I had a crush on Humphrey ever since I first met him, when we were very young. He was brought into the group of Omega pups that I was in, so that he could be with pups of his own rank. As soon as I saw him, I just knew he'd be my boyfriend. He was so cute! He'd sat at the edge of our group, since he didn't know anyone yet. I walked right up to him, laid my ears back, smiled my most charming smile, wagged my tail, and introduced myself. "Hi! I'm Sweets. What's your name, cutie?"

He looked uncomfortable for a few moments, looking down at his paws and shifting from one to the other. Then he looked up and grinned. "Uh, hey, Sweets. I'm Humphrey. Do you really think I'm cute?"

I raised my paw to my mouth and giggled. "Of course I do, silly. I wouldn't have called you 'cutie' if I didn't."

He continued grinning. "Oh. Uhh . . . I think you're pretty, Sweets."

My turn to have an awkward moment. I knew it was true, of course, but to actually have someone I'd taken a shine to come out and say it . . . I ducked my head in embarrassment and brought my eyes up to look at him. "Do you really think so, Humphrey?"

He nodded, grinning. "Sure, I do, Sweets."

Just then, Kate went walking past. Humphrey's attention instantly snapped to her. He got up and trotted over to her, wagging his tail and grinning. "Heya, Kate. How are ya this morning?"

She smiled over at him. "Oh hey, Humphrey. I'm fine. I'm off to play-practice hunting. See ya!" She walked off, leaving Humphrey to stare after her.

"Yeah, see ya, Kate," he said, his head and tail drooping.

That's when I started to realize that I didn't stand a chance with Humphrey. He already had it bad for Kate, in spite of the rank difference.

I didn't give up right away, though. Oh, no! All through that spring, summer, and fall, I talked to Humphrey every chance I got. More often than not, though, Kate would happen to go by on some Alpha pup business or other, and I'd lose Humphrey's attention, more than long enough to break whatever moment we might have had.

Then, during the winter, while Kate was away at Alpha School, I thought I'd have the chance to get Humphrey's mind off Kate. But I was wrong. He and his Omega buddies were too busy logsledding in the snow to even have time for me to catch him to talk with him. They were gone all day, every day. I think Humphrey wanted to practice so that when the spring came again, he might have a chance to impress Kate with their logsledding skill.

By the next spring, we were yearlings, ready for our first Moonlight Howl. I asked Humphrey if he'd howl with me, only to have him turn me down. Some Omega male I don't even remember the name of asked me a little later, and I ended up howling with him. All I remember is that our howls most definitely did NOT match, and that he kept trying to tell me corny jokes. Talk about awkward! Worst. Date. Ever.

The next Howl was the first one in the movie, and you all know the story from there.

Oh, and just so you know - I don't blame Kate or Humphrey, and I'm most definitely NOT upset at either of them. Looking back on it, it was all meant to be.

But even if I wouldn't change things if I could, I still can't help but think of what might have been . . .