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Alrighty, so. This might be my first story that I've posted on Balto Source.
To understand this one, know that Lily and Rowen are both wolves that belong to me. All other wolves and beings in this story belong to me as well.
Also, this story belongs to me.
Now then, character description.
Lily: Lily has very silky snow-white fur. She has ocean-blue eyes which, in combination with her fur, give off a rather peaceful aura of calmness and serenity.
Rowen: He is a good sized wolf, built for combat. Bascially, a black wolf. Nothing more, nothing less. To realize how different he was, one needs only to look beyond. Rowen has silver eyes. Raptor is Rowen's little brother, whom looks very similar to him.
Rowen is a pack wolf, Lily is not.
I think that about explains everything that might be needed to understand this story. So then, I hope you all enjoy!
****
It was dawn, and the crisp, coldness of the night was slowly replaced by the warmth of another day. Rowen awoke, and slowly yawned, as he lifted his muzzle into the sky to greet the new day. Around him were trees, and just above him was where Raptor slept. Rowen slowly lifted himself from the swaying blades of grass to go see if Raptor or any of his other siblings were awake. Rowen carefully climbed the rocks up to the small cave, and sure enough, Raptor was just waking up, while his other siblings seemed to remain in a deep sleep. Raptor slowly approached his older brother and smiled.
“Hi ” Raptor barked, though quietly, as to not wake his siblings.
Rowen beamed and walked towards his younger brother. “‘Morning Raptor ” he whispered, and flicked his tail. Rowen motioned Raptor away from the liter area, so as not to wake his sleeping siblings.
“Sleep well?” Rowen asked, breaking the silence between the two of them.
“Yea I did ” Raptor said, playfully. “Wanna go play?” Raptor asked, jumping up and down, awaiting his brother’s response.
Rowen looked up into the sky, but could not see the sun yet, and he smiled. “It’s early, yeah. Tag, then?” Rowen asked.
Raptor nodded, and ran straight towards his brother, lifting his front right paw to Rowen’s flank. “You’re it ” Raptor barked, happily.
Rowen continued to smile, and waited patiently for Raptor to disappear into the forest. He figured since he was faster than Raptor, he would give him a head start, so he actually had to find the little black fur ball before he chased. “Not for long ” Rowen said, watching Raptor disappear beyond the tree trunks. Rowen rose from his sitting position, yawned once more, and took off into the woods after his younger brother. Slowly, the daylight faded, to where there was only a small amount of light to illuminate Rowen’s path into the woods. He looked around, trying to find a sign of either his brother’s fur, or his giggling. Rowen did hear rustling in the leaves, smiled, and slowly walked towards where the noise was coming from, as to not make any noise of his own to alert Raptor to his presence. He neared the rustling, until he was only a few trees away. Then, he jumped into a run, and quickly came around the tree, and started to say “Caught you ”, but upon noticing that the wolf was not Raptor, didn’t say that. The wolf in fact, was Lily. Rowen straightened his posture, a slightly embarrassed looked flashed across his face. “Oh, hi Lily S..sorry about that. I didn’t scare you, did I?” he asked, bowing his head slightly.
“Just a little startle.” she giggled. “It’s alright, though. How are you?” she asked, flicking her tail as she sat down.
Rowen sat down as well, and smiled, as he looked off to the side, then back to her. “I’m great right now, still a bit tired from waking up.” he chuckled. “ I was out her playing tag with my little brother. I heard a rustling in the leaves, and thought you might have been him. So how are you?” he asked.
“I’m fine. I just woke up, too.” she yawned. “Such a nice morning, it was hard not to oversleep.”
“Yeah, it is a rather nice morning.” Rowen said, himself yawning.
Lily stood up on all four legs. “Want to go look for your little brother, then?” she asked.
Rowen nodded. “Sure. The more wolves, the better.”
At that, Rowen got up and walked beside Lily, as they looked around the forest. There was no sign of the little black wolf, but Raptor was often hard to find, so Rowen was worried. It was daylight, after all. Rowen’s attention jumped to the noise of the critters that could have been Raptor. Raptor definitely was good at hiding, that’s for sure. Lily walked slightly closer to Rowen, and let her tail brush slightly up against his flank. “Wanted to thank you again.” she said, smiling. “For helping me a few days ago.”
Rowen turned and looked at her with his silver eyes, and smiled. “Don’t mention it. Looks like your leg healed well.”
“It did.” she admitted. “Partly because of your help.”
Rowen looked towards her again and smiled. “Like I said, don’t mention it.” he said. “It’s just nice to see that you’re feeling better.”
“It was just...really sweet of you to help. And thanks.” she finished.
Rowen looked towards her, and smiled once more, then continued scanning the area for Raptor. “Ugh...wonder where he is?”
“I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.” she assured him. “You play tag with him often, right?”
Rowen nodded. “Yes, but it doesn’t usually take this long to find him. That’s the only thing that worries me.” he sighed, his voice sounding a bit unsettling.
Lily caught onto his tone almost immediately and looked at him with worry in her eyes. “Let’s walk a bit faster, then.” she suggested.
“Good idea.” he said, picking up his pace as she did. “The forest isn’t that big. We’ll find him.” he hoped, worry still evident in his voice.
“If it takes all day.” she assured him, trying to cheer him up.
Rowen looked at her, and her words did seem to cheer him up. Rowen was busy looking about the forest, as was Lily. A few times when Rowen looked away, Lily slowly turned her head to look at him, and she slightly blushed at her thoughts. She in fact really liked him. His concern for her over her sprained leg, his concern for his brother, she just felt that was rather...sweet. When Rowen turned to look her way again, she quickly looked away. If there was someone else with him...she didn’t want to intrude. But...she just needed to know. Lily took one good look around the area for Raptor, then softly spoke.
“Hey Rowen...?” she slowly brought her head up as he looked at her.
“Yes Lily?” he returned the soft tone.
“Are there any other...she-wolves in your pack that are about our age?” she asked, considering how stupid her question must have sounded. Of course there were other she-wolves his age in his pack. It is a pack, after all.
“There are.” he replied. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh...w..well..” she stuttered. “Are you friends with any of them?”
Rowen quickly scanned the area once more before returning his attention to Lily. “Well, yes. They are pack members...” Rowen stopped. Not just his voice, but his body, too. Lily quickly stopped as well, looking nervous. “Oh you mean...” Rowen trailed off.
“...Yes.” she replied, an almost ashamed look on her face.
“..Oh..” stammered. “Then no....No I’m not friends with any of them in that way.” he gave a weak smile, attention fully focused on her.
“I...I was just curious.” she said quietly, lowering her head.
“That’s fine.” he assured her, lowering his head to her level. “What’s wrong? You look a little shaken up...something I said?” he asked, taking note of her nervousness.
Lily shook her head furiously a couple times. “Oh no, no it wasn’t something you said.” she quickly assured him. “I just wanted to ask...you something.” she finished.
Rowen flicked his tail and sat down against a tree. “No hurt in asking.” he said though a soft and comforting voice.
Lily nodded, and slowly walked over to him and sat next to him, giving the surrounding area one good look for Raptor. Rowen did the same. No Raptor. She then focused her attention on Rowen. “Ever since my father left to go look for my mother, I’ve been alone. I do have friends, but none of them really live around me.” she sighed, head down. “I’m lonely...” she whispered. “And when I’m around you, I’m not so lonely. It’s a feeling...well, it’s a feeling that I’ve never felt before. And I don’t want it to go away.” she said, almost pleading. Lily straightened her posture and cleared her throat before she continued. “What I’m trying to say is...” she stopped, considering her next words. “..I want to be more than your friend.” she lowered her head, eyes closed.
Rowen slowly rose from his sitting position, and sat down closer to her. He lowered his head to her level, and softly whispered into her ear. “I’m glad you want to be more....because I do too.”
Lily slowly brought her head up, to where Rowen’s muzzle rested comfortably on her’s. They both were quiet for a few moments. Lily felt different. The thought of loneliness completely left her mind. No. Not just her mind. The loneliness left her. From the tip of her muzzle to the tip of her tail, she felt calm and at peace. No doubt because of the black wolf next to her. Lily slowly adjusted her muzzle so that it was just at the beginning of Rowen’s pelt.
There was a slight rustling noise in the forest ahead, followed by the howl of a very young wolf. To Rowen’s horror, it sounded just like Raptor. Rowen’s eyes shot open, and he looked to the direction in which the sound had come from. Lily was curious to the sound as well, and slowly pulled away from Rowen. Both of them were quiet. A moment later, the young howl came again. Rowen and Lily looked into each other’s eyes, and they both understood. Raptor was in trouble. Rowen scrambled off, Lily following closely behind. “That was him I’m sure of it.” Rowen said through a terrified voice. Both Rowen and Lily ran at an extreme pace, horrified at what may have happened to the young cub. Again, the howl. This time, it was extremely close. Rowen jolted towards a fallen tree, and on the other side, was Raptor. He was on the ground, tail completely still, heart racing. There was no apparent damage to the young black wolf, but Rowen got a closer look. Raptor’s leg looked...slightly out of place. Lily stood next to Rowen, and watched as he lowered himself to his brother’s level.
“It’s okay...it’s okay....I’m here...it’s okay..” he spoke softly to his brother, laying next to him. “I’m here now.” Rowen licked his brother’s cheek to calm him down. Lily noticed Raptor’s leg, and moved closer to get a better look. She took note of Rowen’s concern toward’s his brother; it was sweet. She smiled lightly at this thought, before speaking. “It looks sprained. Like mine was.” she remembered Rowen’s kindness towards her that one day.
Lily voice startled Raptor, who did not know who Lily was. Rowen was quick to notice this. “Oh, Raptor, this is my frien...” Rowen was interrupted by another howl of pain from Raptor. “Alright buddy...alright...easy...” Rowen placed his paw on Raptor’s forehead. “Listen, we have to get you home, so you can rest.” he explained to Raptor. There was no vocal response from his brother. Rowen motioned to Lily, and she slowly approached Raptor, and gently took Raptor’s flank fur into her mouth. Rowen gently placed his jaw over Raptor’s neck, and ever-so carefully, removed Raptor from the side of the log. Raptor was either asleep or unconscious.
“Thanks.” Rowen said, looking towards Lily. “How are we going to get him home?” he asked.
Lily thought for a moment. “You or I could carry him on our back.” she suggested. A slight wind picked up, tossing her pelt about. Rowen looked at her in awe for a moment as she blushed slightly under her fur.
“Sorry it’s just..” Rowen said. “You’re so pretty.” he smiled, and picked up Raptor once again. Lily brought her paw up to her muzzle and giggled, before she walked over to Rowen to help Raptor onto his back.
“This was a good idea, to carry him.” Rowen commented.
“Looks like it. I’ll walk beside you to be sure he doesn’t fall off.” she said.
And with that, both Rowen and Lily began walking back where they had come from to take Raptor home. It was around noon now, and the sun penetrated the forest’s canopy, casting rays of sunlight through to the ground. Lily walked close to Rowen, to make sure Raptor didn’t fall off. But also to be next to Rowen.
“You’re a good brother, it seems like.” Lily commented.
“After this event, I’m not so sure...” he replied, brushing his tail across the ground.
Lily thought for a moment, and something hit her. She and Rowen had stopped when she told him how she felt. Lily felt terrible, and her face clearly showed it.
“Something wrong, Lily?” Rowen asked, concerned.
“...It’s just...this might be my fault...I should have waited to tell you....we might have been able to find Raptor before he hurt himself.” she admitted.
Rowen was taken back by what she said. “Oh, no, this isn’t your fault. Not in the least. I’m the one who stopped, remember.” Rowen looked quickly towards Raptor. “He’s my responsibility, after all.” he assured her.
“Yes, but I distracted you from him.” she lowered her head.
“It’s....okay, Lily.” he said. “Please don’t worry about it. What happened between us back there is a very happy memory I won’t soon forget. And it’s your memory, too. Let’s not tie the memory into what happened to Raptor.”
“Okay Rowen.” she said, still sorrowful. “It was a very happy memory for me too, indeed.” she replied.
Rowen nodded. “And what happened to him, may have happened anyways. Even if I wasn’t with you, I still may have not found him.”
Lily herself nodded. Rowen did have a point. A very good one, at that.
Twenty minutes passed, and they were outside the forest, near Raptor’s liter area. Rowen and Lily both entered the Liter room to sleeping pups.
“The rest of my brothers.” he said. “They sure do sleep a lot compared to Raptor.
“They’re all very cute.” Lily commented.
“They are.” Rowen chuckled. “Though that x mark on Raptor sure is cute, too.” he said, as he lowered to the ground. Lily nodded with a smile, and came around and took Raptor’s neck into her jaws, and lifted him off of Rowen.
Rowen slowly got up, and looked towards Lily. “I’m going to go get my parents to take a look at him...” he said. “Then would you like to talk some more?”
Lily smiled and flicked her tail. “I’d love to.” she said. “Perhaps we could go somewhere nice?” she asked.
“Somewhere like the ledge above the lake?” Rowen returned the smile.
Lily nodded, and her smile grew. “Great place.”
Rowen walked towards the exit of the small cave, before he turned his head around to say one last thing. “Reminds me of you, that lake does.” he smiled.
“Lily blushed slightly, looking into Rowen’s eyes before he left. “Thank you.” was all she said.
When Rowen disappeared through the exit, Lily yawned and laid down onto the ground. “What an eventful day.” she thought, as she looked over to Raptor. The little black wolf was peacefully sleeping, almost as if he recognized he was home. Lily sighed, and thought about Rowen, and the possible future that might follow with him. The events of her past flashed through her mind. She was born and raised in that very forest. Her parents were very loving to both her and to each other, which she considered to be very important. Two wolves should still love each other the same, even when pups come along, right? She again sighed, this time deeper than before. Her mother had left to go hunt, and had never returned. Her father waited for his mate’s safe return, but she never came. Fearing for his mate’s life, her father worried. And worried. Lily remembered her father, atop a ledge at night, often howling for his mate. He missed her so, and could barely stand life without her. Her father, Riku, however, recognized his duties as a father, and stayed with Lily until she was of that age to take care of herself. That one day, Lily’s father approached her, and talked to her about her mother’s disappearance. Lily remembered what he said almost perfectly. He loved his mate with all his heart. Though he did not say it directly, Lily could tell, that, if her mother was dead, then her father was just as dead. That’s how close...how loving...Riku and her mother were to each other. It was almost...not of this world. And as such, Riku left Lily on her own in search of his mate. She watched him run, run far away over the hills. Lily had been, and still is, fascinated by an act of such courage, love, and devotion that Riku had for his mate. Lily yawned, taking note of the quietness of the room. She was deeply lost in her thoughts once again. She looked to Raptor, who was still ever-so peacefully resting from his previous injury. Lily returned to her thoughts. Though one could put blame on Riku for leaving his daughter at such a young age, Lily did not. In fact, she fully understood, despite her young age. And she still does understand. And just this day, Lily felt something that she had never felt previously. That sacred, unexplainable feeling towards another wolf. And all of the sudden, she understood even more. She now, more than ever before, respected her father’s decision to go search for his mate. Because she felt it. That unexplainable feeling. The feeling like no other. Her father would die for his mate. That’s how strong the bond can be. The very lifeblood, the very motivation, to move on and keep going. And to an extent, a very large extent, life itself.
Lily was still deep into her thoughts. She often pondered, and worried, about the fate of her father and mother. Was she dead? Was he dead? Did he...find her? Lily’s thoughts were finally interrupted by muffled talking coming from outside. She recognized one voice as Rowen’s, and the other two were his parents. Her ears perked up as Rowen entered the liter room.
“I’m back ” he smiled, tail wagging in happiness. “My parents will be along in a few minutes to look after Raptor. I told them what happened, and they understood. “ he said, walking over to Lily. “So then, would you like to go to the lake?” he asked, smiling.
“I’m glad they understood. It wasn’t your fault, after all.” she assured him. “And yes, let’s go ” she smiled.
With that, Rowen gave his brother one last lick on the forehead before he and Lily walked out of the liter room. They wandered through the forest, and soon arrived at the lake not an hour later. Rowen led Lily to the ledge above the lake, where there was a beautiful, serene, peaceful view of the crystal clear lake, the trees, and of the mountains towering above. Rowen walked over to the ledge, and sat. Lily came around him, and sat next to him. Not too close, but close. A peaceful wind blew, that added to the peacefulness and the natural beauty of the lake and its surrounding glory.
“So this place reminds you of me, does it?” Lily asked Rowen, the tone of her voice matching the calmness of their surroundings.
Rowen turned his head to her. “It does. Just..the water...your eyes. So...beautiful..” he mused. “And the trees and mountains...all of it...reminds me of you.”
Lily, of course, blushed. Though, she made no attempt to hide it. Why should she? She was with the wolf she wanted to be with. There was no reason to hide any of it from him. “I guess I must be just...extremely beautiful to you, then...” she smiled.
“Your eyes clearly show your personality. And I really like your personality. Almost everything about you resembles your personality.” he said. “I have a question though.” he said.
Lily smiled at his comment. “Ask. Like you said earlier, it can’t hurt.”
Rowen nodded, and cleared his throat. “Why me? Why do you want to be with me? I’m just your average...common wolf. Black fur, silver eyes.” he pointed out, as his ears lowered slightly.
“While many wolves do look like you, yes..” she explained. “On the inside, you just...are far more.”
“I don’t know about that..” he replied. “Most any wolf would come to your aid if your leg was broken. And I’m sure most any male wolf would take an instant liking to you, Lily.”
“I don’t know, Rowen.” she sighed. “I just don’t know what t say to that....” She looked deep into his eyes. “Besides, I stand by what I said. You’re far more.”
“Well then..” he mused. “I must be the luckiest wolf on this planet.” he smiled.
“Then that would...make two of us.” was her reply. She desperately wanted to nuzzle him, but didn’t. Not yet.
The sun was now setting, the stars would be out soon. Both Rowen and Lily sat next to each other, not a peep from either.
“So then..” Rowen said after awhile, breaking the silence. “You want to be more than friends?” he asked.
“...Yes. I do, very much so.” she replied, smiling. “Do you?”
“Yes. You are the one.” he smiled back.
Lily’s smile grew, then she sighed deeply. “I can’t take it any more...” she said, referring to her holding back from nuzzling him. At first, he wondered what she meant. And, after saying that, she threw her head into his pelt, nuzzling him. He wondered no longer. He slowly lowered his head to rest on hers, an unbreakable embrace. Rowen flicked his tail around her, and she her’s. Their two hearts beat almost in turn with each other, as if the two hearts were one. And they were.
After many minutes, Lily slowly shifted her head to give Rowen a lick on his cheek, and he returned it.
“I’ve seen love in how my parents acted towards each other.” Lily broke the silence. Rowen listened to her intently. Lily sighed. “They loved each other so. They were always so happy...they always talked. They laughed together. They did everything together. And one day, my mother left to go hunting...and she never returned. My father was....devastated. He was worried sick, his health dropped, and his happiness left him. He was not the same. He loved her dearly, Rowen.” Lily told him of her past.
Rowen, for a moment, was unsure of how to respond. “It seems like he did love her deeply. I’m so sorry to hear that she never came back.” he said, ears lowering slightly.
Lily nodded. “He waited a bit longer, until I was older. Then he left to go search for her..and he never came back. I fear for both of their lives. Riku loved my mother with all his heart. He would have given anything, anything to be with her. To find her. His act of love towards his mate just...instilled something in me. Instilled a sort of understanding...I don’t know...it’s so hard to explain...but I can feel it.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” Rowen said.
She smiled at this. “I suppose you’re right.” she nuzzled him once again. “What my father felt for my mother, well...I always understood it. But I had never experienced the feeling myself. But...recently, that all changed.” Lily pulled away from Rowen slowly, and gazed into his eyes. “And well...that’s because of you. For some reason...I just see it in you....that light....” she finished, giving him another lick on his muzzle. He, in turn, nuzzled her.
“I’m flattered, really.” he smiled. “That you see something such as this...in me.”
Lily breathed in lovingly and nuzzled him again.
-Two Weeks Later-
The sun rose just over the horizon, illuminating the land with light of a new sun. Rowen’s father had awoken early, in preparation for a large hunt.
“Rowen ”
Rowen awoke with a startle. He was in a small clearing in the hillside, shaded from the sun and the elements. Beside him lay his two month old brother, Raptor, who was sleeping comfortably. The other pups were off elsewhere. Rowen guessed Raptor would a late sleeper like himself.
“Coming Dad ” Rowen yelled. His father was going to take him hunting today. Unfortunately, his father always wanted to leave early when they went hunting. After all, there was him, his parents, and his siblings to feed.
“Rowen, you overslept, didn’t you?” his father asked.
Rowen looked down to his father from the ledge he stood on. “Yeah, sorry dad.” Rowen yawned. “I completely forgot..” he lowered his head in shame.
Rowen’s father smiled. “It’s alright, son.” he said. “But let’s get going, we’ve a long day ahead of us.”
Rowen leaped from the ledge down to his father’s level. “Your mother’s around, she’ll look after Raptor, and the others, so don’t worry about them.” his father assured.
Raptor was very important to Rowen. Not that his other brothers weren’t, it’s just he took a liking to Raptor. And as such, Rowen often worried about Raptor’s well being.
Rowen and his father made their way from the hillside to the small woods ahead. Since it was early in the morning, most of the animals would probably be undisturbed, allowing them some easy targets. There was a ground level haze in the forest, and the occasional bird could be seen flying between trees.
“So then, son. How are all of your friends?” his father asked.
“They are fine. I’ve not talked to some recently, but last I saw they were fine.” Rowen replied, looking left and right for prey.
“Is that all?” his father questioned.
“What do you mean?” Rowen chuckled and nudged his father. “Trying to remind me that I don’t have many friends, are we, Dad?”
“No, no, no.” he assured. “That’s not what I meant at all.”
“Then what is it?” Rowen questioned.
“Well son, some of the others are talking, and I couldn’t help but overhear something.” his father explained. Rowen’s ears perked up in surprise of what his father said. “I’ve heard that...well, there’s a certain she-wolf around here that you have taken a certain liking to.”
Rowen stopped his search of prey and turned to his father. “What if what they’re saying happens to be true?” a look of worry flashed across his face.
His father chuckled. “If it’s true, then I’m proud. Proud that you’ve found such a caring wolf to be with.” His father was quiet for a moment before continuing. “I’ll be honest Rowen. I knew quite well about you and Lily. I met her a few times. And, although it is both of your choices of where you take your relationship, I want you to know that I approve. If my approval means anything to you, that is.”
Rowen and his father continued to walk side by side as they discussed. They hadn’t been searching for prey. Rowen brought his head up to speak after his father finished talking. “Of course your approval is important to me. Lily and I really would like to be with each other forever.”
“Lily loves you, Rowen.” his father said. “I imagine you’re quite aware, though.”
“I am.” Rowen said, smiling. “And I’m very happy to say that I love her too.”
“Thought so.” his father smiled. “Now then, let’s hunt, shall we?”
Rowen nodded at his father and both of them fell silent for quite awhile, looking for prey. With his mind on Lily, he recalled the day that he met her. It was a day much like this one, a clear sky, and a slight haze in the woods. Rowen had noticed a white figure farther down the path, so he decided to go see what it was. Sure enough, it was a female white wolf. She had tripped over a large rock while hunting, and had sprained her leg. Rowen approached her. “You okay?” he asked.
The white wolf turned her head to look at Rowen. “Yeah...I..think so. I tripped over a rock. My leg hurts a bit.” she smiled. “My name’s Lily.”
“I’m Rowen. Nice to meet you, Lily.” he said, walking around to inspect her leg. There was some blood present, and her leg looked sprained.
“Nice to meet you, too.” she replied. Lily tried to get up, but stumbled as she put weight on her back leg.
“Need some help?” Rowen offered, concern evident on his face.
“Sure Rowen...” Lily said, weakly.
At that, Rowen slowly approached her and ever so gently placed his jaw on her neck and pulled her up, slowly. She stumbled, but he caught her on his shoulders. Her blue eyes stared deep into his own. “Thank you, Rowen.”
Rowen smiled as he helped her out of the woods. “I couldn’t have just left you.” he said.
“You could have...” she again stared deep into his eyes. “....But you didn’t...”
Rowen and Lily were locked in an uninterrupted gaze for a few moments before he looked away, searching for an exit to the hills. Rowen eventually found a way out, but it wasn’t to the hills. The path he took led to a small lake. Upon exiting the forest, Rowen slowly helped Lily up to a fallen log, and carefully helped her lay against it.
“Are you hungry, Lily?” he asked, sincerely.
Lily lifted her head to look at him, and smiled. “You’re quite concerned, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Rowen, you ready?”
Rowen snapped out of his daydream and focused on his father. They were now fairly deep into the woods. It was somewhat dark, but enough sunlight still entered from the canopy to keep the path illuminated.
“Sorry, dad. Daydreaming.” he said. “See anything?”
“Yes, just ahead.” his father said. “Keep your eyes open for movement. There is usually a lot of prey around these parts.
Rowen’s father had been correct, the woods were full of game. Father and son spent the next few hours hunting. They caught rabbit, rodent, deer, and other prey.
Two hours passed.
“Rowen, we have enough, time to go.” his father said.
“One more, dad.” he replied. “This one got away the first time. Not gonna let that happen again.” he grinned.
Rowen glanced quickly at his father, who nodded. Returning his attention to the deer, Rowen increased his speed. As did the deer, but Rowen was faster, he would have it in no time. He readied his claws, preparing to jump, but his front paw got caught in-between tree roots, and he stumbled over and his head collided into a tree trunk. All of the sudden, Rowen didn’t know where he was. He looked around, nothing. Slowly his eyelids began to close, ever so slowly, until they shut. Once again, Rowen fell into a trance of when he met Lily.
“Of course I’m concerned, Lily.” he smiled. “You were hurt.”
Lily returned his smile. “Well, how sweet of you.” she said. Their eyes met again. His pale gray eyes, her ocean-blue eyes. “Thank you.” she finished.
“Of course...anytime.” he said. “Are you hungry?”
“I am...but don’t worry. You don’t need to go out of your way for me. I’ll be fine. Really.” she replied.
Rowen grinned. “If you’re hungry..I’ll go see if I can catch something. There’s bound to be fish in the lake.”
Lily smiled, and let her tail brush up against Rowen’s side. “If it’s alright....I am a bit hungry.” she smiled.
Rowen got up from the grass, and slowly walked to the bank of the lake. He looked into the water, trying to locate fish. He did finally catch sight of a few, but they were far out enough to where he would have to step into the water before he lunged in. Such sudden movement in the water would surely scare away any fish. So, he waited patiently on the bank of the lake.
Lily watched him from above and the previous events played back in her head. He had helped her. But not only that, he had asked her if he was hungry. Lily thought him a good soul.
Rowen was again awoken from his trance by calls. This time, he awoke his den, surrounded by his family.
“Rowen, are you okay?”
Rowen was crowded by wolves. His mother, his father, and his siblings, Raptor included. They stared at him. They may have been talking, but Rowen could not hold consciousness and again fell into a slumber, dreaming of when he met Lily.
Rowen was able to catch a fish eventually, and upon doing so, he brought it back up to Lily and gently dropped it beside her muzzle.
“I’m sorry it took so long.” he said. “I’m...not very good at catching fish.”
“Oh, that’s alright.” she said. “Are you hungry at all?”
“Maybe a little, but I’ll be fine.” he said, nudging the fish closer to her muzzle so that she didn’t have to strain to reach it.
Around them, the sun was setting, and the sounds of the night slowly replaced those of the day. Rowen sat beside Lily, in case she was in need of anything. Lily had fallen into a sound sleep, but when she awoke, Rowen was still sitting beside her.
“Rowen?” she asked, yawning. “You can go home, you know. Really, I’ll be fine.”
Although she said this, she was worried about whether that would be true or not. She attempted to move her leg, but any movement was followed by pain.
“If you’d rather I leave, I will.” Rowen said. “But...I’m a bit worried...you still look like you’re in a lot of pain.”
“...I am.” she admitted after a moment. “And I don’t want you to leave, I enjoy your company. It’s just...surely you have other things you could be doing.”
“They can wait.” he assured.
She returned his reply with a smile, and both fell silent for a few moments. A cold wind began to pick up, and Rowen looked over to Lily and noticed that she was shivering.
“You look cold.” he broke the silence.
“I am...” she replied quietly.
With much hesitation, Rowen spoke again. “Well...I can....provide warmth, if you’d like.” Rowen felt slightly uneasy, and the expression on his face showed it.
“If you don’t mind, I’d greatly appreciate it.” she said. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No, nothing.” Rowen quickly replied. He slowly approached Lily and lay down beside her, taking care as to not get too close.
Lily’s shaking slowed down, and she fell back into a slumber. Rowen had fallen into a light sleep as well. As Lily slept, she slowly moved her muzzle so that it rested on Rowen’s pelt. Neither of them noticed at first, but both of them eventually did. Once Lily was aware, she quickly moved her muzzle from Rowen’s pelt.
“I’m so sorry ” she said, worriedly.
“It’s okay, Lily.” he assured her. “It’s cold out.”
At his response, she slowly let her head fall back down onto his pelt. “I don’t mean anything by this.” she whispered. “It’s just...comforting.”
Rowen slowly regained consciousness the next morning. Again, his family circled him. They were all worried.
“He’s awake ” Raptor shouted cheerfully, jumping on his brother.
“Hey Raptor ” Rowen said. “How are ya?”
Raptor made his way up to Rowen’s head and playfully chewed on his ears. “Good What happened?”
That was a good question, Rowen didn’t actually know. He turned to his parents, and tilted his head. “Where was I?” he asked.
“You and I were out hunting.” explained his father. “And you hit your head and passed out.”
“Hit my head and passed...” Rowen tilted his head to the side, as if trying to remember the event. “Oh yeah. That deer. Now I remember.” Rowen replied, still playing with Raptor.
“You hit your head pretty hard.” he mother said. “How do you feel?”
Rowen examined his body. Everything looked fine, except his leg. There was some dried blood present, but nothing too serious. Rowen felt a constant pulse on his head, which was from the tree he hit when he tripped.
“I feel...” he trailed off. “Not bad...a little lightheaded, but not bad. My head and leg hurt just a bit, though.” Rowen looked around. His family members still encircled him, and Raptor was sitting quietly next to him. Rowen’s father approached and spoke.
“You should take it easy. You don’t want to break your leg.” his father suggested.
Rowen slowly tried to get up, but his injured hind leg quickly failed him and he yelped as he went tumbling to the ground. “I guess you’re right...” he replied to his father. Rowen remembered that he was supposed to meet Lily tonight, on the hill. “But...”
“But what?” his father asked. Rowen’s family stared at him.
“..Lily..” Rowen answered.
“Who?” his mother asked.
Rowen’s father looked to the left, then at her, giving her that I’ll explain in a minute” look. He then returned his attention to Rowen. “Look son, I’m sure she’ll underst..”
“I know she will..” Rowen interrupted. He tried lifting himself from the ground again, and was a bit more successful this time, though he winced in pain. “...But..I’d...I’d rather n...not keep her waiting. She means a lot to me, you know.” Rowen and his father looked at each other with a sort of father/son understanding. Standing up, Rowen was able to maintain his position, but at great effort. All four of his legs were trembling, until he finally collapsed onto the ground. Dusk was upon his home, and he was to meet up with Lily very soon. A tear slid down his face, though no one saw it. It was a tear of pain, and a tear of sorrow. “Could you all....leave...please...I need some time alone.” he said.
Respecting his wishes, Rowen’s mother, father and siblings exited the liter room when Rowen was lying. All except for Raptor, who was too curious just to leave his brother there.
“Lily?” Raptor asked.
This evoked a smile on Rowen’s face. Rowen loved his brother’s curiosity, and put his paw on top of Raptor’s head. “She’s a...good friend.” Rowen said, simply. “..Special.”
Thankfully, Raptor was too young to actually understand what Rowen meant by “good friend” and “special.” All it meant to him was that Lily was a friend, like any other. Rowen’s gaze shifted to the sky, which was getting even darker. “Can’t do it...just can’t do it.” Rowen said aloud.
“Do what?” Raptor asked, looking intently at his brother.
“I can’t go and see her tonight. My leg...” Rowen replied.
“Why is it so important?” Raptor asked, tilting his head. “Dad said she would understand..”
“I know...it’s just..” Rowen trailed off, as he stared at an appearing star in the darkening sky. “I don’t know.” he finished.
Rowen relaxed on the ground, ears down. Raptor walked out slowly to give his brother alone time. Rowen just couldn’t rest. He felt terrible about not going to see Lily. Rowen stayed in the liter room, throughout dusk and into the night. The last time he opened his eyes and looked up, it was pitch black outside. Rowen sighed and again tried to get up. He had more luck this time, and didn’t tremble to the ground like before. Relieved, he began to slowly walk about. He was limping slightly, but walking nonetheless. “Maybe I can still see her tonight..” he whispered quietly to himself. Rowen exited the liter area, out into the night. He looked up into the night sky, and saw stars. Hundreds. Thousands. The silver moon could be seen, as well. It was an extremely clear night, to say the least.
Rowen continued on through a small path of woodland, before he came upon the base of a hill. This was where he was supposed to meet Lily. Sure enough, Rowen saw a white figure at the top of the hill. Lily stood out perfectly in the black night. She didn’t see him at first, since she was gazing in the opposite direction. Rowen started up the hill slowly. It was hard enouh for him to walk on level ground with his limp. He nearly slipped on the way up a few times, but managed to catch himself before he fell. As he neared the top of the hill, Rowen saw the moon positioned almost perfectly atop the hill. Rowen approached Lily, and noticed her magnificent shadow cast by the silver moonlight. The air was crisp from the small river just below the hill. Rowen breathed in slowly, and opened his mouth to speak.
“Lily..” Rowen said, hunched over slightly. Lily swung around and held Rowen in her gaze. She smiled. Her blue eyes could be seen perfectly in the in the night. A slight breeze picked up, swaying her pelt this way and that. “Hey Rowen ” she said, excitedly. Rowen walked slowly toward her, the injury evident in his movement. Lily caught glimpse of his leg, and a look of worry streaked across her face. “Rowen, you’re hurt..what happened?” she asked intently, concern filled her voice. “I..tripped on a tree root when I was hunting with my dad.” a smile flashed across his face. “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to come tonight...” he finished.
Lily smiled. “You came all this way...on a near broken leg..to see me...” She approached Rowen and nuzzled his pelt, and he returned it. “Yes..” he whispered into her ear. “It was all worth it, too.”
Lily again smiled and turned around, walking slowly back to where she had been before he came. Rowen followed. “Beautiful night.” she said.
Rowen came around to her side and sat beside her. “Yes, it is, isn’t it?” he replied. Rowen adjusted his leg, and a streak of pain shot through him, and could be seen in his face. He gritted his teeth in pain. Lily noticed this, and slowly scooted next to Rowen to offer him comfort. Rowen leaned in close, and slowly the thought of the pain left him. The only feelings he had now were of a comforting nature. Rowen closed his eyes, as did Lily. Both of them enjoyed the night. The breeze still blew every so often, the crisp air of the night, and the soothing sound of rushing water below. Lily buried her muzzle into Rowen’s pelt, and rested. “You might already know this...” she broke the silence. “...But...well..I love you, Rowen.”
Rowen adjusted his muzzle, and licked her cheek. “And I love you, Lily.”
Both of them revealed a smile, as they tightened their embrace, and exchanged nuzzles and licks.
“So you want to be mates, then?” he asked lovingly.
“Yes. I so very much do.” she replied.
Rowen smiled. “I do too. Lily? I want us to be like your mother and Riku. I remember what you told me of them, and their love. Now, I want that to be us.
The look Lily’s face showed that she was deeply, deeply touched. “Oh Rowen...” she whispered. “Of course we can be as they were. That would be just the greatest.......well, the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
It was at this time that Rowen recognized his pack’s howl, and something was definitely going on. Rowen looked at Lily with sorrow. “Lily, I’m sorr..” Lily cut him off. “No, don’t be. Really, don’t feel bad. Your pack needs you. Go. I’ll be fine.” she said, trying to reassure him. Lily nuzzled Rowen’s pelt once more, and he again returned it. “Thank you, for understanding.” Rowen said, bowing his head. Lily nodded and smiled, and Rowen reluctantly turned around back towards his home. He truly did not want to leave Lily, but he didn’t have much choice. He needed to see what was going on. As he walked down the hill, the howls grew louder, longer, and increasingly mournful. Pitch dark, Rowen tried to find his way through the woods. He kept his pace down, so he wouldn’t trip over any overgrown tree roots. He kept his ears open to hear the howls. They came, each one more dire. Rowen looked to the left. Nothing but trees. He looked to his right, still nothing. Rowen picked up his pace, despite his burning legs. He had to make sure his family was okay.
After a few more minutes of running, the bone-chilling howling grew even louder, to a point that it sent a wave of fear through his body. Rowen neared his home. Seeing moonlight at the end of the woods, Rowen sprinted. Bats flew from tree to tree, and the sounds of creatures filled the night. Rowen ran. As he approached an end to the woods, he slowed his pace. He walked out, and above the cliff was his family’s liter area. Rowen wanted to check on the pups, to make sure they were okay before he checked on his parents. Rowen ran up the steep hill and into the liter room. It was quiet and empty, no sign of the energetic pups. Not even Raptor was there. Rowen hunched over, head down. He knew something terrible must have happened, the pups were always inside this late in the night. Suddenly, thunder raged in the sky from the oncoming clouds, nearly knocking Rowen off of his legs. The thunder was quickly followed by a bolt of lightning that hit not to far from where he was. Rowen stepped out into the night, and continued up the rocky hill to where the pack usually met. Oddly enough, the howling ceased, although Rowen heard fighting. As he reached the top of the hill, he hugged the ground, so as not to be seen. There stood his father, standing opposite of the pack alpha, showing his teeth. Rowen watched carefully. His father must have done something wrong, and he would have helped, but many other wolves surrounded his father, and would tear them both apart should Rowen have intervened. So, he sat still, and watched.
“My pack rules..” said the alpha, through gritted teeth. “Are simple enough. Are they not?”
“Yes, indeed they are.” replied Rowen’s father. “But what’s the hurt in one extra liter?”
This angered the alpha greatly, and he lunged for Rowen’s father, knocking him to the ground. Rowen’s father lifted himself from the ground slowly, a blood mark stained the dirt.
“Why the violence?” he asked. “It’s one small rul....”
He never finished that sentence. The alpha slammed into him, and slashed his face with his claws. Rowen watched in terror. He didn’t understand fully what had happened. He didn’t understand why his father wasn’t fighting back. Rowen heard the word “liter”, and thought about Raptor and the other pups. “Oh no..” he said quietly. Rowne closed his eyes and buried his head into the ground. He knew the pack rules. Any unapproved liters were killed, no questions asked. Raptor and his brothers were dead. And Rowen was almost sure that same fate awaited his father. The thunder and lighting grew even more frequent with every passing minute. The alpha continued to slam into and hurt his father. Rowen still didn’t intervene, he feared for his life.
“I’m sorry..” Rowen’s father told the alpha.
“Sorry?” the alpha laughed. “Sorry is going to teach you a lesson, is it?”
“It..it won’t happen again..” replied Rowen’s father.
“Oh, I’m going to make sure of that.” he sneered. “Don’t you worry.”
At that, the alpha continued to slam Rowen’s father to the ground. His wounds ripped even more, and the blood flowed out. His father was near death. Tears began to form in Rowen’s eyes, as he saw his father being beaten to death. There was nothing he could do without getting himself killed along with his father. In the split second that the lighting struck, Rowen’s father was on the ground, the alpha’s paw pressed firmly against his neck. This was it. This was the end. Rowen watched in terror as the alpha went for the final blow, slicing Rowen’s father’s neck from left to right. The blood flowed non-stop for a few seconds, as the alpha stood over him, breathing heavily.
“Useless.” he taunted the lifeless body.. “Not even worth my time.” The alpha turned to the observing pack. “Clear off. Nothing more to see here. Let his body be picked at by the crows.” The large black alpha disappeared into the night, as did most of the other pack members, save for a few. Rowen still did not approach his father’s body. He risked his own life if he did so, so he didn’t. Rowen laid on the ground, paralyzed by fear. He had just seen his father’s throat torn out by the alpha of his own pack. Rowen’s father taught him everything. Fishing, hunting. Everything. And now he was gone. Gone because he broke one rule. Betrayed by his pack. One small mistake killed his father. Yet his father gave everything to his pack, and they betrayed him. Realizing this, Rowen stood. Slowly but surely, his fear turned into a powerful, unstoppable hatred. Rowen dug his paw into the ground, then lifted it out. His shoulder muscles twitched. His blood lust could not be quelled. Rowen was changing. The feeling in his leg no longer mattered. The hate was a powerful feeling, and Rowen embraced it. He was breathing heavily. His mood almost mirrored that of the alpha, although without the feeling of an entire pack at his side. Then again, Rowen had no need for an army. His hatred could kill a hundred wolves if he channeled it correctly. The old Rowen was gone, a memory from the past. This was the new him, and the only thing to lead him and justify his hatred would be the lust for revenge, and rightly so. The veins in his eyes clearly visible, the twitching of his muscles, the hatred in his voice, one could easily say he was a monster.
Rowen walked steadily down the road, when a male wolf of his pack about his age crossed his path.
“Rowen?” the wolf recognized him.
Through gritted teeth, Rowen replied. “Leave. Me. Be.” Rowen didn’t even bothr looking up, as he knew he didn’t know the wolf.
“Hey now, come on. Don’t be like that. If you’re going to act like that, I must just tell the alpha you’re still around here.” the wolf said playfully, but Rowen took it as a threat.
Rowen ran towards the wolf and slammed him against a tree, then to the ground. “Quite the mouth. Quite the mouth.” was all Rowen said. Despite the other wolf being the same size as him, Rowen already had him in a position in which he could easily kill him. He did not, he simply walked over the wolf and continued on. The wolf, in terror, limped away, shouting something inaudible to Rowen. He did not care. Let the fool think as he wishes. Rowen’s family was dead, nothing more remained for him here. Little did he know, being so immersed in his blood lust, someone was still there for him. His lover and mate, whom he had forgotten about due to the murder of his father. Rowen ran, however. Ran into the darkness of the night. He did not stop. He would not stop. The Rowen that his pack and his mate had known was gone. His caring nature and his love had all been replaced by bloodlust. Or, so it seemed. The love between two wolves that was consolidated that night, would prove to be the only cure to this wolf’s newfound, powerful feeling of bloodlust.
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