FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Six and a half hours later Mark pulled the truck up to a security gate and stopped. The GPS had lost track as soon as they had got off the road, before they turned around the corner. He was bone tired, even his cat was exhausted, it was 03:30 in the morning and hoped that he was in the right place.

He quickly opened the window and looked at the wolf that came out of the guard house. "My name is Mark McEwan and I am seeking temporary sanctuary for the night. I have in this vehicle two others, Jack Connors and Katherine Whitestone."

"You are expected. Drive up to the road and just park in front of the packhouse, we'll deal with moving the vehicle to the parking area. Someone will meet you at the door." The guard could smell how exhausted they were. He sent to the Alphas, waking them up. He winced, but had been ordered to do it.

Mark couldn't help but yawn as he closed the window and waited for the gate to open and the crash barrier to be lowered before driving up the road beyond the gate. A short time later he rolled the truck to a stop in front of a large packhouse and finally shut down the engine before leaning back in his seat, though he did resist the powerful urge to close his eyes and drop off right then and there.

Finally, with some effort to remain awake Mark pulled himself from the vehicle as a pair of wolves came from the house, they smelled like the Alphas, though he was tired enough that he could be imagining things. Wobbling slightly as he opened the rear clamshell door on the truck and began fumbling with the release on Katy's car seat when one of the wolves came up behind me.

"Mark, let us help you." Adam said gently. Security had woken them up, as they had been instructed. "We will put all three of you in a visitor room. You are safe here." Brook was helping the young Jack out of the vehicle, and nearly needing to carry him to the packhouse, as he was nearly asleep on his feet. He could sense the bonds between Mark and the little one, so didn't try to touch the sleeping pup.

"Hi, Adam?" Mark answered as he finally got the release on Katy's seat and pulled her out, though his arms felt a bit weak, and he could barely see.

"Yes, I'm Adam." This cat was much taller than his friend was in his memories, and lacked the shaved head, but in the low light, as the nearly full moon was behind thick clouds, he thought it was him, but would deal with everyone was up. "Oscar reported how long you have been up, we're just going to put you to bed. The security on this pack is all on alert." He guided them in the door of the quiet building, the wolves that were up were moving silently, as the night lighting of the house was a soft purple along the baseboards, to keep from affecting everyone's night vision. The common room had some more lights up, but they were just enough for wolf night vision to see clearly.

Adam nearly pushed Mark into the large bed, where Jack was already snoring. They would take comfort of being together. "We'll talk when you get up." He said as both him and his mate went to bed. A guard was sitting down outside their door, for their protection, and to be a guide. Another two were outside the wing on the deck.

Mark gently laid Katy on the bed before he got undressed and fell into the bed with her gently cuddled up against his side while Jack also moved and curled up against his back.

When Mark woke up the next day he could tell, from the light that was coming through the blinds that it was roughly mid-afternoon. Other than him, the bed was deserted though, he could feel that Jack was keeping Katy occupied while he caught up on his much-needed rest. When he noticed the time, he winced slightly and wondered if he would even be able to get a hot meal since it was a few minutes after two in the afternoon.

After a quick shower, he got dressed and left the room, looking around in confusion, trying to figure out which way to go to get something to feed his now very hungry cat. Since he didn't know his way around he simply followed his bond with Katy till he found himself in a large, well lit hall playing with several other pups while Jack watched them.

"Morn... okay afternoon Jack." Mark replied.

"Afternoon Mark, I see you decided to join the land of the living, and if I don't miss my guess you are looking around for a meal before your cat gets grouchy." Jack greeted.

"Yeah that might be a good idea." Mark replied looking around the room looking for anybody that could tell me where he could get a bite to eat.

Jack smiled and pointed at the buffet table set up with some food, "There's some, or ask in the kitchen for something."

"Thanks Jack," Mark told him as he went over to the table, grabbed a plate and began loading it up with some food.

"Kitty..." Mark heard Katy say, and quite automatically, he picked her up and settled her on his hip.

"You sleep well baby?" he asked her and smiled as she started telling him, in her own way, about her day so far.

He was just finishing up his third sandwich when he looked up and spotted his friend, this time both were awake enough the appreciate their presence, and make a true identification. "Hello Adam, so this is where you've been hiding yourself for the past year and a bit, though I'd have to say that it's a good place for you."

Adam grinned, "Actually, we haven't been here long, only since the fall. My mate found me when I was out taking some pictures, and she was on a run. I moved into her pack south of here." He paused and shook his head, "You don't need to hear the history of the last year right now, as it is a very long story. If you want something hot, ask at the kitchen door." He advised, pointing at the open door near the buffet line.

"Thanks Adam, I think these sandwiches should tide me over till dinner when I will probably make you wonder where I'm putting it all." Mark joked and smiled as Katy wiggled in his arms to be let down so that she could go back to playing with the local pups. Mark sighed watching her and then looked at his friend. "The last couple days haven't been pleasant, Adam. My cat is still rather pissed off, but I've managed to focus his attentions on protecting myself, Katy, and Jack. I didn't even have time to notice that tomorrow is moon night... I should have stayed a bit longer at Forest Edge, but increasing the risk on them wasn't an option I was willing to consider. I just hope he doesn't try and follow me right away."

Adam nodded, looking sad. "I was advised to the conditions. You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. Brook is working to arrange with packs a safe route to get you to the pride." He passed a card, "Call me if you need anything and we will help you."

"Thank you, Adam," Mark replied holding out his right hand, "I won't destroy one of your training dummies, like I did back at Forest Edge, but I need to work off a bit of steam. I don't think my cat will fully calm down till I've managed to find a deer or something like that to munch on. The issue there is keeping Katy occupied."

Adam grinned, "We are still building, but I saved some heavy lifting and hammering for you, if you're interested. The gym isn't finished. Right now, it is just concrete frame. Or you can run off and hunt. We have a team demolishing the old packhouse that wasn't fit to use."

"Demolitions sound fun, but I think I'll settle for some hunting first. You think that you, Jack, and your mate can keep Katy occupied while I get some hot, fresh meat into my stomach?" Or should I bring them along with me? I'm sure Katy's wolf would appreciate something fresh. The last time she had that option would have been almost a month ago, and since I am now finding myself acting as her parent I have a responsibility to make sure that both sides of her are happy and healthy. Though I am still learning that job."

Adam shook his head, "I would prefer to keep her close to the packhouse. Right now, it has the only safe shelter on the territory. That is what we have happening with the rest of the pack too. Several more are planned, but will be spring before we can start on them. Feel free to hunt and bring the meat back."

"Thanks, my friend." Mark told him nodding at what Adam told him before he headed back to the guest room before disrobing and shifted. Making his way back to the large common room to let Katy play with his fur for a few minutes and then tried to decide what animals to go assault some deer or elk. He didn't much care which one he caught as long as he didn't resort to rabbits.

"Kitty!" Katy exclaimed when she saw her adoptive father and hugged his neck warmly and buried her face in his neck ruff. It was obvious the tiger was enjoying the sensations as his tail was twitching happily and he was making contented noises as the pup played gently with his thick fur.

"She's always been fascinated by me Adam, ever since I first woke up." Mark sent to Adam quietly, "I wish that what happened hadn't happened, but the situation was impossible. I couldn't leave Katy behind. Even my cat agreed on that point, we'd impacted her life too much at that point."

"Even I can see and sense the bond between the two of you. She's yours." Adam replied silently, "The woman watching the pups, Rachel, lost her mate recently. She only hung on for her pup. Katy will be safe here, I give you my word." An Alpha's word was his bond. Adam would give his life to save the young pup while her cat was away hunting.

"Thank you, Adam, I appreciate it." Mark replied before he asked Jack to gently take Katy, since he was going to go for a hunt. "Adam, you know this territory, where can you point me to where I'd have a good chance of finding something?"

"What are you wanting? Deer, Elk, Moose, Bunnies?" The last was said to tease the cat, as he knew he wouldn't want that.

Mark found himself chuffing softly in amusement at the joke "I think a deer would probably be for the best, I don't need to be leaving a huge carcass on your territory, or dragging it around since I do plan on bringing something back for my pup."

Taking a second before replying, "About eight kilometres directly north is a herd of ten deer right now. Go have some fun. I'll have my wolves stay away, unless you want some help?" Adam told Mark.

"Thanks again Adam." Mark said as he padded out of the packhouse and off in the direction that he'd indicated.

*****

When Mark returned to the house some hours later, looking pleased, with a deer haunch in their mouth. He was also in a much better frame of mind than he'd been in for the past few days. "Adam, can you talk to Jack and get him and Katy to the room you let us use. I have something for her wolf."

Adam nodded, as he had been working on some paperwork, keeping an eye on the pups, and sent them out side to meet the cat.

Mark felt his whiskers curl forward in a feline smile, when both Jack and Katy came out from the room and spotted him waiting for them with the part of the deer that I had brought with me. "Jack, can you wait till Katy's had her fill? I think her wolf needs this." he asked as he stepped back to let her at the meat.

"Of course, Mark, pups always go first. At least that's what I was taught..." Jack seemed to shake himself slightly since he knew that he was still classified as such himself.

Mark walked over beside him and gently bumped his shoulder. "Jack soon enough you will be an adult, for now enjoy your last few months as a youngster."

"I know that Mark, but a lot of my peers back at Forest Edge hated being called pups, but I see no real problem with it. I mean I know that soon I will be an adult wolf, but I still don't know what I am going to do with my life. I like being on patrol, but sometimes that is incredibly boring, I like computers, but sitting still makes my wolf want to do something, anything to get moving." He told me as he sat and looked up at me, his golden eyes shimmering slightly. "As a pup, I didn't worry about what I was going to do with my life, but now, in six months I have to make some kind of decision, and that kind of scares me. I mean I can't do what my parents what me to do. I am not like them, I can't find myself doing menial labour, my wolf just can't stand the idea of doing somebody else's laundry or tidying their room."

"Perhaps we can talk to the Alpha here, I know he isn't your Alpha, so perhaps with him having a different point of view might help." Mark softly suggested. "It really is up to you Jack, but I will be here to try and help you make your decision." he thought for a few more minutes as he listened to Jack before reaching out again, "Adam would you be open to listening to Jack for a bit. He's got a lot on his mind, and from what my cat can sense, my young friend needs somebody to talk to that hasn't been involved with him from the day he was born."

"I'm always open to giving advice, or know who he can speak to, to get some." Was Adam's quick response. He was a young Alpha, but had several Elders that more than made up for his lack, and while him and Brook did the decisions, listening to the others share their own experiences, allows him to have ideas of an Alpha much older. "Have him come find me if he wants advice."

"Will do Adam." He replied before thinking for a moment and sending his friend another message. "Adam, I hope that I don't accidentally give somebody orders in regards to my own needs, or those of Jack or Katy, but if I do, I want you to know that I don't intend anything by it."

Adam sent a mental chuckle, "I could feel your dominance. You need training. If the pride isn't willing, come here when you are done, and I will see about arranging some." He wasn't going to say how high he felt him, but had some thoughts on how dominant he would eventually be.

Mark nodded slightly and went back to the room before shifting, getting dressed and walking back out to find both young wolves sprawled out on the snow-covered grass dozing lightly. "Adam, I don't think that either Katy or Jack are going to be interesting in dinner tonight. I restrained my cat's appetite, but it appears that they didn't do the same thing with their wolves. I gave one of your patrols the lion's share of my kill, though I did enjoy the choice parts for myself, that was enough to satisfy my cat, for the time being."

Adam shrugged, "I actually suspect they will be up and interested in the late dinner. Getting over that sort of stress is hard, and for wolves, eating and sleeping for a few days is normal, I have found." Adam lead him off to his office, and closed the door behind him, "First thing, I need to know what you know about this Rogue, as I need to know how I should have my patrols work." Reaching down, he rubbed Charlie's head as he pressed it against his side, and when he sat down on a couch, jumped up on it, flopping his chest and head over Adam's lap.

"My first encounter, left a bit of a mark on me Adam, what I can tell you is that he somewhat resembles me in tiger form, but his eyes Adam... they were like nothing I've ever seen before. He was crazy... but the frightening kind of crazy... the kind that is rational enough to plan, strategize and think on his feet. From what Oscar told me, he engineered the crash that killed Sam and Damien... in an attempt to draw me out from Forest Edge, to face him."

Adam pulled the report close to him, and glanced over it, before putting it down, "Did you tell Oscar about that? I don't see that noted, and that is critical information, that he is only borderline insane. It makes him even more dangerous." He started to write down the notes on what he was saying, making sure to detail what he was being told, so he could add it to the report.

"I'm sorry Adam, the past few months have been a difficult and I've had to learn a lot. Not to say that I would give it up for all the money in the world, but it slipped my mind." He bows his head slightly, his cat and him, both ashamed of their error.

Adam nodded, "Well, we will get that corrected right away, so that there is a report from me as well, and we put in as much details as possible. The system is fairly new, and allows for the reports to be shared nearly instantly, and automatically upgrades status of the rogues as details are listed. It is somewhat a work in progress."

They discussed the Rogue for the rest of the afternoon, till Brook gave him a mental poke and let him know it was dinner time.

"Well, I think you could stand for some more food in you, I hope you enjoy it. I'll introduce you to the pups I have adopted, and my mate." Adam told him, as he nudged Charlie off his lap.

"Adam, just to let you know, I drove the cooks over at Forest Edge half crazy with my appetite. Sometimes I could almost hear them swearing, especially after my first shift when I expanded. Oh... he's not a Were, but smells slightly like one" He stops and shifts his head slightly as his cat is trying to figure out what to make of the large wolf shaped dog that smelled decidedly unusual.

Adam smiled a bit impishly, "Charlie's a wolfdog..." he said, "He's very smart, and bonded to me. I was given him as protection when I was first mated, before I was turned. There are quite a few helping to assist the patrols. The dumber ones are trained as service dogs and about half we donate and support for those that can't afford to get one for themselves, the other half pay for it, along with government grants and tax breaks. A side note, they are good for explaining away wolf sightings in the area and all the fur around."

Sitting down at the table, he gave Brook a kiss, "This is my mate, Brook."

"Hello, I am an old friend of your mate's. My name is Mark McEwan and my two dependants, though I'd consider Jack as more of a friend than a dependant, are Jack Connors of Forest Edge and Katherine Whitestone who also came from Forest Edge, though Oscar released her bonds. I just hope that doesn't hurt her in the short, or long term." The large man introduced himself as a still slightly sleepy looking Jack came into the room and made a bee-line for Mark. "Mark, I think you need to take care of something for Katy... she wants you to do it this time."

"Sorry Adam I'll be right back, I have to take care of this. Don't want an unhappy pup on my hands."

Adam and Brook laughed as Mark ran off. Adam smiled at Jack, "If you're hungry, grab some food, then have a seat." He said, motioning at the spot beside Mark's unattended plate he hadn't had a chance to start eating.

"Thanks Alpha, I think that Katy is adorable but sometimes... she doesn't smell so adorable. I mean I love being around her, and other pups her age, but sometimes they kind if wear on you. If any of my friends were here they'd laugh at me for liking to spend time with the little pups." Jack replies as he takes his seat. "And thank you for helping my friend, he needs every bit of help he can get, even if he will never admit it."

Adam laughed, "What is funny, is that I was friends with Mark before I met my mate and was turned. I agree, he needs all the help he can. If they are laughing at you for being interested in the future, so be it. The pups are the future, so are extremely important to all of us. Even I play with the pups when I can."

"Sir it's more than that," Jack says softly, "I would rather spend my day helping them, teaching them and comforting them than spending all day out patrolling or sitting behind a keyboard. Ten minutes spent with a little pup makes my wolf so relaxed and comfortable, at the same time I know that I would do anything to defend any pup from harm."

Adam nodded, "They are very important. If you feel that way, you should see if you can be a trainer for them. If nothing else, it gives them a strong wolf to help guard them."

"Thanks Alpha, I will consider it. I don't know what my parents will think of it, but thinking about it makes my wolf feel a bit better. Mark has taught me that much, he listens to his cat more than most wolves in my pack do and it shows, well at least I think it shows."

Adam nodded, "Here, we don't allow parents to dictate what their pups are to do. If I hear of it, I have a discussion with them. I go more by merits than anything, and we brought a tradition from MacLaren of using the spring trials to test everyone, including unranked, so that we know where everyone has skills. Some positions require certain skills as requirements.

Yeah well, my parents will still complain, both my brother and sister died when they were my age, and my parents have never recovered. I miss them too but I had to keep going, my wolf wouldn't let me sink into depression over their deaths." Jack says softly looking down at his plate as he begins eating, "I didn't even get my own time to deal with it before mom and dad started trying to protect me from the world."

Robin moved to hug him tight, "Sorry for your loss... My parents were killed in a rockslide, and my cousin, Toby, lost his father, and his mother cared for us as good as she could through her grief, but we too were being limited."

"I think that's why Mark has taken me under his wing. He knows that I would make a piss poor patrol wolf." Jack says accepting the hug with a smile. "I don't know but someday I will try and tell him what I want to do, but talking to him... is almost like talking to our Alpha... my wolf is a bit scared of him."

Mark returned a short time later with a much fresher smelling pup in his arms. "That wasn't pleasant and now she's hungry. I can understand why she's regressed a bit, but I will look forwards to the day when this isn't something I have to look forwards to." Sits down and looks at his plate and growls softly, "And now my dinner is cooling off..."

Jess came up with a small plate of food for Katy, "I can go take it and warm it up, if you'd like?" she offered, "I'm Jess, and they're my parents." She pointed to Adam and Brook. She loved that she had parents again, as her and her brother Joshua had lost them years before being assigned to care for Adam and Brook when Adam joined the pack.

"Thank you Jess, I would appreciate it. You've found a good person in your father, before he turned he was a good friend and helped me learn about photography, though I am nowhere near as good as he is with them." Mark chuckles softly, "Adam if I hadn't decided to take pictures that morning I wouldn't be sitting here talking with you and your family."

Adam smiled, as Jess picked up Mark's plate and headed to the kitchen to warm it up, "I have gotten better! I actually have had some contracts to take pictures of some wolves around. Jess is learning as well, and she has my old camera. I have actually had the money to get some new gear too! Once the place is done, I will have equipment to print large format here as well"

"All I still have is my old entry level camera, never got enough money, with all of my other hobbies, to collect something better, or even get some higher quality glass. I think once I get settled in I might start looking at upgrading, though that will depend on what the situation looks like. For now, when I do get money I will devote most of it to my cub... sorry pup. My cat sometimes thinks of her as a cub since for tigers the young are called cubs."

Adam smiled and introduced Robin and Lea when they arrived, and joined them, at the same time Jess returned with Mark's plate of hot food. Adam had gone for seconds when Joshua sat down and introduced him as well.

Mark smiles at the teenage pups and holds out his hand in greeting "It is wonderful that you have a family now Adam, guess that along with the pack, they keep you out of trouble eh?" Chuckles ruefully, "I guess that I am learning that as well, though when the time comes..." He closes his eyes and the anger almost seems to pulse off of him in waves. "If I ever get my claws on him..."

"Nope, he has pulled us into trouble." Brook replied. "We started as Senior Betas, then we were Seconds, then he had to take out an Alpha, and get us upgraded!" She was trying to distract the cat from his anger.

Shakes his head for a moment and closes his eyes and breaths for a few moments, hugging his daughter tightly. "Sorry, but when I think of that sorry excuse for a mangy flea bitten alley cat... It makes my blood boil."

Adam nodded, "We had another Rogue turned wolf here... he was attacked, and what saved him was he was pushed into the path of a car that tossed the rogue away. He was in a coma, and had his parents killed in a car crash, and his sister badly injured." Adam had to growl at that, "Luckily, they had an uncle that is wolf-born, and the pack took them in. I got to meet them recently, when they were up here for a conference."

Mark nods softly, though his expression shows that he is more than a little interested. "If I could talk to somebody... who's been through some of what I've been through... You saw my scars, didn't you?"

"Right now, I don't want to give his contact information out, as he is having a hard time as it is. We almost needed to knock him out and send him back on a med-evac back to his pack." Adam told him, with a sigh, "I do hope to have him back at some point."

Adam nodded, "Your turn scars won't fade till the rogue is killed. He would have a bond from the turning with you. He can use it as a compass to find your direction."

"So, the longer I stay here the more in danger your pack is Adam? Where will I find peace? I can't live my life like this... My cat is furious, I have a tormentor who wants me dead, and I don't even have a home, only a hope of a home."

Adam sighed, "The safest place, since he is basically hunting you, is at the Pride; being among many tigers would be the best, till he is killed. Well, I am willing to provide sanctuary as long as you wish, but I do have to urge you that the best place for training is the pride. Your vehicle has been filled up, and I had a cooler of food put in the back of stuff that will keep, along with a tote of supplies for your pup, and a couple changes of clothes for you two."

He passed over an e-reader with some details, and an electronic road map. "The packs along the way have been advised who you three are, and the details of those willing to provide sanctuary are in it. Along with the maps of the routes between here and there."

"Thank you, Adam, Would it be too much for me to ask to stay for tomorrow night, I don't think it would be a good idea for me to be on the road when the full moon is out, I would rather keep the truck that Oscar gave me, in good condition."

Adam nodded, "That is fine. You will be welcome to join us for the howl. I am going to keep everyone close, and have a double patrol out."

"I hope it is enough to keep him away, I don't want anymore wolves to lose their lives because of his desire to kill me." Mark said sadly as he stood up, with his pup in his arms. "I love being a were-tiger, but sometimes I wonder if the price that is being asked of those around me is worth it."

"Mark," Brook said, "You were turned against your will, even if you would have agreed to it, so we are honour bound to provide our assistance, not only to keep you safe but to also help you learn your new abilities. If the rogue comes, it is his fault, not yours if he kills. He is not under your control, so you are not responsible. I am sure that Katy's parents are glad you are caring for her well."

Adam nodded, "There is other notes about the turn, and all the details I was able to get on the pride, and the rogue in the e-reader. Make sure it doesn't get in human hands, as that could be disastrous. Break it if needed."

Mark nodded slowly, though to anyone with even a lick of sense they can tell that deep inside the cat is hurting badly. "I just hate the thought of people dying without any reason, especially since I know what it feels like. When Katy's parents died... I felt as though somebody had ripped a hole in me and poured acid into it. I don't want to have him do that again to other wolf packs before I am ready to skin him like... like a common cur."

Very quietly, so that only those there could hear, Adam replied, "Be thankful that you are not an Alpha, and have to order people to their death, and feel the reactions." So far, he hadn't had it as Alpha; the reactions when leading the fight against Alpha Night and having one that he knew and liked die near him was hard enough.

The big cat mentally nodded at his friend before heading to the guest room, his day hadn't been long, but his cat wanted rest, and some time to process and get used too what had been happening recently. Furthermore, he felt that though he'd come to know Katy over the past three months he still needed time to become more familiar with her in regards to the fact that she was now his child.

Jack stayed at his seat, having had enough sleep the night before. "Alpha is he going to be okay? I sense that he's under a lot of stress."

Adam nodded, "I expect he will be, but from what he's said, while both him and his cat are in agreement, they are conflicted in that they want to go after the rogue, but know they need to protect Katy too. When he can find somewhere to actually get centred, and recover, he might be a bit off. Also, he's still finishing the last of the turn. The minor bits take several months to fully finish, but I can smell soon you won't be able to physically tell he was turned, but when he speaks, he still is thinking a bit as a human. That can take years or decades."

The young wolf nods slowly, "I understand, guess I am not used to how the turn happens. Watching it happen hasn't been easy especially as I've gotten to know him, what was he like before? When he was human?"

"Well, he was..." Adam started, describing his friend to the curious young wolf. The discussion went on for a while, as they relaxed.

The next evening at the howl the three guests made their way among the members of the pack, though two of them stood out quite a bit, one by his sheer size, being roughly four times the size of most of the wolves, and the other by her desire to be almost underneath her massive adoptive father.

As the wolves began lifting their voices to the moon the pup stepped from under her protector and began giving voice to her own howls, though everyone could sense the sadness in her voice, and the loss which she was still trying to come to terms with.

Many of the wolves offered their support and comfort for the pup that had lost so much so young. There was also a hint of fierce protection, that if something was to go after the pup, many of the pack would guard her with their lives.

"Adam, my cat wants to call to the moon as well, but I don't want to disturb your pack with a roar." The huge tiger sent to the Alpha of the pack hoping that he would be allowed to call at least once to the moon, though as a guest he wasn't sure if that would be acceptable.

"Go ahead, you're not the first cat to join us for a moon howl." Adam replied.

The tiger gave a slight nod and then tilted his head up slightly and gave voice to the powerful roar of his kind. The emotions that he vented with his roar were multitude, though sadness, loss, pain, anger and rage did seem come to the fore. When he stopped, he laid down on his belly and let the pup who'd been crying at the moon lay down on his back between his shoulders. "Thank you, Adam, I think I needed that."

Adam nodded, and lead the wolves off for a hunt, still feeling like the surrounding mountains were echoing with the lour roar.

Jack looked to Mark, and receiving a slight nod turned and looked to the disappearing wolves. "Alpha may I join? My wolf wants to, and Mark has given me permission but I don't want to disturb your pack."

"Yes, you are welcome to join us." Adam replied, nuzzling the young wolf in greeting. Brook gave him a light nip to the flank in greeting.

For his part the young wolf yipped and danced happily as he followed the Alphas on the hunt, loving the time spent with other wolves. He had a great deal of respect at the courage and tenacity of his friend, but he still wasn't a wolf and so didn't always understand him perfectly.

Much later when Jack returned from the hunt to the guest room he found Mark curled up on a pad in front of the fireplace around Katy, who was sound asleep. After a moment's consideration, he curled up beside the cat and let himself fall asleep.

The next morning, after waking up and getting Katy ready for the day Mark headed down to the dining room and looked to where Adam was eating, along with Brook. "Good morning Adam, Brook. I have enjoyed my stay here, but alas, I must take my leave of your hospitality today."

Adam nodded, "Have a safe journey. I have had one of the guards move your truck up to the front door already, and come visit another time. Give us a year, and you will barely recognise this place!"

"Once this issue with the rogue is dealt with and I am sure of my position in the Pride I definitely make time to visit again." Mark told his friend as he sat down and began eating, also making sure that Katy ate her food instead of playing with it.

A short time later he stood beside his truck and gently strapped Katy into her seat before climbing in behind the wheel and looking over the packhouse before turning to Jack. "This seems like a wonderful place, and I can tell that the wolves here are happy. I just hope that the pride is just as happy as this pack is."

"I hope so too Mark, now let's hit the road, we've got a long way to go to reach a place that you can call home."

Mark smiled, starting the engine and pulling the truck away from the lodge and down the access road that led to the packhouse leaving the house behind in his rear-view mirror, though he knew that he would be coming back in the future, if only for a visit.