Through a Wolf's Eyes

Chapter Four - Pack to the rescue! Or not?

I was not able to tell the time from inside the cage, but I figured it must be around dawn. Most of the humans had gone to sleep hours ago, disappearing behind a door that must have led to their living quarters. The humans had taken shifts in order to have at least a single guard watching us during the night. Our current guard was the man who had been talking to the phone. He was lazily skimming through a worn magazine, turning his gaze towards me every now and then. Each time our eyes met, I made sure to fill my gaze with hostility and murderous intent. Oh, if only looks could kill...

By the time more humans were strolling into the warehouse again, Fay's even breaths hitched a bit, and her eyes fluttered open. The pup's gaze was disoriented, and once she recognized where she was, she let out a soft whimper. I pitied the little wolf. She probably wasn't used to being separated from her pack, or being in such a situation in general. In the back of my mind I envied Fay for knowing the safety of a pack, but I know it must be so much harsher for her now that she is alone. At least she looked a bit more refreshed than she was last night.

Before I had the time to say any words of comfort, the double doors on the wall on my far left were busted open and wolves spilled out into the warehouse. For a moment, there was only fur and human flesh flashing before my eyes, making it impossible to single out a specific target. Snarls and gunshots seemed to come from everywhere, only wavering for a bit when a whine or distressed scream sounded.

A single figure managed to detach himself from the snarling mass of bodies. The wolf had a slender build and was covered with dark brown fur. A ring of keys was dangling between his teeth as he rushed towards the cage where Fay was chained up in. He shifted swiftly and made quick process of unlocking the cage and freeing Fay from her restraints. As soon as the pup was free, she took on her human form and threw herself into the arms of the male wolf.

"Ethan", she said with a whimper.

"It's alright, kiddo", the older wolf, apparently named Ethan, said. "We'll get you out of here."

He lifted the shaking pup in his arms and stepped out of the cage, ignoring the chaotic battle that was still taking place behind him. As he walked past the entrance of my own cage, my heart sank to my feet. At least Fay will make it out, I tried to tell myself.

"Wait", Fay said as she grabbed her fingers around Ethan's shirt. "We have to save Noah too."

"Who...", Ethan mumbled as he followed Fay's gaze towards me. His eyes widened as he took sight of me, he probably hadn't even noticed me before.

"Mavis", he called, his voice barely rising above the tumult in the background. A light grey wolf came bouncing towards them, shifting once she reached the others.

"Take Fay outside," Ethan said, "I will take care of this one." He pointed towards me.

"Who is this?" Mavis asked as she takes Fay from Ethan's hold.

"Noah, apparently", Ethan said. "Just take Fay and go."

Mavis gave a small nod and ran off towards the double doors. Two wolves fell in beside her to guard the pair to safety. I was too focused on Mavis and Fay escaping, that I didn't notice that Ethan had opened up my cage already and was now crouching before me. When he grabbed the leather muzzle on my snout, I growled and lashed out at him. The wolf may be a friend of Fay's, he could still be a threat.

"Woah there, buddy", Ethan said as he retracts his hands. "I want to get you out of here, but I still like my fingers. I don't want them chomped off just yet." I snarled at that.

"Listen, kid, we don't have much time left. If you want me to get these chains off, you will need to coöperate."

I knew he was right, this strange wolf would probably be my only chance of survival, but my wolf was screaming inside of me to not let the stranger come close. I pushed back my instincts and flicked my tail to let the other know he could continue.