After the tour, Mahina and Manilo asked Siamra if they could walk around on their own. The elder wolf nodded, but added, "Remember, young pups. Be at my cave at dusk."
The siblings agreed and set off in different directions. Mahina found a giant boulder and climbed up to the top. She looked out over the mountains and gasped. The sight that met Mahina's eyes was amazing.
"Wow," she whispered. "It's beautiful."
She sighed and smiled, looking around. A voice came from behind saying, "Yes, but not as beautiful as you."
Mahina jumped and looked around to see the same boy from before. She stood up and realized she was blushing. Her hand instantly flew to her cheeks as she looked away. He chuckled and came up to her pulling her hand form her face and she looked at him. She started to get lost in his beautiful blue eyes. They were much like hers, but had a different tint to them.
She was drawn back to reality as he continued, "Forgive me for my forwardness, but I had to say something for fear of bursting."
She chuckled nervously and cocked her head replying, "You know, no one really talks the way you do."
He hung his head and sighed, "I'm sorry. All my friends say that my ancestry comes out when I talk to a girl that I like...Oops." Mahina laughed.
"No, it's okay. I'm afraid I've forgotten my manners. I'm Mahina." He looked at her and smiled.
"I'm Tad."
She glanced down at his hand still holding hers saying, "You know, I'd shake your hand, but you are already holding it." He looked down and quickly released her hand.
"I'm sorry, Mahina. I'm so sorry." She noticed that he had started to blush a little bit.
"No, no. It's alright. I'd have honestly done the same." He chuckled again and looked at her eyes. His expression changed from embarrased to curious.
"Say, do you think you'd like to join me for dinner in a few hours? I know a great place for a picnic. It's got a great view." Mahina smiled and nodded. He smiled back and told her when and where, then walked away. She gasped and spun around excitedly. She looked at the sun and saw it was nearly dusk. Mahina remembered what Siamra had said and ran towards the cave that had been pointed out. Manilo was already there and was glaring at her.
"What?!"
He stood up and pulled her farther inside the cave saying, "I do NOT trust that guy I saw you with." She sighed and told him to drop it when Siamra came in. The wolf looked at the two and asked, "Accustomed to the camp now?" They nodded. "Good. Now I want you to get some rest. You can sleep in that cavern there." The siblings nodded and walked into the cavern. Mahina sighed and said, "Goodnight, bro." He nodded and layed down. Mahina did the same, but pretended to go to sleep.
Two hours later, Mahina heard scratching coming from the door to the cave. She carefully walked to the opening and smiled when she saw Tad.
"Hi," she whispered. He smiled and kissed her hand. Mahi chuckled and walked with him to the edge of a hill deep in the forest. She gasped at the picnic that Tad had set for them and looked at him.
"All for you, m'lady," he said. She laughed and he helped her sit down. Unknowingly to them, Manilo was behind a tree. Tad sat down right next to Mahina and whispered in her ear, "All of this, for you." She smiled and leaned in towards him. He looked down at her and smiled as well saying, "I...I know this is our first, well, date. But...I, well, I really like you, Mahina."
She looked up at him and said, "I...really like you, too, Tad." Their eyes met as they drifted closer to each other. 'He...he's special. I...I think he's the one', Mahina thought. Just as they were about to kiss, Manilo burst through the trees, his eyes glowing with anger.
Mahina pulled back and yelled, "MANILO! What are you doing here?!"
"I told you, Mahina, I don't trust him. Do I have to ban you from even speaking to him?!?"
Mahina scoffed and stood up. She walked up to her big brother and stood on her tiptoes in order to look him in the face. Through clenched teeth she hissed, "You are not my father. You are my brother. You don't tell me who I can, and can't see." Manilo glared down at his little sister as she backed off and stood behind Tad.
Tad walked up to Manilo and said, "Look, bro, no hard feelings. I'm sorry you don't like me, but your sister does. And I like her back. So back off, let her be happy." Manilo was getting angrier by the second.
"Listen here, bro, you don't tell me what to do and how to care for my baby sister."
Tad just laughed and whispered something to Manilo that just set him off. Manilo drew his fist back and punched Tad in the face. He fell back onto the ground unconcious. Mahina ran to his side and put his head in her lap, "Tad!" She looked at Manilo, tears filling her eyes, "Why?! How could you do this, Manilo?!"
Manilo looked at his sister angrily and said, "I'll see you back at camp. We're going home in the morning." That being said, he stomped off into the forest leaving Mahina behind.