from pet to lover(on hold sorry) by Morgan McCue (popular e readers .txt) 📕

I was walking home in my kindergarten line when I heard whimpering. I stopped and looked around searching for the source of the noise when I saw a cute little puppy. I left my line in secret to go and help the puppy it sounded hurt and there was red stuff everywhere. When I got to the puppy it looked at me and whimpered again.

"It's ok puppy. I won't hurt you. Where is your owner?" I looked around again in hope of finding the puppy's owner but found none.

"If you want you can come home with me. I live with Laney; my parents aren't home all the time and I get really lonely there."

The puppy wagged its tail and limped toward me with pain in his movements.

"Oh no, don't move your hurt." I scooted to him and picked him up. "I'll take care of you I promise. I won’t leave you never, ever. Well maybe when I have to go to school and other things but I won't abandon you."

I started walking home my line nowhere in sight but I wasn't worried I felt as if someone would protect me

"Now what should your name be?" I thought a moment "I got it how about ash because your fur is all ash colored" the puppy looked at me as if it liked the name. Alright let’s get home before Laney starts to worry.

- 10 Years later

    I was sitting in my favorite spot in the woods ash at my side and book in my lap. I looked at ash lying there patiently waiting for me to lead the way home. Ash has been with me since I was seven; he looked more wolf then dog and bigger than a dog too. He is loyal to me and I am loyal to him. He knows all of my dirty little secrets, he is the only real friend I have being the freak of the school. I tell him all my fears doubts and other things. 

"Alright boy, I think it is time for us to head back it's getting dark out." 

 I get up and look at Ash; he was looking at me to then gets up and stands by my side. I start heading home when I feel a chill at the back of my neck. Ash starts to growl with his hackles raised. I look around but see nothing but the chill is still there. I start to speed walk Ash staying close to my side. I feel a pressure on my arm then I’m yanked down and a twisted being is on top of me. I fought as hard as I can but the thing is strong. I yell out in pain when I feel him bite me. He is then pulled off of me and the last thing I see is my wolf tearing into the monster that almost killed me.

  I wake up disoriented and I feel a soft warm fur by my side. It all comes rushing back to me and I whimper. Ash must have heard me because he is now circling me trying to get me to stand up. I follow his orders and get up. He starts to push me in the direction of my house. I look around wondering where the monster was. I spot it and it looks at me with its dead, hateful, eyes. A tear slips from my eyes and I hear Ash whimper and tries to get me to move again. I follow his command trying not to notice the blood on his muzzle and fur.

I see my house in the clearing and I head on in, not expecting anyone to be home. I strip out of my clothes and examine my wounds. They weren’t too bad a few bumps and scratches. I also found bruises along my arms and sides. I sigh then climb into bed and shut my eyes. Before I fall asleep I feel Ash hops on my bed and carefully lies down beside me.

I wake up to a pain in my sides and a buzzing in my ear. I shut off my alarm clock and got ready for school. 

"Ok Ash, breakfast." I yell because he is a heavy sleeper and doesn’t wake up unless food is ready. I sit at the table and think of what to do about the attack. I sit there for a moment and decide not to tell anyone. Any who would believe me, Jake? No, I didn’t think so. I start to head to school knowing that Ash is already doing whatever he does during the day. I don’t know why he stays with me. Oh well he has his freedom.

I arrive at school shivers still running down my spine from the attack. I head toward my art class and arrive 5 minutes early. I start setting up my station and wait patiently for the class to start. People start arriving and things go as planned on a normal day. The teacher enters with a look of excitement on her face.

"Alright class, I have some very exciting news so need all of your guys attention."

We all look up from our latest project. I feel at home in this class and can’t wait for the news.

"We are going to a wildlife sanctuary with the football team and their peppy supporters (teacher’s nickname for cheerleaders). We are leaving in a week from now so I expect permission slips to be back here before then." 

Excitement coursed through my veins at the announcement, and then fear kicked in. I raised my hand and waited for the teacher to call on me.

"Yes Luna?"

“How long are we going to be gone?"

“For a week at most. This will be great experience for you guys to learn the natural flow of the forest and how to learn how to catch the essence of it."

Some kid raised his hand "why are the other people going if it’s for the art club"

The teacher looked upset at that comment and answered "they are coming because the principle wanted them to learn responsibility during this trip"

We got the rest of the information regarding the camping trip and we each got a permission slip and a list on what we can and cannot bring. I dreaded this trip for two reasons. One I would have to leave my wolf and two I would have to spend the week with Jake and Samantha the schools popular, stereotypical, kids. This should be an interesting experience.

An hour or so after I got home from school my wolf appears at my side. I look down and see worry in his eyes.

"It’s alright buddy I’m just a little sore. I have bad news in a couple weeks I’m going on a camping trip with a bunch of other people. Almost all of them hate me so that shouldn’t be uncomfortable and I say that sarcastically. The worst part is that I can bring you with me." I look at him and see a surprised look on his face. I know he understands me, he always does.

I put my head on the table losing my appetite. I look at him painful and yaps at me a little then snuggle at my side comfortingly.

"I know you can fend for yourself for the week I hope. I have no one that would be willing to watch you. My parents are gone for the month and Lonny is on maternity leave. Please forgive me." I kneel beside him and give him and tight hug.

I look at him and his eyes look forgiving and I relax instantly. I kiss him on the cheek then start to make dinner. I keep watching him to make sure he was comfortable. I can’t believe I was leaving my only support system for a week. At least I was spending all my time that I could with him.

 The week after that went faster than I expected. My parents called my art teacher to confirm it was ok that I went on the trip. I was set and ready to go as much as I could be. I felt horrible my wolf licked me goodbye one last time and I was off to school dreading the whole way there.

When I arrived I caught a few hateful glares but I was used to the whispers and the looks. I signed in and started to load my things. My suit case was really heavy from all my supplies for the trip. I failed at lifting it a few times then a stranger came to my rescue.

"Thank you so much I don’t know why it’s heavy." I looked up only to find the one guy that I actually had a crush on.

He smirked "no problem at all" he walked off and I stood there dumbfounded but I soon came to my senses and went to board one of the buses. I found a seat at the back of the bus. I put my head against the window and hoped that the week will fly by faster than the other one had.

 I must have fallen asleep during the bus ride because we were here. I don’t know how I fell asleep it was louder than a construction site in here. I look around and saw the beauty of the forest. I was mesmerized by it. I was last to get off and I head toward the van full of luggage. I could already tell that mine was buried between the cheerleader’s one thousand bags of death (their luggage) and the football teams