As they were laying Regina on the couch, the pup started to wake up. Of course, her first reaction was to freak out and fight.
"Luce, Regina Luce, calm down." While Atta held the wolf down, Mavis ran her fingers through the gray fur to comfort Regina.
When it didn't seem to be doing anything, the two backed off, leaving Regina alone on the bed. She rapidly backed up till she was in the corner, staring them down with scared eyes.
"Remember us, Regina Luce? It's Mavis and Atta, Speranza's wolf parents."
The pup only growled and laid her head down on her paws. She was in panic mode and wasn't sure of anything. By staying here, Mavis and Atta would only anger her more.
"Atta and I are going to stop out; call for us when you calm down." Mavis spoke lowly, and the two crept out of the room. The was left open a crack, letting the pup get out if she needed to. As if the window wasn't already broken.
Regina watched the two leave and relaxed when the door shut. She didn't understand why she was acting this way, the people seemed friendly, and Speranza trusted them. There was a part of her that was afraid and unwilling to be hurt by strangers. That part took over, leaving the rational part behind.
Finally alone, Regina was able to calm down. She wasn't in danger anymore, no one was with her, and she was safe.
This also meant that Speranza wasn't locked in the back anymore. The wolf slowly became more present, relaxing with Regina.
'Let me guess; you have no idea why I'm like this.'
'Sadly, no. I don't remember anything you don't; we are the same. I have nothing to offer to you.'
'I don't want to be like this. I'm scared for no reason, attacking those helping me and always ready to run away. Will I ever be able to relax?'
In her mind, Regina could picture the wolf, gray, and lying on the bed. Technically she could have just looked in the mirror to see her wolf. What did her human form look like?
'You will improve with time, and I'm sure things will get better. Right now, you need to learn to trust those that are with you. Really trust them with your life.'
That was going to be more challenging than Speranza thought. Her brain was wired to be scared of everyone; no way would she be able to trust someone with her life.
She would do what she could and live with the humans. Maybe things would improve, as Speranza said. If anything, she had a home and family right now, and she would embrace it while she had it.
No longer panicked, Regina got off the bed and nosed the door open. Pack members walked past in either direction on some kind of business. She got a couple of looks, even some waves, but no one stopped Regina.
Keeping her nose to the ground, Regina caught the scent of Mavis and Atta. The man's scent went upstairs while the woman's scent went towards the pack door. She would rather be outside than in a small room, so Regina followed Mavis's scent.
Walking between legs and dodging feet, Regina made it to the kitchen. She then pawed at the scary glass door until someone finally opened it for her.
She loved being outside. It felt so free and clean; she felt relaxed. Even if Mavis wasn't out here, Regina knew she could take a nap in some shade. That sounded amazing!
Glancing around, she didn't see the woman anywhere. People were lounging in wolf and human form, but there weren't any with yellow hair. All the pack members had dark hair, black or brown, with dark skin and eyes.
So, Regina continued walking through pack lands. The feeling in her chest made her go right. The sun was low in the sky, making most of the grass shaded and the air cooler. In front of the pup was a group of wolves paired off and fighting each other. Most were dark in color and large; they could walk all over her without any problems.
On the side of the field, there was someone with yellow hair near the forest, standing out from the crowd. She was swinging something small in both arms and moving around like she was leaping. Regina didn't know what Mavis was doing; she was just happy to have found Mavis.
Avoiding the wolves, Regina walked a wide circle before reaching Mavis. Once she was close enough, the wolf let out a bark, catching the woman's attention. She set down whatever she was swinging and walked towards Regina with a smile.
"Hey there, Luce, how are you feeling?"
Mavis crouched and held her arms out, letting Regina come to her. Regina did so without much hesitation, happily accepting the pets and attention.
"I'm gonna guess you're feeling better. It's good to see you at peace instead of panicked."
Mavis then stood, stretching out her arms and legs. Once she finished, Regina took a gentle bite of the bottom of her tank top. She then led the woman away from the fighting wolves, and to the tree, she had sat under a couple of times. Mavis followed along, knowing there was no way she could fight the wolf's sharp teeth.
When she reached the spot, Regina let go of Mavis and fell to the ground. Mavis stood for a while, unsure of what the wolf wanted her to do. Regina just huffed and pointed her nose to the floor next to her. Mavis finally got it and sat by the wolf.
"A perfect little spot, isn't it? Do you come here a lot?" Mavis looked down to see Regina nod before putting her head on her paws.
"I know Marissa told you about packs and the wolves inside us all. She did say you haven't shifted yet, is it because you don't know how?"
Regina nodded again, and Speranza became more noticeable. The wolf didn't say or do anything, but she came forward enough for Regina to notice her presence.
"When you feel up to it, Atta and I could maybe help you. We don't know much about you, not even your age. All Marissa can say is that you are older than 16, we would know more if you could shift."
'You do know you can talk to her? The bond is complete, so you can use a family link.'
But she couldn't. Even just the thought of talking to anyone made her freeze and want to panic. Regina had no idea why, but she knew she couldn't speak. Talking made things worse; silence was better and made things easier.
'Well, if you can't, maybe I can. That would mean I'm closer to the surface, but I could talk to people for you. No one would even know the difference.'
Speranza was right; that could work. Regina wasn't talking; it was someone else, so she wasn't breaking any rules.
With Regina's permission, Speranza stepped closer to the surface, adding amber shades to her green eyes.
'I don't know anything about shifting, but I want to learn.'
Regina looked up and saw Mavis looking down at her. For a while, the woman's eyebrows furrowed, but they smoothed out when she smiled.
"Then I'd happily teach you. For now, let's get you some food and into bed. The sun has gone down, and night will be approaching fast.
Mavis stood, brushed imaginary grass off her legs, and started walking to the door. Regina got up, shook her fur, and followed the woman with happiness in her steps. Tomorrow she would learn to shift into a human form just like Mavis. Who knows what else these humans could teach her?
****
Regina was the first family member to wake up; the sun wasn't even peaking over the trees yet. She couldn't help it, today she was going to shift!
She looked over to the bed to see Mavis and Atta still sleeping. Both were wrapped around the other with peaceful smiles. She would just have to wait for them to wake up naturally, or Regina could take matters into her own paws.
Following her hunting instincts, the wolf crouched and kept an eye on the target. The prey hadn't noticed her yet. So, she put one paw in front of the other, slowly creeping towards the unsuspecting humans.
Reaching the edge of the bed, Regina took note of the human's steady breathing. Seeing that they were still deep in sleep, the wolf leaped.
The two humans woke up to the significant weight landing on their chests. Air escaped both of them, followed by groans of pain. Regina just stood on Mavis and Atta, watching as they were suddenly very awake.
"Good morning Luce." Atta croaked out while Mavis tried to push the wolf off their chests.
Regina obeyed the hands and sat at the end of the bed, watching as the couple took deep breaths. Atta sat up while Mavis continued lying on the bed.
The wolf tilted her head as she watched the woman. Why wasn't she getting up, wasn't Mavis excited about today?
"What do you need Luce, it's five in the morning."
'Mavis is gonna teach me how to shift.'
It was a little strange to have Speranza talking for her, someone else saying 'I' and 'me' through her own link. Still, it was better than answering yes and no questions.
"Did she say when she was going to teach you?" He rubbed a hand over his face while Mavis just groaned from the bed.
Suddenly guilt overcame the pup. She had ruined their bedtime and their schedule. For all she knew, Mavis wasn't going to teach until hours later. Regina had jumped ahead of time and messed things up.
Ears low and tail hanging, the wolf jumped off the bed and went to her own. Atta said something, but she didn't listen. Regina just put her head on her paws; she would let them sleep.
She was new to the couple, an add-in. Regina had no idea how long the couple had lived alone. They had their routine and plans that they followed. She would just have to watch and see how she would fit into their lives.
So, Regina watched. She was patient as the sun slowly rose, and light came through the open window. Atta got up then, kissing Mavis on the head before leaving the room. Mavis slept longer, getting up and leaving without a second glance.
Regina followed the woman down to the kitchen. She hid in a corner as some pack members greeted Mavis, Teresa included. They talked and chatted before Mavis went out the back door.
The woman went back to the area where Regina found her yesterday. Mavis shifted this time into a large black wolf with glowing yellow eyes. Regina was a little scared but followed anyways. A brown wolf with lighter eyes greeted Mavis, and the two started to fight.
Regina sat under a bench as the two wolves went at each other. Blood wasn't shed; it was like play fighting with another pup. They didn't stop until the sun was over the trees, and light covered the field.
The wolves then split up, going into a room by the field. Mavis and Atta came out with new clothing and in human form. The fighting then continued, this time with items in their hands or fighting hand to hand.
They seemed to be equal, Atta was larger, but Mavis was quick. He could throw her and get some good hits, but she was fast, everywhere at once. He would win some, and then she would. It was a play fight.
Time flew by, and eventually, the couple finished. They went back into the rooms where they changed and exited with wet hair and more clothing.
Mavis and Atta went back to the packhouse with an unknown follower. They sat at the kitchen for the second meal before splitting up. Atta went up the stairs while Mavis went the opposite direction, towards the pups. Playing with the children would be more entertaining than the offices upstairs, so Regina followed Mavis.
Regina waited in the hall as Mavis spent forever in the pup's room. Parents came in and out, bringing in and taking out children. Some would wave to her while others didn't even notice the wolf in the hallway.
It was near the third meal when Mavis left. She met up with Atta again for food, and then the two went to their room. Regina grew excited, figuring this would be when Mavis would teach her. This was finally the time!
That excitement disappeared when the door slammed in her face. Mavis and Atta went into their room, leaving her in the hall.
She knew it would be a change, suddenly living with two other people she didn't know. But Regina didn't think they would forget her that soon. They didn't notice her, or the lack of her. Regina's heart sunk in her chest as she made the long walk back to the hospital wing.
She knew they didn't mean anything; Mavis and Atta were also adjusting. Still, would it be that hard to reach out to her every once in a while?
Regina reached the main door, and her heart leaped, seeing it was open just enough for her to open it herself. Regina used her nose to push the door open and also immediately almost tripped Marissa.
"Pup!" She scrambled to gather the papers that had flown from her hands. "What in the world are you doing here at this time?"
Maybe she was just an inconvenience, no matter where she went.
Regina turned to walk back out the door, but Marissa called for her again. When the pup turned, the woman was sitting on the floor with her arms out. Regina didn't even pause; she ran straight for Marissa and into her arms.
"Let me guess, Mavis and Atta didn't notice you today."
How did she know? Did Marissa have some cool power that let Marissa know what she was thinking?
Marissa laughed and continued petting the gray fur. "No, I can't read minds, but I know human and wolf behavior. You came here because you knew someone would give you attention, which means Mavis and Atta weren't giving you enough."
"I can also say it wasn't your fault or even your new parent's fault. Sometimes when we are tired, there is a part of the brain that takes over. It makes you do the normal, everyday things you always do. It could be that they were sleepy and just did their routines. Because you are new to their lives, you aren't apart of the routine yet."
So, they weren't mad or had forgotten her. Mavis and Atta were just tired, and she accidentally got missed. Did that mean once they got to rest, they would realize she was gone and come looking for her? She had to go back!
"Marissa! I can't find Luce I've been," The door burst open after the speaker started talking, but both women knew it was Mavis.
With the door open, Mavis's sentence trailed off as she stared at Regina.
"I've been looking for you everywhere, Luce. I didn't even think to follow your scent; I was panicking."
Blue eyes went unfocused as Mavis contacted her Fated. Once she finished, Mavis slowly walked over and sat a couple of feet from Regina.
"I'm so sorry, Luce. I didn't even realize you were gone all day; it shows what kind of mother I am. My, my pup, was a baby, so I never set her down. But it's been so long; I haven't had to care for anyone. Can you forgive me, us?"
At that moment, Atta ran through the doors and to Mavis's side. Fully understanding the situation, Regina left Marissa and fell into Mavis and Atta's lap. Regina was happy, and she somehow knew these people could care for her. The three then left the hospital wing, Marissa, alone, once again.
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