Selina set the clothes down again to answer playfully, nodding to them at the same time, "I'll lead for however long you want me to. As for the clothes…if you don't mind carrying them, that would make things much easier." She waited patiently for him to grab the clothes, then bumped his side with her head and started along slowly, glancing back at him ever few seconds to make sure he was following safely.
“I don’t mind.” he assured her before picking up the clothes. Frankie chuckled softly as she nudged him and happily walked beside her, though she was obviously still leading. Fortunately, he had already double-checked that he had everything that they had brought with them before they headed back. He smiled at her every time she looked to check on him though he was mindful of where he stepped, not wanting to accidentally hurt himself.
"If I walk too fast or you think you need help just tell me," She said gently as they got to a steeper portion of the walk. Selina picked her way over it easily, slowing herself down intentionally so that he didn't get hurt trying to keep up to her. It felt natural to race through the woods, even at night, but she forced back the feeling in favor of keeping Frankie safe. Him getting hurt was something she didn't want at all.
”I will.” he nodded, though he was keeping up fairly well so far. Frankie did lean a little more on his hiking stick as the slope increased slightly. It didn't really bother him but it was a bit harder because of the fading light. He stayed as much by her side as he could without crowding her.
She didn't stop checking on him as they walked, sticking closer to his side when she saw that it was more difficult for him to pick his way down the quickly steepening slope. Selina herself had to watch out for some of the sharper rocks as she walked, almost stepping on some several times. Any of the rocks could cut her paw, causing her to be in pain, and so she had to be quite careful.
Frankie smiled softly when he noticed her looking back at him. He really appreciated her concern though he was fairly confident that he would be alright on this hike. The slowly fading light was a bit of a potential issue and he was tempted to pull out his flashlight… But he trusted Selina’s night vision and didn't want to accidentally blind her with it.
Selina was silent most of the walk, only speaking to warn him of steep areas or potentially dangerous things. She did speak again when they reached the creek near Frankie's cave though. "Well, what did you think of our howling session?" She asked, easily leaping over the water instead of trying to pick her way across. She waited patiently on the other side for him, relieved that he had gotten back safely.
Frankie nodded and took extra care at her warnings, grateful for her advice, though he chuckled when she jumped over the creek. ”I had a lot of fun. You were amazing.” he told her happily as he carefully made his way to the other bank.
"Don't sell yourself short, you were just as amazing," She replied with the best smile she could do, "I'm glad that you had fun though. I hoped you would." Selina waited until she was sure he was fully across before starting on again, knowing the path back to his cave by heart. This was her pack's territory after all, and she knew how to navigate it easily.
”Thank you.” he grinned back at the compliment. A part of him was a little unsure if he really was that good, but he wasn't going to argue with Selina. ”Hey, who knows? Maybe I got a little wolf in me after all.” he growled playfully as he walked easily beside her, knowing this part of the trail better.
Selina laughed lightly and looked over at him playfully, "I wouldn't be surprised if you did, with how good your howling was. Plus you're already an honorary pack member, and that means you have some wolf in you." She slowed to a slow walk once they reached his cave, unsure if he was alright with her going inside and ruining his privacy. So she stayed outside calmly.
Frankie's eyes widened slightly at that as he looked at her. He had been joking… and her look seemed like she was teasing too, but her words meant a lot to him. ”Master of pets is an honorary member of your pack?” he asked, going back to teasing with a light smirk though his face now had a pink tint.
"Master of pets is the highest honorary title there is," Selina replied with a nod and the same playful look in her eyes, "It's a very important job, only entrusted to a few select humans and wolves." She watched to see what he would do, nodding to the entrance to the cave, "If you'd like, you can leave my clothes there, I'll take them when I have to leave."
”Well, then I am very honored to hold that title.” he smiled though his eyes still sparkling with amusement at their banter before nodding and walking into the cave. Frankie set her clothes down near the entrance and carefully put his gear away. ”Aren’t you coming in?” he asked, not forgetting his offer and he planned to hold to it… as long as Selina wanted to take it.
She nodded, following him in as she spoke, "I didn't want to invade your privacy, so I figured I would wait until you gave me permission to come in." Selina watched him as he put his things away, taking up a spot near the edge of the cave. She was sure to stay out of the way as she laid down, seeming content and happy just being around him.
Frankie hummed a little. ”I guess that makes sense. But as far as I'm concerned; this cave was yours first. I’m just renting the place.” he pointed out, noting where she was resting. He chuckled a little and picked up his sleeping bag, moved it next to her, and laid down on top of it.
"You still have the right to privacy though, pack land or not," She replied, gently resting her head on his chest when he laid down next to her, shifting her body so she was lying next to the sleeping bag. "How long do you want me to stay?" Selina asked, looking at him calmly, seeming quite content staying with him.
”Ok. If you say so, my Beta.” he smiled softly at how they were laying and decided not to argue the topic. Frankie let out a contented sigh as he gently started to pet the top of her head as she asked her question. ”As long as you want, Selina.” he replied. ”Honestly, I’d be fine if you stayed all night… but I'm sure you have to go back to the pack and report on me to the Alpha. Right?” There was a small note of unease in his voice at the thought. He trusted Selina but considering how her Alpha hated humans… Well, he figured it was natural to be a little nervous about a powerful predator with a grudge like that.
She turned her head and blew a playful breath of air on his face, "I wish I was able to, staying here sounds quite nice. But yes, I have to go back to speak to Alpha." Selina's tail wagged as he had pet her head, hearing the unease in his voice, "Don't worry, Frankie, the Alpha won't hurt you, he thinks you're just a tourist. And if he finds out, then I'll protect you, alright?" She understood his unease, she would be nervous too if she knew there was a werewolf out there with a grudge against humans.
The sunny blond laughed lightly at the puff of air in his face and scratched behind her ear in retaliation. ”I thought so.” he nodded, listening to her tail thump against the ground. Frankie smiled, finding some comfort in her words. ”Thanks, Selina. I… really appreciate that.” he said sincerely, though he didn't want her to get hurt on his account.
"It's nothing, the least I can do for a friend," She replied, leaning into his hand as he scratched behind her ear, "Especially one that gives such good pets." Her tail wagged quicker and she settled in against him contently. She really wanted to stay here with him the rest of the night, but she decided to stay until he fell asleep.
He chuckled at her comments, his smile widening as he continued petting her. ”You’re an amazing friend. Probably the best friend I’ve ever had.” Frankie admitted meaning every word… except one: ”Probably”. He just felt it might be a little awkward to say that statement without it. Though it would definitely be more awkward to say how he really felt about her.
"You are just as important to me, Frankie," She replied gently, her tail wagging at a constant slow speed as he continued to pet her. Selina really wanted to stay at Frankie's side all night, but she had things to do if they were heading to the city tomorrow, and the last thing she wanted to do was risk time with him just because she wanted to spend a few more hours at the cave.
Frankie's face blushed a deep red at her words, before shaking his head a little. She… She probably just meant it the way I said it. As a friend. A very good friend but… he rationalized, managing to smile softly at her. Unlike most boys he knew, he didn't consider the friend-zone to be a dead-end for relationships. ”Thanks, Selina. It means a lot to hear you say that.” he said sincerely, though his heart was still racing.
A tiny smile flicked onto her face as she tipped her head to look up at him, a calm but playful look in her eyes, "Why is your heart beating so fast Frankie?" She wagged her tail and waited, snuggling closer so he would continue to pet her, even if it meant she ended up laying almost right beside him. "We got back a while ago so it shouldn't be from the walk back here.."