Knave stared into stone colored eyes rimmed with green as he struggled. The same smell of dirt, pine and blood was strong, suddenly terrifying him into a yelping red ball.

“Quiet down, you fool!” the wolf snarled. Knave immediately settled down for fear of his life and let himself be carried to the forest. The wolf loped deep into it to a place never imaginable. Brooks bubbled out of deep grooves implanted into the earth. Boulders seemed to grow from the ground in small mountains that the pup would find difficult to climb but something that the wolf had no trouble with.

“What’s your name?” he glared.

“Knave” he answered boldly. “What is your’s?”

“Phelan”

“What business do you have in my woods?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I am not like the other’s” the pup exclaimed. “I do not fear you”

For the first time Knave thought for sure he jaw one corner of the jaws mouth lift with amusement.

“Not a good answer”

“What do you mean?” the setter asked, fear creeping back into him.

“Right now I could rip out your throat with barely a motion” he smiled. He must have seen the setter shift nervously.

“But I’m not much on dogs” he said casually. “They taste of betrayal, fear and lack of dignity”

“What does that mean?” Knave asked

“You should know but in any case, you still did not answer my question” he growled. “Why are you here?”

The setter thought for a moment and decided the best thing to do was tell the wolf the truth.

“I wanted to live with you. I wanted to see how it was like to live with a real wolf and not have to worry about being shut up indoors. I want to work for my food and show the dogs in town that wolves are not the savage creature you’re accused of being.” Knave said and looked up at the wolf.

“Very well said” he smiled, approvingly.

“So, You’ll let me stay with you?” the setter wagged his tail in excitement.

“No” Phelan said sternly and turned, walking off.

“Why not?” Knave asked following him.

“Because it is too dangerous out here for a pup. Plus you probably have a loving family that you worship at home.” his pace quickened. “Also, like I said-I don’t eat dogs but there are others who will”

“My family doesn’t want me and I’m not afraid of anything”

“Knave, you were shaking like a leaf when I held you”

“I know, but you scared me” he explained. “You snuck up on me”

“I had to, you would of turned and ran”

Knave stopped and gazed at him.

“Wait, Why did you come up to me?” he asked the wolf.

“I didn’t, I was wondering why a highly bred Irish Setter was wondering around town after midnight, instead of sleeping on a nice rug at the foot of his master’s bed.”

“Oh” the pup said solemnly.

“I will admit, I was curious but I’m a loner and need no one”

“Company is nice for everybody though..”Knave said, hopefully looking up at Phelan.

“Alright” he growled in frustration. “but only because I know you’ll keep this up until I say yes”

“Thank you”

“Don’t, by tomorrow night you’ll be sleeping in your own bed”

“What does that mean?” Knave asked lowering his ears.

“After one day out here” he paused. “You’ll ache to go home”

With that, he trotted on and Knave smiled. He wouldn’t go home. He knew he’d love this life far better then his old one. Plus he was young and had plenty of years he could spend in these woods. Phelan turned and looked back.

“You coming?” he asked. “Or are you having second thoughts?”

“Right behind you” Knave whispered and loped after him through the night.

To be continued…