Skhala, Cherry, Liko, Phoenix, and I cross the hunting grounds perimeter. Skhala and Cherry and even Liko at times are attempting to flirt with Phoenix, but he pays no attention to him as he focuses in on an older elk. It is surprisingly amusing to watch.

"You know, we could go to the Lone Tree together one of these days," Skhala pursues Phoenix's attention. Her face drops as he doesn't answer. "Or night even."

"That's too far away," Cherry says.

"Exactly. It will get us away from the pack."

"Oooh," Cherry's eyes widen. "I get it." I just roll mine as Phoenix and I begin to make our move as the other three bicker over whatever they're bickering about these days.

"So, how about it?" Skhala asks Phoenix as she comes up on his right. The older elk perks its ears and looks at us. My breath catches as she begins to move, but she decides she's hearing things and she goes back to eating.

"Look what you did," Phoenix says irritably. Skhala looks taken aback. I let a smile appear across my lips as I look away from her. Phoenix glances at me, a grin also lined on his face. I get ready to sprint towards the elk. Phoenix gives the signal, and I'm off in a flash. My paws soar across the ground as I fly towards the elk. It panics and flings its hooves back wildly as it dashes towards the right. I spin on my hind foot, my tongue lolling out of my mouth as the thought of food lingers in my mind. The doe leaps over a log which I jump off of, my fangs landing into the elk's hindquarters. It squeals and kicks, but I continue to rip into her hind ruthlessly, barely noticing the quick, sharp stabs of pain that the hooves inject into me.

The warm, metallic taste of blood lingers in my mouth as I pause, panting heavily. Phoenix takes the lead and attacks the elk. Skhala and the others pass by just as I recover. I catch up quickly and even pass Cherry and Liko and Phoenix, who had just finished his wave of attacks. Skhala and I jumped in unison, our claws tearing into the elk's back and rear. I scramble onto her back as she bucks and rears. I balance myself by digging my claws into her skin. Beads of crimson liquid form at the surface of the elk's skin where my claws and teeth have punctured it.

I lash my head forwards, digging my canines into the doe's neck savagely. Phoenix attacks its shoulder as the other three attack from the hind. I thrust my head back and forth, attempting to tear the meat from her neck. She squeals as I break some meat free which I quickly swallow. Blood seeps from her wounds which line her body. The metal scent becomes stronger as the scent of life weakens. I jump from her shoulders and bite into her ear, my body hanging. The squealing noise deafens me for a couple of seconds before she gives and falls. I back up, panting fiercely. Phoenix lunges at it again and again as Liko and Cherry tear into its neck. Skhala joins in, tearing at its stomach as its legs flail, its bloodied body beginning to lose hope. I wait until it is dead to go forward and eat my share. The meat is refreshing, its warmness soothes my throat and quenches my hunger and thirst.

"So," Skhala begins as she swallows once more, "Phoenix. How about it?" He gazes at her, encouraging her to go on. "So, did you not here what I said earlier? I said, can we go to the Lone Tree together—tonight," she says persistently. I whisper something to Phoenix.

"Sorry, Skhala," he says, "but tonight, I have a date with Bandit." A grin plays across his lips as he turns around. I chuckle as Skhala's face burns with humiliation.

"Maybe you'll be luckier next time," I comment before I also turn around. But they have a different idea than I do.

"You aren't talking to me like that. Right? I must just be imagining. Right? Because, if I remember correctly… Cherry and I set you up with him. Didn't we? Or am I forgetting something?" Skhala hisses. I can feel my heart become torn. Sure, they did, but I feel so… so supreme and so different when I'm around Phoenix, and to know that he wants me makes me feel—special. But I also know that I shouldn't treat them this way. That they are my friends. I can feel a groan of exasperation tingling my throat, dying to be let loose. But I cage it and follow behind Phoenix. Things will be better by tomorrow. We always get over these small fumes.

30 Min Timeskip

"When do we need to be back by?" I ask Phoenix as we near the Burn.

"I'm sure Skhala will be delighted to tell everyone that we have gone off. We don't need to rush."

"Uh-huh," I say, unsure, but nevertheless, I continue to follow in his wake. The sun begins to set, and the sky and clouds are splashed with shades of pink, purple, and orange.

"What are we doing here?" I inquire.

"We're just going to hang out," Phoenix says reassuringly.

"Oh. Okay." We sit side by side on the slope. The view is spectacular, I can see the Dry Creek and Grassy Plains as well as the Douglas Fir Forest and Amethyst Mountain—home. My shadow grows longer as the sun sets. Phoenix stays silent. I follow suit, confused by why he actually took up my offer. I had just been joking, but it wasn't a joke any longer. We are together, and we are very much separated from the pack. What could we possibly do here that we couldn't do at home? I glance over at him and I can't help but observe his strong muscles and firm build.

"Bandit," his voice brings me out of my scrutiny. He pauses for a couple of respectable seconds before he continues, slowly, like he was having trouble putting his thoughts into words. "Have you… will you…?" He evaluates his thoughts before he finally figures out that he wants to put his question straight out there. "Will you be my mate?" My heart literally stops. My breath is taken away from my chest. My gut clenches like it did when the rockslide occurred. My head becomes foggy as I mull over what he has said.

"Me?" I ask, my voice waving as my mind ping-pongs with thoughts. "We just… met… I don't know what I'm saying! Yes!" I yip loudly, my tail wagging wildly in all directions as a feeling sweeps over me. A feeling that pulls me towards him. I give him a drawn out lick on the cheek as he mimics me, and does the same. "I love you," I admit calmly. The sensation of a warm, wool blanket being wrapped around me is strong as he leans against me, his tongue caressing my fur.

Suddenly things change inside of me. Revulsion at what just happened takes over the cozy feeling within me. I didn't want this to happen! Not yet! We're only one, for crying out loud! I snap at Phoenix, and he backs off. I am not surprised if my eyes are gleaming red with anger. I back up, my teeth bared as I take off towards the Mountain, but soon the mix of emotions and the sweeping tiredness that begins to break my body down causes me to collapse. And I can't get back on my feet. The sound of a wolf running comes closer and closer, and before I know it, Phoenix's eyes are staring back at mine. I immediately feel the anger crumble, along with the hatred of myself for letting this happen.

"I'm sorry, Phoenix."

"Its fine," he reassures me as he places his paw on mine. "I understand."

"I still want to be your mate, it's just that… Well, I told you that I didn't want this to go anywhere. Not anywhere big. Not yet. But now it has," I say solemnly. "I'm not ready for this."

"It's fine. We can wait—"

"But I don't want to wait! Not now. I know, I'm confusing you and even myself, but please try to understand," I beg him.

"It's okay. I do, sort of. Just calm down. We don't have anywhere to go, nothing's going to happen," he says soothingly, in his unmistakably saintly voice.

"Okay. Okay," I say, my heart slowing down to a normal rate. I give him a small lick. God, my feelings are really mixed up. But I honestly do like him—love him, even, and I want to be his mate.

"We really should get back, no matter what you say," I smile at him, my voice dripping with humor.

"Alright," Phoenix gives in. "Let's go home."

"We're still mates, though?" I ask him, hoping he'll say yes.

"Of course," he says, grinning constantly as we head towards home.

I wonder what the others will think. I wonder what my brothers will think. I wonder what mom will think. I wonder what everyone will think about Phoenix and I together. The mere thought of it makes a smirk toy on my lips.

"Mom!" I say excitedly as I see my brothers. "Mom?" I ask again, blankly, as I stare at the huddle of wolves around the clearing. Corver looks at me, his eyes watery, like he is about to cry, but he is refusing to let tears escape him. The other wolves turn their heads dismally towards me. I lean into Phoenix who is on my right as I hear the horrid words that Corver speaks:

A/N: I'll have the next chapter up soonest time possible, and you'll then know what he's going to say, but some of you probably have figured it out. Sorry for this cliff hanger sort of deal.

Thank you for reading! And please review!