Rogue Wolf

Ch 78 fight

Michael woke slowly, acting groggy. I still wasn't sure everything was all right. I'd unsealed the water bottles myself... except the one. The possibility Michael had been drugged kept invading my thoughts. I tried to keep myself from being paranoid.

He really was a damn handsome wolf, with his reddish fur, so different from everyone else's browns, grays and black. His ears seemed like huge scoops. I sat there, watching one move, turning instinctually to catch the various sounds around him.

He was focused on his paw, turning it to look at the underneath side, laying it flat to look at the top, turning it sideways again. I couldn't help feeling fond of him as I watched him discover himself. I wasn't going to hurry him, or attack him like I'd been attacked. A frown crossed my face as a memory of Michael pouncing at me flitted across my mind. My teeth had grabbed his neck... I think. That wasn't attacking, I tried to tell myself. I wouldn't, not Michael. I sat back, watching as he discovered himself. A smile unknowingly crossed my face as I saw his tail twitch. It was so fluffy, so peaceful.

Eventually he stretched, yawning. The act seemed to confuse him. He laid there, opening and closing his mouth, moving his tongue around. I must have made some sound, because he jumped, turning to face me. I chuckled a little. His front paws were splayed, his body at the wrong angle to move forward smoothly. His back end was still half-sitting, legs twisted up.

"Hey dude. Looking good," I said softly, giving him a smile.

His brow furrowed, as if he was trying to make sense of my words.

"You're a wolf, man, you did it. It's all done now. The pain is over."

His lip curled up at the mention of pain.

"I am sorry, Michael, for having had to bite you. I know you didn't want this. I'll help you, though. I'll keep you safe..."

That's all I got out. Michael pounced, or at least tried to. He went sprawling, falling on his side. He growled at his feet. His head swung up at the chuckle I couldn't keep back. I seemed to remember his earlier attempt at a pounce being rather pathetic.

"Take your time, man. It's weird, walking on four legs. Think of your skating, and just move. It ain't hard. You can do it," I added, encouraging him.

He tried to take a step forward, his head and shoulders twisted around so he could watch his back feet. He tried to walk the way he would on two legs, one deliberate step then another. He stumbled, suddenly trying to keep himself from falling forward, having forgotten to move his front paws.

"Dude, stop!" I laughed. "Just look at me. Come here. You thirsty? I can put it in a bowl, or if you're ready, you can shift back to human. I didn't get the chance to explore myself as a wolf, so take your time."

Michael looked at me with this really intense look as I poured half the water into the nearby bowl, nudging it slightly toward him. He let out this sound that I figured was him trying to talk.

"Yeah," I told him, "I know it's different, lapping water up. Just do, don't think! I was excited to be a wolf. I'd tried to howl, and that ass attacked me. I thought I was dead until Lone Wolf moved in, taking the brunt of the attack. Ain't no one gonna hurt you though. I won't let them."

Michael got himself to his feet, his sounds and movement finally drawing the attention of the others. They came, until they circled him like they once did me. It put me on guard, and I moved to Michael's side.

When I saw our old alpha, I moved to put myself between him and Michael. "Stay away from him," I growled.

"Scout," my Max said from the other side of me, "you need to relax. It is time for the pack to greet Michael, as wolves."