scenario I knew I had to be strong for him. 

    “Curse these trees!” The wolf yelled as he got hit by many of their branches as he paced through the forest floor. He had finally seen Marisa far away in the distance.  Zac slowly walked towards the mixed pack.

    “Marisa! Oh, Marisa!” Zac yelled with a burning heart.  I slowly turned my head to see where that voice was coming from.  When I saw him I blushed.  He started to prance towards me.

    “Wait Karu!”  A female voice screamed in a hushed tone.  The alpha looked back at the female and responded, “Why Ren?  They’re right there.”  He lifted his paw and pointed to Marisa.  “Oh really want to take a second look?” The female jumped upon Karu and forced him to the ground. 

    He snarled but soon realized what she meant.  Right before a father’s unwilling eyes a strange thing had happened.  Deceived by his son he looked away.  The beautiful brown wolf comforted her mate, “ Karu, I’m sorry I didn’t know.  He didn’t intentionally mean to do this to you.”

    “I thought you were gone, I thought…I-” Zac licked my cheek and smiled.  “You thought wrong than.”  The wolf escorted me along the way.  I had heard something brush up against a brush but failed to pay attention.

    “I’ll teach him to leave the pack.”  The wolf snared.  He emerged out of the bush and tackled Zac.  He bit into his back causing him to fall.  He clawed at his face delivering painful blows every time.  I barked and pushed the wolf.

    Karu ducked and went after me cursing at threatening me at every moment he could.  “LEAVE HER ALONE!”  Zac screamed as he grabbed his father by his tail and swung him to a tree.  A large thud was heard followed by the site of the most horrible thing yet to happen.  A click brushed my senses.  I looked at the ranger who had a long metal tube in her hand.  It looked like a shotgun.

“No, Karu!” I yelped.  The ranger aimed the gun at the black forehead.  I panted and dashed my way in between the gun and the wolf.  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  I heard another click and than a thunderous BANG! 

        As I listened I heard shrieks of howls and screams.  I opened my left eye and peered out slowly.  In front of me was Zachary.  I saw him grinning at me.  I looked into his blue eyes and I felt the pain.  It was unbearable as he dropped to the floor coughing out blood.





Chapter 9: Wake Me Up





    Blood splattered upon my face as I saw my love fall to the floor.  I knew that this was to be a fatal blow.  I scanned his body looking for the wound, and on the chest I saw the shot.  Blood had stained his tan fur.  Sad with sympathy I rested my head on him.  Tears flowed about my eyes.  “Zac, please don’t go.  I need you.” 

    The large black wolf sat straight and let out a howl.  They formed a circle around us and howled to the wind.  I looked back at the humans who were in utter shock.  The ranger was quivering at what she had done.  She took the shotgun and threw it on the floor.  The sounds of howls were heard all around me, I could feel it grasping my breath. 

    The alpha male called it off and walked towards his befallen son.   He whimpered at the pool of blood gathering at his body.  After a few seconds of pure agony the pack left.  Leaving behind Zachary and Marisa at his side. 

    The horse neighed at her master and hoofed at me.  The ranger sat down beside me and examined him.  Like a miracle worker Zac woke up.  Utterly dumbfounded my jaw dropped.  She petted the wolf and he didn’t trudge.  Zachary’s blood stained eyes glanced at me.

    “Marisa…can…you…wake me…. up later?”  As Zac said this he fell unconscious.  “NOOOOO!!!”




Chapter 10: Christmas Time Is Here!

   


    “Silent Night, holy night.  All is calm all is bright round yon virgin mother and child-” I quivered.  That melody seemed oddly familiar.  I lifted my tired eyelids and yawned.  As I stretched I felt my paw bump into something soft.  It looked like a big red ball of fur?

    When I loomed in closer I found it was Zachary.  I rolled him over and saw where his wound was.  I saw that bandages covered his wound.  I smiled and licked his cheek.  Not a second too soon he awoke.  Seeing his lively eyes made me feel joyous.  I nuzzled him and he nuzzled back.  BANG BANG!  I gleamed out the window.  In the sky we saw glorious colors bursting in the air. I looked behind me and there stood the same Christmas tree that I had risked my life for.

    “Zac,” I whispered shyly.  “Look up.”  He motioned his eyes upward and gave me a strange look.  “Ummm, Marisa is that poison Ivy?”  He slowly growled at the plant as it floated there…lifelessly.  I fell back on the armchair unpleased and discouraged by his words.  “ Sometimes Zac, just sometimes I’m not sure how you think I feel about you.”

    His ears launched up and he openly watched me.  He playfully crouched beside me and licked my face.  As of now I had lost my breath, when he was about to kiss me the door had widely opened.  It was my master.  Zachary fell to the floor as I got up form the couch. 

    That night I introduced Zac to my friends and family.  It was a glorious occasion, as they knew we had something special.  Plus it wouldn’t be before long until we would have puppies of our own; besides I’m a bit over my head.  The last thing I remembered was that Zac and I went with the carolers howling out tunes with them.  Sure we weren’t on tune, but hey having Zachary beside me made me calm.   

      Thus it was Christmas Day when the happiness restored my empty heart.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!