheral. Finally!

I turned slowly, trying not to frighten it. But when I turned, I saw the dog laying down on its belly, tongue hanging out, completely at ease. 

"Hi, boy. I'm just here to take you home, okay? Don't be afraid. Come here, buddy. I won't hurt you." I cooed softly as I crept forward. I didn't see a collar around his neck, but he didn't seem like a stray. He was too friendly. I finally knelt in front of him, and cautiously reached my hand out to pet his head. He lifted his head, begging for his head to be patted. So I complied, feeling his knotted fur. There were some minor scratches, but nothing major. 

I learned a lot about veterinary medicine and animals in general from my aunt, who was a vet herself. I used to help her out before she moved away. A few months after that, we did, too. But in the opposite direction. So we weren't really in touch anymore.

"Can you stand? Stand, boy." Maybe he knew that trick? The dog stood. Apparently he did. "Good boy." I patted him again. "Now, heel. Come on boy, heel."

I walked in the direction of my house, the dog following closely behind. I climbed the back deck steps, the dog following more slowly. Cautiously. 

"It's okay, boy. No one's going to hurt you, I promise." I walked back over to him, smoothed my hand over his head, neck, and back. That seemed to calm him enough to get him on the deck. I left the slider door unlocked, so I pulled it open, stepping back to let the dog in. 

Any mud or dirt he tracked in wouldn't hurt. The carpets were already filthy. We planned on getting them replaced next week. 

"Okay," I started as I closed the door behind us, "I can't keep calling you 'the dog.' And I know we're going to have to give you back to your rightful owners, but I'm going to name you. Just temporarily."

I thought for a few seconds. Decided. "I'm going to say a name. Like equals bark. Dislike equals growl. Easy enough?" Of course I didn't actually expect those things from him, but thought it'd be funny.

"Snow?" Growl. Huh, he actually answered.

"Winter?" Another growl.

"Ice?" Yet another growl. 

After another five minutes of that, I went through all of the generic white pet names.

"How about Hunter? You are a dog, and they're descendants of wolves. Wolves are hunters by nature. " No growl. A bark this time. "Okay. Hunter it is."

**

"What is that thing doing inside?" My mom yelled. She had just gotten home from work and discovered Hunter. 

"I got him inside. I didn't want him to starve to death outside, or run away again. If that's what he did in the first place. So I brought him in here."

She sighed. "Fine. But if - and when - he makes a 'mess,' you're cleaning it up." Despite my mom's misgivings, I knew she felt the same way about him as I did - she wanted to protect him, too.

"Thanks! But just remember, it's just for until we find his owner."

"I know. Does he have a collar or anything?" 

"No, but I did name him for the time being. Hunter. He approved."

"Approved? Never mind, I probably don't want to know. He sleeps on the floor, not your bed. No matter how friendly. And he's getting a bath tomorrow."

"Okay. Good night. Come on, Hunter." He trotted over to me and followed me to my room. My mom went to her room to also get ready for bed. 

It was ten o'clock, so I decided to just go to bed. There wasn't anything else to do at the time. We were still waiting on the internet guys to get it up and running.

I got out my pajamas and went to put them on. Looked at Hunter. "Turn around. No peeking!" Hunter turned and put his head on his paws. I changed and climbed onto my makeshift bed. Hunter whined from his spot on the floor. 

"You heard what Mom said. But you can come lay on the floor right here." I patted the floor next to my head and laid there, sighing as he lay down. He licked my hand. "Yeah, yeah. Your welcome. But you better stay on the floor."