Max

It has been weeks since I had been abducted from this place when those monsters tore me away from the only wolf left in my life who I could call family. Of course not by blood, but he was a father to me none the less. After those bastards killed my mother and father and nearly milling me, Humphrey was there to take me in and care for me. Then, just as I was starting to enjoy my new life with my new father, Alex and those under his command came and tore me away from that life as well. They stole me and for all I know they killed Humphrey. I had come back here in hopes of finding him again, but it doesn't seem like I'll ever be able to see him again. He probably died just after I was taken. I didn't want to think about it, but what else could have happened. He had nowhere else to go. This was his home, so if he isn't here then I doubt he's even living anymore.

That's the conclusion I had come up with. After those wolves came to Alex's pack and freed all of those who were slaves of the pack, I immediately rushed here in hopes of finding Humphrey, my new father, alive. But all I found was an empty, abandoned den that hadn't been lived in for weeks. I didn't want to believe it, but as tears rolled down my face I had to face the facts and realize that I had no one left in this world. I am now alone, I have no one anymore. It's a hard thing to swallow, but that's the harsh reality of my life. It's as if life itself wants me to just suffer alone.

Now all I can do is just try and make it out here on my own. Most of my days are the same, just lying around waiting for the next time I have to hunt. I have no ambitions or drive to do anything else. What else could I do out here all alone? Without him life is just bland. He helped me get over the deaths of my parents, but who would help me get over his death. It just isn't fair. Nothing in my life has been fair.

Even now I was wallowing in my own self-pity on the cold stone surface in my den. If dad were here he's know how to cheer me up, he always knew how to cheer me up. He always seemed to make it his priority to try and make me smile or laugh. His kindness was almost a little too overbearing, but it was nice. It was the happiest, most pleasant time in my life, but it was such a short time.

It was odd, now that I think about it. He always tried to make me as happy as possible, making sure that my days were filled with nothing but love and joy. Yet, I could always tell that deep down he was sad. That even though he was really funny, most of his smiles were fake and his laughs empty. He never would tell me about his past other than he used to live in a pack not all that far from here. Other than that, nothing.

Now all I have of him is the good memories I had playing with him around the den, in the tall grass, and all around our home. I remember all the times he would comfort me while I woke up screaming from my reoccurring nightmares. I tried to linger on these memories the most just to try and find some happiness left. It was hard to not cry while thinking about all this, but I was able to overcome my sadness every now and then and actually smile. It was rare anymore, but it always feels nice when I'm able to put on a real, legitimate smile.

While lingering on all these messy and scrambled thoughts, my ears suddenly picked up the sounds of something running straight towards me. Upon realizing this, my entire body tensed up and fear took ahold of me. Who could this be? Could it be Alex and his wolves coming back for me? Could it be some mad wolf going on a mad rampage through the forest? Or maybe something else. I couldn't help but think it was something coming to finally end my life. After avoiding death so many times, could this be my end?

I started quaking as the running grew nearer and nearer until it was basically here. I honestly thought this was going to be the end for me, and the sad part of it all was that deep down I wished it could be the end. It's not like I had anything else to live for. Everyone I have ever loved is dead so what else do I have in this world. So yah, deep down I wished this would be the end.

However, something very unexpected happened. Instead of a mad wolf or one of Alex's wolves, it was a wolf I never expected to see again. One of the wolfs who came and set so many wolves, including me, free was standing right in front of me with a big smile. To say I was confused would be an understatement. Why in the world was this wolf here. It didn't make any sense to me at all.

"Hello Max," he spoke. How in the world does he know my name? This is all so surreal to me. "Do you remember me?" He asked. I nodded my head slowly, wondering where this was going. Why was he here, how did he know I was here? I just gave so many questions. "Good, now I need you to come with me. I promise it'll be worth your time!" he sounded very excited. It seemed strange that he'd come here out if the blue and just tell me to come with him, but something deep inside of me told me it would be best if I listened to him. He did save me from that awful pack after all. I could trust him right? Considering I don't have much to lose, I guess I'll go along with him for now.

I stood up and nodded my head, letting him know if be going with him. He smiled happily and motioned for me to follow him. He started off at a fast pace and for the first half hour I was able to keep up with him pretty well, all of that slaving away for Alex paid off in some way, but at around the half-hour mark I started to falter. The wolf guiding me took notice and decided it be best to slow down. I didn't want to say it out loud, bit I was glad he decided to start walking.

After I caught my breath I looked up at the wolf and built up the courage to speaker with him. "Where are we going mister?" I asked him.

"All in good time, pup, all in good time." He continued to smile happily. "Also, you can just call me David." So that's the name of one of my saviors. It was nice to know one of their names if I'm being honest. "Also, we should be their in about half hour to 45 minutes. Sooner if we run more." He stated. I nodded my head. I didn't know where we were going, but I felt that I would not be disappointed.

I nodded my head in understanding. It took me a second to catch my breath from just running, but once I did catch my breath I took off running in the direction we were running in. I heard a small chuckle behind me and David started running after me. I was able to run another half-hour before I started getting really tiered again. I wish I was more in shape than this.

"Don't worry, pup, not much farther now." He said. I was glad cause I don't know how much longer I could go. Soon, We came to a ledge and the sight beyond that took my breath away. A beautiful valley and gorgeous surroundings had me in awe, but beyond that, the sight of a pack came into view which honestly surprised me. Why did this wolf bring me here? Come to think of it how did he know where or find me in the first place. There were a few things that didn't quite makes sense and I was starting to get kind of nervous about the whole situation. If this wolf hadn't saved me from that hellish pack, I would have already taken off running. However, something was telling me to trust him so I decided to stick with it even if I was scared out of my mind.

I followed closely next to the wolf as we made our way through the pack past a numerous amount of wolves, all of whom looked at us as we passed. It sent chills through my spine and I couldn't help but fear that something bad was going to happen. Eventually he stopped me in front of a den. He told me to stay here for a moment and that he'd be right back. I did as I was told and sat down as he entered the den. Finally, I'd be finding out what all of this is about. As I was waiting though, I quickly caught the scent of something very familiar, something I hadn't smelled in a long time. No it wasn't a something, it was a someone…

Humphrey

I paced back and forth impatiently in my den, all eyes watching me with a mix of worry, relief, and perhaps even a little bit of excitement. Though, mostly worry. My family stayed close, offering me words of comfort and assurance that Max would be fine, that David would be able to find him and bring him back safely. I pray to the gods that they are right. I have already grieved the loss of him once already, and while being told that there's a chance he may be alive sends hope throughout me he had been alone a very long time. Anything could have happened in the weeks he's been out there all alone. I don't know if I could handle having to mourn him a second time, the first was too much as is.

Every slight noise seemed to catch my attention; the rustling of leaves, birds chirping, the faint sound of other wolves in the distance, they all hot me to turn my head towards the entrance of the den expecting Max to be standing there. Yet every time I did, the entrance was still empty and I grew even more impatient. Still I waited, hoping that by the grace of the gods that Max was alive and well and that at any moment he would come walking in.

It's at that moment a small gust if wind blew into the den, and with it carried the scent of David and another wolf I haven't smelled in a long time. My head jerked towards the entrance, slightly catching everyone else off guard with the fast sudden moment before they too turned their heads to where I was looking.

First entered David, a large grin spread across his face as he walked in. Then he moved out of the way and my eyes immediately teared up as my eyes saw who was behind him. Max. The son that I have long thought to be dead standing right in front of me looking me dead in the eyes. Our expressions matched each other as we stared at one another with a wide range of emotions.

"D-dad?", he stuttered out, taking a small step forward. I could help myself as a wide grin made its way onto my face.

"Yah little guy, it's me," I said, tears of joy now streaming down my face.

"Dad!" Max screamed out as he lunged towards me. I caught him and brought him into a tight embrace. He grasped on tightly to me, his claws slightly digging into me and kind of hurting, but I couldn't care less. I was just so relieved to finally see him, and have him with me once again.

"I missed you so much dad," he sobbed out, choking on his words. I stroked the back of his head trying my best to sooth him.

"I know, I know. But I'm here now, and I'll never ever leave you again." We stayed like this for quite some time, and I became very aware of all the eyes staring at the two of us. I turned towards them and gave a sheepish smile.

Once max finally seemed to calm down, he slightly pulled away, but once he saw all the wolves around him he let out a little gasp and hid behind one of my legs. I let out a little chuckle, he had always been a little shy.

"What are you doing?" I asked with amusement.

"They're all staring at me, it's scary," he whispered to me.

"You don't need to be scared Max, they are all my friends and family and will treat you with as much love as I treat you with," I smiled down at him. He looked up at me with amazement and the decided to peek out from behind me over at everyone. They all smiled back at him, Blaze even gave attention wave which was pretty cute.

"Everyone, this is my son Max. Max, These are my friends and family," I said, pointing g to each of them and naming them off.

"Wait, so if that's your mate, does that make her my new…"

"Mom?" I finished for him, "sure does buddy."

"And they're my…"

"Brothers and sisters? Yup"

I couldn't help but find his look of pure awe amusing. He momentarily looked at Kate, then me, then back at Kate, then back to me. He stared up at me expectantly. I chuckled, nodded my head and told him to go for it. He turned to Kate with a wide smile and ran over to her yelling "Mommy!"

Kate was taken back at first, but soon began giggling as she hugged the newest member of her family. After he was satisfied with that, he ran over to the other pups wanting to get acquainted with his new siblings. It didn't take long for them to ask if they could go out and play. Kate and I said that would be fine, but they had to take Uncle Smitty with them. I would have gone, but I could tell Kate wanted to talk to me about something.

Once the pups were gone, I looked over at Kate with a smile. She was smiling back brightly at me. "I'm happy for you Humphrey, and I still feel bad about the accusations I made about you," she said, her head slightly dipping and looking away.

"It's okay, Kate. I can't blame you too much, it was a big thing to dump on you all of a sudden," I chuckled a little. "I just hope he gets along well with the other pups, and with the rest of the pack."

"I did want to talk to you about that," Kate started, gaining my attention. "He still needs to get permission from my parents to stay. I don't doubt they'll accept him happily, but it's still the rules."

I nodded my head, completely understanding. "We should probably wait until tomorrow to take care of that. It's getting kind of late and I don't doubt Max is probably already exhausted."

Kate agreed, saying that was probably the best. We finished up our conversation and decided to head out and watch the pups play. Seeing Max play with the others warmed my heart. We watched them play until late into the night when we finally decided to bring them back into the den.

We all lied down and the pups seemed to fall asleep as soon as they hit the ground. They did play very hard, so it's not all that surprising. I shared one more look with Kate, telling her I loved her and then we followed the pups into our sleep.

Well, it's been awhile since I've done anything on here, but I found this chapter in my docs 3/4 of the way done and I kinda missed writing for it so I went ahead and finished it up. I don't know if I'll finish the rest of the story, unfortunately life's been keeping me a bit busy, and I don't really even know how active this community is anymore, so this might just be the last thing you see from me, but who knows. Maybe I'll write a few more things just for old times sake.

Haven't done this for awhile but...

Keep On Keeping On

Peace Out