(Chapter 10)
Kate walked out of the den, breathing in the fresh air. She looked up at the sky, the moon was at its highest, illuminating everything. Kate looked around and noticed her dad and Lilly where gone, but saw Starla by the watering hole washing her paws. Kate walked over to Starla and sat down. "Thank you for saving his life" Kate said looking down at her reflection in the water. Starla looked up and smiled." You know Kate with how bad his wounds are, it wouldn't matter how good of a healer I was, he should have died." Starla said as she resumed washing her paws. Kate looked up at Starla, trying to put together what she meant. "You see a wolf can be stronger than most, but brought down by very little.
This happens when you don't have something to live for." Starla stopped and looked at Kate to see if she was following. Kate looked down at the water and back up to Starla." But you see Humphrey, he is different, a wolf with half that amount of wounds would die, even at the hands of the world best healer. Humphrey however wont, and do you know why Kate." Starla asked still looking at Kate. Kate gave her a blank stare. Starla sighed "it's obvious that Humphrey is fighting for something" Starla said sarcastically, hoping Kate would catch on. Kate looked at the water for a minute and then look back at Starla with another black look. " ok let me try this again, when I popped his arm back in place, he should have been moving enough to knock us both to the ground" Starla said with confidence. Kate looked her in the eye," but he didn't move at all" Kate said somewhat surprised. Starla looked at the moon continuing to talk," that's not true" she said not looking back down to Kate thought for a minute" he didn't move he just opened his eyes" Kate said looking down at the water.
Starla smiled and looked back towards Kate," exactly, he opened his eyes… and what where they looking at" Starla asked still looking at Kate. Kate ears perked up and she looked at Starla," they were looking at me" she said under her breath. " yep, and they never moved once, not even when he passed out. That takes strength, to control your body when is going to sleep." Starla said. "Kate, I don't know what you are to him, but you're his reason for trying to fight, you're his reason to live" Starla said standing up. Kate looked down at the water, seeing her reflection. Kate lost herself in her memories with Humphrey, stopping when she came to the one of her and Garth in Humphreys den. Kate looked at Starla with tears in her eyes." After everything I've done to him, all the pain I've caused him, and he still likes me." Kate asked. Starla laughed" if I'm correct, which I'm hardly ever wrong, then he likes you as much as a wolves like eating dirt instead of meat, that wolf in there, he loves you" Starla said smiling down at Kate.
Kate and Starla got up and walked back to the den, where Humphrey was. They turned to the entrance and walked in. Starla was watching Kate and stepped on the stick Kate had broken earlier and it rolled out from under her causing her to fall, straight on Humphrey. She landed on his back leg, breaking the wood and unseating his leg again. Humphrey's eyes went wide as he waited in pain. Starla looked at Kate," Kate keep him quiet, he wake the whole pack" Starla snapped at Kate as she grabbed a new piece of wood and took off the broken one. Kate walked up to Humphrey grabbing his head, forcing him to look at her." Shhhh…. Humphrey focus on me, its ok I'm right here." Kate said reassuringly trying to calm him down. I didn't work. "Kate" snarled Starla getting ready to reset his leg. Kate panicked not know what to do, so she did the only thing she could. She kissed him. Humphrey screams quieted down, as he thought of what was happing. Starla smirked, looking over at Kate. She picked up Humphreys leg and pulled, popping it back in place. Humphrey was going to yell but before he could Kate pushed on to him harder, drawing his attention back to her.
Kate opened her eye to see, Humphreys big blue eye staring right back at her. She was lost. She thought of the good time they had been through, she studied the dark blue ring that encircled the bright blue filling of his eye. Humphrey couldn't breathe, but he didn't care. Starla sat back a giggled, causing Kate to stop and pull away. Looking over at Starla Kate saw that she had been done for some time now and just sat with a grin on her face, Kate blushed bright red and walked out of the den with her head down. Starla looked down at Humphrey who seemed to be lost in though, is eyes fixed where Kate had left. Starla just smiled and walked to go find Kate. She saw Kate heading up to her parents den and decided to follow; she needed to catch Winston up on what was going on anyway. When Starla finally made it up the hill to Winston and eves den she was nearly out of breath," that's a big hill" she thought to herself.
Starla finished catching her breath and walked to the entrance of the den. She saw Winston, Eve, Kate and Lilly all saying hi to one another. Winston saw Starla waiting outside," come in Starla" he said looking over at her. She came in and sat down in front of the family. " how is he" Winston asked in a serious tone. Starla smiled" he should be fine just needs time to heal" Starla said looking at Winston. " thank goodness" eve said with a sigh of relief. " that's good" Winston added. Starla giggled" I guess you could say he's got something worth fighting for" looking straight at Kate. Kate blushed so hard that is started to show through her tan coat. Eve turned and looked at Kate, then back to Starla. "What does that mean" Eve asked in a curious voice. " nothing" Kate blurted out. Starla's eyes widened." Hmmm. Shure didn't seem like nothing" Starla said teasing Kate. Eve looked at Kate and then back at Starla again. "Starla dear as leader of the pack, tell me what I'm missing" Eve said with her eyes slightly narrowed. Kate looked at Starla shaking her head begging her not to. "Well Kate kissed Humphrey" Starla said as fast as she could.