Chapter 3 Trust

The next few days that followed consisted of the same thing, searching continuously. The young dame barely took the time to even rest her shoulder or feed herself and already she was slimming down, a light dip now at her sides. Her eyes were beggining to look tired and their once deep honey color had become dirty and dark as each day that passed seemed to drain the hope and determination right out of her. Her mind grew distant and she began to barely even pay attention to her surroundings as she tripped over a tangle of thin vines.  She hissed softly, the movement of catching herself sending a wave of searing pain through her shoulder. She had to stop, it was hurting to bad, sitting down and groaning out softly. It wasn't until she heard the snap of a branch behind her that she jumped up and turned herself around as quick as she could.

    "Hey there, it's alright. I didn't mean to scare you." A male seeming several years older stood a good hundred feet infront of her, scars littering his dark grey body. He was thinner but toned up, obviously a rouge. Her fur began to stand on end as a low growl came from her throat, though it wasn't much of one with how exhausted her body had become with what she put it through since seperated from the others. She noted when he took a step back.

    "I don't mean any harm, I was just passing through." His voice was rough and scratchy, deep but somehow it was also soothing, though she was certain it could hold a hard edge in the right tone. She watched him closely, never speaking. He had lowered his tail in a more submissive and friendly height, his ears pricked forward with friendliness. She warily let her fur fall back to normal and frowned at him.

    "Hey kid, you look kinda rough..do you need somewhere to rest?" He asked seeming slightly concerned,  which confused her. Why would he care if she was tired or hurt, he was a rouge. She growled softly again and spoke.

    "Why do you care rouge?!" The question came out sharp and hateful, obvious she wasnt very trusting of him. He chuckled lightly.

    "Look kid, I'm only considered a rouge because I choose not to live a pack life, that doesn't make me a bad guy." He defended himself. She scoffed at his defense, every rouge she had ever met were all the same, hateful and blood thirsty wolves who only sought after their food and land.

    "Look I was just offering you a place to rest and eat so you can continue with whatever you're doing, I know how tough it is out here..if you think you're fine without my offer then ok, I was only offering. See ya kid, good luck." He shrugged and turned to walk another direction. She scowled at his retreating form until he disappeared from sight. As his pawsteps grew fainter the further he moved from her fear and anxiety crept into her senses. The first being she had met in days and he was walking away. She didn't trust him but she was afraid to be alone again. She quickly began to run after him.

    "W-wait!" She called out panickedly as she chased after him. She quickly caught up to him as he continued walking. "alright.. just.. just for a little bit.." She said, voice guarded. He let out the lightest chuckle as his head turned to glance at her.

    "Alright, come on then." His rough voice spoke out again, light and friendly still. She still didn't trust him but as she followed with some distance she figured as long as she was cautious what could some rest and food hurt? Plus maybe he knew where she was at and could help her find her way, atleast point her in the right direction.

The male brought her a little ways through the surrounding area until they came to a den made out of the roots of a large oak, the earth dug between two larger roots and under the massive trunk. It looked sturdy but her worry was being in a tight space with this stranger she didn't even know. Jessabelle stopped at the edge of the entrance after he went in and after a brief moment his head poked back out and he looked slightly down at her. She could see his eyes now, they were yellow like sunflowers and gold, bright in the days lighting.

    "How about I sit further in and you near the front so you can leave any time you want?" He offered. She watched him with hard eyes but gave one swift nod. Once he retreated back into the den she followed him, always keeping distance. She sat her rump a little ways in to feel the warmth and sighed softly. Her shoulder ached and throbbed in protest to the constant travel and she leaned onto her right paw to take some of the pressure off of it in hopes it would ease the pain some while she rested. The male came from the back of the den, a racoon in his jaws as he came a few feet from her before stopping and placing it onto the den floor.

    "Just caught it this morning, still fresh." He smiled slightly before taking several steps back and laying down to allow her space, attempting to make her more comfortable. She took a few moments before she stood and limped lightly the few feet to the racoon, grabbing it and stepped backwards until she was in her spot again, laying down and placing her good paw over the body to hold it in place while she tore open the fur to get to the meat inside. She took a small chunk until she had swallowed, her body realizing how hungry she was and she began to tear into it a little more aggressively as she ate in bigger peices, partially chewing before she swallowed. The sound of laughter made her look up.

    "Golly kid, slow down, it isn't going anywhere." He laughed as he watched her, his eyes seeming to dance with amusement. She quickly grew tired of that label.

    "I'm not a kid.. I'm a year old already.." She said irritatedly. He pressed his ears forward and a small grin tugged at the corner of his maw.

    "My apologies ma'am." He said, she could hear the amusement in his voice and that too irked her nerves. Why was this rouge finding this much amusement with continuously offending her? "I didn't realize you were a grown she-wolf." He corrected himself." What should I call you then?" He asked now. She looked him over once more as she raised her head higher in a show of her age and maturity.

    "Jessabelle." She spoke with pride. She figured it wouldn't hurt him to know, it was just a name. He nodded and then smiled at her.

    "Nice to meet you Jessabelle, I'm Jake." He introduced, tail now wagging lightly behind him. He seemed pleased or happy about the interaction but she dismissed it, she didn't really care. Jess went back to eating, being mindful of how fast this time. Once she had finished, full and content she realized how tired she was as her eyes fluttered lightly against the sleep that pulled at her consciousness. She didn't trust him and fear kept her from allowing herself to rest.

  "You should sleep, that was part of the offer. If you keep pushing yourself you're gonna collapse out there where anything can get you." The voice startled her into opening her eyes quickly. Jess looked to him and scowled lightly, he had a point. Maybe she could just take a quick nap until she was rested just enough and then she could go find somewhere else to sleep. She finally layed her head across her right arm as she leaned onto that side and against the wall of the den, eyes closing easily. No sooner than her eyes closing did she fall asleep, completely wore out from how hard she had been pushing herself.