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"Probably back at the den" Bear shrugged. "We usually meet back there"
They walked down the hill, heading toward the mountains and the two male wolves, Nuka and Boulder, began to fool around, knocking into each other. The older of the three siblings, Xenia, huffed loudly and threw them a glare. KC grinned, remembering the good old times when they'd done that.
After a few minutes of traveling, the group was traveling up a steep incline that wound up the connected mountains. Finally, they came to the den where a female wolf stood tall, blue eyes curiously searching the group as they approached.

Charcoal followed behind them all. She would glance now and then at the scenery that they passed. When they had gotten to the den, her eyes immediately looked over to the female wolf sitting at the cave entrance. Something deep inside told Charcoal she wouldn’t like this new wolf. She had no idea why, the wolf seemed nice and welcoming enough, but she was still had a sickly feeling. Charcoal sat down then looked over toward where they had just come from.

KC smiled happily and wagged her tail at the sight of the female.
"Hi Kaya!" the red hybrid greeted warmly, remembering her mother's best friend.
"KC!" Kaya exclaimed, jumping to her feet happily. "You're okay!"
KC beamed sheepishly. "Mom and Yukon took us to their old home"
Kaya smiled. "Well I'm glad you're okay. So who's your friend?"
"Uh... another dog I know from Nome" KC replied, glancing at Charcoal and shrugging.
Kaya tilted her head and stepped closer, sizing up the small dog and sniffing her. This new red dog seemed familiar but unfamiliar at the same time. But Kaya shrugged it off and gave Charcoal a half-smile anyway.
"Welcome to our territory" the wolf said at last. "If KC's okay with you, so am I"

Charcoal turned her attention back to KC and Kaya. She gave a slight smile at Kaya and stood, "Thank you. It’s a very beautiful place. Oh and I’m Charcoal, it’s very nice to meet you." For now she was just going to swallow that odd feeling and try to make friends as best she can. Charcoal then looked toward KC, hoping for a little bit of an answer on who this wolf was.

KC smiled until she picked up Charcoal's hint.
"Oh, this is Kaya... she's Buck's mate" KC said, saying the last part a bit slower. "And she's also one of the alphas"
"She, uh, wants to meet Buck" KC shrugged, trying to explain to Kaya.
"Oh, well he should be back soon" Kaya said, eyes curiously passing over the two newcomers.

Charcoal's ears quikcly shot straight up when she heard the last part of KC's sentence. Buck's mate?! No wonder Charcoal had a suspision that Kaya was bad. She couldnt help but show a slight ping of pain when she thought of it, but she quickly covered it up with a slight smile. She wanted to leave immediately, but she would wait for Buck. In her mind she was screaming for him to get back soon.

While the canines talked, a small group was coming up the hill through the last of the snowflakes. Kaya was the first to spot them and gave the group a grin. The two smallest wolves, both males around Charcoal's age, sprinted toward the den in a high-speed race. The other three laughed at the pups and approached at a steady jog. The largest, a huge black wolf with a white chest got to the den first and nuzzled his mate. Then he noticed the two new faces and looked to Bear for an explanation.
"They wanted to talk to you" Bear shrugged. Then turning to KC and Charcoal, "Well... here he is"

Charcoal looked curiously at the new arrivals. The one that caught her eye was the one in the back. After nuzzling Kaya, she guessed that he was Buck, her father. When she examined him, she could see the similarities between them. She had his gray colors and some of his black, with her mother's red colors. As for her eyes, she figured they were from her father, but their eyes were different. Maybe they were from her grandparents. Charcoal quickly bowed when Bear had announced them, "My name is Charcoal. I must request to speak alone with you, Buck." She was way to anxious to speak, but she tried to hide it.

Buck studied the young hybrid and tilted his head, trying to reach back in his memory who she looked like. He remembered KC, but he'd only seen her so many times back in Nome. But this little red dog seemed to remind him of... but it couldn't be.
"Sure" he shrugged, stepping away from his curious pack.
Once they were far enough away, Buck turned to Charcoal.
"So why have you travelled so far? I don't remember meeting you..."

Charcoal looked away, "You havent met me before. But I have come to tell you something really important." Charcoal was stalling. She was trying to summon up her courage to tell him, but all of this was just too much. A voice inside her started to scream,'Get it over with Charcoal! He has a right to know!' Charcoal took a deep breath and looked into Bucks eyes, "I am your daughter..." She held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

"Ohhh..." Buck breathed, deciding whether to be shocked, sad or happy. "You're Mindy's..."
Buck furrowed his brow. It had been over a year since he'd said goodbye. Then why didn't she tell him?!
"Do you have other siblings?" Buck asked hoarsely.

She sighed,"Yes, there are six of us. Mom doesnt know I'm her though. No one knows but KC. I was hoping you would come back with me," She looked toward where Kaya and the others were,"it looks like you already have a new family..." She lowered her ears and looked at her paws.

Buck followed Charcoal's gaze to Kaya and the pups. He loved Mindy... but that life was far behind him now. He wasn't some street mutt. He was the leader of a pack, one of the strongest packs around! Even if he did go back, he could never leave Kaya again. Buck looked at his daughter and sighed.
"Going back... can't happen" Buck said thoughtfully. "But if you'd like, you can stay for a bit. Winter's harsh and spring's not that far away. We can take you back to Nome then"

Charcoal sighed a heavy breath. She should have prepared herself for what would happen if he rejected going back. But she was so sure! It was to late now, his intentions were clear. She would just have to deal. Staying the whole winter with Buck, KC, and Buck's pack? She lifted her ears and smiled, "If your sure I wont be a burden, then sure I'll stay." Hanging out for a month or so with her father sounded nice. She grinned at the thought. Then she remembered something, "What are you going to tell Kaya? I mean, I will understand completely if you dont want to tell her about Mindy."

Buck gave her a faint smile, but thought it over. What would he tell Kaya now? She'd eventually find out... it would be better to talk to her before she discovered on her own.
"I'll tell her now" Buck replied gruffly, then chuckled "And are you kidding? We've had worse newbies"
With that, Buck stood up and started toward Kaya.
"You might wanna go stay over there with KC" he said over his shoulder. "This might get ugly"