Chapter 5: In the Den of the Wolves

Two months had passed since the two new friends were on their first date, with that night being more than memorable for them both. During these two months, Amanda and Nero were having some nice hangouts, but no major hangouts like dates, considering the fact that with rushing, it'd leave the bland taste in their mouths for so.

"After me, you're the second of all three of us to score the success in the family, Nero!" Kiana patted her brother's back out of the support as they were enjoying their time in the boiler room, with her daughter Neve being with Rodney at the moment. "You and Amanda are so amazing together, you know that?"

"I know it very well, Kiana, my dear sister." Nero laughed, being happy to be around his older sister, though both her and Amber were older than him. Speaking of Amber... "I may be switching topics for a short while, but I think that Amber has found herself a friend... like I did with Amanda."

Kiana was partly surprised by that, since she was always around Amber and vice versa when it came to the events happening around Nome. Though, she may have been recalling: "Let me guess... is Amber seeing with one of Amanda's brothers... his name being Geed?" Nero's nodding confirmed her question.

Furthermore, he smiled proudly by saying: "I had a small talk with dear little Geed about Amber, and it turned out pretty well. Now back to me and Amanda." Nero returned to the primary topic, leaving Kiana surprised by that news, yet she didn't mind him switching topics again. She was curious enough to ask: "What do you have in mind this time?"

That question seemed like as if he was going to burst out of the disbelief and pride for being asked a such question. He didn't delay to say: "I want to take her on a small trip... I may be foolish saying this, but I feel like it'd be a great idea to take her to Tundra's den." Now all he had to wait for was that Kiana would look at him whether he was sane or not.

Instead, Kiana's face showed the wide and the supportive smile, asking: "You mean... you want to meet Amanda with uncle Kenai and our wolf cousins?! That's... that's a great idea, Nero! I am sure that with what you have in mind, she's going to be more tolerable towards the wolves!" With Kiana saying that, Nero could finally take it easy.

"I thought that you'd say I was insane with her being taken to Tundra's den! Now I see how much you love that idea!" Nero exclaimed happily, rubbing his head against Kiana's head, with her doing the same. Though he couldn't end this meeting without saying the following: "No wonder why Rodney loves your soft fur, because it's super soft!" Kiana rolled with her eyes and proceeded to giggle with Nero upon that remark.

Later on, as Kiana headed home and Nero was still in the boiler room... taking Amanda to his wolf relatives... foolish or great idea? That was something yet to be debated, yet he wanted to make sure to one of her siblings would know about this. And the one who'd be possibly be the best choice to know was Geed.

"He's good with Amber, so what's not to ask him?" Nero thought to himself as he was leaving the boiler room, heading towards the town in hopes to find Geed. He'd be either in his home, with his parents, siblings, friends or even Amber. While he was thinking...

"Oh, hey, Nero." It was Geed who greeted him and Nero looked everywhere to find him. He was resting on the porch of his house, with the first thought being the truth one regarding Geed's location. Stretching himself, Geed asked once again: "What's up?"

Nero came closer to Geed and let him know: "Nothing much, wondering how you and Amber were doing." The wide smile on Geed's face was saying enough so there was no point of furthermore asking that question. Then Nero managed to proceed with: "Right... dumb question. Though, I need to ask you about Amanda."

The smile on Geed's face kept remaining wide as he was saying: "Just as I was expecting. Not to mention that ever since you have saved her from her ex-boyfriend, she sees you as the hero. Do you know that?" He didn't have to wait for Nero's reaction, that one being satisfying nodding.

"Speaking of heroes... have you ever thought that even a hero can have a hero too?" While being a simple question, it was enough for Geed to raise his eyebrow, with Nero moving on: "Let me tell you why I have asked that." With him being able to, he was telling Geed everything about his second date with Amanda, involving the wolves.

Once Geed was let known about this, he was quite surprised by that plan, with Nero not being sure whether that kind of surprise was pleasant or shocking for him. Looking around, feeling a bit nervous for saying that, he ended up with: "If something wrong happens to Amanda, you and your brothers shall make sure that I have messed it up and regret it."

When that was spoken, Geed was finally revealing on his face that his surprise was not the shocking one, but the pleasant one. Finding the idea of beating up Nero as rather the bad one, Geed added: "Nero, as reckless as that idea is, all of us can rely on you taking care of Amanda. We won't make you regret for anything, trust me."

Nero, who was surprised by Geed's reaction, wanted to ask one last question, and that one was: "So you think it's good if I take her there for our date?" He didn't have to ask twice, with Geed nodding. As Nero was thanking him for the approval, he knew that Geed was going to let the others know. That didn't matter to him as he thanked him a lot, wishing him the best for his future date date with Amber. Then he left.

Sometime around the evening, Nero was hoping to see Amanda. Though, he was not planning to ask her out on a date that evening. Instead, it was for tomorrow, but it was not going to take place on night, but on a day! Now if only Amanda was home...

"Well, since I am her boyfriend, that means I am able go to inside by myself." Nero thought that to himself as he was already in front of her house. Not having to think twice, he headed inside through her dog doors and found himself in the living room.

"Amanda? Amanda, are you home?" Nero was wondering where could have she been. Hearing some kind of rumbling in the kitchen, Nero recognized it as the dog food being poured in the bowl, meaning she was having the dinner. Thankfully, the response came: "Nero! It's great to see you!"

Instead of the kitchen, Amanda came out of the hallway of the house and surprise-nuzzled Nero out of joy, with him returning the nuzzle in the same fashion. Then she proceeded with: "I am about to have dinner, mind if I share it with you?" Despite him having the meal later on, he just couldn't reject the offer so he agreed: "Why not?"

With Amanda's owner bringing her the dinner, both Amanda and Nero were sharing it, with her owner not minding it at all. Wondering why her boyfriend was there, she couldn't resist but to ask him: "What brings you here? It's been two months since we were on a date, Nero!"

Smiling widely, as if she was reading his mind, Nero just had to say: "And I have come to ask you if you want to come with me on a second date. No worries, not today, but tomorrow! But it's going to be the special one - it's taking place during the day!" With that said, Amanda's face was saying that she was pretty curious about that date now.

"And where are we going? Unless... it's a surprise?" Amanda asked him curiously and judging by the fact that Nero didn't respond her immediately, she knew that it was going to be a surprise for her, so she decided to keep it down. Continuing her dinner, she said: "You know how lovely it is to have a dinner with you?"

Of course that he knew that, because he was feeling like... he was having tons of feelings for her. Trying not to raise any suspicion whatsoever, Nero whispered into her ear: "And you know what's more lovely than the dinner together? Being with you." At that point, Amanda was blushing totally! All in all, with them being done with their dinner, they made the deal to go on a date after the lunch.

With the next day rolling by, Nero was getting ready for his date and with him being quite prepared, he was walking towards Amanda's place. Though, he was not alone as Yang was giving him some tips for his date, possibly knowing about heading to Tundra's den.

"Make sure that Amanda doesn't get hurt at any point because Steele is going to get upset, you know." Yang was letting him know about this, hence the fact that his mate Shira used to be Steele's mate and Shira knew a lot about her ex. "And Nero, don't get yourself hurt there. Do you still remember what happened less than one year ago."

He knew very well what was his uncle talking about - that day he wanted to see Naia and the rest of her siblings. But during his visit, it didn't go well at first and it could have been much worse hadn't it been for Sirius. Nero just said: "It's alright, uncle Yang. I shall keep both Amanda and myself safe there."

Yang nodded. As he was about to leave, he had spotted that someone was coming. Not just one, but two dogs were coming. Seeing by the body built of one of them, there was no doubt that it was Steele coming and next to him was Elizabeth. Even if they knew that Nero was dating Amanda, they seemed to be literally surprised by his plan.

"Nero, may I have a word with you?" Steele asked the young dog to talk with him. Nero seemed like as if his confidence was slipping away, but with Yang nudging him by his back, he got it as the message: "Don't worry, go for it!" Facing Steele again, as well as Elizabeth, Nero just replied: "Yeah, what is it?"

With Steele trying his best to look as confident as possible, Elizabeth was also looking like as if her mate was going to remain himself. Steele started: "I know, and appreciate that you and Amanda are dating each other. But is it true that you want to take her out on a date in the wolf's den?" He said it without raising his voice at any moment.

Denial was not the answer, only the truth. Was that supposed to mean that if he was going to take Amanda to Tundra's den, that he was going to regret it? He had to see it, he had to. It was on him to say: "Yes, Steele. I have had in my mind to take her there. I wanted to show her that the wolves there aren't the ferocious ones people talk about."

With that said, the reaction was to be awaited. While Steele was not changing the expression on his face, Lizzy was actually warming up to these words, with her saying: "Nero, I believe how much you are capable of taking care of our daughter. If you're going there, take more care than it takes!" These words coming from Elizabeth made Steele warm up to Nero's plan.

"Just make sure that she doesn't get hurt or harmed in any way, alright?" Steele recommended him. Even though he abandoned his violent and the dark side for the sake of Lizzy, the others knew that it was not easy for him to control it. With the blessing being given, Yang told his nephew: "Good luck on your date!" Elizabeth and Steele said the same as Nero was happily heading away towards Amanda.

With this town being his birthplace and knowing every single house, every single street, every single alley and every single corner, Nero was no stranger to this search. In fact, with these in his mind, he was relatively fast in front of Amanda's. All he had to say was: "Amanda! I have arrived! Are you ready?"

That was a really stupid question, even Nero himself knew it, as Amanda was exiting the house as soon as she heard his voice, with her excitedly saying: "Oh, Nero! It's wonderful to see you here!" She gave him a lick in his cheek and nuzzled him by his chest, considering the fact that he was literally taller than her by head.

With her giving her back the nuzzle, he was brave enough to ask her: "Are you ready for what our second date is going to bring?" With that said, Amanda could have suspected that this date was going to look like as if it was adventurous, but that didn't stop her from saying: "Whatever it takes, I'm ready."

Her response was the signal for them to head towards Tundra's den, with her being clueless about it. She was not thinking that they'd have their date among Nero's wolf cousins. Eventually, they made it towards the beach and were progressing towards the old boat on the beach.

At that moment, with Amanda seeing where they were going, she asked Nero with a bit reluctant tone: "Nero, I have heard that there are the wolves on that boat and in the forest beyond. Are you sure about our date?" Of course he was, and that was enough for him to tell her: "You know how the humans look at the wolves as if they're carnivorous scavengers? These wolves... they are nothing like how your owner had told you. They may be hunters and meat eaters, but they are good with us as long as we respect them!"

While Amanda's courage wasn't fully restored, at least she was showing some kind of confidence as she was saying: "As you wish, lead the way." Her response was acceptable for him so they could carry on towards the old boat. Being below the deck, Nero raised on his rear paws and started scratching the already scratched place on the lower part of the deck.

"I take it as the knock on the doors?" Amanda was curious about this signalization of someone's arrival, but she was no longer thinking about it as soon as she saw the sandy gray wolf dog and the brown wolf showing up on the deck. The wolf dog was wearing the blue bandanna. Both of them were glad to see who were the ones below.

"Nero! It's good to see you here!" Aleu, the wolf-dog and the sister of Nero's father Yukon, cheerfully greeted her nephew, jumping down below to nuzzle him. Kenai did the same thing, with him asking in the end: "Nero, what brings you here? You want to see your cousins there?" He didn't have to wait for the answer twice.

Then he looked at Amanda, wanting to introduce his girlfriend to Aleu and Kenai, so he said: "Uncle Kenai, aunt Aleu, this is my girlfriend Amanda. Dad must have told you about her." That was correct, as Aleu and Kenai both put their paws on Amanda's shoulders, with her feeling quite odd by that gesture. But the warm voices of theirs comforted her: "Hello, Amanda. It's our pleasure that you're dating our nephew." That made her blush.

"Nero, how come you have brought your girlfriend here?" Kenai asked Nero, wondering whether they wanted to be in boat for themselves... or to go see Tundra and the others. Nero didn't have to explain too much, so when he was finishing it, he just said: "They know, her family. They believe me, uncle Kenai."

Remembering how the last year accident was still fresh in the heads of Nero's family and relatives, Kenai and Aleu looked at each other and nodded. Kenai stepped in front of them all and said: "Aleu, let's take them to Tundra's den. We'll have to make sure the wolves won't hurt them." Why would she let her nephew and his girlfriend to be hurt. All she was going to say was: "Follow me, you two. Stick close to us!"

With the young couple following the older one to the forest that was stretching behind the hills of Nome, Nero's enthusiasm was not fading, not even a single bit. Amanda, though, while knowing at least that she could be safe, was still feeling unsure about this date.

Of course, Nero had noticed her look, full of insurance and reluctance. It was now on him to provide some comfort and support by saying: "I tell you this, Amanda: These wolves you're going to see are not the carnivorous savages you've been hearing about. In fact, not even humans hunt them down!"

"Okay, we're entering the forest, keep it up!" Aleu let them both know as they were crossing the first trees on their sight. Leaving the town and the beach behind, this felt like the entirely new reality for Amanda, but with Nero's courage, she was starting to warm up on this environment.

"Just wondering, how deep are we going to get to Tundra's den, if I said her name right?" Amanda was wondering, now thinking positive about Nero's wolf cousins. Her answer was just laying in front of her, with Kenai letting her know: "See that clearing, Amanda? That is your destination to get on!" In front of them, clear and standing out, it felt like as if the clearing in front of Tundra's den was from the stories.

Once getting there, Kenai and Aleu beckoned them to stop, wanting to make sure if there were any wolves in the den at the moment, as this was most likely the time for the wolves to hunt. Aleu went to head towards the den entrance and eventually the gray wolf emerged out of it - having the same underbelly as Aleu and the eyes as Kenai - it was Denahi.

"Hi, mom. Hi, dad. What brings you here at this time?" Denahi greeted his parents with some proper nuzzling. Instead of waiting for his parents to respond, he had noticed his cousin and girlfriend standing in front on him. Smiling widely, he ran towards Nero to pat him and said: "Nero! It's good to see you, my cousin! And you have the company with yourself, I see?"

Amanda was amazed how friendly that wolf Denahi was, but before she could introduce herself to him, Nero spoke: "Denahi, meet my girlfriend Amanda. I have taken her to the date here so she can get to know you properly." Warming and welcoming, Denahi offered his paw to meet Amanda. While it looked pretty silly, Amanda put her paw on Denahi's paw and said: "Glad to meet you."

Aleu and Kenai then spoke: "Denahi, your father and I will search for your siblings. Nero, Amanda, we shall let you be by yourselves with your cousins, but we'll be scouting nearby for the sake of your safeties, okay?" Amanda and Nero both agreed, for which both his uncle and aunt could merge into the forest, in search for Tundra, Aki and Naia.

Seeing Denahi in the central den of the territory was something that was quite surprising to Nero, knowing that his gray wolf cousin had the passion for standing on the edges of the territory. The urge was so enormous for Nero to ask: "How come you're in this den, Denahi? You're mostly on the edges?"

Denahi knew what was he trying to say, but he was quite relaxed by that question and he answered: "I was thinking to spend few days with Aki and sisters here as I don't want to isolate myself from any kinds of news that Tundra brings usually." While not the most satisfying answer to receive, it was enough to know something about it.

Eventually, as the minutes were passing, the three young canines were hearing some of the pawsteps in the distance. While Amanda was surprised by these wolves coming, Denahi and Nero were remaining calm enough to await the wolves to arrive. In the matter of the minutes, the clearing was now filled with more wolves.

Noticing the gray, brown and even black wolves, Amanda was amazed by the wolf surrounding she was seeing... so many wolves, yet none of them were bearing any kind of dangerous looks, but rather benevolent ones. Eventually, the sandy gray wolf stepped on the clearing. That one was not wearing blue bandanna, and her eyes were actually green, which meant...

"Hello there, Nero! I have heard you got a company with yourself!" The sandy gray female wolf, Tundra, stepped in front of her cousin to nuzzle him. Just behind her was the reddish brown wolf named Orion, a friend of hers she was getting used to. Looking at Tundra, all she had to do was the simple greeting and it was: "You must be Amanda, Steele's daughter and my cousin's girlfriend."

Amanda said quite shyly: "As you can see, I am." While being shy in front of the wolf pack leader, Tundra was smiling cheerfully and warmly, showing that there was nothing to worry about. Tundra looked around, as if she was searching for someone and indeed, she found two matches. Knowing her cousin's desires, Tundra said: "Naia, Sirius! I am sure that Nero wants to talk to you!"

She was talking to the white female wolf Naia, who was her younger sister, and to her black wolf friend, Sirius being his name. With the mention of Nero, they were both very cheerful to hear that. With Tundra calling them, both Naia and Sirius headed towards Nero and Amanda.

"You may all lie down in the ground." Tundra let everyone know, including the two dogs. While Nero and Amanda still remained on their paws, with Naia and Sirius being close to them, everyone else laid down in the snow, as if there was going to be something to talk about.

"Nero, it's wonderful to see you!" Naia was the first one to tightly embrace her cousin, with him laughing delightfully, as if he had returned from the long journey and was receiving warm welcome. With Naia releasing him, Sirius patted his back and asked: "Nero, long time no see! I see you have brought your girlfriend with yourself!"

Looking at Amanda, who was actually being happy to be surrounded by the very friendly wolves, Nero introduced them to each other: "Amanda, this is my cousin Naia and her boyfriend Sirius. I am not laying to you - he IS my hero! I bet you are asking yourself how right now." The wolf being Nero's hero? Hero having the hero? Amanda was surprised.

"Alright, now we shall let Nero, Naia and Sirius talk about how he was saved by my sister and Sirius." Denahi said in the name of the entire pack, feeling like it was his turn to announce something. Even if he had no bigger position in the pack, he was playing a pivotal role in it. Not even Tundra minded that, but she said: "Thank you, Denahi."

With the other wolves gathered around, even if they had heard that story before, it was a rather engaging story that'd always be remembered over and over. All in all, Nero had the feel that it was him who was going to start so he did: "Amanda, this happened when you were still a young pup. It was around the time when Rodney and Kiana's puppies were given for adoption... I will never forgive that day..."

"For us, the day I was in this forest with my siblings, Sirius and I were talking casually to each other. These were the days when the two of us met not long ago." Naia continued where Nero stopped, wanting to give some information of her meeting Sirius. "But now it's on Nero."

"Thanks." Nero smiled to his beloved white cousin so he could move on with his narration: "I wanted to see Naia and the others that day, knowing that it had been a while since I have seen them, but I made a big mistake that day - I went to the forest all by myself. It was then when I was attacked by the hostile wolf who was not even the member of this pack!"

Amanda gasped on that, realizing that not only the injury he sustained from her ex was not the only one Nero had. There was the accident that occurred when she was only the young pup! But she didn't interrupt anyone, because Sirius was talking: "As Naia and I were talking, I heard Nero's screams in the distance. Of course, I didn't know him, but Naia did. We saved Nero from the clutches of that intruder. But the thing was - Nero was badly injured."

"I couldn't leave him to lie there injured. Sirius and I had taken him to his den." Naia continued, remembering visually these moments. The sole thought of her not saving Nero terrified her beyond. "Sirius saved his life after repelling that wolf. I had been taking care of him and gave him food to recover. The next morning, Nero was taken back to the town."

This was the ideal part for Nero to finish it by saying: "I was taken to the vet clinic to recover. It took me one week to fully recover. What I shall never forget was that Sirius is my hero, and I owe him my life. Sirius was not also my hero, but also became very well known and respected by my family members and relatives."

While the story was said in a nutshell, it was the tale for the wolves and the dogs to remember. Amanda couldn't believe in what kind of troubles her boyfriend had gotten himself into, but she was definitely amazed by his iron will for life. Leaning on his shoulder, Amanda whispered: "Now I see how strong you are from inside, Nero!"

Nero smiled slightly, nuzzling his girlfriend by her head. Looking at Sirius, who was more than pleased to reveal to the others about the heroic deeds of the last year, he stepped in front of the dog couple and just let them know: "Amanda, you will always have me, Naia or siblings to protect you from the harm of Alaskan wilderness."

Even if the black wolf, who was taller than Nero himself, seemed a bit frightening to Amanda at first, she now had the reason to trust him. Suddenly, Naia was seen looking around the wolves in the den and with her eyebrow raised, it came to Naia to say: "Say, has anyone seen Aki here?"

Much to the surprise of the others, the other wolves looked around themselves and indeed they had noticed that all this time Aki was not there. If he was not there, then where he could have been? Was he still hunting some prey, without knowing what was happening here?

Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, as quick as flash, something ran past Amanda and Nero, and it was gone immediately. None of them could have seen what was that running up so fast. But the clue came in fast as Amanda looked around herself and gasped in shock, saying: "My bandanna! Nero, my bandanna is GONE!"

When the others looked at Amanda, they realized that her red bandanna was no longer around her neck. While being surprised at first, Nero started to laugh delightfully, much to Amanda's confusion. Looking around himself, Nero cheerfully said: "Alright, Aki! Stop fooling around and give Amanda her bandanna back!"

At first, there was the silence, but with the shuddering in the snowy bushes nearby, the young brown wolf that looked a lot like Kenai, only he had blue eyes, came out. He was holding Amanda's red bandanna in his mouth and with his comical frowning, he said: "Awwwww, Nero! You have spoiled my fun here!"

With his siblings looking at him mischievously, Aki laughed mischievously as well and nodded, knowing he had to give it back. He headed towards Amanda and as promised, gave her red bandanna back. Then he said: "No hard feelings, I just love stealing bandannas out of fun."

Amanda had her eyebrow raised on that line, while Nero and the other wolves around were smiling delightfully. Noticing that Amanda was not showing any kind of amusement at the moment, Nero just had to say: "He has that hobby ever since he was the puppy. First thing he saw was aunt Aleu's bandanna. He tried to untie it himself." At that point, the amusement on Amanda's face was seen.

As they were on the date in the den of the wolves, Nero and Amanda decided to spend the rest of their afternoon dating, with Nero promising he'd take her home before dinner. They spent the good part of the date walking around the territory, with Amanda gradually warming up to the wolves.

As the evening was knocking on the doors, Nero knew that he had to take Amanda home. Aleu and Kenai, who were observing them from the distance in case of protection, were happily awaiting them. Bidding farewell to Sirius, Orion, Tundra, Aki, Denahi and Naia, the two young lovebirds could have returned home.

Once on the beach, Aleu patted both Amanda and Nero by their backs, saying: "I am sure that you both had a wonderful day there!" Nero confirmed that by nuzzling his aunt whereas Amanda smiled cheerfully on that response. Kenai let them know: "If you ever feel like going there again, let us know." Both nodded.

With Aleu and Kenai heading back to the old boat, Nero had in mind to walk Amanda to her home. Of course, since they were both knowing this town well, in the matter of the minutes, both Amanda and Nero were in front of her house. The sun was setting on west.

"Nero, this special date of ours was so amazing!" Amanda let Nero know as she was rubbing her head against his chest. Being with the wolves was not a terrifying experience for her, but a wonderful one! "I hope we get to go there sometime soon!"

Of course they had to go there again and again, so Nero softly whispered in her ear: "We shall go there, if necessary, again and again." The idea of going there multiple times actually made her quite joyful. But as she was about to bid farewell to Nero and go home, Nero nervously spoke: "Amanda, may I admit you something?"

That tone, as if it was the most promising tone to describe ever, made Amanda turn around and say: "What is it, Nero?" Nero looked at her pretty face, in her pretty blue eyes, with the words forming in his mouth. It was now or never! And thankfully, he managed to say: "Amanda... I... I love you."

Amanda's eyes widened upon that response and she couldn't resist to ask: "You... you do? You mean it?" With her anticipating his response in excitement, Nero nodded with his head few times, as if he was unable to speak. Then, Amanda buried her head in Nero's chest tightly, sobbing out of the happiness as she was heard saying: "Oh, Nero! If you mean that so much... then I love you too! You have no idea how much that means to me!"

Nero was stroking her by her back, being finally satisfied that he managed to state out what he wanted for a long time. With Amanda parting herself from Nero, she couldn't just leave him go home by himself, but suggested: "Nero, want to share a dinner with me? And more important... you can sleep over here!"

That kind of invitation was something that he could have expected, but strangely enough, he wasn't. Now that they loved each other truly, that meant one thing: "I shall accept your offer!" With that said, Amanda led Nero to her house so she could share the dinner with him and let him sleep with her tonight.