i always feel like somebody's watching me.

Muscles glided over bone as the brute walked through the wooded area. He'd been walking for so long that it felt like a rhythm had started - one foot, now the other. Large gray paws made contact with the earth and then came away quickly, his breathing was a steady in-and-out mantra. Listening to his body made Slater relax, or maybe it was just the consistency of it all.



Going on in such a way for such a long time might have bored another wolf, but it wouldn't bore Slater. He didn't feel alone. Maybe it was because in some form, he wasn't. Where is the pup, Slate? Aren't you going to find her soon? the voice in his head asked, and Slater shook his head in annoyance. "I know what I'm doing. I'm tracking her down, don't worry about me," he said out loud for what felt like the thousandth time. Slater loved his little voice but its nagging got under his skin every once in a while. "You know, you remind me a lot of every female I've ever known. Not a good thing, Shade." To any outsider, Slater would look crazy, talking to someone who wasn't there. This was his way of life and he would stick to it. Any interference and he'd likely snap.



He shook his matted fur, ignoring the fact that it was dirty and disgusting. Once again he mumbled something to Shade, his ears flattening against his head for a moment before springing back upright. He'd caught a noise somewhere to the left of him and he turned his head to face the source. Slater wasn't the type of wolf that others would want to approach, not by far. "Surely it's someone out for my blood. Extra careful now, Slate," he said, not bothering to lower his voice.