Chapter 16: Chapter 16
As Winter walked home, she couldn't stop thinking about Dagger. Her parents had told her what they were like, but he wasn't like his kind at all. He was sweet and kind, and the more she thought about it, the more she thought her parents were wrong. A stinging smell reeked on her fur, and she realized Dagger's scent was all over her. She looked around, spotting a pile of damp mulch leaves and buried herself in it. She rolled and rolled, hoping to get rid of his scent.
She was a good stride away from the den, when she spotted Koda running up to her. "Winter! Where have you been? Mom and Dad are worried." Winter didn't know what to say. Should she tell her brother about her run in with Dagger? Should she not? She sighed and replied. "Just out on a walk. I wanted to see the forest and such." Koda sighed with relief. "I didn't know where you were. I thought you were behind me, but then I turned around and...well you weren't there."
He paused and wrinkled his nose. "Ugh...no offense sis but...you stink." Winter laughed. "Same to you." Koda frowned. "Haha...very funny." He turned and looked at her over his shoulder. "Well come on. Let Mom, Dad and Uncle Kiba know you're okay." Winter nodded. She had lied to her brother about Dagger. She knew that lying to her family would cause trouble, but she was going to keep him a secret for now. Once the two got to the den, Shasta and Storm greeted them both.
Akela rushed to his daughter and covered her in gentle licks. "Where have you been honey? We've been worried sick about you." Winter nuzzled her dad's foreleg. "I just went for a walk Daddy, I wanted to explore your territory for a bit." She hated lying to her father, but what else could she do? He and her mother would forbid her to go near a dire wolf, kind or not.
Akela sighed. "I'm just glad you're okay. Now go on. Get some sleep." She licked his muzzle in return and bounded into the den. The boys were already fast asleep, but when she laid down and put her head on her paws, her thoughts went back to Dagger. Would he be alright? Would he actually come back? Sleep slowly came over her, and her eyes closed. The next day, Winter decided to see Dagger. She told her family she wanted to go explore some more, and they agreed as long as she was home before dark. She walked to the very spot where she first encountered the dire pup, but he wasn't there.
She sat and looked around, but he wasn't here. She sighed, her ears low. "Winter?" She looked to her left...Dagger! Winter jumped to her paws and gave him a friendly lick on his nose. "Hey Dagger, I came as promised." He smiled. "I would've been here first, but I got distracted by my family." He spun around.
He looked over his shoulder. "Come on. There's this nice view of the forest I'd love for you to see." He wagged his bushy black tail, and Winter followed him. They talked along the way, discussing how they're families were to each other, and Winter was surprised at how he explained his pack.
When she explained how hers was, he shook his head and was surprised at how her father's old pack had been attacked. Dagger stopped and sniffed the air. He looked up to a hill that looked impossible to climb. "Up on that hill, there's a good view of the forest. I know an easier way up."
He looked at her. "Come on." He bounded along a path that went around it, Winter not far behind. When they reached the top, Winter's eyes widened in surprise. The forest looked like it stretched for miles. There were mountains farther away. Dagger smiled. "Isn't it cool? I come up here a lot, to get away from my pack. It's amazing isn't it?"
Winter nodded. "It's beautiful. And you come up here often?" He smiled. "Almost. Sometimes I have to do things for my pack. We dire wolves are always hunting. However, since I'm just a pup I usually bring food to the old and sick ones of the pack. It kinda sucks."
Winter could imagine that. She looked out at the fast landscape again. She had never seen something as beautiful as this.They sat up there for the rest of the evening. When they had to part ways, Winter nuzzled him under his chin. "I'll see you later." Dagger licked her between the ears. "Same to you." Winter smiled up at him, and made her way back to her family. When she arrived, they were eating at a deer carcass. She barked a greeting and they all invited her over. Shasta was next to her. He stopped eating and looked at her. "Uh...Winter?" She looked at him. "Yes?" Shasta rubbed his nose on his paw. "Why do I smell dire stink on you?" Her family was all looking at her now, her mother especially. Winter lowered her tail. "It's not that bad." Storm coughed and sneezed. "I wouldn't say that...you reek of it."
Blue approached her daughter. "Winter...what did you do?" Winter lowered herself to the ground. "I met a dire pup. His name is Dagger." Akela jumped in. "What were you thinking? He could've killed you!" Winter whimpered. "But Daddy, he was sweet and kind. He was nice. He showed me the forest from a hill." Akela huffed. "He may be nice, but his parents and pack are not. What have we told you about dires?"
Winter stood up straight. "I don't care what you think about them anymore. He was nice to me! He's my friend!" Akela growled. "Well tomorrow, when you go see your friend, you will say goodbye. I don't want you near him after that." Winter was shocking. "What?! Dad, you can't do that." Akela swishes his tail. "I can and I have. I'm your father Winter. I'm only protecting you."
Winter scowled and walked into the den entrance. She laid down, tears rolling down her face. Koda walked in and laid down next to her. "Winter…" She sniffed. He put his leg around hers and laid his head down. Winter buried her face next to his. That morning, Winter set out to find Dagger.
He was already there, waiting for her. "Winter! Hi!" She looked at him sadly. He cocked his head. "What's wrong?" Winter didn't know how to say it. "My dad doesn't want me to hang out with you anymore…" Dagger looked hurt. "What? Why?" Winter's tail was low. "Because you're a dire wolf. He's afraid that you'll hurt me…"
Dagger looked shocked. "I'm not like the others though!" "That's what I told him. He doesn't care Dagger. I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm sorry…" she turned and walked slowly home. "Winter, wait!" Dagger called. She paused but didn't turn to look at him. "You can't go. Because... because I love you." Winter walks away, tears rolling down her face.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone