Only a Label

Four Months Time 》 Chapter 3

~Z~

It's been four months since I came here, three days before the acceptance ceremony. Two others would join the pack alongside me. Rover and I have become best of friends.

      "Zelda! Pay attention!" Rover yells, speak of the devil. I snap my attention to him as he charges me. Using my upper body I charge back into him. He's taller but I've grown strong my past four months here. I'm no longer a weak and fragile flower, instead a force that will be reckoned with.

     I roll my eyes into his shoulder, "I was, just zoned out for a bit." Of course I'll never be the same without my mate that I do not speak of. Terra provided support through this whole process and I love her for that.

      "You thinking about the acceptance ceremony?" he asks.

      I nod, "Yeah." He lets me go and looks at me.

      He smiles, "You'll do fine. Sure it hurts a bit, but it's over as soon as it starts."

      I chuckle, "I'm not worried about that part."

      He frowns, "You're still running off to the Rogue Mountains aren't you?"

      "I have to," I answer, "- no matter how long I stay I'll never belong in a pack."

      "I'll visit you," he says, worry shining in his expression.

      I smile, "Rover, you won't be able to find me. I'll be too deep in the mountains."

      "What part are you going to?" he asks.

      "I'm going to live out my days in the snow," I answer, "- where the food is abundant and I get to watch fresh snowfall. It'll be beautiful."

      He shakes his head, "I'll miss you Zel."

      "I know you will Rove. I'll miss you too," I answer.

      "I should go," he says abruptly, "- I need to get ready for the arrival of the other Canadian packs." And he's off. I know it'll hurt him to see me go but it has to be done. I'm broken to badly to ever belong to a group again.

      The three other packs residing in Canada were coming to watch this acceptance. That meant the Misty Pack, my torturous past. Along with the other two, the Water Free Pack and the Red-Eyed Pack.

      In three days when we line up in our wolf forms to come to the sacred fire I will run. Silently and swiftly I will break for it, sprinting for freedom. After I cross the border into rogue territory they will most likely follow, but then I'll get to the snow and they won't be able to track me.

      It wasn't a full proof plan but if it failed I would be classified as a significant rogue, and would be killed. Either way the plan worked. The packs are arriving tonight, and I'm part of the welcoming committee. I was part of it to show we had no grudges against the Misty Pack.

      ~~

      The day had passed too soon. I was now shifted, out by the territory border, and awaiting the packs arrival. I was greeting the Misty Pack, other troops are meeting other packs. I would lead my former group to the campground where they would spend the night.

      ~X~

      I gathered up my whole pack, ready to take them to the acceptance ceremony for the Forest Guardian Pack. This is where my Zelda would become one of them, and be forbidden to me forevermore.

      I shifted near the pack house with Houston at my side. I lead out a howl into the air, and I heard the growls of my pack coming to me. Once they were all here I began sprinting towards the forest. It was a short trip to the territory border, but a long run to get to their actual ceremony place. The Forest Guardian Pack had a lot of territory and their camp is right smack in the middle of it. Mile upon miles of land surrounding it.