~Stole My Heart~

Dedicated to Artic Wolf
 

Mckenzie bounded through the snow excitedly, her long brown fur swayed gently as she breathed in all the fresh smells of nature. Her paws sunk slowly into the unmarked snow and she looked around hopefully for someone. She was bored and wanted someone to play with. Suddenly she spotted a handsome young wolf; he was laying casually on a warm rock away from the cold ground. Mckenzie grinned to herself and padded over.
“Hi there!” she said happily. The wolf opened one of his eyes and looked at Mckenzie; he lifted his head up and smiled.
“Hey,” he replied, stretching his paws out and yawning. Mckenzie introduced herself and before long the two got talking. His name was Kopa and there was something about him that made Mckenzie feel good inside. The time quickly got away and before either of them new it the sun was slowly drifting behind the never-ending mountains; casting long vibrant rays across the white snow.
“I should probably go,” He said, “it was great meeting you Mckenzie.” He nodded at her in recognition and darted away. Mckenzie was disappointed but knew she should probably be getting home soon too.

Jaison, Mckenzie’s older brother, was worried sick by the time Mckenzie reached the small snowy area surrounded by lush thick bushes that they called home. The leaves were sprinkled lightly with white and the ground was worn, leaving the small amount of snow that was left very thinned out.
“Where were you Mckenzie? I was so worried about you; I thought I’d lost you! You can’t stay out this late again ok?” He cried as she closed up the entrance with a branch so no one else could get in.
“I was only with my friend! I’m old enough now to do what I want Jase! Why do you always have to treat me like a child?” She shot back defensively. Jaison looked hurt, he was always the sensitive one of the family and he would usually take everything to heart. His face softened and the anger left his deep brown eyes, only to be replaced with sadness.
“Mckenzie, you know I’m only looking out for you because I love you right?” He asked.
“I know, I love you too, but sometimes it gets a little too much for me. You can get a bit over protective.” She said slowly, giving him a hug.
“I’m sorry; I just can’t bear to lose you like we lost mum and dad. You’re the only family I have left and I don’t want to lose you.” He hugged her back before letting go and gesturing towards a small dead rabbit lying on the floor. Its skin was torn but it was fresh and Mckenzie knew this would be her dinner for the night. A feeling of relief washed through her since she wasn’t in the mood to go hunting and clearly left it too late. She thought she would be stuck with nothing to eat.
“I’m going for a walk, ill be home soon Mckenzie, don’t wander off,” Jase said, and with that, he weaved in between the branches and disappeared into the night.

As Mckenzie’s teeth sunk slowly into the corpse in front of her, her stomach rumbled, she hadn’t eaten for two whole days, but food wasn’t on her mind at that moment, she was too busy thinking about Kopa. She remembered the way they made each other laugh, the way his big eyes shone, and the way he talked. They had clicked so quickly, Mckenzie’s not a shy dog; but when she was talking to Kopa she felt so self conscious, she didn’t know what to say and the more she thought about it the more she realized that she was trying to impress him.

She chewed slowly, deep in thought and finally swallowed the last piece of juicy rabbit, the meat slipped quickly down her throat as she lay down onto her back. The crisp snow fell and formed an imprint around her as she got comfortable. She looked up at the stars and wondered where Kopa was at that moment, she ever so badly wanted to know if she was on his mind the way he had been stuck on her. Suddenly the bushes rustled, she sprung to her paws.

“Jaison, is that you?”  She asked, there was no answer, she crouched low and her ears bent back in caution. Her claws dug into the snow and she bared her teeth at what ever was coming into her home. She growled as a white figure emerged, she leapt forward in attack but stopped half way through and smiled. “Mystic! Oh boy, am I glad to see you!” she cried, rushing forward and hugging her brother’s girlfriend. Another dog stood behind Mystic; it was Jenna.
“Oh, hey Jenna,” She smiled at her.
“Jeez Mckenzie; you could’ve killed me! Why so tense for?” Mystic laughed, her big golden eyes shone in the moonlight as she greeted her friend with a hug.
“I’m sorry I just wasn’t ready for someone to come, I’ve got a lot on my mind and since Jase isn’t home I get a little cautious.” Mckenzie explained relaxing once again. She slumped down into the snow and curled up, resting on her tail like a pillow as the cold air whistled through her thick, dark fur.
Mystic shivered; grinning, she lied down and rested her head on Mckenzie.
“What’s wrong hun? Why do you have things on your mind?” She asked cheerfully. Jenna walked over and lied next to the two, she remained silent. Mckenzie turned her head to face Mystic and shrugged.
“I have no idea, I met this guy today named Kopa, and ever since then I just have this strange feeling, and I can’t get him off my mind. I’ve never ever had this feeling before and I know it probably sounds crazy, but I just keep thinking about his smile, and laugh, and voice and everything! He made me feel special and unique, like no one else has before. He was so cute! And I don’t know what it means… I’m sorry I sound crazy, ill stop talking.” Mckenzie babbled on for a while and watched in confusion as Mystic smiled. “Why are you smiling?” Mystic stood up and nudged Mckenzie. Mystic and Jenna looked at each and grinned. Jenna pounced onto Mckenzie playfully.
“Ha-ha! Mckenzie’s in love!” She teased, jumping around and making the snow powder all over Mckenzie’s back, Mystic joined her and caused snow to go everywhere.
“Cut it out guys!” Mckenzie laughed; she jumped up and used her tail to flick a snow clump into Mystic causing her to fall over. She shook the snow off of her and looked at Mckenzie cheekily,
“Oh you’re going to pay for that!” She cried, springing to her feet and biting onto a branch that was just above Mckenzie. She pulled down and a giant mass of snow plummeted down onto Mckenzie, burying her into the snow. Jenna laughed and high-fived Mystic.

The three wrestled for nearly half an hour, they were really close and Mckenzie liked to think of Mystic and Jenna as her older sister. She would tell them everything and for some strange reason, Mystic and Jenna ALWAYS had a solution. They were also one of Mckenzie’s best friends and they would spend hours on end just talking and laughing. Mystic had been with Jaison for a while now and Mckenzie really hoped that they never broke up, because she didn’t know what she would ever do without her. Plus Jase was so much happier with her, and it was like they had a family again.

*Mckenzie laid down in front of Kopa and stretched out her paws; she was listening to the sweet sounds of nature and breathing in the clean smells. She watched as Kopa reached out his paw, he touched hers slowly and looked into her deep green eyes. For a second Mckenzie thought he was going to say something, but he leaned in… he was about to kiss her-*

Light spilled through the trees, throwing rays of bright light into the bushes; disturbing Mckenzie from her deep sleep, and her wonderful dream. She slowly fluttered her eyes open, and stretched out her legs. Looking around drowsily she saw that Jaison and Mystic were still fast asleep, they were snuggling peacefully together and for a moment Mckenzie felt a pang of jealousy rush through her. Jenna had obviously left the night before. She would have to find her and say and apologize for falling asleep. Mckenzie had had other boyfriends before but she was never close to them like these two were close, but she didn’t just want that with anyone, she wanted it with someone special, someone she was in love with, someone she felt the same way about as she felt about Kopa. She stood up and stretched some more before sneaking out of the bushes. She bounded through the snow happily, the fresh morning always made her feel good and she lost all feelings of loneliness and jealousy.

She picked up a loose stick as she was running and through it up in the air, she missed it as it landed on the snow in front of her; as she bent down to grab it her nose caught on the hard snow and she stumbled forward, it caused her to do a summersault and she landed on her back. Suddenly a dark colored head appeared above hers and she looked up, Kopa was standing right above her and he was laughing. As soon as she saw him her cheeks went hot with embarrassment and smiled forcefully.
“Having fun down there?” Kopa grinned helping her to her feet. Mckenzie blushed again and laughed nervously. Then she realized who was standing in front of her!
“Kopa!” she cried, he looked at her with a confused expression.
“What?” he asked, she become conscious of how she just sounded and smiled at him,
“Oh nothing, I just wasn’t expecting to see you again,” she said quickly trying to cover up her excitement. It was really him! The guy who had imprinted himself onto her brain so harshly that he was all she could think about was finally standing in front of her again and she