Storm clouds loomed overhead. The wind was howling as the temperature grew colder. Runt shivered on a slab of rock in the center of the feeding grounds. Upon hearing footsteps, Runt raised his head from his paws as he noticed Princess approaching him. Behind her was the wolf he recognized from earlier, but for the life of him could not recall his name.

Upon closer inspection of the wolf, Runt noticed he was very well built; more than his father Humphrey, but less than his Uncle Garth. The cream-colored wolf had a well-kept, dark blonde mane that had a hard-right part, bangs hanging just above his right eyebrow. Ginger fur streaked through his mane and around his eyes, which, as Runt noticed, were a deep hazel blue. The fur on the wolf's tail and fore-paws also matched the dull ginger around his eyes. But, Runt's stomach growled at the site of a nice, thick cut of meat in the male's long, sharp teeth.

"My, what large teeth you have," the young pup commented upon closer inspection of the Alpha's canine's. Upon reaching the young pup, Princess observed that he was shivering, more than likely from the sudden change in temperature.

"You look cold," she bluntly stated. Runt merely rolled his eyes, attempting to brush off the obviously astute observation from his captor.

"Nah, I'm just," he began, but was cut off as another brisk breeze overcame him, making him shiver to the very bone. "All right, I'm freezing," he finally lamented. The male slowly approached, making Runt slightly flinch. Stopping in his tracks, the male offered a gentle smile, well what he could offer with his mouth full of what looked to be caribou meat. Taking a much slower pace, the wolf gently placed the piece of food by Runt before slowly withdrawing.

"And hungry," he added, "if the growl I heard from your stomach is any indication," he finished, earning a small chuckle from Princess, but also earning an embarrassed glare from Runt as he cautiously eyed the food before him.

"I'm a picky eater," responded Runt sheepishly, "Just warning you." He was suddenly cut off by another loud growl from his stomach, which caused him to grimace from the sudden bout of hunger pain. The male wolf looked on in concern at the sight of the obviously starving pup.

"Look," he started gently, which drew Runt's attention to the eyes of a wolf that held something he did not see in the other Rogues; compassion. "You are obviously starving, and we don't have much else. So it would be easier on yourself if you eat rather than have to suffer. OK?" Looking at the meat in front of his paws, then back at the wolf, Runt let out a sigh as finally gave in tot he older male's reasoning.

"Alight," he said, "I guess I can be flexible." And with that, Runt began to eat the small cut of meat in front of him.

Upon seeing the small pup begin to eat, Samuel let out a breath of relief he did realize he had been holding. He knew how many wolves were in the pack, and how scarce food was; he could not bear to witness the sight of a pup starving...

Again.

Princess, after witnessing the small amount of anxiety that was present on her friends face, brought her head under his chin, gentle nuzzling him. Samuel, finally being able to achieve some semblance of relaxation, gratefully returned the kind gesture. Both wolves actually took the opportunity to discretely take in each others scents. Samuel relaxed at the heavenly lavender scent that radiated from Princess, which was thanks to said female's daily routine of rolling in the fragrant flower after every bath. At the same time, Princess quietly hummed to herself at the tantalizing smell of pine leaves on Samuel's fur. The tender moment was interrupted as Runt let out a noise of contentment.

"Mmmm," he exclaimed, "Yum-me!" He was abruptly caught off as he quietly burped, offering a sheepish smile to the two adult wolves in front of him, Samuel being the only one to return a gentle smile, while also chuckling at the small pups faux pa. However, His smile soon turned into a frown as the little pup tossed the remainder of his food toward him and Princess. Both looked at each other, equally confused, before turning back to Runt, who was smiling brightly at them with his tail wagging erratically behind him.

"Why aren't you eating the rest?" Princess inquired, showing some annoyance, but also concern. Samuel decided to add his two-cents to the conversation as well.

"Yes," he added, "don't you know how scarce meat is around here?" Both were incredibly surprised as the pup simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I was saving the rest for you two," he quipped, "You know like sharing? I guess it's an Omega thing." Samuel was a bit taken aback; he had spent so much time, however short it was, with the Rogues, he actually forgot what it was like to act like an Omega. But, he couldn't help but offer a warm smile of gratitude at the pup's kindness. Princess, however took on a look of annoyance as she passed between Runt and Samuel, stopping as she came to rest a few feet away.

"When we have a kill," she began, "those who eat are those who fight for it." Samuel cast a sorrowful gaze down at the ground, for he knew how right Princess was; he hated fighting, but knew that if he didn't, he would surly die. Runt jumped off the rock he was currently standing on and quickly ran to Princess's side.

"And I'm sure the pups do real well in that scenario, huh?" he innocently inquired; big mistake. Turning to Runt, Princess let out menacing growl that made both Runt and Samuel flinch. As Runt began to cower, Princess began to back him into a small alcove under a rocky ledge.

"The Alpha pups DO," she growled out, glaring daggers into the small pup, her body poised in a way that made Samuel afraid she was going to lash out at the defenseless pup. Realizing he needed to defuse the tension quickly, Samuel said something that would surely gain his friend's attention;

"Terra." Upon hearing the gentle, yet firm, use of her real name, Princess turned to see the concerned eyes of her friend. Samuel's heart actually broke at the sight of tears starting to brim in Princess's eyes. Relaxing quickly at the sight of her friend's worry, she returned her attention to the scared pup, instantly regretting what she did to put him in this state. Taking on a more calm expression and gentle tone, Princess gestured to the small alcove the Runt was currently in.

"Sleep there," she instructed, gently nudging him closer into the space, "It'll be warmer." Princess then turned away from Runt, and began to walk past Samuel. As she stood by his side, she turned her gaze so that it met his.

"Protect him,"

she instructed, earning a small nod and a smile before she continued walking away, but not before Samuel noticed a single tear fall down her cheek.

Samuel slowly walked toward Runt, who at this point was cowering under the hateful glares of Samuel's pack mates. Upon sitting himself in front of Runt, Samuel began to shoot challenging glares at each wolf, daring them to try something; every wolf backed down immediately, too afraid to challenge their leader's lieutenant. Letting out a huff of content, Samuel heard Runt take a breath to speak.

"So what's your name?" he asked sleepily. Stopping for a moment to contemplate whether or not he should reveal any personal information to this pup, Samuel relented, thinking that Runt would feel more at ease if he had someone remotely close to a friend to talk to.

"Samuel," he responded, "But you can call me Sam," he finished, earning a content sigh and smile from the young pup, a sight that just made his heart melt.

"Ya now Sam," Runt began, drawing said wolfs attention to the young pup, "You're just like my dad," he finished before succumbing to the pull of sleep. Shocked at this revelation, Samuel resumed his watch. But, he was unable to shake what Runt had just said from his mind.