This wasn\x92t supposed to happen, Cheryl thought as she gazed into his eyes. How could it be him?
He smiled at her then, and Cheryl couldn\x92t help but smile back. It didn\x92t matter if it wasn\x92t supposed to happen, it had happened. Cheryl had been told over and over again since she was a little pup growing up in her pack that she\x92d know immediately who her mate was when she met him, and that there would be no denying the bond she\x92d feel grow within her.
And they were right. It would have been nice if the pack elders had mentioned he\x92d be a leaf eater, though, Cheryl thought with vague amusement.
The young buck before her cleared his throat, pulling his shopping cart away from hers a little. \x93I apologize for bumping in to you,\x94 the deer spoke up. His voice was a rich baritone, quiet and gentle, yet still commanding of attention, and he certainly had her attention. His eyes were a mesmerizing brown, and he held her gaze unflinchingly; there was no fear reflected in his eyes.
\x93No apology is needed,\x94 Cheryl rumbled softly. Her tail swayed behind her slowly, though it took much effort to keep it that slow. There was an overwhelming feeling of something she couldn\x92t describe growing within her. \x93In fact,\x94 she continued, \x93I\x92m kind of glad you did bump into me\x85\x94
\x93So am I,\x94 he replied, another smile upon his face. He extended his right hand out to her, and Cheryl reached over, taking it into her own right hand and shaking it. \x93My name is Robert.\x94
\x93It\x92s a pleasure to meet you, Robert. My name is Cheryl.\x94
\x93The pleasure is all mine, Cheryl.\x94
They just stood there for what could only have been a few seconds, hands still together and gazing into one another\x92s eyes. It took an elderly rabbit\x92s hoarse, \x93Excuse me,\x94 as she was trying to pass the two down the aisle to wake them from their reverie.
\x93Oh, pardon me,\x94 Cheryl breathed, looking suddenly flustered as she pulled her shopping cart over so that the older female could pass. Robert laughed gently as he, too, pulled his cart to one side, and the young wolf looked over at him, arching an eyebrow.
When the rabbit had passed, Robert smiled at Cheryl. \x93I always thought that wolves were such composed, regal creatures.\x94 The fur along Cheryl\x92s muzzle lifted a little, and the insides of her ears turned a light shade of pink. Robert leaned on his shopping cart, grinning playfully. \x93I didn\x92t realize wolves blushed, either.\x94
Cheryl tried to get herself under more control for his comment had only caused her to blush deeper. Her tail began to wag a little faster, and she tugged on the edge of her shirt. I feel like a pup again! she thought to herself.
Robert gestured to her empty cart, speaking up again since Cheryl seemed to lack a voice of her own. \x93I don\x92t suppose you\x92re almost finished?\x94
She wasn\x92t; she\x92d just arrived at the grocery store moments before bumping into the young buck. That knowledge seemed to fly from her memory, however, as she nodded a yes in reply to his question. Robert tilted his head towards the front of the store, his antlers catching Cheryl\x92s attention briefly as he used them to indicate the exit.
\x93Want to get out of here, then?\x94
\x93Sure,\x94 Cheryl replied, finally recovering her voice. Together, they turned their carts and starting walking down the aisle to the registers. The young wolf looked into Robert\x92s shopping cart, curious to see what he\x92d been shopping for. Robert, noticing her attention, spoke up.
\x93I was just getting some groceries. I recently moved into the apartment complex down on the corner of Main and 3rd street.\x94
Cheryl looked surprised as she turned her head to look up at Robert, who towered above her by nearly half a foot. \x93The Amber Forest apartments?\x94 she asked with a wag of her tail.
\x93Yes, that\x92s the one.\x94 Robert got in line at one of the registers as Cheryl pushed her cart off to the side to stand in line with him.
\x93I live in the same complex,\x94 she said, smiling up at him.
\x93Really?\x94 he asked, glancing over at her before leaning over to start unloading his groceries onto the belt. \x93Well, what a small world\x85\x94
Cheryl watched the young vixen behind the register ring up Robert\x92s groceries. She couldn\x92t help but notice the hunter\x92s gleam in the fox\x92s eye whenever she glanced at the buck, and it caused her fur to bristle. A low, almost inaudible, rumble growled warningly from Cheryl\x92s throat, and the fox cast her a nervous glance before returning to her job. Robert seemed to be oblivious to the whole exchange as he watched the total change on the screen before him.
\x93Thirty-six, eighteen is your total, sir,\x94 the vixen said quietly without looking up at the deer. He counted out the money, handing it over to the fox with a smile that went unnoticed. Robert arched an eyebrow as the fox gave him his receipt in return, wishing him a good day while her eyes remained elsewhere. He glanced at Cheryl, who only shrugged, and gave him a look as if to say, \x93foxes\x85,\x94 before following him out of the grocery store into the parking lot.
When they got outside, Robert paused and looked over at her. Cheryl stopped next to him and smiled. \x93Would you like to come over?\x94 he asked bluntly. A wide smile lifted the corners of her lips.
\x93I\x92d love to,\x94 she answered. \x93What\x92s the apartment number?\x94
\x93478.\x94
\x93Oh good,\x94 Cheryl rumbled, \x93I\x92m not the girl next door.\x94 She winked at him as her tail wagged quickly behind her. Robert laughed, a hearty, pleasant laugh that sounded quite nice to her ears. \x93I\x92ll see you in a little bit, then?\x94 she continued, smiling.
\x93Sounds great to me, Cheryl. I\x92ll see you soon.\x94
The two parted ways, each heading to their own car to get back to the apartment complex, and Cheryl had a huge grin plastered on her face the entire way to her car.
\x93I\x92m not sure if you realize this or not Cheryl, but your beau is a leaf-eater,\x94 Diane said as she looked up from the picture Cheryl had handed her moments before. Cheryl rolled her eyes and leaned over, snatching up the picture from Diane.
\x93And you\x92re a cat, Diane, so what?\x94 Cheryl replied as she lowered her gaze from her feline friend to the picture she now held. Diane uncrossed her legs and hopped off of Cheryl\x92s desk.
\x93So at least I\x92m not a leaf-eater.\x94
\x93We live in different times now, Diane. You know, I had thought that you might understand. I mean, what about Brandon?\x94
\x93Brandon\x92s different. I\x92m not dating him.\x94
Cheryl arched an eyebrow at her feline friend, a smirk tugging at the edge of her lips. \x93Is that so?\x94 she teased her friend. \x93What do you call it then?\x94
\x93Well\x85\x94 Diane coughed, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth. \x93Oh c\x92mon! Don\x92t look at me like that\x85he\x92s a stallion for crying out loud! It\x92s different,\x94 Diane purred. The two females looked at each other and grinned. Diane leaned over and gave Cheryl a hug. \x93Look, Cheryl, if you\x92re happy, then I\x92m happy for you.\x94
\x93Thanks Diane, I appreciate it.\x94
\x93So when do I get to meet this stud?\x94 Diane asked with another playful grin, her tail swishing behind her. Cheryl laughed and shook her head as she set the picture she was holding on her desk.
\x93Well, what about this weekend?\x94 Cheryl answered as she started shuffling some papers.
\x93Sounds good to me,\x94 Diane agreed. \x93Now, get back to work, Ms. Wolfslen. I want that copy on my desk before you leave today.\x94
Cheryl chuckled, nodding to Diane as the editor started heading back to her office. The wolf smiled to herself and returned her attention to the article before her, anxious to finish up her work so she could head home.
------
Cheryl fumbled with her keys outside the door to her apartment later that evening. She could hear the phone inside ringing demandingly as she hurried to get the key in the lock. With a quick turn of the key, and a twist of the knob, the door swung open. Cheryl dropped her things as she dashed for the phone, nearly tripping over the edge of the couch in her way.
\x93Hello?\x94 Cheryl said breathlessly into the mouthpiece.
\x93It\x92s about time, Cheryl!\x94 the familiar voice of her mother carried over the phone line. \x93What\x92s wrong? You sound a little out of breath.\x94
Cheryl smiled, kicking off her shoes before rolling over the top of the couch and flopping into it with a sigh. \x93Hi, Mom,\x94 she said as she stretched out over the length of the couch, a rumble of content coming from her. \x93Sorry it took so long to get to the phone, I just got in from work. I had to rush to get inside and answer the phone.\x94
\x93Ah, that explains that. How are things going for my little pup?\x94 her mother asked. Cheryl chuckled a little, her tail wagging as she rolled onto her side, settling in for what she knew was going to be a long phone call.
\x93Oh, Mom\x85why do you insist on calling me that? Things are going great, by the way.\x94
\x93Because you are my little pup, Cheryl. You were the last born in my last litter. I have every right to dote over you. I\x92m glad to hear that things are going so well for you. You haven\x92t called in over three weeks, I was starting to wonder if you\x92d disappeared.\x94
\x93No, I haven\x92t disappeared,\x94 Cheryl replied, a little nervous though she tried to hide that fact from her mother. \x93I\x92ve just been\x85busy. It\x92s been more hectic down at the office lately.\x94
\x93Being busy is no excuse, young lady,\x94 her mother scolded. \x93Your family should come first. Several packmates have been asking about you. Don\x92t you think it\x92s about time you came by for a visit, sweetie? Hmm?\x94
Cheryl flinched and groaned inwardly. She knew that tone of her mother\x92s voice; she wasn\x92t asking Cheryl to come for a visit, she was telling. And knowing her mother like she did, that meant this weekend, too.
\x93Yes, Mom,\x94 Cheryl replied dutifully. \x93I\x92ll see what I can do about catching the next train out for this weekend.\x94
\x93Oh, you don\x92t have to come this weekend,\x94 her mom crooned. Cheryl knew better.
\x93That\x92s quite all right, Mom. I don\x92t have any plans this weekend, anyway,\x94 Cheryl sighed a little. She made a mental note to talk to Diane the next day. \x93Oh, and, um, Mom?\x94
\x93Yes, hon?\x94
\x93I\x92m bringing someone with me.\x94
\x93Really?\x94 her mother exclaimed, sounding a little more excited. \x93Male or female?\x94
\x93Mom!\x94
\x93What? I\x92m just curious\x85\x94
\x93\x85. Male.\x94 Cheryl heard a happy growl from her mother.
\x93And is he just a friend, or\x85?\x94
Cheryl covered her face with a handpaw, grumbling to herself. She breathed in and out slowly, counting to five as a huge grin appeared on her muzzle, and she sat up quickly. \x93I\x92ll tell you this weekend, Mom.\x94 Cheryl rushed on, \x93I love you, buhbye!\x94 She pushed the talk button on her phone and placed it back in the cradle. She eyed it suspiciously for a minute, waiting for it to ring. When it didn\x92t, Cheryl decided her mother had accepted the rushed good-bye and was now running off to tell her father about Cheryl\x92s new male companion.
\x93This is going to be an interesting weekend.\x94
A few days later, Cheryl and Robert stepped onto the train platform as they disembarked. It had been a long ride, and Cheryl felt like she could use a nap. Robert guided her towards some benches, hauling the couple of bags they\x92d brought along with them. As they sat down, Robert glanced around.
\x93I thought you said someone was picking us up?\x94 he asked her when he didn\x92t notice any wolves milling about.
\x93I, er, I told them not to,\x94 Cheryl murmured sheepishly, which is quite a task for a wolf. Robert arched an eyebrow as he looked at her curiously.
\x93I get the impression you aren\x92t looking forward to going home,\x94 he said matter-of-factly.
Cheryl sighed, looking down at her hands for long moment before taking a deep breath. She lifted her head and gazed into Robert\x92s eyes, smiling softly at the love and adoration she saw reflected in his gentle brown eyes.
\x93You\x92re right,\x94 she said softly. \x93Truth of the matter is, they don\x92t know you\x92re coming. Well, they know you\x92re coming, but they don\x92t know it\x92s you\x85\x94
\x93Me? \x85Oh, I see.\x94
\x93Please, don\x92t be mad at me, Robert,\x94 she pleaded as she looked up at him. \x93I didn\x92t know what to tell them. As far as I know, this has never happened before\x85\x94
Robert sighed quietly to himself and settled back against the bench, closing his eyes. Cheryl chewed on her lower lip in a nervous habit as she watched him. She was worried about what he\x92d say next.
\x93Cheryl, are you ashamed of me?\x94 Robert asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Cheryl might not have heard him but for her rather keen hearing. Her eyes went wide. Of all the reactions and questions she had played over in her mind, that was certainly not one of them.
\x93No Robert, not at all,\x94 she said, looking down. Hurt was displayed all over her as her ears flattened against the side of her head. She stared at her hands, wringing them nervously as she whimpered quietly. \x93I\x92m just scared of what they might say\x85or do. My pack prides itself on the purity of the blood running through our veins. And the older packmates\x85\x94
\x93Can only see my kind as dinner,\x94 Robert finished for her. Cheryl flinched at his words, but nodded slightly. He shifted in his spot, and Cheryl could see his hand coming towards her. Robert placed a few fingers beneath her chin and tilted her muzzle up to look at him. \x93I love you, Cheryl. I\x92ll endure whatever I have to in order to prove that to them, to prove that to you.\x94
Cheryl smiled warmly at him, her tail wagging behind her as she leaned forward to wrap her arms around him and give him a kiss. She snuggled up to him for a moment, ignoring the throngs of furs walking around them, some glancing their way with looks of disgust and mutterings of prejudice, while others merely smiled and continued on their way. Robert only held her close to him, nuzzling her ear and headfur gently.
\x93As much as I hate to disrupt this,\x94 he spoke up again after a few minutes had gone by, \x93but shouldn\x92t we be going?\x94
The young wolf sighed, but nodded. They stood up together and picked up their bags before heading towards the exit of the train station, their hands interlocked the whole way.
------
Cheryl sighed to herself as the taxi pulled into the long driveway of her parents\x92 heavily forested estate home. It was located just outside of town on a huge tract of land, and it often felt more like a compound, than a home to her when she was growing up. While her parents did have the biggest, fanciest house on the land, there were several smaller homes located all around the estate. The other wolves of her pack.
She watched as the trees along the driveway rolled past her, and she remembered what it was like being the youngest daughter of the alpha male of the Moontear pack. She remembered sitting around bonfires during the monthly gatherings, listening to the tales of the elders about how things used to be, of an age when they ran the woods like their four-footed brethren. She remembered summers spent camping in the woods nearby, learning to follow the Way, to live in the now. She remembered what it was like to be a wolf.
But then, she\x92d made the decision to leave. It had shocked everyone. Cheryl had just turned 18 when she announced her choice. She would not stay. The world around them was changing, and Cheryl wanted to be a part of that world, and a part of that change. Her parents had nearly forbidden it, but when they knew she would leave, regardless of their support, they let her go. Her ties to her pack had never been severed completely; she actually visited quite often. And now, I return with a mate of another race\x85so much change\x85
\x93This is beautiful land,\x94 Robert spoke up quietly, disturbing her trail of thoughts and memories.
\x93Yes, it is,\x94 Cheryl agreed. \x93There\x92s a lake in the northernmost part of our land that\x92s absolutely breathtaking in the morning,\x94 she said, looking over at him and giving his hand a squeeze. \x93Maybe I\x92ll show it to you.\x94
\x93I\x92d like that,\x94 Robert replied with a smile just as the taxi pulled up before a large manor and parked. The badger in the front seat turned around, tipping his hat.
\x93Here we are, miss,\x94 he said with a light accent Cheryl couldn\x92t place, \x93Moontear Manor.\x94
Cheryl leaned forward and paid the badger for the ride, then stepped out of the taxi after Robert, who took their bags out of the trunk of the car. As the badger drove off in his taxi, Cheryl and Robert stood at the foot of the porch steps leading to the front of the house before them.
\x93Nervous?\x94 Cheryl asked, looking up at him.
\x93Pffft. Are you kidding? I used to raid the dens of wolves for kicks back in college,\x94 Robert said as he gazed up at the house, his tone obviously playful and nervous with a twinge of sarcasm. He cleared his throat and looked at her, a weak smile on his lips. \x93And you ask if I\x92m nervous\x85\x94
\x93Well?\x94
\x93\x85absolutely. Besides, even if I actually had raided wolf dens, something about walking into the den of the pack the woman I love belongs to seems much more foreboding.\x94
Cheryl laughed and shook her head, smiling at him. They walked up the steps leading to the front door together, after that, hand in hand. She started to knock when they reached the door, then remembered her parents usually kept the door unlocked, so she grabbed the doorknob and turned it. As expected, the door opened, and Cheryl led Robert inside.
The entryway was dark, and it seemed like no one was home. Cheryl and Robert left their bags there, and she took his hand again, gesturing towards one of the hallways leading off from the front room.
\x93They\x92re probably out on the back porch,\x94 she said, and began walking towards the back of the house.
\x93It sure is quiet in here,\x94 Robert commented as he looked around.
\x93Ever since my mom and dad stopped having pups, this manor has been much quieter. The other homes around the estate are usually much busier.\x94
As they approached the back of the manor, a low buzzing started up and grew louder. Eventually, the pair could make out voices, and the scent of food found its way to their noses.
\x93Mmm,\x94 Cheryl rumbled happily. \x93Smells like a bar-b-que. Must be a pack gathering, tonight.\x94 Robert made a small face at the thought of bar-b-que, but had long since accepted the fact that Cheryl ate meat. He was content with the fact that she was at least an omnivore.
They were nearing a door that Cheryl said led to the porch, and her tail started to wag faster. It was obvious now that there was some sort of gathering outside. Laughter could be heard, and there was music playing on a radio in the background. The smell of food grew stronger, and Cheryl just seemed to grow more excited as the nervousness started to leave her. She was home.
Cheryl opened the door quickly and practically tumbled outside in her haste, Robert following close behind her and smiling. He loved to see Cheryl so happy, and she\x92d seemed so down lately.
\x93Hello!\x94 Cheryl cried out as she came into view of her packmates. Every wolf present, most of her pack, looked up and over at her, but no one shouted a hello or ran to greet her. In fact, no one said a word. The only sound that could be heard was the music on the radio down by the bar-b-que pit. All eyes were on Robert.
\x93She brought a leaf-eater!\x94
© Juliana Davila, 2003-2004