Descended

Chapter Two

I ran through the forest. I had no reason other than to just run. To feel the earth beneath my paws. It brought me joy to be able to feel this freedom. To let my thoughts go for a while and give in to instinct. I paused only to catch my breath. When I did, I closed my eyes and listened to my surroundings. Listening to the sounds of the forest. I could hear a squirrel in a tree nearby. A mouse digging in the ground. There were some deer somewhere to my left and to my right... I sniffed the air, tensing. I opened my mouth to taste the air. I growled, the fur on my hackles rising. Rogue.
I turned tail and ran. I couldn't be seen, and I need to tell dad. I dont have time to shift, but I cant be seen as I am.. but if I shift then I'll be caught... I turned and faced the wolf. I was met with brown eyes and white teeth. The rogue snarled at me. We conversed through body language and sounds. I'll translate for you.
"I thought I smelled fox. Who would have thought it would be a little omega? I might have some fun." The wolf was a Luna. The wolf version of a beta. Basically he has no control over other wolves but he cant get pregnant or go into heat.
I growled back. "I may be an omega but Ive fought off stronger and bigger wolves." I taunted. He barked out a laugh. "Is that so? Your alpha knows there's a fox in his pack? You're tense. I'll take that as a no. And what would happen if I informed them of this?" He circled me. I stayed still, watching him. "The alpha knows." I lied. I was good at that. "Oh really? Then take me to your alpha. Like this. I have something to address." He smirked. I glared at him. He knew he had caught me, but I had no choice. "Fine." I glared. I knew another way to do this. "Follow." I ran, not in the direction of the pack house, but towards Jamie's route. I didn't check that he was following. I only trusted that he would.
When I saw Jamie he was already faced towards us and snarling, until he saw me. He calmed and looked at me questioningly. "Rogue." I indicated. "He wants to see Derec. As an omega, I'm not permitted to see him. So I leave this to you." I said formally. Jamie caught on. "Of course." He said coldly. It stung, seeing him act like I was beneath him like the rest of the pack does, but i knew he didn't mean it. "I'll take him from here. Get lost." I steeled myself and nodded before padding away. Jamie would come find me later. The rogue snarled at me as I walked away.
        I don't know how long I walked before laying under a tree. I had no doubt in my mind that the rogue would tell Derec I was in fact, a fox. Narrow snout, long, thin legs, fluffy tail, all check. I'm a fox. Not a wolf. I buried my nose under my tail and waited. I must have fallen asleep, because when Jamie nudged me awake it was getting dark. He was laying beside me and his ears were down. It hadn't gone well. He whined and licked my ear. I glanced up at him and then covered my eyes with my paws. "What happened?"
        "The rogue just wanted permission to cross our territory. Just passing through." I lifted my head to look at him. "That's not what I meant and you know it." I huffed. Jamie looked away. "He told them...and I was asked to confirm it." I nodded. That wasn't his fault. Lying to the alpha of the pack can result in severe consequences. "What's my punishment?" I whined, laying my head on my paws. Jamie rested his head on mine. "He said he would think on it." He nuzzled me. "Sorry for how I treated you." I smiled a little. "You had to. It's alright." He looked at the sky. "It's getting late. I'll take you home." He stood, and I followed suit. We both shifted. Nudity was normal in pack life. Clothed or not, it didn't matter.
        We walked in comfortable silence, hand in hand. As much as I love Jamie's wolf form, it can't compete with this form. He was taller than me and well built. His red hair fell to his shoulder blades and he had the same blue eyes. I cherished this. Being with him. Being close to him. I had denied it before and I will now. I do not love my best friend.
        I don't love his big, stupid smile. I don't love his deep, blue eyes or his muscled chest. I don't love the freckles on his face and shoulders and down his back. I don't love the way his eyebrows knit together when he is confused, or the way he tugs his hair when he is embarrassed. I don't love his crooked teeth or rough hands. I certainly don't love all his little ticks, like when he fiddles with his class ring when he's bored, or how he carefully makes sure he gets all the meat off of a bone before tossing it. I am absolutely not in love with Joseph Waters, and I will never admit that I am.
        We got to my house and I walked inside with him close behind. The scene I walked in on was what i expected. My mother and father sitting side by side watching the door. Frowns on their faces. I hid behind Jamie, still holding his hand. The four of us were silent. Word travels fast in a pack, so I wasn't surprised. About 15 minutes of silence passed, well, that's what it felt like. It was probably more like 3 minutes, when my mother finally said the two words i had been dreading. "Show me." This woman had always been my mom. These two wolves had raised me. I couldn't hide this from them forever. So I did.
        In my place behind Jamie now stood a black fox. I stepped out from behind him and he, in turn, picked me up. I squirmed to get to a more comfortable position and rested my head on his shoulder, looking away from my parents with my ears down. I was looking away to hide my tears. I was scared. Scared of what would happen now.
        "Dante..." My mother started. I whined in response. She walked over and laid a hand on me, then i could feel her take me from Jamie and hold me in her arms. I must have been heavy because she had to sit back down and hold me in her lap. Not my fault. I never asked to be picked up. Not that i minded though.
        "Dante, why didn't you tell us?" She asked, petting me. "Baby, I love you. You're my son. I don't care if you are a wolf, fox, or chipmunk. You are my son and I will always love you." Dad wasn't saying anything but i could feel his hand resting on my back. He agreed with mom. I couldn't ask for better parents.
        Jamie decided to stay the night to be here for me. I appreciated that. We were both shifted to our animal forms and curled up together on my floor. It took a long time for us to sleep. We spent a few hours grooming each other and quietly wrestling before we fell asleep. I slept breathing his scent and with the sounds of his breathing and heartbeat filling my ears.