~ When Morrow Met Pua ~

----

There was a wolf entering Sawtooth's territory, she was lean, and tall, and her fur in certain sunlight almost looked as if it had a purple hue. She was beautiful to say the least. She was chasing the scent of her younger brother, as she'd lost him for months, and had finally trailed him here. She didnt know exactly what she would find, or why he was here but she was hell bent on finding him. It was a pack she had heard a lot about, in whispers and stories, about how magical, immortal wolves ran free on the most land they could possibly keep a hold of, and how other packs she'd run into where almost jealous of them. Envious of the empire that had been born from two wolves who started the pack on their own. But she wasnt a judge nor jury, and she only had one thing on her mind, and that was finding her brother.

Crim, was alone, as usual, pacing the outside of one of the pack's many dens they had built, this one featured a rock structure, and was buried under it. Kou, Charlie and Athena where all inside having a secret conversation and he wasnt invited so he was trying his hardest to listen in. His curiousity always seemed to get the best of him. "Come on damnit" he snorted under his breath, but he couldnt hear anything.

This mysterious wolf trailed Crim to the den, and was watching him from quite a distance. Why was he pacing in such a way? What was he doing? It wasnt like she didnt know if his exploits, she knew them very well because they always found a way to meet up and -- what was that around his neck? Her hackles bristled a bit, thinking of the two-legged's and how they where always getting involved in any wolf's business. 

Crim's nostrils flared and a familiar scent infiltrated them. His sister. But did he let it be known that he knew she was there? Of course not. He'd let her walk straight into the face of Kou, Charlie and Athena on her own. And the thought of that put a smirk on his face. Oh my was he evil.

The mysterious wolf decided it was her chance to move and moved forward, a part of her also wondering what was going on within the den. But more importantly what had happened to her brother. She wasnt the murderous type, nor was she anything like him. She was kinder, more gentler and all around bigger hearted, she had known a long time ago that something had broke in him, and that was why he was the way he was, but he never gave a clue as to what, and standing here now, watching him act like a puppy listening in on parents almost put a smile on her face. She approached slowly, and cautiously. She was still quite a distance off. Using her ears, and her nose to guide her forward. She wasnt a threat, nor did she want to cause one, she just wanted to talk to Crim.

Crim turned his head and looked directly at the mysterious wolf. "Morrow. How did you find me?" he asked as he watched her approach. His yellow eyes narrowed in annoyance. 

Morrow approached and plopped down on her rump beside him. "Well, brother, your scent isnt that hard to not find. And I wanted to make sure you where okay, its been a few --" she stopped talking when she heard noises getting closer to the mouth of the den.

Crim just smiled. His yellow eyes widened and his ears pulled back, and he stuck his tongue out at her. "This is going to be interesting."

Morrow jumped back, and stood with her tail between her legs. Her ice colored eyes focused on the mouth of the den.

Kou excited first, and her hazel eyes met Morrows first, and in true Kou fashion she reacted with aggression first. Her lips lifted, her hackles raised and her tail lifted. "Excuse me." she said through snarls. "What are you-"

Charlie was next, and her large imposing, but beautiful body stood beside Kou. "Down girl" she murmured and stepped forward. "Please excuse Kou, shes a- bit paranoid to strangers." she paused. "My name is Charlie, and I am the alpha female of The Sawtooth Pack, what brings you here?" she asked, her tones calm, almost whispers.

Morrow blinked, and then was in shock that the leader of a pack who does not know her could be so kind. "I--I'm Morrow. I'm Crim's older sister. I just came to find him as we have been out of contact for some time and I was getting worried." she murmured.

Charlie gave Kou a very deadly glance and then looked at Morrow. "Its a pleasure to meet you. And I see no problem with you being within our pack.." She stopped and winked at Crim, as she knew him very well, and they where very close friends. "You may stay as long, or as little of time as you want" she explained.

Morrow visibly inhaled a sigh of relief. "Thank you very much." she murmured. 

Charlie looked at Crim and then around for a moment, he was supposed to be watching Pua, their special needs pup. "Ah Crim where is Pua?" 

Crim looked at her, and then around. "I thought she was in the den with Athe- oh shit." 

Charlie growled and narrowed her eyes. "You lost Pua? Seriously!? You had ONE JOB." If Charlie could have sat down and thrown her hands up like a human she would have. Instead she snarled and lunged at him - not biting just out of anger.

Kou, seeing as it was her job as guardian along with Athena to protect everyone in the pack snarled as well. "Seriously Crim? How hard is it to --"

Pua appeared with all kinds of flowers in her maw, and prancing around like nothing had happened. "Crim lookit what I found! Charlie, Kou! Theyre amazing!" she turned and saw Morrow and dropped her flowers. "Charlie said to go hide when new wolves appear...." so with that she ran and hid just at the mouth of the den laying down. 

Morrow couldnt help but smile, her heart felt warm at seeing the little pup. "Ah, Hun you dont have to be afraid of me" she murmured.

Charlie looked from Pua, to Morrow and back at Pua, "Pua darling, you dont have to hide, this wolf is safe." she murmured. "This is Crim's sister."

Slowly but surely Pua exited the den, and walked over to Charlie. "Crim's sister?" she asked. "Yes, shes been looking for him for a long time, and came to visit him" 

Morrow moved a little closer and sat down. "You're a cute little one" she murmured, her tone soft, her eyes caring. "Pua, is that your name?" 

Charlie, watching how kind and generous Morrow was being with Pua had an idea. "Ah Morrow, may we talk in private for a moment?" 

Morrow nodded and then followed Charlie away.

When they where far enough away Charlie looked at Morrow. "I know this might be kind of sudden but you seem to really know how to handle Pua, and you dont even know her. She is a special wolf. Athena, our pack guardian, instilled a curse on her, to protect her. She is forever bound to this life as a puppy, and will never grow up. She has difficulties, and we believed this was the best option to keep her alive. It was a hard decision to make, and one we did not take easily. Not everyone in the pack knows this, they just know that she has problems." 

Morrow nodded listening, and her brain was slightly going wild. The idea that a wolf within the pack was immortal, and had special powers of life and death.. she'd never heard of it. "Okay." she said.

Charlie looked at Morrow "And since you're Crim's sister, and I trust Crim with everything I am, even if he is - what he is. I feel like you'd make a great addition to this pack as well. I'm offering you something here. Would you like to be Pua's guardian?" she paused. "We need someone to be able to keep her safe, and their soul purpose is looking out for her, for the time being. Youre young, and she needs someone like you."

Morrow had to stop because her mouth had fallen open in shock. "I--we... -you...they..." she couldnt even speak, she had always wanted pups herself, and had never been able to bear them. Her body wouldnt let her. "I--I would love to" she murmured.

Charlie looked at her and her ears went backward. "Its not an easy job, Pua has a lot of energy and she is sneaky in her way."

Morrow smiled. "I grew up with Crim, he's just as sneaky." she said. "I can handle it."

Charlie nodded, and moved back to where they where with the rest of the wolves.

Kou, Athena, Crim and Pua where all standing wondering what was going on.

Charlie approached with Morrow behind her. "Well its settled then. Morrow, is now going to be Pua's guardian, and watch over her as a member of the pack." 

Crim's reaction was to snarl, and look away annoyed. "Really?" 

Kou nodded lightly.

Athena smiled and looked at Pua. "I believe thats exactly what she needs." 

Pua ran up to Charlie and looked at her expectantly. "Morrow is going to watch me?" she asked.

Charlie leaned her head down to Pua's level. "Shes going to be your new best friend" she murmured. Her azure eyes narrowed "So dont be too hard on her"

Morrow didnt move, and decided that it was probably best that Pua approach her, on her own. It was definately going to take time, she thought.

Pua ran over, and jumped up at Morrow licking her muzzle. "New friend! New friend!" she called out.

Morrow leaned her head down and offered her a nuzzle "Yeah, a new friend. Thank you again Charlie. My life has meaning again"

Charlie smiled, and nodded lightly. "I think its something you both deserve and need."

(( END ))

....

I think.