A Wolf Pack

A Wolf Pack

*****

"Who's there!" Zack challenged as he stood up, stark naked in front of Chloe. They caught a glimpse of a pair of blue eyes.

The pair of blue eyes were followed by another pair of blue eyes and out from the underbrush Zack and Chloe watched as two reddish-brown puppies stumbled into the clearing where they were and they were followed by yet another puppy prancing behind them.

"AAWWW!!! THEY'RE SOOO CUUTTTEEE!!" Chloe excitedly cried out as she knelt in front of them and extended her hands beckoning them to come to her.

"Those poor things. What kind of monster would abandon these doggies out here all alone?" Zack mumbled sadly. He picked up one of the puppies and watched it playfully bite his fingers with its sharp needle-like teeth. They reminded him of when he had found Orion, such a tiny playful kitten he just couldn't help himself and had adopted the kitten on the spot.

"These whelps aren't dog puppies," Chloe said gleefully holding up two pups as they licked her face, "They're wolf pups!"

"Wolves?" Zack said in surprise as he started looking around fearfully to find himself surrounded by wolves. He finally chuckled to himself when he didn't see any. He realized he should have recognized them from all the family stories he heard in Chloe's house. 'Didn't know there were any wolves nearby. Should tell the Rangers when we get back,' Zack thought

"AW!! Daddy Zacky doesn't know the difference between a wolfie and a doggie," Chloe cooed as she snuggled with the two puppies.

"Okay, Okay! At least I know they're not mountain lions!" Zack laughed as he played with his puppy.

"Yeah, that would be bad!" Chloe laughed. "Wouldn't want to come across one of those."

"Absolutely not! They'd eat us in a second. Right buddy?" He asked the puppy he held as he looked around. "Wonder where your parents are?"

"OH!" Chloe said surprised at the sudden revelation, "You're right. They must be out hunting. They'll be back soon for their whelps. These little fellows must have heard us and come out of their den."

"We should probably leave before they return." Zack said reluctantly, "Wish I could take you home." He said to the puppy, "Orion would love to have someone to play with and boss around while I'm at school."

Zack and Chloe quickly got dressed and started to return but stopped when the puppies started to follow them. They wondered what to do with the puppies. They didn't want to lead them too far away from their den in case their parents came back and didn't find them. On the other hand, if they were alone it would be cruel to leave them alone in the wilderness. Chloe insisted they stay with the whelps and wait a while so they sat down and played a few more minutes with the puppies.

A gentle rustle among the undergrowth made them look around and they found themselves surrounded by a pack of red wolves. The puppies quickly scampered away and and towards their mother who quickly started sniffing and licking her puppies, making sure they were unharmed.

Zack and Chloe held hands as they watched with apprehension as a few of the wolves came closer. They counted at least half a dozen adult red wolves watching or sitting or playing around them, they even saw a young, half-grown grey wolf in their mist. The wolves carefully approached and sniffed the couple, easily finding the scent of their whelps on the teens. Zack and Chloe soon found the wolves licking their faces and nuzzling with them.

Zack tentatively brought his hands up and started scratching one of the wolves behind its ear and watched the other wolves play around the clearing. Zack marveled at the size of the wolf as he scratched its head and felt its soft, thick fur under his hand. He knew they were bigger than dogs but actually seeing them up close was something that blew his mind away.

Finally, one of the wolves made a sound that seemed a mix of a bark and a howl. The wolves stood still as if listening before they all started moving back into the forest and quickly disappeared.

Zack and Chloe stayed in the clearing looking at each other speechless. They were overwhelmed by what had just happened and were trying to wrap their heads around what had just happened.

"That was..."

"... like wow!"

"I know!"

They started walking back in silence, constantly glancing back and forth to each other in what seemed like a subtle, **** dialogue till they felt they had to speak and stopped and looked at each other.

"I never knew there were wolves in the area," Chloe said.

"I don't think there were any," Zack said "They must have recently moved in from the next state."

"And they were so friendly!" Chloe beamed a bright smile. She had always loved dogs and the wolves. Something quite normal for someone who was raised in a family that had a history of having large dogs and lots of old stories. Zack found himself easily infected by her happiness and the almost surreal experience.

"I think they might have escaped or been released from those breeding programs to reintroduce wild animals into their natural habitat?" Zack asked.

"I guess," Chloe agreed with her boyfriend.

"And did you see that grey wolf?" Zack asked her, "I didn't think the species would mix."

"They normally don't," Chloe said as she searched her memory, "But I think sometimes a wolf will be kicked out or get lost and lose his pack. Sometimes a pack will take in a stray. He seemed pretty young, I think they found him and adopted him into the pack."

"Are you adopting me into your pack?" Zack teased Chloe remembering how her mother was constantly teasing Chloe and her friends calling them cubs or 'her pack'.

"NAAAHHH!" Chloe playfully elbowed Zack, "That'd be our friends. You're," Chloe hesitated for a moment "You're my... my-"

"-My Mate?" Zack finished for her. He stopped her as they looked into each other's blue eyes. Crystal and Ice blue eyes seemed lost in each other. "Is that what you were going to say? Chloe, will you be my-"

"YES!" Chloe squealed as she jumped into Zack's arms hugging him as they kissed again. They kissed for a while till they noticed the distant sound of Heather's music play and realized they were closer to the ranger station than they thought.

Talking about wolves and packs made Zack remember Charlotte's words before they left for this trip. About how they were a pack and should stick together and watch out for each other.

"You know, we've pretty much been ignoring our friends," Zack said with some embarrassment.

"Ugh! You're right!" Chloe said feeling the same wave of embarrassment. "We've been so..."

"... Yeah me too," Zack finished, neither wanted to touch _that _subject again. "We got to spend more time with them, stay closer together like your mom said before we came."

Chloe smiled at Zack, "Yeah let's get 'The Pack' together again!"