The sun began to rise over the mountains, the winter storm from the previous night a distant memory. However, the storm did not dissipate before it could leave behind a fresh surprise to the Rogue Pack; A thin sifting of snow. The snow itself was not deep, but it did make running up hill difficult. The other Alphas were racing up the hill, on their way to the area that they would present their bait, so as to lure their prey in. Said bait was in the jaws of Princess, who at this point was huffing and wheezing at the exertion of running with a pup in her teeth. Truth be told, she secretly wished the pup was large enough to be able to run by himself.

Samuel, who had lagged behind the other Alpha's, turned with a concerned look on his face. Falling back to join Princess and their ward, Samuel brushed against the exhausted female's side. Princess blushed, which did not go unnoticed by Samuel; the previous night, the two adult wolves had given into their feelings for each other, having shared their first kiss. Once back with Princess, Samuel leaned in his head, so that his jaws were near Runt.

"Hear," he whispered gently, "let me carry him for a while, you need a break." However, Princess, being as proud as she was stubborn, pulled her head away, and Runt along with it.

"I am perfectly capable, My Dear Samuel," she responded in a teasing laugh. Samuel just smiled and, before Princess could react, she felt Samuel quickly pull Runt away from her, without hurting the pup, mind you, earning a fit of laughter from the small wolf, who found himself enjoying the little bit of merriment. Flustered, Princess shot Samuel an unamused glare.

"That's cute," joked Samuel, laughing with Runt at the flustered look on his new girlfriend's face, "You think I'm giving you a choice." With that Samuel turned around and began to run in order to catch up with King and the Rogue's, Princess following close behind, shaking her head as she smiled in amusement. As they ran, Samuel couldn't help but feel considerably happier. For so long he has had to repress his Omega tendencies. But now, he could finally be himself. After a few minutes, the three wolves finally began to catch up with the Rogue Pack. As they drew closer, Runt let out a small sigh, drawing in the attention of Samuel and Princess.

"What a way to spend the holidays" he muttered, "Away from my family." Offering a small smile to the two adults, said wolves glanced sadly at each other. Samuel, out of the two, understood most of all; this was the first holiday he would spend away from home also. Which reminded Samuel that Runt was still young, and needed to live in order to make happy memories. This brought up in his mind the conversation he and Princess had the night before;

How would they help Runt escape?

He was quickly brought out of his thoughts as the Pack had arrived at their destination; a small rock outcropping at the northern edge of Banff National Park. After being ordered by King to place Runt at the very edge of the cliff, wishing for their bait to be prominently featured to their prey, Samuel retreated to Princess's side. Knowing what he was thinking, Princess decided to initiate the conversation.

"Well?" she inquired. Samuel, who had received very little sleep trying to devise a plan, had actually managed to cook one up. Turning to Princess, his eyes showed some confidence as he relayed what he had thought up.

"We both know that the Western Pack isn't going to send all their Alpha's, right?" he whispered, earning a nod from Princess. "They will more than likely send a smaller contingent, one of which Runt's parents will most likely be a part of?" Princess, although catching on to what was being proposed, was still confused.

"But what does that have to do with getting Runt away?"

"His father is a very good friend of mine." This actually shocked Princess, although she didn't show it. Catching on to her shock, Samuel continued to explain. "When I was a pup, I would always sneak into the Western Pack to play with Humphrey and his friends. Whenever it became apparent I would be caught, as it would mean significant trouble between the West and North, Humphrey would serve as a distraction while his friends got me back to my pack." Princess's eyes widened at the sudden realization.

"Humphrey will serve as their distraction," she added, quickly becoming aware of the plan as Samuel's smile widened.

"And as that happens," Samuel continued to add, "They will send someone to retrieve Runt, most likely his mother, Kate." Princess was so excited that she nearly jumped onto Samuel, but refrained as it would draw unwanted attention. Instead, she place a quick kiss on his cheek, earning a small chuckle from the Celtic wolf in return.

"That's brilliant," she quietly laughed. Unfortunately, the silent celebration was cut short as they noticed what appeared to be a duck and a goose circling overhead.

"Even the birds smell death," they heard a nearby Rogue scoff at Runt, earning a snide comment from the annoyed pup.

"Yeah," Runt stated, "I think their smelling you." The wolf suddenly lunged toward Runt, only to be blocked by a snarling Princess.

"Back away," she barked in a threatening growl; the wolf was having none of it.

"Let me at that smart-alack omega," the wolf growled back. As this happened, Samuel couldn't help but tiredly roll his eyes at the angered males actions, a small smile forming on his muzzle at the thought of what Princess would do to him. Obviously entertained by the display before him, Runt simply smiled as he watched the drama unfold.

"Nice," he said, "Did I cause this?" The question was deafened by the loud growls coming from the two Alphas. Princess seemed to gain leverage in intimidation as she slowly backed her opponent toward the edge of the cliff. Before the Rogue knew it, he was tumbling downhill, landing in a dusty heap, totally disoriented from the fall. After a snide comment from Runt to "walk it off," said pup said something that made Princess's heart stop.

"You're just like my mom." Tears began to form in Princess's eyes, unnoticed by the other Rogues except Samuel, who smiled softly at the comment, as Princess allowed a small smile to grace her own lips. After recomposing herself, Princess turned to meet the angry gaze of her father.

"Why did you do that?" he growled menacingly. Princess, who was going to attempt to put it down to "protecting their bait," was quickly cut off.

"If they don't send a rescue brigade by sundown," King seethed, "the runt will be of no use to us," he ended ominously. "Do you understand me?" Samuel's eyes quickly widened in terror at this startling revelation. After a brief moment of hesitation, Princess, equally shocked, nodded. After her father left with the handful of Rogues on that ledge, Princess ran to Samuel, forcing her head into his furry chest as tears of fear began to stream down her cheeks, all while Samuel used one of his forepaws to bring her closer, planting a hard kiss on the top of her head as his own wide eyes filled with tears. Runt, still reeling from the realization that King planned to kill him, took no notice. Samuel, attempting to comprehend what was about to transpire, revealed a crucial catch in his plan to Princess.

"We just need to make sure no one kills him before then."

"S-Sam," the two adults heard Runt whimper. Looking to said pup, both Samuel and Princess's hearts broke as they saw the pup look at them with wide, fearful eyes as he walked towards them. What Runt asked next made the moment even more painful.

"Am I going to die?" In an instant, Princess pulled Runt between her and Samuel, gently licking his tears of fear from his cheeks as Samuel answered.

"No, Runt," he said with a tone that conveyed pure conviction, "We are not going to let that happen."