(Chapter 12

Kate laid down in front of Humphrey. She could feel the heat of his breath on her fur. It was light but comforting. She studied the grey wolf in front of her. Humphreys bid was covered in dryer blood from all his wounds and some fresh blood from his back. " what was my mom thinking" Kate growled to herself. " what if she would have killed him" Kate's eyes filling with anger. Kate was going to go talk to her mother, but didn't want to leave Humphrey by himself. The last three times he had been injured, where because Kate wasn't there. Kate sighed and looked back at Humphrey who still didn't move. Kate heard a stick snap and she turned to look at the entrance but it was just Starla returning with some supplies." Hey "Kate said in a quiet voice, making sure she wouldn't bother Humphrey. Starla looked at Kate and nodded, as she continued to restock he supplies. Starla walked over to Kate and sat down next to her. "Does he feel the pain" Kate asked Starla, while looking at Humphreys eye that where shut tight." Yes but he didn't feel all of it" Starla said looking over at Kate." What do you mean" Kate asked concerned." You don't feel physical pain when your unconscious, but you feel all the emotional pain" Starla said looking Kate in the eye.

Kate looked down at the ground." So tell me, girl between girl" Starla said with a small smile." How do you actually feel about him" Starla said pointing at Humphrey. Kate sighed," I'm not sure" Kate said trying to lie. Starla looked at Kate with a black expression." We both know that when you kissed him, that you were not doing that for him, you did that for you" Starla said putting her paw on Kate shoulder. Kate blushed. " you said make him be quiet, I didn't know what else to do" Kate lied again. Starla looked at Kate with narrow eyes." You know Kate, this is going to be hard if you keep lying". " Fine" Kate snapped " I love him, you happy now" Kate said rather loud. Starla just grinned "yes". Kate stared at Starla with a black expression." You knew I was done with his leg, I saw you look away when I finished, don't think I didn't notice. You didn't stop, you nearly suffocated him" Starla said holding back some light laughter. " did not" Kate snapped back. " Kate dear I'm the pack healer, I know just about everything there is to know about a wolf, and I know that your alpha training taught you to hold your breath for long periods of time, Humphrey not so much" Starla smiled.

" Well. He didn't act like it was a problem, he didn't even move" Kate said smiling back." Well maybe it was because he had the one wolf he loved with all his heart, but could never have, kissing him" Starla smirked looking back at Humphrey. Kate looked down at Humphrey thinking of what she did earlier." So tell me, why did you tell my mom, knowing how she is about me" Kate asked glaring at Starla. " well It proved some things" Starla said. " like what" Kate said in disbelief." Well for one you lied to you family about kissing him, and two did you hear Humphrey mad because he got hurt by your mom" "no, because he knew that that kiss would come with a cost, as dose everything" Starla said. Kate stopped and looked at Humphrey and then back to Starla. "what's that supposed to mean" Kate said looking at Starla drawing in the dirt. "one day you will see what I'm trying to say, but for now, its late and I'm tired" Starla said getting up and walking to the back of the den. Kate walked over to Humphrey and laid down in a ball trying to stay warm, thinking about him through the cold night.

Kate woke up the next morning to the warmth of the sun creeping into the den. Kate looked around to see Humphrey right where she had left him. She looked over where Starla had been but she was gone. Kate got up and walked over to the entrance of the den and stretched. She could hear the sound of birds chirping, the cool breeze flowing through the trees. She looked out at the plains and saw a few wolves moving around, including Starla who was at the watering hole. After a few minutes Starla turned around to walk back to the den, noticing Kate standing at the entrance. "Morning Kate" Starla said with a smile. "Did you sleep ok" she asked turning and sitting next to Kate to look at the plains. "Yes" Kate replied. "Well that's good, we all needed some rest" Starla said in a cheerful voice. She turned and walked into the den, Kate following. They walked up to Humphrey who was still laying still.

Starla started to check his bandages and pulse. His heart beat was stronger than the night before, letting Starla know he was slowly recovering. She told Kate the good news. Starla and Kate where talking, when two wolves came walking into the den. Kate and Starla stopped and looked, when they heard them come in. it was Winston and Eve. Starla nodded saying hi to the pack leaders, while Kate walked up to her dad and gave him a hug. When they finished Kate backed up and looked at her mom, anger in her eyes. Eve was about to say something but was cut off." Mom, I don't want to hear it. You could have killed Humphrey last night." Kate snarled. Eve was caught off guard by this and took a step back." Yes I kissed" Kate continued," I love him, and if that's a problem, you can leave now "Kate said, her voice strong and confident. Eve's eyes filled with rage but she just looked at the ground, not saying a word. Kate looked back at her dad," so what brings you down to the plains dad" Kate asked, breaking the silence. Winston cleared his throat getting ready to speak," we haven't be able to find garths body, but we are still looking" he said looking straight at Kate.

Kate eyes looked straight at Humphrey and back at her dad. Winston's eyes shifted from Kate to Starla and back to Kate, waiting for a response. "Well I'm staying here with Humphrey" Kate said looking back over at Humphrey. Winston nodded and walked out of the den, followed by Eve. Starla walked out soon after looking back at Kate, " I have to go get some supplies, you should spend some time with him, talk to him" she grinned "what do you mean" Kate said looking back seeing eyes closed but moving. Kate looked back towards Starla but she was gone. Kate turned and sat down in front of Humphrey, who she knew was trying to act like he was sleeping. Kate nudged him with her nose, but he didn't open his eyes. Kate thought for a minute, thinking of a way to make him open his eyes. She took her tail and brushed it lightly on his nose, making him sneeze and open his eyes, making her giggle. He looked Kate in the eyes and froze; she was staring straight at him. Kate was lost in his cold blue eyes, yet they brought her warmth, letting her eyes follow every detail of his. Humphrey on the other hand, was blushing, but his dark fur concealed this. Kate's big golden hazel eyes where peering into his, searching his soul, for something

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