Hi guys her is another chapter for you all! Enjoy! This one is longer and I will try to keep them 1400+ words or more. I would also like to thank you all for reading and keeping up with the story to its current point. Now enough chatter from me enjoy the story and don't forget to like and review!
The sounds of birds chirping woke Steele up from his resting place. He glanced around and then remembered last night with Nina. The sudden pain of gilt hit him hard as he sat up and stretched his body. Glancing around before looking down to his paws with a deep sigh. "Uncle Steele? Are you ok?" Dusty was looking at him curiously her head tilted to the left some. "I'm fine Dusty just had a long night is all. What are you doing out here by yourself?" She giggled at him and spun around in a quick circle "I came here looking for prey to give to mama!" She bounded around excitedly "But I'm not finding anything and saw you all sad and wanted to no why" She had stopped bounding around and leaned up against Steele. "Mama always say that if you have a problem you should talk about it. Not make up stories trying to avoid it" He glanced down at her somewhat shocked, A pup no older than a few months was giving him advice. "Well your mama is right dusty. But some things should not be discussed to or around pups" She glanced at him her ears bent back and scowling at him. "I am not a pup I am almost all grown up!" She stood up and began to walk off. Then she stopped and looked at Steele with a smile. "I will see you later Uncle Steele feel better then we can play!" She then bounded away as if nothing could ruin her day.
Steel sat for some time before getting up and making his way to the dens to look for Nina. He owed her an apology for the way he acted last night. When he got to the dens Willow was basking in the sun and glanced his way. She stuck her nose in the air and mumbled under her breath. Steele just ignored her and carried on to the healer den, As he got closer he could make out the distinct voice of the one he was looking for along with another wolf. He stepped into the den and looked at Nina she had her back to him and was placing some herbs into a wound on a black males front leg. "Ok now just go easy for a few days and remember not to mess with wolverines and you should be fine" He thanked her and limped out of the den. Nina turned slightly and noticed Steele was in the dens entrance. He smiled at her and layed his ears down, but she turned away from him letting out a low growl. "What do you want Steele I don't have time to deal with a mutt today!" She snarled out as she moved some herbs into small holes dug into the ground. "Nina I want to apologize for the way I acted last night I had no right to be angry with you and I'm sorry. I won't stay and bother you anymore I'm going out on my own for a while this whole pack thing is not for me...Goodbye friend" He turned and left without another word.
Nina just stood there playing his words through her head over and over again. Her legs felt weak and she sat down taking it all in. Quickly she got up and bolted out of the den looking around for Steele when she finally saw him he was talking with Jay. She quickly ran to him but was stopped in her tracks by Bear. He gave her a sly grin and blocked her way to Steele. "Bear move out of my way!" "Aww come on Nina why won't you at least hear what I have to say, Not like it will kill" She glared at him fire in her eyes "Bear I don't have time for your crap now let me go!" She snarled at him and he moved aside to reveal a lone Jay with no Steele in sight. "No! Dam you Bear you worthless bag of wolf skin!" She lunged at him tearing at his ear leaving a notch. Bear yelp and ran his paw over the wound before snarling at her. "How dare you! You filthy little half breed!" He snarled and lunged for her but was quickly knocked to the side by Jay. "Bear my river now!" He snarled and nipped him on the rear as Bear bolted of to the river.
Turning to Nina he sighed "Nina what is wrong with you? Why did he attack you and most importantly why did you attack him?" She glanced at her paws then back at Jay. "I was mad at him for blocking my way. I was trying to get to Steele before he left but i was to late. Now he is gone and I feel awful" She layed her head in her paws as she let out a small whimper. Jay looked down at her for a while and chuckled to himself. "Oh Nina your so much like your father in ways you give up easily. But your mother is in you to strong and confident so why do you cry. Cause you never did ask what we discussed before he left my dear." She glanced up to him with glossy eyes. "What did you talk about?" "Well he told me he was not fitting in with the hole wolf thing and wanted to leave. I told him that he was doing well and should go out on his own for a while if he wished to think things over. When he is ready to return he will be welcomed back with open paws."
She smiled up at Jay and sat up rubbing her face with a paw. "So he will be back then right?" "Well we can only hope so Nina until then i expect you to be a proper healer and not pick fights with others especially Bear ok" She nodded and watched him go but he stopped and looked back at her. "Don't worry Nina he will be fine and when he is back you can go on with your little romance" "What! Romance oh no, no, no, no me and Steele have nothing going on in that area at all!" She all but stammered out as quickly as she could. Jay shook his head and walked off "If you say so" Chuckling before trotting down to deal with Bear. Nina just sat there feeling her checks get hot from what Jay had said.
The thoughts of her and Steele being more than friends started to go through her mind as she walked back to her. Not paying attention she walked right into Willow who let out a sharp snarl at the healer. "Watch where your going! You ruined my fur!" She snarled at her but Nina kept walking not saying a word. Making the other female snarled more at the fact she was not acknowledged. "Hey I was talking to you!" She turned latching onto Nina's tail. Nina flipped around snarling and showing her fangs at Willow. "Let go of my tail and leave me be!" She snapped at Willow her jaws missing the tip of her nose. Willow quickly let go and bolted away from Nina. She shook her head and let out a sigh before looking at a nearby wolf that had seen her act up. Mist walked over to her and smiled. "Nina what is wrong you never act like this" Nina glanced at her then walked into her den. "I don't want to talk about it right now Mist just go ply with your pups ok I'm fine."
Mist shook her head and followed Nina inside to have some words with her. "You can't just blow me off like that Nina. Now what is the problem with you and don't lie to me I can tell if you are." She glanced at Mist with a oh really look. "I have pups remember and they could get away with murder if I could not see through there nonsense." She bumped Nina with her shoulder making her turn and look at her. "Now sit and lets talk Nina you need to say it before you eat someones face" the two females looked at each other and then busted out laughing. "Oh ok Mist you win. Jay just told me that he thinks me and Steele are a thing and Steele ran off to be free! The worst part is Jay told him to go ahead and go! I mean what is his deal why would he say that!" Nina started to pace as she vented all of it out to Mist. Mist just sat where she was looking at her friend with a smile.
Getting her attention Nina glanced at Mist "Nina dear you tell me about all these things but one thing i have to ask is well...Do you like him? I mean a lot of the wolves here already think you would be a good match. After all you did save his life while others wanted him dead" Nina looked at Mist then turned and took a few steps away. "I'm not sure what to think of it Mist I mean we are friends but well...What if he doesn't feel that way about me" Nina sat down and hung her head. "Nina me and Hunter were great friends when we were pups till the day he asked me to be his mate. I would honestly say that at first I was scared and then I realized who better to be my mate then my best friend. I miss him every day but I see him in the faces of my pups all the time. You will figure it out now rest I will check on you later ok" She nuzzled her friend then walked out of the den.
Nina looked at the now empty den, and then at the spot where Steele had been during his long weeks of recovery. She walked over to the spot smelling his sent lightly, before she layed down and rested her head on her paws. She began to think about him some. What he might be doing and where he was. She let out a yawn and drifted off to sleep with Steele heavy on her mind. I the distance a lone figure moved along the rim of the mountain of the packs territory. He looked down at the river and then across to the far away dens. I will come back some day Nina and when I do I will be strong and ready to win your heart. Steele turned and crossed to the other slope the ocean was close to him and he picked up his pace eager to become a true wolf.