Stronger As One

Onward

The next few weeks were filled with mundane tasks and chores. I'd spent most of my time building trust with the wolves we saved and offered help ensuring their acclimation to the pack. Most were easy to bond with, they automatically trusted me after the trouble I went through with rescuing them...but Ruby was different. She showed a more dominant personality and seemed to challenge authority. She was extremely protective of Pike and did her best to guard him from other members of the pack. I would have been angry if she had been any other wolf but it's natural for her to have distrust. We don't even know the full extent of what the two of them went through and we may never truly know.
    I was thankful for the progress I did make regarding her and Pike. Our assumptions were correct regarding the two as related. We weren't exactly sure how much but we don't believe they are siblings.
    After the long week of working to gain their trust and recovering from the Red Ridge ordeal, I now was lounging in my barren room that had boxes scattered about. We were heading off to our new home in just a few short minutes. I delayed placing my boxes in the car since I wasn't exactly sure who I was riding with. I was a bit anxious to know where we would be heading too. I've only ever really known this town and I never had many opportunities to travel.
    A rapid knock sounded and I muttered a lazy Come in. The Luna peered her head in. Her hair was tied up in a lazy bun and she lacked any make up today. The flushed color of her cheeks told me that she had been busy helping out around the pack.
"You're riding with Jason! His car will be the red van. Go ahead and take your boxes and pack them in! We want us all to be out of here in less than an hour!" With that she was gone. I pushed myself up from the bed and began piling boxes onto my arms. I managed to carry three before the lack of sight became an issue. I was told that this land was sold to the nearby town so they could further development. They were going to pave the dirt road and make it an extension on the small town. It had a lot of potential to be a very nice addition.
    The sight of the red van brought a giggle from my lips. The car was the perfect definition of a soccer mom van. It was a rounded van, with a soft red color and automatic doors. The image of what Jason would look like driving this was going to be a sight to see. Now, I don't have anything wrong with the whole soccer mom thing, you just don't often see a big attractive man driving them.. but hey our times are changing and hopefully the next generation won't have the stereotype engraved in their head.
    I had to make one more trip to grab two final boxes before I was completely packed up. Since I hadn't been apart of the pack for long I lacked many personal items.
    I leaned against the car and watched as pack members slowly began their departure to our new home. The light and excitement that shown off the faces of the many people brought a jolt of excitement to buzz through my body. This place was only a haven to brew dark memories. I had two more moments since my talk with the White Wolf where I questioned what happened and those who are near me. I still haven't spoken to anyone about it..
    My light heartened mood was sapped away with my past recollections on my.. panic attacks? I don't know how to classify them. They make everything resurface and feel like its happening all over again.
    Blank stare..
I gritted my teeth and braced an arm against the car.
    Forced pain..
I turned to face the car and rested my head against the metal. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to calm my breathing.
    His scent.
I felt myself slowly crumple to the ground. If I didn't;t go off.. if I listened to her.. and.. just played at home.. this is my fault.

"Dustin?" A soft voice called.

My eyes snapped open and I jumped toward the noise. My claws half elongated as I grabbed onto the culprit, my throat burned with a low growl. My eyes met the widened ones of Juliet. Fear radiated off her body as she coiled back and prepared for a strike. My eyes quickly widened and my hands dropped. I backed away from her and fell against the car.

Juliet recollected herself and took a deep breath.

I just.. I almost.. I felt my heart quicken and my breathing increase its pace. I ran a shaky hand through my hair as I stared down at the ground.

"Dustin.. I can see you are struggling.. and not just from moments like these." She spoke. I felt small hand rest on my shoulder, it beckoned me to look up. I met with her somber eyes.

"I'll... talk with the doctor when I get back.. I promise." My voice was barely above a whisper and lacked any strength. She gave a gently squeeze before turning around and waving her hand.

"Jason! We're all ready to go!"

I straightened myself out and climbed into the passenger seat of the car. Juliet quickly followed and climbed into the back. Jason arrived a moment later, twirling the keys around his finger as he opened the door.

"Onto our next adventure!" He hailed before turning the keys in the ignitions and driving off.

The two kept up a steady stream of chatty as we drove to our new locale. I chose to stay silent and watch the passing trees and homes. I tried my best to fight against the looming thoughts of what occurred but I found it nearly impossible. All I was doing was driving away from my problems, they would never stay gone forever.. and would always find their way back to me.