Hey there my awesome readers sorry for the long wait it's been a very busy last few weeks and I do apologize.
In other words here is a new chapter for you all and I hope you enjoy it!
It had been a few weeks since they had first found there new home. Steele had been declared there new alpha even though he insisted he was not cut out for the job. Him, Revolver, and Arrow were out hunting while Rico and the girls stayed at the den. They had found a nice buck and with good team work killed it quickly. The younger wolves were now much bigger and able to help carry the hole carcase closer to the den. As they dragged it Revolvers face looked lost in thought. Steele watched him closely until the wolf lost his grip and they all stumbled Steele dropped his end and looked at Revolver curiously. "lets take a break guys" He said the young wolves flopped to the ground. Steele looked at Revolver until the young wolf finally made eye contact with him. "Revolver whats on your mind?" The young wolf sighed then looked at Arrow embarrassingly. "Well it's about Dusty she umm...She wants to well...She wants to mate." Arow spat out a few wood chips from the stick he was chewing on and glared at Revolver. "Thats my sister your talking about" He tried to be tough but he was a gentle hearted wolf. Steele gave him a sharp glare making the youngster shut his trap before he got chewed on.
Looking back at Revolver Steele smiled reassuringly. "Well I suggest you wait until she goes into her second heat Revolver. Having pups so young could harm her or worse kill her" "Well I understand that but what I was wondering is...Well...What is it like? To...Mate?" Steele froze he was shocked at the question now both males looked at him curiously. Clearing his throat he looked between the two. "Well...Hmmm...how do i explain this? Ok so it makes you feel all tingly and excited like the way you feel when you take down a kill for the first time but its more intimate. Your body's become one and you seal your bond by mating." They nodded there heads then looked between each other until Arrow spoke up. "So how do you no Steele? Have you and Miss Nina mated? Is that why you two was gone when...When we lost everything?" Steele flushed and laughed before he spoke. "Oh no, Haha me and Nina have never mated" He told them but both of the youngsters gave him sly grins. "But you want to don't you Steele we see how you too look at each other. There is obviously something going on even if you don't realize it" He raised and eye at Arrow questioningly. "Oh really? Well since when did you become such a social butterfly?" Arrow bashfully turned his head and let a small smile creep his face. He was a quieter wolf than many but he new things most didn't. "You have no idea" He snickered back at Steele.
When they finally got back to the dens Steele let out a howl to let the others no that they had returned. Nina, Sparrow,Dusty, and Mist came to them with happy wagging tails. Rico came later on he seemed somewhat distant as of late. They chowed down on the deer Steele kept glancing at Rico with interest. The young wolf was eating slowly and had his face trained at the distant mountains. "Rico? Is something the matter?" Getting his attention Rico turned to Steele and noticed the others were now looking at him. "Oh I'm fine no worries just checking out the scenery." He quickly began to eat again trying to get the attention off of him. The others went back to the carcass except for Steele, he new something was up and was going to find out later on. He put his head back down and munched on the fresh meat, when a light bump to his left made him glance in it's direction. Arrow had nudged him and was slowly hinting with his head in Nina's direction. Steele glared at him and playfully nipped his ear. He didn't need any romantic help from anyone especially a juvenile who new nothing about love. Or so he thought at least but the slight eye raise from the youngster changed Steele's attitude.
With full belly's Steele layed on his basking rock as he liked to call it. He looked down at the fields below as Dusty and Revolver played in the tall grass. Arrow was playing with Sparrow around some rocks. Mist and Nina were laying next to each other happily talking away. Steele raised his head realizing that one wolf was absent from his view. Sitting on his haunches he tried to get a better view of his surroundings. He caught sight of movement in the trees and he was about to let out a growl until he noticed it was Rico. He seemed to be walking slowly towards the mountains and was trying to stay low to keep others from seeing him. Steele got up and walked down the hill and past the girls who had stopped talking when he went by. As he distanced himself he heard Mist let out a laugh and then the sound of Nina growling made Steele chuckle. Moving into a brisk trot until he was a few feet from, He crouched and stalked him until they came to a stream. Rico let out a soft howl and perked his ears as if waiting for a response.
Steele glared as a small emaciated wolf came into view. She was a light grey with soft amber eyes her ribs and hips poked through he fur. Crossing the river she joined Rico's side and nuzzled his coat affectionately. Rico smiled and nuzzled her back. Steele smiled and realized what was bothering the young wolf, He was in love and thats why he was so distant with the pack. Steele came into view making the pair jump the female moved behind Rico and whined. Rico stood up and growled raising his hackles and showing his teeth. "Relax Rico I'm not made why don't you introduce me to your little lady friend there." He calmly said as the younger male calmed down. Rico glanced at the young female then back at Steele. "Steele this is Fawn she's a loner with no pack to go home to. I found her one day scavenging from one of our kills." Steele glanced at her and she tried to hide more. "Fawn it's ok this is my alpha Steele he won't hurt you. Right?" Rico said with a bit of heat in his voice. Steele smiled and sat down before he motioned for Rico to move some. "He is right I won't hurt you. Why don't you come out so I can get a better look at you."
She slowly came to his view and he could see she was not much older than Rico. Her hole body was trembling with fear as she took small steps towards him. She gazed into his eyes with fear as Steele stood up and began to inspect her. Rico growled and Steele shot him a stern look showing his teeth at the younger male as a warning. Rico back away some but kept his eyes on Steele's every move. "Fawn right? Why are you not with your pack what happened to them." She looked at him still trembling before she spoke. "They...They all died...Killed by a rival...Pack moons ago." She began to cry looking down at her paws. Steele nudged her reassuringly with his nose. "Come you can meet the rest of the pack and see if they are willing to let you stay." Rico growled again and this time Steele nipped his nose and let out a low snarl. The young wolf yipped in surprise before crawling away his tail tucked between his legs.
Back at the den Nina looked over Fawn making sure she was not sick. She was very reassuring with the young female and that was soothing to her. When Nina had finished they walked out of her den and Steele had finished talking with the others about what there thoughts were on the new arrival. "Steele she is in good health beside her needing allot more to eat. I think she should stay with us." "Yes thats what we also have decided as well she is now the newest member of are pack." Fawns eyes lit up with joy and she all but bounded over to Steele rubbing her face on his fur. "Oh thank you! So much!" She was so happy to finally be with a pack again. "Come on Fawn I will show you around" Dusty happily said. The to young females trotted off giggling and happily talking. "Dusty sure loves how there's another female around her age she can talk to its nice" Mist smiled as she watched the pair. "Shame others can't bond in more ways" She hinted at nudging Nina into Steele. Color rushed to her face before she glared at Mist.
Steele chuckled and then trotted to the creek for a drink of fresh water. Nina watched him go with a sigh before Mist spoke up again. "Well are you going to sit there all day or are you going to do something about that fine specimen of a male" "Mist! Will you just cut it out! I'm...I'm working on it ok" She bashfully said before sighing and following Steele down to the creek. She watched him drink letting her eyes wander over his frame. His black coat shined in the last few rays of the sun. His muscles and toned out nicely and he was much larger than when they had first met. She felt her face heat up and she couldn't help but smile. Steele turned and began to walk in her direction, She layed low so he wouldn't spot her and when he passed she stepped out only to have water sprayed in her face. Gasping in shock she turned to see a belly up Steel laughing his tail off. "Steele! I'll get you for that!" She bolted to the creek lapping up water quickly. She fell face first into the cold water and came up shocked and cold. "Steele!" She screamed out until he splashed next to her with a laugh. They splashed and played until the sun had set some. Nina and ran onto the bank only to be tackled by Steele, They rolled around playfully nipping at each other.
They layed on there backs looking at the stars there fur had finally dried for there water fun. Nina was lost in thought until she heard Steele move and when she looked over at him he was staring back at her. She didn't know what came over her but she licked him on his nose, feeling heat flush to her cheeks she immediately began to regret her action. Steele surprised her when he sat up placing a paw on the other side of her he nuzzle his nose against hers. She licked the side of his face as he did the same to her. They nuzzled each other for some time until Steele pulled away from her his cheeks flush he smiled down at her. "Nina" He cooed before he spoke again she placed a paw on his mouth and smiled. "I agree...Love" She softly spoke before she moved his paw. "Why do you have to be so perfect" He smiled before leaning back down licking her face she giggle. "Come we should get back to the den before the pack begins to worry" Nina nodded before she got up. They walked back with each other there fur brushing against the others. When they got back the pack had already settled in for the night. Steele looked over at Nina and licked her cheek. "Would you like to stay in my den for the night?" "Of course Steele I think that would be nice" Smiling he walked up to his den letting her go in first and then he followed. laying down she curled up against him and he layed his head on her before sleep claimed them both.
