Chapter 3:
Humphrey's Idea
It was the day after Humphrey had taken Runt and Daria log boarding, and Daria had seemingly fallen in love with Nars, when he got an idea that would help both him and Kate bond with their children more. It was still hard for the first-time parents to accept that Runt, Claudette, and Stinky were starting to truly grow up. Claudette had married Fleet and could be with puppies, and Stinky had just married a southern pack alpha called Mica, after going through a rough time because of her father Griffin and her mother Banja. She was also possibly expecting puppies.
But Runt, he had yet to notice Magril's subtle hints of being in love with him. She had been trying day-in and day-out to make Runt love her, but he just did not realize what all of her actions and words meant. He thought she was just playing with him. But the truth that Magril did not realize was that Runt did not have the same romantic feelings for her that she had for him. Runt loved Magril as a friend and that was about it. There was only one female he had his eyes set on, but he knew marrying her was impossible. Princess, the rogue wolf from Banff who had saved his life during his puppy days. Banff was over a hundred miles away from Jasper, so marrying her was impossible for that reason. Her father was another reason. King would never allow Princess to marry a wolf who was not part of their pack, let alone an outsider who was also an omega. An omega from King's rival pack, the one whom his daughter had risked her life for just to betray her father. King would never accept Runt as his daughter's mate, even if he were an alpha instead of an omega.
Kate and Humphrey were lamenting the thought about their pups moving out soon when Humphrey got an idea about how to bond with their pups. He was telling that idea to Kate now, as she tried to hold back tears that were a mix of joyful and sad tears.
"Hey, I have a great idea," he said to her suddenly. His words gained Kate's attention immediately and she just listened. "How about a family trip?"
"You mean go somewhere?" Kate asked.
"Exactly." Humphrey nodded. "Wouldn't it be great to leave Jasper and head to a nice place without having someone's life in danger?"
Humphrey was sure that, after having their first winter with their pups ruined by the rogues taking Runt and the fall after being much more exciting than they had wanted because of the head wolf, a vacation would be what all of them needed. And he was sure that a vacation would also bring him and Kate closer to their growing up pups, even if some of them were married or would be soon.
Author's note: I would like to thank Kyuubi99 for helping me think of a way to finish this chapter, even if it's short (I had intended that weeks ago). I hate writer's block...