When he made it back to Leyra’s house, he knocked at the back door and waited. Sunshine answered it, letting him inside with a smile. As Fox entered the house, he saw Leyra lounging on the couch in pajamas and could smell popcorn in the kitchen. A movie was waiting to start playing on their big tv screen. 

Fox rarely watched movies. If he ever saw a poster for a new one outside of a theater that piqued his interest, he would sneak inside to watch it, but Fox had only done that a few times in his life. Movies made him feel upset and frustrated. He always came out of them feeling like he wasted precious time, time he could’ve spent scavenging for food or scouting out new survival supplies, or traveling to one of his bucket list destinations. He spent the entire time watching movies feeling anxious and guilty at once, which made enjoying the movies difficult.

He passed through the living room and kitchen without another glance at the tv. He went upstairs and to his bathroom. He stripped and surveyed the extent of his wounds. The bruises would go away in a couple days. The claw marks on his chest would heal within the week. The bite wound on his shoulder, though, would take longer to seal and scar. 

Fox took a long warm shower, basking in the steam. He took care in washing himself, and after his shower he cleaned around the stitches in his shoulder and chest, gritting his teeth at the sting and keeping his nose covered with a towel. He covered both areas with fresh gauze from a first aid kit he found in the cabinets under the sink, then went to his room.

The first thing he did was check his bag, making sure everything was still there and undisturbed. Leyra and Sunshine seemed to be keeping out of his space, though, which Fox was very grateful for. He wondered if that privilege was only given to him because he was docile and unthreatening. He was certain the other lone wolves had their things regularly searched.

Fox changed into the same pajamas he wore last night, and then he crawled into bed. It was just as comfortable as it had been last night, maybe even more so, the duvet a gentle weight against his exhausted body. Fox closed his eyes and listened to the quiet rain outside. There was no thunder or lightning tonight, but he slept just as soundly.

When Fox woke, he stayed in bed for as long as he was allowed to again. He stared at the window and the calm morning light and repeated in his head how grateful he was for everything he’d been given so far. He thanked the universe for this comfortable bed, for his few clothes, for his bag of belongings, for the food he was given, for the clean shower he had access to, and for the opportunity to relax for a few hours before having to start his day.

Around 9 in the morning this time, someone knocked on his door. It didn’t quite sound the same as the knock he heard yesterday, and he detected Leyra’s scent on the other side of the door.

Fox rose from the bed, grimacing at the ache in his limbs and chest. He reminded himself that he’d been through worse, and he’d need to tough it out until everything healed.

He opened the door and found Leyra already dressed. She gave him a once over in place of a greeting. “Get changed and freshened up. You’ll be with Alpha Rishima today, but first you can grab breakfast with the other lone wolves.”

“Yes ma’am,” Fox murmured in reply. Leyra left to give him privacy. Fox sighed, wishing he could’ve had the same morning as yesterday, but Leyra had already told him not to expect that kind of treatment all the time. 

Fox got changed into gray cargo pants and a black shirt. He took a peek outside his window to gauge the weather. The sky held less dark clouds than it did yesterday, and the sun was shining bright and warm on the world below. Fox tied his jacket around his waist again, though, just in case the afternoon or evening would bring more rain.

He freshened up in the bathroom, rinsing his face and brushing his teeth and checking to see if his hair was presentable. He messed with it a bit to make it appear less like he’d just woken up. When he was satisfied with his appearance, he cleaned his stitches again and applied fresh gauze. 

Fox hid his bag in his closet, and then trotted downstairs. In the kitchen, Sunshine was enjoying a smoothie, and Leyra was nowhere to be found. Sunshine smiled in greeting. “Good morning, Fox.” 

Fox bowed his head a little. “Good morning. Can you tell me which house is Alpha Rishima’s? I’ve been told I’m shadowing her today.”

Sunshine nodded and set her smoothie down. She beckoned for Fox to follow her as she headed towards the front of the house. She pulled aside the curtains covering one of the front windows and pointed to a brown house with a brick walkway and patio. There were a few toys scattered on the front lawn, and the garage door was open, revealing more toys and bikes. Two cars were parked in the driveway.

“Right over there. She’s the busiest of the four, not just because she runs the town affairs but also because she has four kids. If you’re with her, she’s probably going to keep you on your toes a lot,” Sunshine said. 

Fox started to grimace, but hid it away when Sunshine turned to him. “Off to breakfast?” she asked, her tone cheerful, even though she had to be aware of how tense mealtimes were for the lone wolves, and how subpar the food was.

“I am,” Fox confirmed, and he reached for the front door. Sunshine bid him a good day, which Fox returned, and then he was off.