A dark figure ran through the shrubbery, her paws hitting the ground hard. Calls could be heard behind her, shouting angrily.

“We can’t let her get away!”

The mother cougar made her way between trees, holding a small, brindle colored kitten in her mouth.

“Hold…on…Kuto...we’re almost…there,” She panted, as she breathed in and out heavily. The cougar was getting slower, and the wolves behind her were getting faster. Finally, the feline collapsed and weakly turned to look around at the canines that were chasing her. The leader stopped infront of her, his eyes glaring with anger.

“You know very well not to steal food out of our territory,” He growled bitterly, “And you know this because we have given you warnings. Five of them in this past month is enough, and we have told you that if we just so happened to find you hunting in our territory, you would be destroyed.” The wolf looked at the cub the cougar was carrying. “Your cub, too, shall be killed.” He said to her, a fire glowing in his eyes. The large cat stared at him, her eyes wide in shock.

“No, please! Don’t kill Kuto!” She replied, almost breathless. She saw another wolf approaching, this one old and wise looking. He looked at the little cub, observing it closely. He soon drew back and looked at the Alpha, Hidge.

“Sire, we shall not kill the young one. He had no part of this treachery, so he should be set free. If he comes back to the base, he should be punished as was his mother.” The elder looked back at the exausted cougar on the ground. “But we must finish her off. I’m sorry, Kajita. You have broken the code, and for this, you must be punished.” Kajita nodded, fully understanding the elder.

“It must be done.” She said, then looked towards her son, “My son, Kuto. Do not call yourself the son of Lady Kajita, but call yourself the son of the Mighty Fenir. Your father may not have seen you before, but I tell you, he is a good man. Now go, run as far as you can and do not turn back. Keep running, even if your legs tell you to stop. I love you, my son. Never forget me.” She then turned towards Hidge, speaking slowly and quietly. “Finish me off.” On that one dreadful night, two lives would be changed forever. Kuto would be alone, and a young wolf, Delilah, would finally find a friend

It was a bright morning, exactally two years after the killing of Lady Kajita had happened. A new adult wolf was scouring her territory, when suddenly, she came across a new scent. She sniffed the air and cocked her head, looking around. It didn’t smell like a wolf, more like…

“A cougar…” She whispered excitedly. She had never seen one before and decided to follow the scent. She sniffed around until she came to a large cave. Delilah peered inside, looking around. “Hello? Is anyone here?” She called out. She heard a shuffling near the back and the female wolf took a step inside. “Come on out, I won’t hurt you…” Her voice trailed off as she saw a large brindle shape emerge infront of her. His eyes were that of a cats, yellow and calm. He had a well-built body and a long, thin tail.

“I am Kuto, son of the Mighty Fenir.” He said, his voice strong and soothing. “May I ask who you are?”

Delilah stood tall. “I am Delilah, daugter and heir to the throne of Alpha Hidge. It’s nice to meet you Kuto.” She smiled, holding back laughter. She thought it was nonsence introducing yourself formally. She could tell Kuto was holding back his laughs too. Finally, they could hold it no more. They howled with laughter, their noise echoing around the caves. They calmed down after a while and started talking like they had met a long time ago.

“So why do we have to introduce ourselves formally, Kuto? I mean, what’s the point?” Delilah asked him.

“Not sure, Delilah,” Kuto smiled, shrugging. Delilah smiled and cocked her head at him.

“Why are you here alone? Where’s your family?” She asked him. Kuto frowned.

“My mom’s dead and my father abandoned me.”

“How’d your mother die?”

“A monster killed her.”

Delilah looked at her new friend in shock. “What kind of monster? When?” She could tell Kuto was thinking.

“Well,” He started, “It was exactly two years ago tonight when it happened. My mother was hungry, out looking for food, when she suddenly stumbled into another family’s terrirory. A wolf’s territory.” He stopped for effect, then continued. “My mother had been warned not to hunt in their territory. She was caught and killed. But she set me free. She let me live. I would have died if she hadn’t spoken up for me.” Tears swelled in Kuto’s eyes and he stared at the ground. Delilah looked at him, her eyes filled with comfort.

“It’s okay, Kuto.” She said warmly. She nuzzled his head softly. Kuto looked at her and smiled.

“Thanks…” He said, sighing. He frowned and continued. “The problem is, she took from you’re family’s territory. If I’m caught here, I’ll most likely be killed by Hidge.” Kuto finished, watching Delilah’s actions. She looked at him curiously.

“I don’t think my father would kill anyone. He’s usually very forgiving…but then again, I’ve been wrong before.” She looked around the cave, then back at Kuto. “Tell you what. I’ll keep the fact that you’re here a secret, as long as you’ll be friends with me. I’ve never had a true friend before…” Delilah said, but Kuto cut her off.

“I haven’t had a true friend either.” He said smiling. She looked like a good friend to him. Delilah smiled at Kuto.

“I’d best be going now. Father will be expecting me back at base by night fall.”

“Okay Delilah, see you tomorrow.” Kuto said, smiling. Delilah smiled back and left the cave.

As the days passed and nights grew longer, Kuto and Delilah kept their deal, Delilah bringing food and making sure her friend was safe, and Kuto being the truest friend he could. The two had gotten to know each other well now and spent long hours talking, Delilah discussing problems rising between her pack and another, or Kuto’s finding of a squirrel, supposedly named ‘Chester.’ They laughed and sometimes played games with eachother. But one night, the unthinkable happened…

“Kuto? Where are you?” A lone voice echoed throughout the stone cavern that held the large feline. Delilah was now three and a half. She was a beautiful wolf, her multicolored coat filled with many shades of colors, her golden eyes piercing the heart of every male in the pack. But this day, her eyes told not a story of happiness, but of worry. “Kuto!” She shouted even louder. She looked around the cave, searching for something, anything, that could lead her to her best friend. Suddenly, she saw it. At the back of the cave was a puddle of…

“Blood,” Delilah whispered, wide eyed. She bolted out of the cave, into the dimming day. “Kuto!!” She screamed, her eyes filling with tears. “Where are you?” She whispered sadly. She sulked back to her packs base. As soon as she got to her destination, Delilah shot her head up curiously at she saw her pack crowded around the meeting place. She looked around, puzzled by the crowd and trotted up behind them, watching what her father was telling her pack mates.

“We gather here today to discuss a trespass that has just occurred…”

“Kuto…” Delilah whispered in shock. She stood still, waiting to see what would happen next.

“We have found a cougar in our territory…”

“Not another one,” Delilah’s brother, Jake, muttered under his breath. The Alpha shot his head at his son, then looked at the crowd again.

“This cougar, though, is easily identified. He is Kuto, son of Lady Kajita and the Mighty Fenir.” Hidge let this news sink in, then continued. “As you may recall, because of his mother, our pack went hungry. Wolflings died because of his kind. As a pack, we gave him a chance. He was never to return, or he would be killed. Now that he is back, we shall keep our word and kill the cat we should have put to death a long time ago. Now who’s with me!” Hidge finished, his eyes flashing a bright mahogany. A large cheer went through the crowd, but a single wail outnumbered them all.

“No!” Delilah screamed, in anger and sadness. “Please, don’t kill Kuto!” Her father looked at her confused.

“What do you mean? He has broken the code, just like his mother did before him. Now you’re asking for him to be set free? I’ll have none of this from my daughter and heir.” He looked down at Delilah, waiting for an answer.

“Dad,” She began, walking up to where her father was standing, “You don’t understand. What did Kuto do to deserve this? Is it because his mother broke the code? It isn’t fair that he must suffer for his family’s wrong. Let him go.” She demanded. Delilah then turned towards the crowded wolves infront of her. “Think about things before you do them. If you kill Kuto, you will be hauted forever. You would have killed an innocent animal, and for that, you will suffer. But if you let him go, there might be a chance of having peace between the cougars and the wolves. Now think about your decision. If you’re with me, lay down on the ground. If you’re with my father, stay in an upright position.” Delilah finished and watched the wolves reactions. She saw her brother, Jake look up at her, then nod his head.

“I agree with you, sis.” He said as he lay down on the cold ground. Delilah’s mother followed, then the omegas, the hunters, the warriors, the betas, the elders – everyone. Except Hidge. He looked at his daughter, then back at the pack. He sighed, knowing he had been defeated.

“Very well,” he said, “Kuto shall be set free, as he should not be punished for things that have already happened.” Hidge turned to Kuto. “You got lucky this time, cougar. Don’t expect any grace from this pack in the future.” He said, snarling. Kuto didn’t seem scared of the Alpha, but showed respect to him by lowering his ears.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be back.” He said reasuringly. He then padded over to Delilah, who was looking around happily. “Delilah,” Kuto said slowly. Delilah smiled at her friend, wondering about what he was going to say.

“Yes Kuto?” She asked, smirking. Kuto sighed and looked at her in the eyes.

“Delilah, you have to realize I’m not coming back to see you anymore.” He told her sadly. “My duty here is done, and it is now time for me to move on to someone else.” He said tearfully.

“What do you mean?” Delilah asked, confused. But it didn’t seem like Kuto heard her.

“Delilah, I’m proud of you. You stood up for someone who was different than you. One day, you’ll make a great Alphess.” Kuto smiled at her, then turned around, heading towards the edge of the pack’s territory. He looked back at the she-wolf, who had tears in her eyes. “Do not miss me, Delilah, for I’ll always be with you.” He said gracefully. “Now, I bid you farewell, my wise one. Maybe, someday, we’ll meet again.” And as the cougars words rung in Delilah’s ears, she watched him jump into the air and vanish, for he wasn’t a cougar anymore. He was now an eagle, soaring high into the night sky, as free as any animal could ever be. Delilah looked up at the bird with teary eyes.

“Goodbye, my guardian. I will miss you…”