Shtiya hiked through the forest. The forest was dark and shadowy, with only a few ribbons of moonlight shining through the cedar trees.

They arrived on the meadow. The grass was speckled with wildflowers, and all this was visible in the moonbeam.

"Tag, you're it!" cried Saba playfully. Saba broke into a run with Shtiya following behind.

"Tag, you're it!" cried Shtiya as he touched Saba.

Laughing happily, Saba chased after him. She jumped and fell on him, and they tumbled in the grass. They were having so much fun, they laughed the whole time.

Saba jumped on him once again. This time Shtiya was laying on his back, and Saba was on top of him. Nose to nose, they gazed into eachother's eyes, until they were interupted by a voice. It was Darius.

"You again!" Saba cried angrily.

"You'd better believe it, baby," Darius said in his smooth style of talking.

Darius glared at Shtiya and said, "What sense do you have in stealing my girl?"

"Nonsense, Darius. She's my mate," Shtiya said, getting impatient.

Saba was startled by this. "Did he just say mate?" she thought to herself.

"Foolish brother. Once she sees my brons, she'll take me," Darius said villianously.

Darius bared him fangs and attacked Shtiya.

"NO!!" Saba screamed. She flew at Darius and pushed him off of Shtiya. She skillfully fought him. She bit in every place that was in her sight, and tore a deep cut in his shoulder.

Darius cried out in pain and said, "Ok, ok, you win, I'm leaving now!" He disappeared through the trees, limping on his way.

"Thanks, Saba," Shtiya said, amazed.

Saba panted and said, "Yeah, well, I told him earlier it would get ugly if he didn't leave."

Shtiya smiled. Saba was awfully tired, and the boiler room was a great place to relax.

"How about we relax in the boiler room?" Saba suggested.

Shtiya nodded and got up. Saba and Shtiya hiked through the forest to the town, and into the boiler room. It was warm and cozy. A perfect place to spend the night.

Saba found a place to sleep and layed down. Shtiya layed down beside her and draped his paw over her. Saba sighed contentedly and said, "I love you, Shtiya."

They slept soundly and deeply through the night.

                                               EPILOGUE

Saba and Shtiya became the proud parents of two brothers. One was named Kavik (from the book The Wolf Dog by Walt Morey), who looked like a wolf, and Torpedo, who looked like a black and white husky (again, most of the characters will soon be displayed in my art gallery).

                                                THE END

COMING SOON: Saba's Love II: A Tail of Two Brothers