The rest of the night went by quickly, changing into human form and pulling on a pair of clothes before reporting to Emerson and then heading to bed. Selina had a room to herself in the cave, just like Alpha and Luna did. It was off down a small and natural hallway from the large area they used as their main common space, a place that was quiet and all her own until she could find her mate. She quite literally fell asleep as soon as she laid down on the thin sleeping bag she used as a mattress, exhausted from the day and the encounter with mystery human.
Frankie was still pretty tired as he woke up, wanting to rest just a bit longer. But remembering the events of last night, he forced himself to sit up. Fortunately, the only things he had really unpacked when he set up camp was the tent and sleeping bag. He climbed outside and let the crisp early morning air help wake him up more before he started cleaning up his belongings.
Dawn came quickly and with that, Selina woke up, her natural internal clock making sure of it. She sighed and yawned, standing up and shifting into her wolf form right in her room before walking out to go help the human. Technically, she was supposed to be on patrol again, but Sun could handle the area by himself as she slipped out of the cage and into the woods. It felt amazing to run through the forest and she was almost disappointed when she had to stop at the human's camp again, taking up her spot hidden in the bush again.
Frankie was moving a little slower than because of the very early hour but he still managed to pack up his tent. ”Even if the wolf doesn't show up I can still find another place to camp further in. I’ll probably get fined but better than getting killed.” he mumbled tying his sleeping bag to his hiking pack.
"The wolf is here," She growled quietly, standing up from her spot in the bush at his words. Selina shook out her fur and padded out of the bush, stopping a few feet away from his camp. All she had to do was get him to the cave, then he was dealt with and she could get back to the rest of her life. That was the the plan.
Frankie jumped about a foot in the air when he heard that. ”OH GEEZ!! You scared me.” he had a hand over his racing heart. ”Sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude. I just wasn't sure if last night was a dream.” After a moment to calm down he gathered his few bags ready to follow.
Selina shook her head, watching the human carefully, "Last night was not a dream. I am real. You are trespassing on pack lands. I'm saving your life by getting you off pack lands." Her tail swished back and forth as she waited, sitting back on her hind legs, "Are you finished packing human?"
Frankie nodded. ”Yeah, you being here again kinda cements the reality. I am sorry for trespassing. I honestly had no idea, but thank you for your help.” He said gratefully, tapping his backpack, duffel, and food cooler making sure he had everything. ”I'm ready.”
"Then let's get going," She said with a nod, getting to her feet and watching him, "Do you have a name human? it might be easier to say your name instead of human." The cave really wasn't terribly far away, but it was off the pack land, meaning he would technically be safe from alpha.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he followed. ”Well, it's actually Franklin but everyone calls me Frankie. Do you have a name?”
In the early morning packing, he didn't realize his phone didn't make it into any of his bags.
Selina nodded, repeating his name, "Franklin, interesting name. I'm Selina, Beta of our pack." She motioned to the woods with a giant paw and padded towards it, "Well Frankie, let's get moving." There was no way she was carrying him and so she expected him to keep up.
”Selina. That's beautiful.” he smiled. It suits you. Frankie was a very adept hiker so he would be more than capable of keeping up with her. ”Lead the way Beta.”
She gave a small nod of her head before walking off into the woods, not watching to see if he was following her. In her mind she was just going over where the cave was.
Frankie followed at a reasonable pace considering his gear and taking in the morning view. But he didn't stop or let himself fall far behind. ”Selina. Can I ask you something?”
"Yes, ask away, but I may not answer all of your questions if I don't want to," She said, getting a running jump and jumping over a fallen tree. In her mind she remembered that humans we're not as fast as their kind were and she stopped to wait for him.
”Fair enough. And anything that you do tell me will stay between us.” Frankie agreed, climbing over the tree trunk. ”Now, I don't want to seem ignorant or anything but; you're not a normal wolf, are you? Cause as far as I know wolves can't talk and don't have a sense of humor.”
Selina nodded, starting out again once he had made it over the tree, "You are correct, I'm not a normal wolf, I can talk, have a sense of humor, and am much larger and more powerful than an average wolf." She turned to the right around a large tree and continued on, looking up at the rock cliff-like hill that was appearing in the distance past trees.
Frankie nodded, still following her. ”I noticed. So I guess my question is; what kind of wolf are you? Are you some kind of guardian or something like that?” he asked mentally mapping out of the path back, just in case.
"I'm not a wolf all the time, but technically yes, I am a guardian. Both of my pack and of this area." She looked up into the sky and saw the sunrise was starting to slowly fade into a light blue sky.
”Uh-huh. So what are you the rest of the time then?” He asked thoughtfully, pausing for a moment to follow her gaze. ”That’s a beautiful sight.” Frankie noted with a light whistle.
Selina stayed silent, debating whether or not to tell this human what she actually was. "I will not release that information right now. But maybe if you gain my trust, I'll tell you."
”Alright. I can live with that.” Frankie agreed with a small nod. ”So, how much farther to this cave you mentioned? I can't wait to see it.” he smiled obviously excited.
"See that cliff-like thing? It's built into the side of that," She replied, still moving forward and not paying much attention to Frankie.
