"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.
Frankie looked up the cliff with a light chuckle, ”I’m not going to have to climb that, am I? I don't have a problem with heights but I sure hope you know a shortcut if we have to get up there.”
Selina shook her head, letting out a small sound like a laugh, "No, we're not climbing it. Just follow me and be silent." The cliff grew larger and larger as they grew closer, until they stopped in front of it. She turned to the left and followed along the edge of the cliff, searching for the entrance.
He gave her a small apologetic smile. It wasn't often that he had a hiking partner, much less one he enjoyed talking to. Normally, he was the one to ask for quiet as he enjoyed the natural sounds around him.
Soon she stopped in front of a crack in the cliff, mostly covered by medium sized stones and brush. Without saying anything, she started to pull and move the debri from the opening, explaining why it was there, "Hiding the caves is one way to keep unnecessary animals or humans away from our part of the park, give them no reason to be there, and they mostly stick to their trails and such.
Frankie set his bags down against the cliff face and started helping Selina move some of the debris. ”Makes sense. We’re not going to have to cover this every time I have to go in or out while I'm here? I can put it all back when my trip is over.”
She continued to move the brush and stones, stopping for a moment to reply, "No, you won't have to move it back and forth, but you will have to make sure you put it back when you leave the park."
”That’s good to hear. I can do that much when I leave.” Frankie agreed with a nod, as he continued to help.
Selina and Frankie finished the task after a few more minutes and she sat back on her haunches, looking at the now wider and taller entrance to the cave, "Does this cave work? You're secluded, but still near the trail, and you're out of pack lands."
”This is great! I probably won't even need to use my tent here.” Frankie smiled, wiping his brow, looking at the space he would be staying in. ”I really appreciate you keeping me out of trouble with your pack.”
"It's no problem, it's not every day that I meet a human, let alone one that cares about the environment." She looked over at him and stood back up, pacing in a circle around the area, "Do you need anything else?"
”I don't think I do…” Frankie blushed lightly. ”I often prefer camping alone but… If you could spare the time; would you come and visit me.” he chuckled ”It’s not every day I get to meet a talking wolf.”
Selina thought for a moment, slowing in her pacing, "I may be able to arrange that…though it wouldn't be often. I have duties to my pack, and talking to you could end badly."
Frankie nodded. ”I understand. I don't want to cause any more trouble for you.” He cast a glance at the sky. ”I should probably start setting up. I can probably use my tent as a marker or something; so I don’t lose it.”
"Well then, if you don't need anything else, I'm going to get back. I'll be sure to check in sometime today." She looked around at the woods and continued back and forth, ignoring her mind as it bugged her and said she should stay with the human. He was important, it told her, but she couldn't figure out why he was important.
”Ok then. I look forward to seeing you again.” He smiled brightly. ”It really was great to meet you, Selina.” Frankie picked up his bags and moved three of them inside the cave, propping his tent against the opening.