Life Before Him

Chapter 2

He called me, somehow, five weeks ago and told me to go to Denver. I don't know how he knew where i was, be he called a payphone that i was standing at, and already knew it was me who answered. I have to say, it did creep me out. 

But nonetheless, Denver is beautiful, i followed the scent from the shirt he gave me, and made my way to Aspen. I've been here before, i got into an altercation with the Alpha, the white strong one, who was old. I made a treaty with him when i was 18. Surprised that i was that scary at that age. 

It's nice and quiet here, I don't have to do much, which is perfect since i am very lazy. I do however stroll around and rob people of food when i don't want to hunt my meals. 

Today is nice, so i don't need to make a fire, i walk around the woods to gather wood that is dry. It hide it under a tarp i stole from a cabin nearby, i keep a bunch of wood under that. Even though i'm a wolf, i do need wood to cook my food. 

After i finish gathering wood, i shift into my human form and shake out the dirt and rocks I've gathered and then start hunting. The rogue in me loves this, being able to kill an animal and never be caught. It's always blamed on wolves, and most normal wolves hunt animals as well. Cheaper than spending thousands on food. 

Which i still don't know how they manage that, i don't think any of them work enough to afford that. 

I drop the dead Elk on the clearing, and do a lap around my territory. I do it three times a day, morning, afternoon, and nighttime. When you live by two pact that would love to tear you apart, you stay one step ahead of them. 

A smell catches my attention, it's a wolf smell, getting close to my territory. I jog towards it and sit in the shadows, waiting for an attack if need be. It's a white wolf, but the smell is different than the one i encountered here before. I know it's not Noah, he would make his presence known if it was. 

He runs onto my land and i jump and tackle him to the ground, bearing my teeth. A brown wolf jumps and throws me off him, keeping himself planted right in front of him. 

"Stay away from him." He mind links me. 

"He's fair game, he's on my territory. And so are you."

"He's new, he doesn't know Xavier. He's been warned, can you leave it at that? It won't happen again."

"No. I won't be played. I will give you two days before i unleash hell on your pact."

"For a lousy mistake?"

"A mistake? Teach him the ways before you take him on a run. Now get out of my sight before i murder you here." i walk away. 

i have a meal to skin, and i'm starving. I haven't eaten in two days now and i'm sure my hunger is getting the best of me. I shift back to human form, not bothering to get dressed and i skin the elk. It's a delicate process when i have to use my claw inside of a knife. 

Normal wolves wouldn't have this, but i went rogue human and started to shift but stopped midway when a human stabbed my back. So now i have a thing that normal wolves don't have. It's quite useful to have. 

The process takes about four hours, and i cook the ribs which i eat as soon as they are off the fire and do another run around. 

__

The next morning i finish with the deer, and throw it in bags i've stolen from the house next to me, it's a human house so it's much easier to get things, i even stole clothes. 

"Xavier." 

I stiffen, and stand up some, sniffing the air. It's Noah's scent and i turn and look at him as he walks out of the woods. "What?"

"I told you i would find you when the time was right."

"Well?"

"The time is now, i need you to follow me to our next location. Two men will join us?"

"Who exactly?"

"That's nothing for you to worry about. Two men i've found on the way, get ready we're leaving tonight."

"I ran into a white wolf. He's on my to eat list."

"Well wait and then eat him. I'll come find you, got to go, you have someone coming."

I growl and set all the food in the cabin, shifting to my human form. An older man steps to the edge of my territory and i walk to it, staring up at him. 

"Xavier?"

"White wolf." i mind link him. 

"My son stepped on your line."

"Oh yes."

"I was hoping you would stay with the treaty. It was a honest mistake."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up."

"But the treaty-"

"Your son ruined it." I growl at him. 

"I'm willing to follow, you are a lone wolf."

I growl, glancing where Noah left. "We'll see. Get off my territory. I'd watch over that kid." i walk away, and wait until i no longer smell him. 

I shift into my human form and gather my food, and when night falls, i walk to Noah, and get in his car, staring at him. "Don't expect me to behave."

"Wouldn't dream of it." He starts the car and speeds out off the trail and onto the highway. 

Lovely. People. I lay back and close my eyes, crossing my arms. 

___

"Don't run." I whisper, and it turns to me. i can make out the body, it's not a woman, but i can't see the face. It's black, a shadow, so is the body. He speaks, but no sound comes, his black shadow hand reaches out and grabs me, walking me through the woods where my cabin is. 

He turns and faces me, walking backwards with his arms around me. He trips on a stick behind him and we fall to the ground. The annoyance i would've had, is not there, instead i laugh, and kiss his shadow lips. I can't feel anything, i just know i kissed him. 

I turn so i am on my back, and touch the outline of his shadow cheeks, smiling up at him. "I love you." 

He says something back, and whatever it was makes my heart skip a beat, his fingers brushing on my cheeks. 

___

"Hey!" A hand slams against my chest and i jolt up and look at Noah, who is parked on the side of the road. 

"What?" i groan. 

"We're here. Wipe the drool, we have company."

I groan and shove up.