CHAPTER FIVE - HOWL

Looks like you found something to your liking. "Lily said when he saw me. I looked at her and ignored Pether's presence.

 

" Yes. Is perfect. " I approached and Pether stood there watching me.

 

" Hello, Sarah. She"she grunted when she realized I wasn't going to say anything. This cannot be a coincidence. He must have followed me here after I got off work. It's the only explanation.

 

" Hey. " I babbled. What did he want?

 

" Are you staying at this hotel too? " Ah, spare me... I nodded in confirmation and looked at Lily.

 

" Do you know each other? "She asked when she found a loophole.

 

" Yes. " We answer together.

 

" Good Lílian... I just came to thank you again. Have a good night. I smiled and started towards the stairs. I heard footsteps coming behind me.

 

" Impossible... " I whispered to myself.

 

" Look Sarah, it's not my fault I chose to stay in the cheapest hotel in town either. " Oh sure... As if it were really a coincidence. Two packless wolves staying in the same place the day after we met.

 

" I didn't know you were staying here. I went to smell your scent just now. " He was already walking beside me.

 

" Okay Pether, but can you pretend you don't know me? Goodnight. " I continued and started to climb the stairs. Wasn't he the one who said "You shouldn't trust me" and bla bla bla?

 

" On second thought, since we are in the same place we can help each other, what do you think? " Looks like he ignored what I just said. " We can join forces. "His tone was calm, but he had a serious voice. And this calm he appeared now was already pissing me off. Hearing him say all that nonsense too.

 

I turned to him.

 

" Help in what? I don't need help James. It would just be riskier. It's like you said, we shouldn't trust each other. " I looked into his light brown eyes and stopped for a moment. " Look, I need to tell you something, but I won't give details. " He seemed quiet now. " Surely the wolves here are already looking for me. My old Alpha must have already communicated Stanley Wright. " He looked at me intently. " It would be even riskier for you. So get away from me before shit does.

 

" Your old Alpha? " He frowned, but then shook his head. Time was precious to him now. " Well, let me explain now. "He climbed the step I was on. " I've been living as a loner for over a year. And I can see when a loner is completely lost. "He answered me looking deep into my eyes. " I think you're wrong, Sarah. I can help you if something goes wrong. I've escaped situations like this and much worse. " I feel like I'm talking to a door. " I went back upstairs.

 

" Good night. " I finished climbing the stairs and went to the door of my room. I turned the key and saw that he was still standing on the hallway rug. I opened and closed the door in his face.

 

I left my backpack on the floor in the corner of the bed, started to undress for bed and turned off the light before throwing myself on the pillows. As the window was open, a cool night breeze came in and reached the bed. It brought different aromas from the city. And between them, the smell of damp leaves. He loved to smell things. And for a moment, I tried to get it into my head that this wasn't a bad life. If Pether could go more than a year without a pack living on his own, so could I. I turned to the side and after a few minutes when I was almost asleep, I started to hear low and rhythmic creaks. I wanted to curse when I realized they were having sex in the next room. And sometimes having super hearing has its downsides.

 

Their bed was hitting the wall as if they wanted to knock it over and the woman was trying to contain her moans but failing.

 

" This isn't a fucking motel! " I screamed knowing they wouldn't hear me. I was already stressed when I covered my ears in an attempt to muffle the noises. But thank goodness, after a few minutes the noises stopped and I silently thanked them. Because if they were wolves I would stay up all night.

 

I woke up to the damn alarm clock I had forgotten to turn off. Today I was off duty. It was Sunday and I had no appointments. I put my hand more carefully on the clock and turned it off.

 

I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. At great cost, I got it. I went to wake up around 10:00 am. I looked out the window and saw the curtain moving in the breeze. I rubbed my eyes and felt my stomach growling. I was collapsing with hunger. I got up and walked sleepily to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and went to take a shower to wake up. After that, I put on some clothes and put the most important things inside the backpack before going out to eat something. I sprayed the perfume on myself and grimaced at the horribly strong smell. It was perfect.

 

I opened the door and got out. I went downstairs and saw that gentleman at the reception. He was in Lily's place and had coffee. A strong black coffee. Probably without sugar. I passed through the hall and waved at him before leaving the hotel. I walked through some streets looking for a place to eat. Commerce was already working and movement in the streets was flowing normally. It was about time for lunch, so I decided to wait a little longer while I walked around the city. I wanted some time to get to know her a little better.

 

I passed a few buildings beyond the center of town and ended up in a park at the end of the street. The green of the trees were already starting to lose their colors because of autumn and people were sitting on benches, some were having picnics on the lawn and I could hear them talking and laughing quietly. The noise of children running and playing drew me into the park. I started to walk around a bit visiting the new environment. There were no parks in the city where I grew up. It was small and surrounded by forest, and the humans there tended to hike more than picnic. Today it was still windy. The leaves of the trees moved swiftly across the ground, and the breeze carried the smell of grilled cheese and pineapple juice.

 

I had already walked there for a good few minutes when I felt my stomach rumbling again. So I finally headed to a nearby restaurant. The place looked inviting and it wasn't that crowded. I took a few subtle sniffs and felt my mouth water.

 

" May I help you? " A male voice sounded beside me. I turned my face and saw a tall man in a black uniform answering me. He had fair skin, dark brown hair and beautiful green eyes.

 

" Oh, a table, please.

 

" Sure, make yourself comfortable. "She pointed to the tables.

 

" Thanks. " I went to the corner of the restaurant and sat down on the padded sofa. I took a look at the menu and when I looked up to call the waiter, he didn't take long to approach.

 

" May I help? " The accent was evidently Spanish and it was quite charming. I placed my order and watched him write it down. " Okay, anything else? " I looked at him and surreptitiously inhaled his orange citrus scent.

 

" Well, I'll have an orange juice too, please. " Completed. Just because it felt like it.

 

" Right, I'll come with your order soon, lady. "She gave a charming smile and left. The human had a nice body too.

 

I looked at the environment I was in and admired the refined place with my chin resting on the palm of my hand. Maybe I'm showing my curiosity to the place too much.

 

After waiting a few more minutes my food and juice came. The tall, strong man came towards me and placed the plate on my table.

 

" Thanks.

 

" You're welcome. " He gave another smile revealing his beautiful white teeth. " Anything just call. "She turned around and left. I looked at the plate and inhaled. I haven't had a decent meal in a while. Rice, beans, omelette with bacon, a large steak rare and salad.

 

When I finished the delicious meal, I stretched before getting up. I grabbed my backpack and went to the checkout. As I handed over the money, I saw the waiter appear beside me to hand a new order to the man on the other side. He looked at me and saw that I was already on my way.

 

" Come back whenever you want pretty girl.

 

" Thanks. " Smile and nod.

 

I left the restaurant and noticed that the weather was overcast. The sun had disappeared behind the clouds and the wind had picked up a little. Soon I thought about doing what I wanted to do so much if it rained again. A cool breeze came to me bringing the smell of wet earth and I couldn't contain a smile. Soon I felt the drops falling on my skin and intensifying more and more. I looked around and saw that everyone started to run away. They were hurrying for cover. So I decided to walk to the same place I went last time.

 

When I arrived, I looked around to see if it was empty and took my backpack off my back. I went under the shed and left the backpack behind one of the pillars. I looked around once more and tried to hear anything other than the sound of rain, but luckily I seemed to be alone.

 

I started taking off my clothes and putting them in my backpack. When I finished, I felt my wolf eagerly wanting to take the place. I went back under the rain and felt the icy drops on my fully exposed skin. It didn't take me long to start transforming. The pain soon passed and I felt my paws touching that rough gravel. I shook my lupine body trying to get rid of the shiver that the rain and the transformation caused me, and soon I took off for the forest. Again I felt happiness clog my senses. The excitement of running was absurdly refreshing and intoxicating. My paws lightly sank into the wet earth of the forest and I didn't want to know anything more, I just wanted to run and feel my wolf enjoying the moment.

 

However, I don't know if it was bad luck creeping up on me again, but soon that relaxed state ended when I realized that I wasn't running alone. I could hear the same splash of paws sinking into puddles a few yards behind me.

 

I kept running and slightly turned my head back. I couldn't smell or see anything because of the rain. I would be lost if some wolf in the pack saw me in the rain and followed me here. I had to make some decision. Face it or try to run away. Anyway, I noticed that the wolf was not able to catch up with me in the run. He would have to catch me first.

 

Smile.

 

I was always the second fastest in my old pack. Usually females are faster than males because they are smaller and more agile, but the fastest in my old pack was a submissive wolf. He was the smallest among the wolves but he was the most agile among them. Even more than me. Of course there were exceptions, there are big wolves that are very fast and also females that are very slow. It all depended on practice and the habit of running. Regardless of size or gender.

 

The wolf that was chasing me was only a few meters away from me, but it couldn't close the distance between us. I could speed up my run a bit more, so that's what I did. Soon I could see that it was getting behind and the sound of its paws became lower and more distant. When I saw that I was out of sight, I hid behind some bushes and waited to attack. I stood motionless and again heard the wolf approaching and slowing down. It was a male. The bushes made it difficult for me to see, so I could only see their shadows. It really was a wolf. He looked around and sniffed the floor in an attempt to find my scent again. He walked a little further and when he had his back completely to me, I rushed in a flurry of claws and teeth at him. In a quick movement he turned his head towards me, but it was too late. My body collided with his, and I smelled him as I knocked him hard into the mud.

 

Pether. Again.

 

The big brown wolf with white paws looked at me in surprise and even tried to bite me to get me off. When I did, he got up and rocked his body. Throwing mud everywhere. Why the fuck was he chasing me? Did he not understand? Does he know the affliction he put me through now? I thought he had given up bothering me.

 

My wolf sniffed sitting up. My breathing was heavy and I realized his was too. Pether tried to move closer, but I couldn't stop the growl. He stopped at the same moment and sat down in annoyance. Now I could smell him stupid him despite the heavy rain. And when Pether realized I wasn't going to wind him up, he started to transform. And soon his human form appeared in front of me.

 

" I'm sorry I scared you. But I thought it would be here. " He knelt down to speak at the same height as my wolf. One of his knees touched the floor, leveling our eye level. " I didn't know you were so fast. " Laughed. My wolf looked away and I held back the swing of my tail.

 

Damn it, what does he want with me?

 

" Must run quite often. " He looked at me sincerely. " I'm sorry? He held out his hand, palm facing up. I faced Pether and stood up, standing inches taller than him. The rain poured down on his stark naked body and his eyes were still the emerald color of his wolf. I moved a little closer and looked once more at his outstretched hand. I leaned my muzzle towards her and licked her fingertips in a friendly act. Just this once. " Thanks. " He smiled, but continued with his hand extended close to me. Her wet hair fell under her eyes and he raised his hand with the intention of stroking my head. But I pulled away instantly.

 

Don't enjoy too much wolf.

 

I heard him laugh weakly and went back to walking through the forest. The big wolf appeared beside me again. He looked excited, but he was holding back a bit from seeing me too quiet after what he'd done. I didn't want Pether hanging around me. Like I said, it's too risky, both for me and for him. But Pether insists on saying that she wants to help and would have no problem with us being together.

 

We are two lone wolves and he must have become familiar with our situation. I looked at him sideways. He walked calmly beside me. Maybe he's been running alone for too long and now that he's found another loner, he must be pretty happy not having to run away from the first wolf he sees.

 

I noticed Pether approach and give me a slight push. I growled in response and saw him bolt in front of me. An invitation. My wolf snorted when she felt the urge to go after him. It was nostalgic somehow. I would love the idea of chasing him this time. I saw the wolf getting farther and farther away and my paws moved of their own accord as I dashed after him. Her animation filled me with wonder and clouded any danger we were in by accepting this.

 

I was trying to catch up, but the motherfucker was also quick to run through the trees. He knew that running in a straight line would only make it easier to get caught, so he started weaving through the trees, making it difficult to keep up with him. I growled losing patience and started to run in a straight line. Soon I was close to him again. He looked at me and I could see his eyes shining. I haven't seen a wolf like that in a long time, so happy. So I decided to join in on the fun too.

 

I sewed a tree getting even closer to him. He tried to move away, but I soon followed his movements and tried to lightly bite one of his front paws, but he managed to dodge at the last second and tried to bite my neck when I was close enough. I felt his fangs graze when I pulled away in time. He growled and sewed another tree. Then I did the same and returned to the same position. I pushed off a rock and jumped on top of him. We rolled about three times across the wet earth before we finally came to a stop. But Pether had managed to take the position I wanted and was on top now. I had lost the chase.

 

And the rain had stopped. It was time for us to go back. I looked at him and in a moment he got off of me. I got up shaking myself and he did the same.

 

But suddenly we heard a thick and prolonged howl.

 

It seemed to be a little far away, but even so, it came from the forest. She had never heard a howl like that before. A howl so steady and powerful that it seemed to silence the entire forest. I kept looking towards the sound and this time I was sure it was a wolf from the pack. But it wasn't just any wolf.

 

Pether nudged me with his muzzle trying to wake me up so we could run away, but something inside me remained unable to move. She wasn't used to running from the howls she heard. They were always welcome to me. It was one of the most beautiful sounds I could hear.

 

I felt Pether nibble on my ear and that's when I realized the situation we were in. We had to get out of there as quickly as possible. So we started running back to where we met, and from there we had to split up. Probably Pether had left his clothes in a different place. He looked at me for a moment and motioned for me to keep running. I did that and looked back again, but the wolf was gone.

 

Arriving at the shed, I looked around and began to transform quickly. Once complete, I approached the backpack, put on my clothes and got out of there as quickly as possible.

 

At the hotel, I bumped into the pot"bellied gentleman. He was leaving and Lily was in his place. He walked past me without saying anything and kept walking. I raised an eyebrow and continued on my way. Lily looked at me and also arched an eyebrow.

 

" It took a good rain, huh? " She said.

 

" Yes.

 

" If you want, there's an umbrella in the lost and found too. " I laughed.

 

" I'm well thanks.

 

" Besides, it smells like a wet dog. " She said when I approached the counter. Lily was very honest. She didn't know how to respond.

 

" Yeah... " Smile. " I took a colleague's dog to the vet and we both ended up taking a beautiful shower... " I ran my hand through my hair. " I must have gotten his scent.

 

I actually didn't know humans could smell us at all. Also because I've never approached a human after running in the rain. But at least he made it clear that they smell different to us. For us wolves, the smell ends up being more attractive and ecstatic after a recent transformation, that's when contact with your wolf is still very recent.

 

" Well, I'll go upstairs and take a shower. I need. " I waved and went up.

 

I took off all wet clothes when I entered the room. As soon as I pulled her out of my body I went to take a shower. I turned on the shower and stepped under the warm water. With my eyes closed, I could still hear the sound of that howl echoing in my head.

 

There was mud up my nose when I started soaping myself. I wrapped the towel around my hair before stepping outside and almost slipped on my wet foot. It must have been around 17:00 at the latest. I sat on the bed and sighed. I had never heard a howl as robust as that one before. It was too thick to be from a female and too long to come from a small wolf. It took strong lungs to make such a sound. And I kept thinking about how much that howl had affected my wolf. It was like letting her know he was there. Who was present and who existed in that territory. And that his position did not belong to just anyone. That was pretty clear. I felt a shiver creep up my lower back. Did he know we were there?

 

No... Wolves have a habit of howling when they are inside their territory, that doesn't mean that this wolf knew anything. Maybe he was just hanging around at the moment.

 

Suddenly I heard three knocks on the door and I frowned.

 

I approached and soon felt the smell of camellias invading my nose. I rolled my eyes and cracked open the door.

 

" What does Pether want here? " He was wearing a long"sleeved black shirt, jeans and was holding something I couldn't see. " I already told you that it's not a good idea for us to be together. That earlier was just a distraction. " I went to close the door again, but he stopped it with his hand.

 

" Calm down... I bought food. " I looked through the gap again and saw him lift two boxes of pizza. And as if a button had been pressed inside me, I felt my stomach rumble.

 

" All right, but I need to put on some clothes. Wait a little bit. " I closed the door and went to get dressed quickly. How can I be so manipulable like that? When I finished putting on a shirt and pants, I went back and opened the door. " All right, you can come in.

 

" Thanks little wolf. " He passed me.

 

" I told you not to call me that Pether.

 

" Sorry. He looked around and seemed to inhale the room gently. It was custom of our kind.

 

" James...

 

" Look, before you say anything, I really enjoyed running with you today. "She put the boxes on the table. It really felt good running with another wolf again, but this couldn't go on.

 

" I liked it too, but...

 

" Let's eat Sarah. I bet she's starving. "She interrupted me and handed me a box. Hitting the weak point.

 

" You think you're pretty smart, right... " I sat down on the bed and put the box beside me.

 

" Sorry, you wouldn't let me in here if it wasn't like this. And we need to talk. " He sat in the chair next to me. I can already imagine what he wants to talk about... I looked away from him and opened the box when I smelled the delicious mozzarella.

 

My God... How delicious...

 

"Sarah..." I looked up again. " You're going to need my help. " I almost choked on my cheese when I heard him repeat the same thing.

 

" Again this?!

 

" Listen... In the forest you stood waiting for that wolf to appear. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have woken up to life and run away in time.

 

" Is that an excuse? " He rolled his eyes. " Pether... You know this won't work. Lone wolves cannot maintain contact with other wolves. It's in the name. Unless you want to get caught.

 

" That was the dumbest thing you've said so far. "She shook her head. " You don't know anything Sarah. And he has no experience to act in moments like this. " I narrowed my eyes at him. " How long have you been lonely? A week at most? "She smiled shamelessly. " You don't even have to tell me.

 

" Do you think I have no experience? " I tried to contain my nerves.

 

" None. " He continued to stare at me. " You are a dominant wolf. In the first challenge you will want to attack instead of running away. This is your mistake. " Then continued to eat. I was angry, but he was right. " You said you ran away from your pack, right? "He looked at me. " Listen Sarah, in terms of being with you or not, it's not a problem for me. Because I will only get caught if I want to.

 

" James...

 

" But if the issue is you, it's different. Alone you won't stand a chance. If you really want to insist on this life. If you don't want to risk going back to wherever you came from, you need my help. I can cover you.

 

" You're just doing this because I'm a female? Did your dominant male instinct speak louder? That's it? Are you curious about me?

 

" Not Sarah... " He looked at me. " Well, that too, but I'm offering my help because I wish this had happened to me when I became lonely. Help would have been great so I didn't end up in shit. Do you know how many times I was tortured when they caught me? " He sighed. " Anyway, it was also really nice to meet another loner after so many months alone. I know we don't know each other in the best possible way, but you could at least think better about what I'm proposing. " I looked at him while eating my pizza. " And another, it's the first time I've met a solitary female. Yeah, that got my attention too, I won't deny it. Usually females like to live in packs. I raised an eyebrow and the piece of pizza I swallowed went down tight.

 

He was explaining himself too much...

 

I sighed and went back to eating. I wanted to think about this matter a little longer before I said anything. He was quiet too, noticing my pensive state.

 

After we were done, I crumpled up the pizza box and tossed it in the trash. I took the towel off my hair and went to the bathroom to get the brush to comb it.

 

" So you really want to help me? " I went back to the bed. He was still sitting. " A partnership?

 

" I want. We are in the same situation after all. " Smiled. " Unity is strength, isn't it? It doesn't mean we're lonely that we can't be partners.

 

" Maybe you're right... " I looked at the floor and sat on the edge of the bed while brushing my hair. " But look, our situation is not entirely the same. My old Alpha is looking for me and the Alpha here sure knows it too. So when I said anything can go wrong, I meant it.

 

" You accept? I saw him raising an eyebrow. Totally ignoring what I just said. I took a deep breath and replied:

 

" Yes. " He smiled. The white fangs showing more.

 

" I'm glad I agreed. I thought it was going to be more work. " He babbled while I was still thinking. What harm would it do? He's just offering me help. He is experienced and a nice guy. He has no reason to refuse. After all, he is aware of the dangers and still wanted to form a partnership. I would be an idiot not to accept it. And to tell you the truth, I was starting to feel a little lonely here. I laughed at myself. You know when you feel shit getting closer?

 

" What is so funny?

 

" Nothing. " I looked at him. " Thank you for the food. " If I wanted to continue as a loner, I would have to learn a few things from Pether.

 

" You're welcome. " Smiled. " The next one is on you.

 

" The next one?

 

" Yes. We're in a partnership now, aren't we? " I looked into his light brown eyes.

 

" Okay, the next one is on me then.