Chapter Text
“And this is your room Wolf.” Song pulled the wooden door open, which revealed an almost completely empty room, except for the double-sized bed in the opposite corner.
A smile tugged on Wolf’s lips. After months of sharing a room with Benson and Kipo in Timbercat Village, she finally had a room to call her own. As a child, she shared a room with the other wolf-children. Her short time in Deathstalker Territory gave her an ounce of privacy, but after the damned scorpions broke in and forced her to leave, she only knew the streets of Las Vistas.
Wolf placed a hand on top of the bed. It was just as comfortable as the rest of the house. Wolf reminded herself to thank Molly and the rest for their effort. Two off-white pillows leaned against the headrest and a thick, blue fluffy blanket spread across the length of the bed. Wolf stroked the fabric with a pleased hum. Never had she felt anything so soft. It was nothing like the inflatable guitars she slept on as a child.
“We’ll go furniture shopping with you soon,” Song assured, eyes darting around the empty room. “Try to think of what you’d like to get. Kipo is already on her third sheet of paper.” She said the last part with a fond laugh, causing Wolf to smile as well.
“Thank you, Song,” Wolf replied, turning her head toward the large window that gave her a perfect view of the mountains and hills that surrounded Las Vistas.
Song nodded. “Come and get me if you need anything,” she offered before she shut the door to allow Wolf some time alone.
With only her thoughts to keep her company, Wolf passed the bed to sit closer to the rounded window. She had yet to gather the courage to actually sit on the bed. She almost doubted the fact that it was her very own, and that it meant that she was allowed to stay. It also meant that, to her chagrin, she didn’t have to cling onto Kipo to make sure she wouldn’t leave her behind. Somehow, that was almost worse. She’d gotten so used to Kipo’s company and constant presence that she hadn’t even considered that she’d eventually have to be on her own. Kipo had grown up with Lio, and she was as identical to Song as one could get. Wolf, meanwhile, had zero similarities to either of them. She wasn’t a regular kid, she didn’t do regular kid stuff. She didn’t fit in, no matter how many times Lio and Song told her she did. How was she meant to navigate the life of a non-survivor all by herself?
Wolf crossed her legs, leaning against the wall to stare at the greyish wall in front of her. Boredom was a foreign concept. As a survivor, she kept herself busy by hunting for food or running from predators. Now that Las Vistas was safe, what was left for her? It felt like Wolf was the only one who struggled to fit in. She jolted as three knocks echoed throughout the room.
“It’s just me,” Lio called out from the other side of the door and Wolf instinctively relaxed. “Can I come in?”
"Sure," Wolf permitted before he opened the door and stepped inside.
He looked at her questioningly when he found her sitting on the floor instead of the bed, but opted not to say anything. He held an armful of books in his arms, with titles that Wolf didn’t recognize. “I found a couple of books for you, in case you’d like to start reading,” he offered. He placed the pile on her bed, glancing around the room. “We’re going to need to get you a bookshelf.”
Wolf studied the books. “Aren’t they Kipo’s?” she asked. She swore that she’d seen her sister carry them inside the house when they moved in.
Lio nodded, confirming her suspicions. “Yes. She used to read them when she was younger but she’s moved on to other stuff now, so I thought you’d have more use of them.”
“How young?” Wolf asked, clarifying when Lio gave her a confused expression. “How young was she when she read them?”
“Uhhhhh…” Lio pressed a finger to his chin in thought. “Your age? Maybe younger? Why?”
“Nothing,” Wolf replied. They were treating her like a child.
Lio looked like he didn’t believe her, but once again, he remained quiet. He picked up the book on top of the pile and read the title on the cover. “Alice in Wonderland. It used to be Kipo’s favorite. I’m sure you’ll like it as well.” He put it back on top of the pile.
The cover featured a young, blonde girl. Drawn in an almost cartoonish way. It’s for babies. Wolf forced a smile and hoped it wasn’t too obvious. “Okay, Lio. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Lio said, almost beaming. “I’ll put them next to your bed for now. I can help you organize them as soon as we get you a bookshelf. I’m sure the Timbercats won’t mind making you one.”
Wolf only nodded. How old did he think she was? Five? She’d survived far too much to even consider reading a children’s book. She was not a child. Did they not know her at all?
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” Lio said, bringing Wolf out of her process of thoughts. “Do you want to join me and Song downstairs?” Lio’s smile was warm, almost comforting. A soft and mushy one that made Wolf cringe. She’d gotten used to cursing, yelling and punches that never ended. The surface didn’t care for her age, didn’t care for how innocent she’d been when she had to survive on her own. Yet here Lio was — treating her like a child. The child she tried so hard not to be.
“Maybe in a minute,” Wolf said. “I need to do something first.”
There was not a lot to do in a newly moved-in house. Lio knew that as well.
“It’s alright, don’t worry about it,” he reassured before approaching the door. “Just come down when you’re ready.”
He left her room and closed the door behind him. Wolf stared at the spot where he’d previously resided. Everyone kept treating her like she was stupid. Like she was a child. She'd never been read bedtime stories, never had toys to play with or the threat of death not looming above her head. What was Lio and Song going to think of her when they realized that she wasn't a normal kid? That they'd never get to indulge in things with her that normal families did? The answer brought a sense of dread to Wolf's tummy. No. Not again.
Wolf swallowed the thought down. She’d found great friends in Kipo, Benson, Dave, Mandu — hell, even Troy, Dahlia and Asher had made it to a special place in her heart. Wolf hated admitting how scared she was of losing them all. She wanted to trust Lio and Song as well, but how could she be sure that they only wanted her best? That they loved her unconditionally?
Her heart drummed against her chest and she curled into a tighter ball on the floor, arms wrapping around her knees. One hand moved to where her heart was and her eyes widened. She had to calm down. The Deathstalkers will find me! Wolf shook her head at her thoughts. She didn’t live in Deathstalker Territory any longer. She got out. There was no need to worry about them stalking her, about being stabbed with a piercer made of venom.
Wolf inhaled slow and shaky breaths. She found herself repeating Kipo’s silly little rhyme in her mind. In for four, out for eight. Keep your cool, now you’re great. Surprisingly, it did pacify her somewhat. As soon as her heart stopped beating so aggressively, she leaned her head against the wall with a light thud. The way that Lio looked at her — like she was a traumatized little kid who needed someone to pity her — reminded her all too well of how she’d looked at her.
She remembered that night so clearly. How she’d walked up to her with the same smile. How she’d placed her hands on Wolf’s shoulders, beckoning her to follow. And then a year later, how her claws had dug into her skin harder and harder as she revealed her intentions. But so is your prey.
Wolf had no way to know what the future had in store for her, and the unknown scared her.
Wolf stood up on shaky legs with a sigh. It would do her no good to spiral. She needed a distraction. She eyed the door, contemplating on whether she wanted to open it or not — to be alone or to fall victim to Lio and Song’s loving gazes. It had to be better than staying alone in her room, she decided. With one last deep breath, she approached the door and opened it, leaving the safety of her room behind before she turned her head in the direction of the stairs. A lump formed in her throat, but she ignored it. There’s no turning back now.
Chapter Text
Wolf paused at the bottom of the stairs. From her vantage point, she was able to stare through the wide open door. Lio and Song sat beside each other by the kitchen table. She couldn't make out their words, but Lio said something that made Song smile. Her face lit up as she pressed a hand against her mouth to giggle. Their demeanour was the complete opposite of her wolf-parents. Lio and Song didn't worry as much about proper etiquette or making sure that everything was properly done. They encouraged making mistakes to learn and praised Wolf's imperfections. Lio liked to say that it was those that made her human. Wolf's eyes darted between them. They looked so happy. Almost carefree. Wolf didn't want to interrupt them. She squirmed on the spot and contemplated returning to her room until dinner was ready.
Song noticed her before she had the chance to follow through. The second their eyes met, Wolf tensed up, shoulders by her chin as her hands clenched into fists. Song tilted her head to the side and Wolf bit her lip. She expected Song to call her out for staring, to say that she was being nosy and rude and should go to bed without dinner. Instead, Song beckoned her over with a wave of her hand.
“Come sit, honey!” She patted the seat next to her.
Wolf forced every muscle in her body to move her forward until she managed to pull out the chair on the opposite side of the kitchen table, out of arms reach just in case. Lio eyes her with an expression that Wolf couldn't read. Song spoke up before he could make a comment.
“Are you hungry yet, sweetie?” she asked. She stood up to stir the noodles. The air smelled of the frying pan filled with cooking meat and vegetables that drowned in a reddish sauce.
“I guess?” she replied. She hadn't meant for it to come out as a question. She was hungry, but nothing good came out of admitting to your weaknesses. If Lio and Song decided to kick her out on the spot, it would be a while until she found something to eat. She recalled Lio taking out the trash in Timbercat Village a day prior. If she was sneaky enough, maybe she could get her hands on some scraps.
A few minutes of awkward silence later, Kipo and Benson burst through the front door, laughing like a pair of maniacs. Wolf flinched at the sudden loudness, against her better judgment. They were ringing the dinnerbell!
Kipo rushed to Wolf's side, hands landing on her shoulders for support as she almost kneeled in front of her on the floor.
“Wolf!” Kipo exclaimed between giggles. “You should have been there. Troy just tripped over his own feet and faceplanted!” She burst into uncontrollable laughter once again and Wolf's eyes widened.
Dave appeared in the doorway and tears welled up in his eyes. “It sounded like SPLAT when he fell! Ahhh, hilarious.”
Kipo melted into a puddle of laughter on the floor. Tears ran down her purple cheeks and Wolf couldn't help the hint of a smile that tugged at her lips. Her heart warmed at the sight of her friends’ happiness. It proved that they were safe. Then, her smile dropped. She wished that she could join them. That she could enter a house with muddy sneakers like Kipo and not worry about being yelled at. She wished that she could allow herself to relax and just be. It felt like she couldn't. She was different from her friends. She was a survivor. Despite the fact that Kipo had turned Las Vistas into a safe zone, it couldn’t undo years of being alone, years of only having herself to rely on, years of forcing the childish part of herself away so that she could focus on surviving. Wolf was aware that she'd been distancing herself from the family she'd made for herself. It became all too obvious with each time that she declined Kipo's invitations, Lio and Song's affection, and returning Benson and Dave's teasing.
Wolf jolted as movement passed her, only to realize that they'd already begun setting the table. Wolf scrambled to stand up, rushing to the box of cutlery. She couldn’t just sit there while everyone else prepared to eat dinner. She refused to be seen as lazy. It was definitely a one-way ticket into being kicked out. After gathering as many forks that were needed, Wolf reached for the knives in the second box. Song stopped her before she could even touch them.
“I'll handle the knives, sweetie. You can give the forks to Kipo,” she said, grabbing a handful of knives herself. “You just sit down. We're almost done anyway.”
Wolf couldn't help the frown that formed on her forehead as she sat down in her preferred seat. She had handled far more dangerous and difficult things than knives. Her weapon had been a Deathstalker stinger after all. Why was Song doubting her ability to handle knives? She had to know how strong she was. Was it that she wasn’t good enough?
Song lifted the pot from the stove and placed it in the middle of the kitchen table. The rest of the family took their seats before Song began to serve their portions. Kipo chatted excitedly with Benson about their day's adventures, Song chatted with Lio about work, and Dave tried to keep Mandu from jumping onto his seat to steal his food. Wolf picked at her food as she avoided looking at her family — at their happiness. Her mind swiveled with thoughts that threatened to bring her food back up with every swallow. She was just so different from them. They had basically nothing in common except for their connection with Kipo. She was a surface girl through and through, and they were burrowers — mole people. Despite the fact that Benson had grown up on the surface like her, he was far more peoply and fit in without trouble. Wolf was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't hear her family call her name until Kipo waved a purple hand in front of her face. Wolf dropped her spoon in her soup, splashing droplets across the table.
“I— I'm sorry,” Wolf apologized immediately, eyes wide.
Song rose from her seat to grab a paper towel to wipe up Wolf's mess. “It's okay, darling. Accidents happen.”
Meanwhile, Kipo's mouth formed a slight frown. “Wolf? Are you okay?” she asked.
“What?” Wolf asked, noticing how everyone stared at her. Is it that obvious?
“You weren't answering me,” Kipo clarified.
“Yeah!” Dave tsk'ed from across the table, shaking his head disapprovingly. “Rude child.”
Kipo gave him a look before she returned her attention to Wolf. “Are you okay, though? You've barely touched your food.”
Benson inclined his head. “Third rule of the surface, remember? Never pass up a meal.”
Not even Benson was a stranger to Wolf's lessons about the surface, having heard them countless of times when he annoyed her. Wolf almost regretted it at that moment.
“I'm fine,” Wolf replied, picking up her spoon. She took a couple bites of the vegetables and meat to prove her point, despite the way her stomach churned in protest.
Kipo didn't look entirely convinced, but she let the subject go. “So, what do you think of your room?” she asked.
Wolf was glad that her older sister chose not to push. “It's great,” she glanced at Lio and Song, “thank you for letting me have it!”
Song beamed. “Of course, honey. You need your own space. You're an Oak now!”
Wolf swallowed down a couple more bites before she asked to be excused. With Song's permission, Wolf took her plate to the sink and returned to her room. Song's words repeated in her head. Was she an Oak? Like, a part of the family? For real? She never got to use the wolves’ last name, and she didn't remember the one she went by. She'd come to realize that it was because they didn't consider her one of them. This time, she was treated like a child — yes, they acted like she was a vulnerable and weak child — but she was their child nonetheless. She wasn't just some stray kid who Kipo had dragged home, she was a part of them.
Wolf changed into Kipo's old pajama set from when she was Wolf's age that Lio had kept around. It was pink and had a smiley cartoon star on the stomach, and the fabric swallowed her small frame, but it was hers. They wouldn't have given it to her if she wasn't meant to stay. If they didn't consider her a daughter. She once again repeated Song's words. Maybe it was worth a shot? She'd never be able to guarantee that they wouldn't abandon her, but she wanted to try. She wanted to have a family. She wanted to not have to care for herself and be alone. She was terrified of the control she'd have to give up in order to experience all of that, but when had she not been terrified when she lived on the surface? Back then, she hadn't known why she kept going, why she kept fighting to survive. This time, she knew why she wanted to stay and why it would be worth it in the end. Avoiding it, despite how much easier that felt, would never help her trust people again.
Wolf climbed into her bed, feeling it sink slightly underneath her weight. She laid her head down on her pillow, squirming until she found a comfortable position. She wrapped a thick blanket around herself instead of the thin skin of her wolf-pelt. She hugged a stuffed bat to her chest instead of a weapon. Her eyelids began to flutter as a smile grew on her lips. As sleep took her, she came to accept her new name.
Wolf Oak.