The sun was rising over Jasper. The crisp spring air was accompanied by a gentle breeze that flowed through the trees, carrying remnants of the winter winds over mountains, through valleys and into the den of the Western Pack leaders.

Humphrey and Kate, long accustomed to the brisk intrusion, simply shrugged it off as they returned to sleep. Their two eldest pups, Stinky and Claudette, were also unfazed, thanks to their extensive Alpha training. However, the one occupant truly affected by the cold, was the young omega near the entrance.

Runt shivered as the morning breeze ruffled his fur. Shaking violently, Runt soon found himself snuggling into a nonexistent presence. The motion itself caused Runt to fall on his side and, before long, he was thrashing about as he began to relive a nightmare he had been having for the past few months.

"Come with us," he mumbled in his sleep. The thrashing soon became worse as his sleep laden voice became more desperate.

In his dream, Runt found himself in Banff National Park, where he had been taken during his first Holiday season. Looking around at the eerily familiar settings, Runt's attention was brought about by a young voice that he recognized as his own.

"Come with us, Sam." Turning quickly, Runt was met with sight of his younger self pleading with the Rogue who had acted as father toward him during his time in Banff. However this time, Runt was shocked to see the Sam in his dream nod, a warm smile on his face as rose to join his friend, only for the space to grew cold as an all too familiar presence entered the area.

"There is no were you can go where I can't find you."

Looking to the source of the venomous voice, Runt turned to see the power crazed stare of King, blood dripping from his jaws. But Runt could see that this King was different; almost monstrous in appearance. Looking to the trail of blood, Runt found it leading back to the still body that he instantly recognized as Terra. Try as he might, Runt could not scream at the horrific sight before him. As King stalked closer, Runt could only watch in muted horror as the Rogue ruler stalked toward his friend.

Samuel, shocked at the realization that the love of his life had been murdered by her own father, jumped forward, ready to tackle the mad wolf, only to be swatted away as if he were a measly fly. Soon, the cream-colored wolf was pinned to the ground, the ginger streaks in his mane becoming matted from the blood dripping from King's jaw. Runt could see Samuel look toward his younger self as he screamed at the top of his lungs.

"RUNT, RUN!"

The young Alpha's eyes grew wide as he let out a sharp gasp as soon as the monstrous wolf pinning him clamped their jaws around his throat. This proved to be too much for Runt as he awoke with a start.

"SAM!"

Looking around quickly and panting heavily, Runt had to remind himself that it was just a nightmare. However, it did not ease the pain that the friend he had made two winters ago, was not there; he didn't even know if he was still alive.

Looking to his family, the adolescent wolf allowed his gaze to wander over their sleeping forms. His mother and father almost looked the same as they did a few years ago, albeit a few greys spots in their manes and on their faces. Looking to his siblings, Runt took notice that Claudette was beginning to look much like their mother when she had returned from Alpha School, where she and his older brother had just returned from as full-fledged Alphas. Speaking of brother, Stinky seemed to be gaining the appearance of a much younger version of their grandfather, Winston, when he was that age, as mentioned by their grandmother herself.

Runt, who began to look so much like his father when he was a teenager, save for his trademark bangs hanging over his eyes, shambled sleepily out of the cave, stopping at the ledge that overlooked the entire valley. This had actually become a bit of a habit, as the encounter with King the previous winter had jogged some old memories of when he was first captured by the power mad Rogue. Soon, the bitter memory faded as Runt remembered that the experience wasn't all bad.

The memories of the bonds he had formed with the Rogue Wolf Samuel, as well as Kings defiant daughter, Princess, who Runt and Sam referred to by her real name, Terra, held a special place in his heart.

The warm memory passed like a fleeting shadow, and soon, Runt's reminiscent smile fell as his eyes began to fill with tears. Soon, Runt's cheeks became damp as he could no longer hold in his grief, the content of his nightmare coming back to him at full force. Before long, the sobs of a weeping teenage wolf reverberated around the den, rousing his father from sleep. Looking to the direction the sound was coming from, Humphrey was met with the sight of his youngest child crying at the foot of their den. Stepping quietly toward his son, Humphrey sat gently beside the crying pup.

Runt winced slightly as he felt a fore-leg wrap around his shoulder, pulling him into a furry chest. Having a slight panic attack, courtesy of the nightmare still fresh in his mind, the young wolf quickly relaxed as he nuzzled into his father's embrace. Humphrey soon felt his chest become damp as his son sobbed into it, his cries muffled by the thick fur. Humphrey, wanting his son to calm down, began to speak gently to him.

"That same nightmare again, huh?" he inquired as he began to use his paw to smooth down his son's ruffled mane. Runt slowly nodded, pulling his face away so that his gaze went past his father, who was becoming concerned for his son's mental well-being. Deciding to offer some form of comfort, Humphrey continued to speak.

"I'm sure he's alright," he said in a comforting tone, "If I know my old pal, Sam, he is fully capable of taking care of himself." Runt's eyes clenched shut at the mention of his friend's name, burying his face back into his father's chest as more tears came from his eyes. Apart from his mother, Humphrey was the only other wolf who knew about Samuel's involvement in Runts rescue two winters ago.

"I know," Runt said after a few more moments of crying.

"I just miss him."

Humphrey closed his eyes in sorrow as he began to recall memories of the all the times he and his Omega friends played with Sam, often resulting in the northern pup almost getting caught by the respective leaders. Humphrey, letting out a long sigh after his moment of reminiscing, placed his head onto Runt's, gently nuzzling him.

"I know, bud," he whispered.

"I do, too."

Looking out at the valley, Humphrey noticed that it would be another hour or so before everyone else started to wake up and noticing his son appeared to still be very tired, began walking the both of them back into the cave so they could get some more sleep. Little did they know, however, that fate would soon reunite them with an old friend.