Home at Last (Tagged and Open)

[Deleted]

(Blood)
Stormstar:
Stormstar picked up of the sound of the falls, and she sprang into the best run she could. Pain flared up her leg, and she ended up tumbling the last few feet to the water, but she saw the old mossy den. Her blue eyes lit up. "Home..." she said softly, smiling. She picked herself up, her black tail wagging as fast as it could. Home at long last! She looked at the falls, her bright eyes examining all that had changed. Not a ton had, the falls still roared and the late winter weather was warmer then normal. She smiled back to Zelax, who was carrying Aurelia. "This is Wildwater Falls, my sister and I grew up here." She smiled again, a giddy smile that was almost puppyish. Then she started to just play in the snow. Snow was so nice, it was cool against the late winter sun. It seemed to think it was spring already, the river was flooding.

"Aurelia, stay away from the river. It's very strong, once it warms up a bit more we can go swimming." She smiled, but there was a warning in her words. The water at this time of year was treacherous, a wolf could get caught in it too easily. She had on a few occasions, but thankfully Storm had been a strong swimmer as a pup. Then Aurelia raced off to the bank. Scared, Storm tried to run after her but her leg buckled. "Aurelia, it's not like the lake! It can sweep you away!" Storm was practically frantic as she struggled up. Aurelia had stopped dead, and was looking at her aunt curiously. "Okay Auntie."

Storm sighed. "Never do that again sweetie, you scared me."

[Blood]

Zalex:

A low hum began to play in his ears as he trotted along, it rumbled like a storm growing in the distance, and the deep thunder became louder with their approach. The small gray form hanging from his jaw wriggled around every now and then, impatient with the long track, and ready to get set down. Up ahead the falls appeared in the distance, and the low thundering turned into a crashing and roaring that almost seemed to shake the earth. Zalex had been near a waterfall before, but the splendor of rivers of water pouring over the edge of rocks, gleaming in the sunlight capturing every ray, always made his heart leap from the beauty of it. Aurelia was still now, and if Zalex could see her face, he would have smiled at the large eyes that she was staring with.

Storm's limping gait quickened, and a spring in her step became noticable as she hobbled towards her old home. She had getten a bit too excited, and stumbled over the ground, catching herself in a lump of fur and paws. Concern made the brown male skip towards the fallen she-wolf and mumble "Storm!", through the mouthful of scruff, but the determined female was back on her paws and stumbling towards the water's edge. Zalex caught a smile from Storm and she explained that this falls was where she and her sister were born and raised. Without unnecessary effort, Zalex lowered his head and let his grip go so that Aurelia could run free and stretch her legs. And that she did, running straight to the rushing river that flowed from the pounding waterfall. Fear jumped into both of the blue-eyed adults as they saw the excited pup beeline towards the water. Zalex leaped into action, his large paws carrying him over the snowy ground swiftly, but Storm had yelled, along with her effort to catch the pup, and stopped Aurelia's course before it could be complete. The small pup looked to her aunt and listened very well for her curious age, and made no further movement. Storm let out a huge sigh of relief, and spoke to Aurelia again while Zalex was thumbing around in his head, wondering if setting Aurelia down had been the best idea, and if Storm would be mad at him for doing that, but he really had no control over the frisky pup.

Suddenly a sharp pain sent paralyzing needles down his leg, and Zalex winced from the tensing of his muscles. He began to realize that the journey to the falls probably caused his wound to flare, and the extra weight of the pup couldn't have helped. Not wanting to distract Storm from her enjoyable reunion with her home, Zalex didn't mention anything, and stood still for a while, shaking the pain from his face until he could move his leg without a major rush of discomfort flooding his shoulder and neck area. With little steps Zalex moved over to where the crippled she-wolf lay next to her niece, he looked down at the two females, the sound of the falls roaring in the air, and the beauty of the surroundings all helped to make a perfect hypnotizing moment the was about to put the large brown he wolf to sleep. Exhaustion was playing with his eyes as he sat down next to Storm, his rump touching her side as he yawned. "I like this place very much Storm, it is so very beautiful indeed."

[Deleted]

Stormstar:
Stormstar wagged her tail, watching the mist. She was content, happy. Zelax was even sitting next to her! (The little voice in her head that seemed very romantic was chiming) It was just the way she remembered it. She smiled and howled in pure joy. Her voice was deep, but it was a sweet sound and the song she sang was one of happiness and contentment.

As her song ended, she smiled at Zelax. Her bright blue eyes sparkled, but she yawned very widely. "I don't remember it being that tiring." The sun was setting behind the ridge, turning the mist a sweet golden color and the falls a deep cobalt. She looked up, listing to the roar of the falls. She felt her eyes start to droop, and the weariness from the travel set into her. She yawned again, her eyes closing as her head started drooping as well. She struggled to her paws, forcing herself to remain awake. "Hey guys? How about turning in for the night?" She yawned again, and her shuffling gate ambled to a mossy, ivy ridden den that she had grown up in. She smiled, her bright eyes searching out the details she remembered. A small clawmark from her as a puppy, a old rabbit skin from her sister. She passed those by, but she did look at them and smile.

She soon found the patch of moss she had used to sleep on, and flopped on. She curled up with one leg sticking out, and her tail over her nose. Soon her breathing was even as she fell asleep. Said patch was large enough for two.


Aurelia:
Aurelia was sleeping already when her aunt started making away into the well hidden den. When her aunt called, she woke up. She ran behind her, dove grey coat glittering. She felt her eyes droop and her paws shuffle, and her yawn was evidence. She saw a perfect sized patch of moss, and she flopped onto it. Her snores soon also filled the den, and it felt warm and safe.

[Blood]

Zalex:

A clear echoing song rose from the pointed snout of the sliver faced she-wolf, her howl stirred a fire within the large brown male, and he couldn't help but raise his face to the evening sky and let his deep rumbling voice vibrate the air around them, adding to the melody of sound. The last time Zalex had howled was right before his pack went into battle, but that was not a happy howl, that was a rage call, that sent a warning to the attacking packs, that if they so wished to start such a battle, they would feel the scars as much as their generations to come would. A flashback of the bloody battle rendered the warrior's mind, and his happy howl wavered, until it ended in a sad note of disparate and sorrow. He tried hard to hide the sadness from Storm, but his howl exposed it. In an attempt to make it seem just a part of his song, Zalex quickly turned to her and smiled with his flashy fangs, "Your song is beautiful Siñorita Stormstar." Zalex just remembered that she had told him not to call her that, and mumbled, "Lo siento." while dropping his head with embarrassment.

"Hey guys, how about turning in for the night?" Zalex perked at Storm's question, and glanced about until he saw little Aurelia already sleeping on a pile of thick grass. Just watching her made him long to lay down and sleep. Aurelia awoke, and stumbled over to her aunt who was leading them towards a will hidden den that Zalex had not seen before. He followed the gray pup and Storminto the wide dimly lit den, his body protesting his actions. A sharp pain returned to his wounded shoulder and began to throb in an unrelenting way, a sign that the healing herbs from the White Wolf had worn off. Zalex didn't want to bug Storm who had already curled up on a bed of moss, so he stood on three legs and hung it limp as he looked over the safe and already sleeping pup, and the resting Storm. They had all had a pretty long day, and Zalex finally limped over to the bed of moss and slowly lowering his tired body on the soft green earth. As much as he could, he avoided any curled positions, but leaned his body over so that his back rested against the smaller gray form that was soundly breathing in rhythm to his heart beat.


Gray mist crawled over the tall swaying grasses, not a sound could be heard or a breeze felt, yet the leaves and grass shifted to a gentle touch. Zalex stood along in a field, as dark figures began leaped at each other and tore at each other' flesh. Faint growls and snarls rose on a howling wind, until they were barking loudly all around. More and more wolf bodies piled up in a circle around him,and they still attacked each other. A sudden black wolf form leaped out of the grass with a wide open mouth of fangs. Zalex had nowhere to go, he couldn't even move, and the the black wolf ripped at his heart with a shower of black blood.

Zalex' s bright blue eyes flashed open in the significantly darker den, his shoulder was burning, and he remembered the dream he had just woken up from. In the surrounding blackness, he could still make out the still forms of the two females in the den with him, they were safe, nothing was going to happen to them. Zalex laid his head back down next to Storm's, and watched her for a moment before to fall back asleep. His eyes closed, but sleep would not come, not with a burning hammer of pain slamming in his side.

[Deleted]

Stormstar:
Storm whimpered in her sleep, twitching. Her leg was flinching, as was the area around the scar on her cheek and underbelly.

She was back in that icy battlefield. Her paws were flying in front of her, carrying her to the white wolf. Storm was baring her teeth, her power off. Then he grabbed her by the leg, his ice muzzle crushing it. Then a ice dagger ripped her belly. Blood spattered the ground. She gasped, landing on her side. Tears leaked from her eyes, her breath came in gasps.
It hurt so much.. She staggered to her paws, her power on. She slapped his ice-clad muzzle, and the ice shattered. Knocking him and her out. Her sobs once she woke up were terrible with pain and sadness. But Fjord rose faster then she. She awoke to a chocking sensation, terror filling her as the ice covered red paw dug into her side, drawing it out.

And she couldn't stop him.

He was crushing her windpipe, she couldn't breath! It wasn't real, it wasn't real!

Her sobs and terrified, heavy, breathing transferred into reality. She was scared, her pain was so intense it felt fully real. She shot awake, her blue eyes wide and her hackles up. She had trouble breathing for a second, her body convinced she had just been cut off from all air. Trying to calm herself down, she took deep breaths. Hauling herself up, she didn't notice that Zelax was awake. She went to the mouth of the den, the snow falling softly. Her memories hunted her, like the night that she had sat here looking into the snow as a young pup. Her tears were freezing onto her fur, but she didn't care. She needed to clear her head. To think.

Thinking of her sister, that night, and the events that had led to was too much. She started crying again, the pain in her old wounds and her mental scars were simply too much to bare. It was all too much, she could barely hold on to clear thoughts.

[Blood]

Zalex:

Sleep was distant, like a taunting taunting mirage of water in a hot barren land, each approach nearer only makes it seem further, never to be accessed. Sleep was just out of his grasp, dangling at his nose, yet he could not grab it no matter how hard he tried. Even in the stillness of the night, without fear or disturbance, rest was overwhelmed by the dull stabs of pain the coursed through his neck and shoulder muscles.

The night sounds played sweetly in Zalex's ears, but he was not lulled by its music, he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the pain, but it did nothing, and he grunted softly in disparate. A small nudge touched his side, and the brown male lifted his head to see the sleeping Storm twitching gently with a painfully distorted expression on her silver face. Her ears were pressed to her raised neck fur, and a quiet whine touched the silence in the dark homie den. Zalex watched the sleeping she-wolf, his eyes filled with compassion towards her, he knew how she felt. They were obviously both weighed down by hard pasts and haunting dreams, and unending pain that always lingered in the shadows, tricking them into thinking they were alright when they really weren't. Whimpering sobs awoke Storm, and her beautiful blue eyes opened with sadness dripping from them. Her captivating gaze never turned to Zalex, but she slowly arose and walked to the mouth of the cave that was glowing with starlight. Against the night sky sat a hunched silhouette of the gray she-wolf, and Zalex stared at it before letting out a long sigh and getting to his paws with a muffled grunt. The pain flared even more that what it had been, and the large he wolf had to stand for a moment motionless until the fire of pain simmered. Slowly he walked over to Stormstar and stood by her side, again, the stillness made the pain return to its steady throbbing instead of burning stabs.

"Couldn't sleep?" Zalex whispered in his deep accented voice, glancing back at the small figure of the sleeping Aurelia, and then at Storm. Her face looked petrified in the ghastly light of the crescent moon, and her eyes held deep, deep sorrow and pain. It was at the moment that Zalex felt a greater link connect with Storm, he could feel her, relate with her, the were both stuck in the same dark hole of physical and mental pain... but they would climb out together, Zalex was sure of that.

[Deleted]

Stormstar:
Storm jumped, her power flaring for a second. Then she relaxed. "Oh, it's you." She said softly, looking into the beautiful blue eyes that never stopped captivating her. In those wonderful eyes she saw pain. Glancing at his shoulder, Storm looked back up at him. Now her expression was a mask of sternness. "You should have told me! Your wound hurts again, doesn't it? It's not fully healed, and still you carried Aurelia. You are the most stupidly brave and handsome male I have ever met you idiot!" She scolded, her dark blue eyes still shining with tears. "My wounds are healed for Power's sake! I should have carried her. You.. You are still hurt!" She was crying again. Why hadn't he told her! He had hurt himself for her, he had no right! "You could have reopened that wound, do you want to know how bad that would be?! You could die! It could never fully heal, it would hurt for-eve-er!" Storm accentuated forever. "I never got anything done for my leg after it was crushed, and now look at it! Do you want something like that?" Her words were harsh with worry and anger laced them.

He was such a dork, he had gotten hurt for her! She gave him a furious look before throwing her neck over the uninjured part of his. "You never do that again, hear me! You scared me for a bit, you are hurt for Powers sake.." She was muttering, against his fur. "It's a very good thing that you are handsome and brave and are so dang... I don't even know! Your something, and I both love you and hate you for it you big idiot." Looking up at him with angry blue eyes, then she pressed her face back into his fur. She was crying again.

"You are such a huge and handsome idiot and you are so brave.. You got hurt again, I hate it when those I love get hurt. I don't want to lose you or chase you away! When you called me Senorita, that was like music. I liked it, but I only asked you to call me Storm for ease. You are the one male I have ever felt like this with. I.. I have no idea what it is even! I'm not sure if it's love or if it's friendship or obligation.... I've never been in love before, and for all I know I do love you!" She poured out a bit of her soul to him, something she had rarely ever done before. "I've only ever hated since I was a puppy, I never left this place until I was three years old. I don't know anything."

"Being back here, it.. It brings back memories. Some good, some bad, some horrifying. Sitting here alone, it was terrifying because it felt like I was a puppy watching my father and grandmother.. Come back..." Storm broke off. She was downright sobbing now, she needed this badly. "You are the one connection to this new life, and I can't lose you because you are my tether to this life now. I love you, and I can't go back." Storm looked back up, this time she smiled. Her blue eyes met his, and she knew what she said was true to her.

Pulling away, she took a shaky breath. "Do you want to talk about what happened to you? I know you didn't get that wound from nothing, so don't even try it Zelax." She smiled at him as she said this, blue eyes glittering in the starlight. "After you explain, you are lying down and not budging until I say so, got it?" She looked back into the den to make sure Aurelia was actually asleep. "You may be a dork, but you are now my stupidly brave dork." Storm muttered, under her breath. Looking back into the den, Storm made sure Aurelia wasn't awake. Her blue eyes softened at the thought of her. She was just like her is too many ways. They had both grown up too soon, but Aurelia had only had her parents and siblings for a mere few months. Now she was thrust into this... Losing battle.. With evil. With murderers and terrible wolves who would kill her the first chance they got. She was here too soon. Aurelia is here too soon. She lost her parents, her brothers, she never knew anyone but them. Now she only has him and me. We're all she has left. How could I ever provide for her? I never really wanted pups, but Aurelia is the only family that I know anymore. This is the only me she knows, she won't see the differences from the old me. She won't flinch at the scars because she has only ever known me with scars. My parents will, my grandmother will. Halona would. Treble would, even if he didn't even notice. EVen Zelax flinches, and he has only ever known this me. He knows that I'm not me, I'm not the me I used to be. Even she was a remake,
of the pup that grew up at a mere two months. Various expressions played out on her face, sadness, anger, then sadness again, then regret.

Shaking her head and glaring at Zelax not to even think about asking her, she waited for his explanation.

[Blood]

(OOC: Sorry sorry sorry! Let's get this romance back up and burning!)

Zalex:

Zalex felt bad he had scared her and when he felt the air dry and heard soft snaps of electricity he flinched. He almost mumbled "lo siento" for the one hundredth time, but when her eyes looked into his he fell silent. In dismay, he watched her expression change, she noticed his pain. "You should have told me!" Stormstar cried aloud and Zalex averted his gaze in shame. The worried female continued to spew her concerns for him as tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, making them shimmer in the moonlight. She called him an idiot, she called him stupid, she called him handsome... and she called him brave. Zalex bowed his head and squeezed his eyes shut. A single tear fell to the ground from the combination of pain, exhaustion, sadness, and joy. "Lo siento, lo siento señorita Stormstar, no quería hacerte preocupar. Yo no... lo siento." He mumbled softly under her wailing scolds, she probably couldn't hear him, or would even listen to his apology.

There was a short pause in Storm's train of words so the wounded male thought that he should just tell the truth and not make up any more excuses. "I forgot the herbs White Magic told me to use."
He said softly in his thick rumbling accent with his head still looking down at his paws. Zalex wasn't even sure if she heard him all, but her next actions surprised him. In an instant her head was pressed over his neck and her sobs were felt in his heart. She again called him an idiot, and again called him brave and handsome. She looked back into his eyes, and he met that gaze, that tear-filled, heart-stopping gaze. Love and admiration was in the middle of the small space between them until Storm sealed it with touching her head to his chest and nuzzling her nose in his thick brown fur. Zalex laid his head over hers and burried his muzzle in the soft fur behind her ear, her scent overwhelming his emotions as he listened to her tell her story. In each word she said her heart was in it, and Zalex was there to listen to every single one of them.

Proclamations of love echoed in the small cave, and Zalex's ears shivered as he heard them spoken from Storm. How could she say that about him, she hardly knew him. Growing up his sisters had often called him the mighty hunter, but never brave or handsome. Even other females of the pack wouldn't dare talk to the alpha's son like that. This was the first time Zalex had experienced the closeness of companionship, the words of love, and the emotions of romance. His pack was founded on the principles of honor and respect, and romance was only for intamace of mates. Love was sacred when it was found, and the young male wolves were taught to never loose honor or respect even in the midst of love. Storm's words shouted in his head and her scent made his insides burn, but he would never do something that would make her feel uncomfortable, he would only go as far as she would give permission.

Her sobs grow stronger as she let her feelings out, and each cry shook her body. Zalex pressed his head over her neck, trying to comfort her. Hoping that his embrace was at least making her feel safe. "You are the one connection to this new life, and I can't lose you because you are my tether to this life now. I love you, and I can't go back. Her words rung in his head and repeated themselves in a loop. "Stormstar." The gray she-wolf shifted and set her eyes on his unwavering blue orbs. Zalex stared into hers and was lost in the utter beauty of them, their realness, and the endless depth of compassion that they expressed. Right then and there, Zalex knew that this was a wolf that he wanted to know better, that he wanted to adventure with, that he wanted to face the challenges of life with, that he wanted to be with forever. "Yo también te amo." He whispered.

There was a moment of silence, and then Stormstar turned the question back to him, she wanted to know his story now. Zalex had almost forgeten about his wound, his emotions were so focused on the love filled moment that he didn't notice the continued throbbing and the painful stiffness of his shoulder. He gave a hesitated chuckle before sighing and proceeding to tell her that he had acquired the wound in a battle against his pack and two others. "So many packmates died... and family. What I know of. " There was a tremble in his voice as he spoke, "My padre's final words tell me to run away. To escape the battle. I did." A sob choked his words and he dropped his head with his eyes shut tight. "I feel like I turned my back to them. I left them all to die. I am not brave like you say." Zalex wanted to feel her close again, he wanted to be lost in her scent, the warmth of her body, the rhythm of her heartbeat. But he respected her and would not push himself on her. "I am not brave... but I will try to be, for you siñorita Stormstar." The physical pain and mental pain got to him, and he wrinkled his face in agony, tucking his head lower, not wanting to worry the tender hearted female before him. Trembles shook his body and more tears hit the ground. "Lo siento, intentaré." He whispered, overwhelmed by all of the emotions churning inside of him.

@pittypat

[Deleted]

Stormstar:
Storm smiled softly.

She didn't miss the pained look on his face, then realized he was crying. She started worrying again. "Zelax," she began, worry spiking. "You need to stop sacrificing yourself." She said simply, trying to figure out what she could do. The cold chill was reaching her now, and she was now set on getting them both inside the warm den. "Come on, let's get you inside. It's too cold out here." Nervously, she touched her nose to his. Eyes closed, and desperately hoping this wouldn't end in disaster.

Pulling away, she nudged him as softly as she could inside. Peering into the den, she could make out Aurelia still sleeping peacefully on her mother's old bed of moss. Her smile looking at the pup was soft.

Turning back to her.. What were they any more? Mates? Friends with benefits? Boyfriend-Girlfriend? She didn't know. Though she wasn't sure she wanted a label just yet. They should figure this out first. Labels could come later, and.. A family? Would Storm even make a good mother? Aurelia didn't complain, (Besides the constantly moving part). Halo had been a good mother, so if she was good enough for Aurelia, would she be good enough for pups of her own? She had no doubts that Zelax would be a good father. He practically oozed confidence and protectiveness.

She looked over at the male in question. What on earth were they? A pup, a she-wolf with a crushed leg, and a battle scared male who at best were extended family. The only two adults were woken from nightmares, and the pup had lost her true parents. But, what if they could pull it off? Storm hoped they could, with the other two's survival on her. She was the only one who could hunt without pain, and there was no way she was letting Aurelia help until she was a year old at least. Any pups she might have at some point would have to wait.

She looked back at Zelax, knowing she should say something. "None of us have much left, but.. We have each other I guess. My father used to say all you need in life is family."

[Blood]

Zalex:

Her words were enough to keep him warm inside, her breath touching his ears as his head was bowed. She encouraged him to go back into the den with her and escape the breeze that had started to show its bitter touch. Zalex lifted his head and was greeted with the sweet face of Stormstar, the tip of her nose suddenly was touching his and she shut her eyes. In surprise, Zalex took his breath in, but the warmth that exploded in his chest made him exhale slowly with happiness. All thoughts of pain vanished from his mind as he leaned in a little while keeping his eyes on the silver face of the she-wolf. The moment seemed to last forever, but Storm finally pulled away and then she gently probed him to come in the den. Zalex could hardly feel the chilling night because his heart was filled with such warm joy. He found himself wanting more of her company, more of her gentle touch, it soothed him, brushed away the physical pain and mental pain. The short moment had seemed endless, but now that it was over, it hadn't been long enough.

Zalex started walking into the den again, and the pain flared as expected. He ignored it with a scowl and slowly made his way to the back where he found a spot maybe big enough for two wolves. He wanted Stormstar to lay near him, maybe then he would sleep better with her gentle touch. Trying not to wake Aurelia from her peaceful sleep, Zalex lowered his body to the floor with a soft grown. His bright blue eyes glowed in the darkness of the den as they returned to the sweet face of the gray she-wolf. She spoke up, her voice a soft whisper as she too had in mind to keep little Aurelia asleep. Zalex nodded and a pained smile crossed his lips. They both knew that sorrow too well.

"Your padre speaks wise words." The brown male soft said to Storm. His gaze dropped to the sleeping pup next to him and he whispered in spanish, "Sí, siempre nos tendremos entre nosotros."

[Deleted]

A few weeks later...
Stormstar:
Stormstar sighed happily. Winter was back (She'd lost track of the seasons again), and the snow was falling softly. The large dark female sighed out a large puff of breath, causing the snowflakes to dance around. Her face was freckled lightly, nothing she was unfamiliar with. Watching the snow was a pass time she had enjoyed for a long long time. Her dark front legs were crossed, left over right, in a very relaxed position. She was positioned outside of a mossy stone den, to the left enough so that she could keep a eye on the entrance without actually blocking it.

The clouds let out a thunderous BOOOOOMMMM!!!!!, loud enough to startle Storm's fur strait up. Taking a deep breath, her fur calmed down quickly. But when she yawned, bolts of electricity still shot from tooth to tooth. She didn't care much, why should she? It was a defense, something that had kept her alive and still kept her safe. Much like her beloved.

Looking into the den, she smiled. Zelax was the best wolf she could ever have asked for to fall in love with. His blue eyes (Lighter then her's by a good deal), his stunning coat, and his heart of absolute gold wider then the valley.

Storm sighed again, closing her dark blue eyes and sighing again with a soft smile on her face. There was no better life, she had all she could ever ask for. Flicking her near-black tail free of snow, she leaned her head back against the den wall in contentment. She had everything.. She nearly fell asleep, her head drooping to her paws as the snow caught on her thick guard coat. Her breath misted in the snowy air, and her blue eyes were still open lazily watching the snow dance in the wind.

It had only been a few weeks, but Storm had held down the fort pretty well. No one was starving (Aurelia was plump as a rabbit and Storm was certain she and Zelax had gained a few pounds). But now Zelax seemed better, so she knew that soon they would be able to go on hunting trips where they could get more food. She needed to make sure he wasn't hiding his pain, but as soon as he was feeling up to it they would go to the hunting plains. Alone. Without Aurelia. They would be alone and they could talk without worrying about a puppy overhearing.

[Blood]

Zalex:

From his resting position, Zalex lifted his head and yawned wide. His warm breath creating a misty cloud that quickly disappeared in the still air of the den. The small space was definitely warmer than the outside world, but the mossy cave couldn't keep out all the snowflakes. A soft draft carried in some white powder from the winter wonderland that awaited him beyond the dark walls of his new home that he was sharing with Stormstar and Aurelia. They were very generous to have taken him in like that and looked after him while he was in the healing process, and it was almost over. The large brown male stood as best he could in the small space and stretched out his front legs, spreading his paws out and flecking his toes. There was a slight stiffness in his shoulder from the wound, for it hadn't fully healed yet, but he still pressed past the temporary discomfort and forced it to stretch. The scar was slowly disappearing under his fast growing overcoat, but the dark purple skin could still be seen snaking from his shoulder up to the base of his neck.

Zalex bent his neck around and tried to see as much of the wound as he could, but the angle prohibited him from seeing all but the tip of it. He sighed and gazed out of the the den mouth, the wound would always be a reminder of how he lost his family and the rest of his pack, but it would also by there to remind him of the saving actions of Stormstar and his new life in the valley. He didn't know then, but Zalex would soon realize the stories and memories he would share just from the scar across his shoulder.

Stepping out of the cave, the white landscape blinded Zalex until his eyes adjusted and he noticed the dark gray she-wolf laying near the entrance. His slit of eyes beamed down at her and he gently poked the top of her head with his cold nose. A soft shock passed through his ears, but he was used to the electricity that always seemed to be surrounding the female. Especially through the weeks of his healing, every time he touched her his fur would click and stand up. It wasn't terrible, and he still adored her despite her uncontrollable power of electricity. Her strong heart was what got the through such a hard time.

"Cómo estás señorita Stormstar? Are you well? Hace frío. Por favor stay warm." H bent further down to her level and licked the tip of her cold black nose with a smile on his face.

@pittypat