Chapter 20: Not Alone Anymore
Meanwhile deep within the forest, Balthazar and Sierra were relaxing in the cave after escaping from Victor. The large wolf looks at the female wolf and asked
"Are you OK Sierra?"
Sierra didn't answered but looks away from Balthazar as the larger wolf comes closer in concern and again asked
"Sierra, are you OK?"
Sierra stayed quiet for a moment and then she replied
"Yes...I'm OK"
Balthazar can tell by the tone of her voice, she wasn't happy at all, she was sad. The larger wolf lies near Sierra and said
"I know you're not happy about something...and I have a feeling it's about Victor"
"Oh wow (!) You finally got it all figured out have you (?) Congratulations you just won the gold metal (!)" Sierra sarcastically replied.
"Hey! I'm serious here Sierra" Balthazar said a bit sternly.
"Well so am I Balthazar, This isn't any of your concern about my life" Sierra snapped.
"Sierra...I'm just trying to help you" Balthazar sighed.
"Help me with what? I don't need anyone or your help! I am a lone wolf and that's all my life will be" Sierra replied.
"You're not a lone wolf Sierra, No one with a good heart should lives their lives alone" Balthazar comforted the female wolf.
Sierra looks at Balthazar for a moment, so far apart from Toby and the herd, he was the only one who hasn't gave up on her or refuses to leave her side...Maybe he does love her, so she decided to ask Balthazar about it.
"Is it true that you love me?" Sierra asked.
Balthazar blushes at this and replied
"I will admit, I do find you beautiful and I do love spending time with you" Balthazar replied.
"I see...But I'm not in love with you if that's what you're thinking" Sierra said.
"What about those times when you keep on giving me those googly eyes as a puppy?" Balthazar asked with a playful smirk.
Sierra blushed as she remembers that she did had a huge crush on Balthazar as a pup to her teen years. But recently, she hasn't seen Balthazar for eight years ever since she left Victor and became a lone wolf.
"I was just a stupid pup" Sierra sighed.
"No you weren't, You're were a normal pup with a huge crush on me" Balthazar chuckled and smiles at Sierra.
Sierra still wonders if Balthazar would still care for her if she did became close to Balthazar but her fears still convinces her to think otherwise.
"OK I will admit, I do find you handsome, kind and not to mention, the only wolf who hasn't left me yet despite me telling you to go away...but I'm not the girl that you want" Sierra sighed.
"Why? What did Victor tell you?" Balthazar asked on concern.
"This has nothing to do with Victor" Sierra lied as she turns away.
"Yes it does! He has tormented you and used his poisoned words on you for most of your life! Tell me, what did he say to you?" Balthazar asked as he brings Sierra close.
Sierra looks up at the giant gentle wolf and for a moment, she can trust him and can tell him anything. She then looks at her scarred arm and started to tell Balthazar what happened.
"I-I'm sorry big brother, I didn't mean to harm my family" A pup Sierra cried
Victor growls and pushes her down
"This is all your fault! You did this! You killed our family" Victor hissed.
"I...I didn't mean to!" Sierra sobbed.
"You're nothing but an disgrace to both our pack and our parents, Be grateful I'm not leaving you in the cold you selfish rat!" Victor angrily spatted.
"I-If you hurt me again, I'll tell Balthazar!" Sierra tearfully growled.
Victor slapped the poor pup again and growled
"And he'll do what?... You think you have friends...Huh? You don't! You don't have friends! You don't deserve happiness...you will never have anyone to love you or care about you...You're a lone wolf and that's all you'll ever be"
"I hate you!" Sierra tearfully exclaimed.
Victor slashes her arm to give her the scar on her arm as the young pup cries in pain.
"SLIENCE!" Victor hissed.
Sierra looks at her teen brother in tears as Victor hiss
"Crying is for the weak"
"Y-Yes big brother" Sierra sobbed and limps away into her cold shelter as she laps up the blood tearfully alone while a teen Victor was grinning evilly and enjoying blaming her sister for something she didn't do
Balthazar was getting more angry at Victor as he wishes he can kill Victor where he stands if he ever harms Sierra or anyone again.
"Why didn't you tell me Sierra? I would have protected you and got you away from Victor! Heck, I even asked you what happened to your arm and you siad you fell down and scrapped it" Balthazar asked in concern.
"Because before I knew the truth...I believed in Victor because...I kinda did felt like it was my fault for bringing the humans here and for them attacking my family" Sierra cracked up in tears.
She tries to hold back her tears and tries to stay strong until Balthazar holds her scarred arm and licks it tenderly.
"B-Balthazar?" Sierra asked in a bit of tears.
"It's OK to cry Sierra, it's nothing to be ashamed of...It won't make you weak" Balthazar comforted.
"I...I..." Sierra tried to protested.
Balthazar wraps his strong warms arms around Sierra and holds him close to him as the larger wolf said
"You are not to blame for what happened! It's all Victor's fault! You do deserve friends and happiness...You are a wonderful wolf Sierra and I love you...I love you so much, I promise I will protect you and I will never let Victor harm you again"
At hearing those heartfelt words of Balthazar, Sierra begin to cry out those fought back tears at last and holds Balthazar close to her while the larger wolf holds her close.
"It's alright Sierra, Everything is going to be OK now...I'm here...I'm here" Balthazar soothed as he nuzzles and licks Sierra gently.
"P-Please don't leave me! I don't wanna be alone anymore" Sierra cried.
"I won't leave you Sierra, I will always be there for you" Balthazar comforted.
Sierra continues crying as Balthazar holds her and said
"I love you"
He then kisses Sierra on the muzzle and continues comforting and caring for Sierra throughout the night as Sierra knew one thing was true tonight, she was not alone anymore. The cold lone wolf in her is gone forever and is now free with the wolf who had always love and care for her since the day he met her...Balthazar.
Sierra's fears are gone
Balthazar has finally confessed his love and is comforting a tearful Sierra through the night
But will Sierra return her love to Balthazar when she calms down
What happens next?
Stay tune to find out!