The Healing of the Wounds
That night, both Hunter and Tala remained close to one another as neither of them were dreaming anything. For the entire night, when they were asleep, both of them were floating in the darkness of their dreamless sleep. As if the fate had no mercy on them but to make them feel faithless for the fate of their friend and love.
But the mercy did have its soft spot when with the dawn breaking on the east, the first light was making Tala see the hope from the darkness following her sleep. She was not the only one. Hunter's grunting in the sleep was delivering them from the hopelessness into the faith from the another day. They were awake at once.
They slowly opened their eyes to see how they were doing. No trouble came to them while they were sleeping and while Hunter's chest had the dried blood and Tala's fur was still full of blood stains and dirt, they were happy that both of them were close to each other. They did not wish any other way possible.
"Tala, we're going to see Saku soon. I'm telling you, he's going to make it!" Hunter spoke the first thing in the morning, feeling how the hope was flowing throughout his veins rapidly. Tala spoke with the voice that was less sour after having her throat squeezed last night. "I certainly hope he will, Hunter. But we can't go dirty and stained like this!"
Hunter glanced at his sister's fur where it had stains of dirt and blood and then looked at the scar on his chest, he realized that she was making a good point in here, although there were lower chances that other wolves were awake. He didn't complain, but just let her: "Well, if you say so, but let's do it fast then! We can't lose much time."
"You're right. I'm sorry, it's just that…" Tala apologized, knowing that some mannerisms were important in this clan to leave a good impression. Hunter looked in her eyes and spoke assuringly: "I understand. Let's go get clean." So this was a relatively short job for them to do. Hunter was helping clean Tala's stains and Tala was cleaning up his dried blood.
All in all, Tala's fur was shining white and smooth as silk while Hunter's chest had no longer the dried blood, but the scar on it indicated it'd take a while until the forest of his gray hairs of underbelly were going to cover it. They were on their paws already and Hunter led the way, speaking: "If anything, he'll be glad to see us."
Tala spoke nothing, but nodded, feeling that her hope was sparkling bright like a sun on the summer day. While getting out of their cave and heading to the healing sanctuary, a half dozen of wolves, led by none other else than Atka, was seen heading towards east, although they were able to notice their somewhat wounded scout.
"Hunter! Tala! How are you two doing right now?" Atka left his scouts for a few minutes behind just to see if both of them were doing well. Hunter decisively answered: "Atka, you've got nothing to worry about. We're doing fine, it's just that we're heading to see Saku. Have you seen how he is doing by any chances?"
Taking that information in, Atka knew that Hunter needed to recover his strength so he went on to answer him: "No, not yet, but I will see him this afternoon. I'm taking the scouts to search to the east. We are searching for Nilak. If we manage to find him alive, the punishment awaits him for disgracing my uncle's clan!" The last few lines were spoken with the heat in his tone.
Tala, while not wishing anyone's demise or bad fortune, spoke to her lead scout friend: "I hope you know what you're doing. I wish you luck today." Atka nodded affirmatively, knowing that today he was going to have plenty of work to do. He left them to head towards the east from where the first beams of sun were emerging while his voice echoed: "Alright, rally up, scouts! We've got pawful of work to do today!"
Watching him leave, this meant that Tala and Hunter could head to Saku without any interruption. The healing sanctuary was one of smaller caves above on the silver rock that was very well guarded by two wolves from each side. Making their way above, the wolves noticed their arrival and they stood firm by the entrance.
"Hey, both of us have come to see Saku. May we please go inside?" Tala spoke to the guard wolves as she knew that neither she nor Hunter could come inside without allowance. One wolf headed inside while the other one spoke: "We've spent the entire night without sleep. And Tala, we've got good news. Saku's wounds are nowhere near as serious as we thought."
"Does that mean that he's going to recover soon?" Hunter asked him, raising his left eyebrow as he wanted the genuine answer from the guard wolf. All that wolf could tell him was: "Well, it will take him few weeks to recover and be agile before he was attacked by Nilak, but yes, in one month, he'll be as good as new!"
This was a relief for a brother and sister, knowing that they were not going to lose their close friend anytime soon. The other wolf returned to tell them: "You may come now. If you already know, his wounds aren't that serious. If you want to, you may take him to your caves to heal with you." This was a great idea for them both, knowing there was no declining this offer.
"With all pleasure, we shall!" Tala decisively spoke as she and Hunter knew what their mission was going to be when they entered a semi dark cave. It was a small one, as already mentioned, and the silence was broken with the weak, but a very hopeful voice coming from Saku: "It's great to see you doing well, you two!"
While he laid on his stomach, his wounds were patched up. His bitten right leg was patched with the fur of the dead squirrel, the slash on the chest was covered with the bright and big green leaf. The wound on his left shoulder was oozing the scent of the leaves, grass and flowers. Tala was happy to see him doing well: "And it's wonderful to see you, my love!"
She ran carefully to him and nuzzled her boyfriend carefully so it'd not hurt him that much. Since he was having a hard time getting up, Hunter helped him from one side, smugly answering: "I think that you still need our assistance, right?" He was right and applying pressure on his wounded leg would do no good.
The three friends were exiting the cave to head to theirs down there. Sun was already above the horizon and it was bathing with its rays the entire clearing. Saku explained to them slowly as they were easily descending: "Well, by the next week, I shall be able to walk on my own. It will take me one more week to run independently and by the third week, I shall be fully healed and able to hunt on my own!"
Once they were closer to the bottom of the silver rock, Tala accepted the news graciously. She knew that from this day until the three weeks later, this was coming: "And we may have an another date and continue where we left off." He loved that idea as he was being moved slowly towards their cave, whispering: "I'd be thankful for so, my dear Tala."
"But for now, you rest. We'll do what's necessary for your well being." Hunter wisely spoke, slowly assisting Saku while the clan was awakening. He wisely revealed his plan to his best friend: "I will do the hunting for you, hence my name" He laughed before carrying on: „Tala, you should look after him and if you want to stay by his side until he recovers, I'll hunt for you too!"
By the time they had reached the entrance of their cave, Tala loved that idea. She was happy to acknowledge that her brother was going to risk his time just for them. All in all, she joyfully asked them both: "What would I ever do without you two? I have the brother I care a lot for and now the friend I love! That is all I ever need in my life now."
It certainly was. Hunter helped Saku to lay down while trying to sustain as little damage as possible. Tala joined in to comfort him by letting him have his head rest on her chest. All while Hunter headed to their prey storage so the two lovewolves could share their first moments together…
The noon had come pretty soon and Saku had already had his meal given by Hunter while he was being looked after Tala. The familiar voice echoed in a distance and with the minutes passing, Atka was seen coming towards them. Once he entered their cave, first thing he spoke was: "Hey, you three. Saku, how are you doing? They told me Tala and Hunter came to take you here."
"Hi, Atka. Well, I might say that body is aching all the time. Good thing is that it's not as bad as last night, especially with Tala… and Hunter in here." Saku let his scout friend know while Tala blushed slightly next to him and Hunter smugly nodded. Saku looked at him and asked: "So, how did your search for Nilak go?"
The answer was simple: "Fruitless." This was pretty surprising to three of them to hear. Atka looked back outside and back at them, telling each: "We've been searching around the place where you mentioned where he fell. We've searched and searched… and our search had to be called off for today. We'll continue for the days to come."
"Atka, if you don't mind me here, I'd like to help you find him, but I'm here to bring food and prey to Saku until he recovers." Hunter raised on his legs to let the lead scout know about his intentions. Atka seemed to be fine with these news, answering: "No problem, Hunter. Besides, I think you'd be safer in here than out there."
He was not wrong in here. If anything, it was for Hunter's best to remain with his best friend until the day he'd recovered. Without anything else to say, Atka nodded to them politely and headed out of their cave. The next few weeks, while long, were going to prove themselves to be worth for Saku to regain his energy and recover.
Every few days the healing wolves came to replace the leaves, grass and dead prey's fur so his wounds wouldn't infect and cause him a greater pain. Moreover, with the first week passing, the wound on Saku's chest was no longer seen nor the scar. The underbelly's fur had it fully covered. At this point, Saku started walking without anyone's assistance.
By the time the second week had come, Saku's wound on his right leg was no longer needed to be patched up. In fact, the bite markings were disappearing under the fur and Saku started running by himself again. Also, at this point, the entire search for Nilak had been officially called off, due to the fact that he could not be found. In fact, no one could find his body at least.
The third week, or at least before the third week, Saku's wound on the shoulder no longer opened nor the bite markings were seen there either. He'd managed to fully recover and so Hunter no longer needed to hunt for him or Tala. Tala no longer needed to tend his wounds. It was a relief for them that Saku was as good as new by now.
"Ready to hunt together with us?" Hunter asked him as the forest on the north was providing a lot of prey for them to hunt and the time was good for so. He looked at Tala by his right side and Hunter back at his left side then he glanced at the forest in front of him with pleasure. All he said was, before all three of them commenced the hunt, was: "Ready!"
April was, by the time Saku recovered, replaced with May. There was no more snow and the forests blossomed in flora and fauna. The hunt, starting as of now, throughout the summer and all until the first fall rains, was going to be rich. For the times when it was not sunny, the spring rains were bringing in the pleasant scents of the florastic life of Alaska.
One more week had passed. Their hunt was a good one for the warm and sunny May morning. Each of them had hunted down something and it was different from one another. Saku had hunted down a rabbit, Tala a groundhog and Hunter a squirrel. Each of them had to brag for their successful hunts. Still, there was something else in Tala's mind.
"Saku, you know how much I've been awaiting for your recovery?" Tala flirted sweetly in front on him and her brother, indicating the deal they had made weeks ago. Hunter knew what this meant and it meant a lot to him. Saku knew that, he had been having it in mind for a good while by answering: "But of course! How could I forget? Our first and proper date!"
Indeed that was the answer she waited for. Hunter, while being happy for their upcoming date, told them: "Yeah. This time there won't be anyone to attack you on your date. As for Nilak, no one knows what has happened to him. Whether he's alive or not, no one could find his body so we may assume he's somewhat on large in case he's alive."
That was a reasonable idea to discuss. Even so, Tala looked at her brother and connected to the topic: "Whether he's alive or not, we can hope he won't dare to attack us on a date. For weeks no one had seen him nor found him so this could be a good sign. In other words, maybe we won't be seeing him… ever again?"
As dark as that thought was, it was probably for better that they wouldn't have to deal with him again. Therefore, it was same to a certain extent to go on their date and it was… "What do you think we go on our date tonight, sweetheart?" Saku asked her that question and without hesitating, Tala smiled to that question and went on to answer: "Tonight it is!"
With their hunt being done at this point and this date being settled, all that they could do right now was to return to the main clearing. As they were close, they intended to discuss this matter with Maska and Anya first. Even if their date was something not everyone had to know, some additional security was needed more than ever.
"Tala, Saku, I have been thinking about something. I know that this is your date and no, I'm not going to be there with you. This is your glory our and I respect that. But I may arrange with Atka and scouts to patrol the territory around your dating place, just in case." Hunter gave them a suggestion which was something that neither Saku nor Tala could decline.
With that being said, Saku, Hunter and Tala made their way to Maska and Anya's cave, who were standing at the entrance. Maska's elderly face produced a warm smile when he saw Saku being in a good shape and he commented: "Saku! Young Saku, it's wonderful to see you being back in form! And I see that you and your friends have been hunting!"
"Alpha Maska, thank you. Yes, yes we have. There is something we need to tell, although I don't know how much it will matter to you and alpha Anya. It's about Tala and me having another night out." Saku explained to them, hoping that they'd eventually understand the situation. And they did.
"But you wouldn't want Nilak or any other hostile wolf to attack you on your date, I presume? Worry not, my nephew and young Hunter, along with the other scouts, will make sure no harm come to you two." Anya understood this situation pretty well. She also sounded like she wished no ill-fate to anyone, even if Nilak disgraced them weeks ago.
"As Anya said, Nilak has been gone for weeks, but we are not certain what dangers may lurk so we'll provide you the protection!" Maska wisely made this decision and now that no one would dare to come close to them, happily answered: "Thank you, alpha Anya, alpha Maska. It's an honor." With that being said, they were happily anticipating this evening.
Like the previous time, Saku and Tala had pawful of work to do to get themselves groomed and look exceptionally fine for their date tonight. Tala and Hunter were doing their part together and Saku was on his own. This time around he didn't get her any flowers. She knew how much he loved her and at this point, he could not make a decision what flowers to give her, considering it was the spring at the peak and flowers bloomed beyond his imagination.
All in all, by the sunset, both of them were ready. Saku looked neat and clean and there was no sign of his scars and wounds from before on his body. As for Tala, whose fur was shining from the last beams of sun as it was descending below the horizon, she was looking outstandingly beautiful and ready for their night of the nights.
"Are you ready to go, my love?" Tala asked sweetly her beloved boyfriend as she had to wait for a few seconds for him to respond as the awe on his face was bigger than the last time. Still, he wasn't keeping that goofishly opened jaw for that long as he inhaled and confidently walked by her, whispering to her sweetly in the ear: "I'm ready, my love."
Of course, leaving Hunter out of this was not the option. He and Atka, along with at least ten other wolves, were awaiting at the eastern pass. The reason why there were so many of them was when Atka told them: "We'll leave you alone on the halfway, but be aware that we'll patrol around your dating place. We cannot risk another ambush!"
While it would have been idyllic if it were two of them alone, they knew that there was no way they'd be left alone and so Tala answered: "It is all well, Atka. Lead the way!" Saying no more, Atka decisively beckoned to his scouts to follow him, with Hunter and Atka being in front while the lovewolves were at the safety.
Once they made it up the hill towards the dark green great bush from where Hunter had found Nilak's scent that time, all the scout wolves and their two leads stopped. Hunter and Atka stopped and split in two groups, with Atka speaking: "I'm taking five with me towards the left. Hunter, you take the other five with yourselves! Saku, Tala, good luck!"
"Thank you, Atka!" Saku responded first and so did Tala with the same answer. As for Hunter, he lingered a bit just so he could smile to his sister and his best friend and let them know: "I hope you won't mind me showing up on your date! Don't worry, I'll be nearby and howl so I can come invited in some sort of way."
"Hunter, that's so sweet of you! Of course you're welcome to come along later!" Tala was flattered by her younger brother's offer and so he smiled one last time, brighter than before before winking to Saku as a sign of good luck before turning back to his scouts and telling them: "Come on, we've got the area to secure and patrol!"
All six of them were gone behind the bushes when they took the path to the right. Saku and Tala were alone now and Saku, like a gentlewolf, raised his leg and pointed it towards the lakeview, telling her: "After you, my lady." She giggled at his remark and she politely nodded and headed first, leading Saku to follow her.
Within minutes and after heading up the hill, the moon was full again and it was shining brighter than ever. The lake below was shimmering from the moonlight and the starts were scattered all over the skies. But what mattered to Saku the most was how Tala was looking marvelous with the moonlight reflecting on her snow white fur, even prettier than the sunlight!
Once they'd made it towards the spot that offered the view to the lake, mountains in horizon, countless trees down there and beyond, they sat next to each other and each of them turned their heads to gaze at one another. He at her with his golden amber eyes and she at him with the emerald green eyes. Each of them had the smiles on their faces, oozing the warmth and love.
"Isn't this beautiful? It's like a first date again from the beginning!" Tala sighed in content as she couldn't wish for a more beautiful date than this one was. She was right, this was all beautiful, but there was one more thing that nothing else could be more beautiful and that was… "It is, but want to know what's the most beautiful?"
She noticed that look in his eyes and as if the eyes were saying: "It is you, Tala." She laughed delightfully as she leaned on Saku's right shoulder, the one that did not suffer injuries, and rubbed her head against it to feel the warmth and comfort of his fur. Sighing once more, she whispered to him: "Oh, Saku…"
"Tala…" Saku whispered back to her, feeling how the time was coming. For now, he wanted to let her enjoy the ambient and let the date go on for hours and hours to come. At the same time, he could feel how the time for him to ask her something he had desired to for a long time was finally here. He waited until she parted from him so they'd make an eye contact.
And so she did. He waited for this moment to look into her eyes and say: "Tala… I love you. You are the one and only female I ever need in my life. You changed my life and made me a better wolf who I am today. I want to repay you for that and want to make you the happiest female in the world… will you be my mate?"
Those sweet words poured into her ears and they were like a gold. She had the urge to deeply nuzzle him, but for now she let the tear of joy from her right eye and answered: "Saku… oh yes. I'd love to be your mate! You're the only male I have ever been attracted to and I can feel it in my heart how much you care for me and others. I will, many times yes!"
Then the two got to deeply nuzzle each other as the moon was starting to shine brighter above them. Not to mention, if the Northern Lights couldn't be there, at least the falling star was above them as if it were approving their relationship. They kept close to each other as if it were lasting for hours.
Yet, Tala knew what this meant, but she asked it without crushing Saku's hopes: "Saku, you do know that if we are mates as of now, we'd likely have to… leave Maska's clan. I mean, it'd not be bad for his clan to have more couples, but he'd love to have us to set off out there in the wild and form a clan or at least a pack led by us!"
Saku was well aware of that fact and he was embracing that in case Tala wanted to be his mate while he was recovering. The idea of him being an alpha male of his proposed future pack was kinda big news to him, but he went with it, triumphantly answering: "Maska'd love that, yes. I am ready to start all over again if so."
The howl came from a small distance and both knew what that meant so both of them howled to let Hunter know he could come. After a minute or two, there he was. He was no longer just Saku's best friend, but a brother-in-law. He had the hopeful look on his face as he asked: "Did you… did you two become mates at last?!"
Their smiles were more than enough to offer him the answer. As if Hunter wanted to rush into them for a hug, he joyfully spoke: "My best friend and my sister! This is amazing!" Both Saku and Tala knew how this meant to him and as the moonlight bathed the cliffs they were standing on, they all made a group hug, beginning the new chapter of their lives…
The idea of them to start their life anew by leaving Maska's clan wasn't going to be done immediately tomorrow. In fact, they had to know that in order to realize and finalize this plan, it had to be like three days at most to happen. All so it would take that they'd give a proper farewell to the clan that had been their home for months.
One last time they had a proper hunt with their packmates and one last time they had glanced at all the landscapes and parts of Maska's clan they had spent in together so they'd never forget the kindness and the hospitability of Maska, Anya, Atka and many other wolves they had met and hunted together with.
That day had come, in the warm May morning. Maska had gathered Anya, Atka and other wolves at the entrance of the territory where Tala, Saku and Hunter had passed through months ago. The road they had taken once leading to the west was awaiting them so they would set their paws on it once more.
"In the name of this clan, I congratulate to you for decision to begin your life anew! You have contributed a lot to the clan with your courage, friendship and cooperation for the last few months." Maska gathered them all in order to give this short, but memorable speech to the new couple that had a future in front of them.
"It was an honor to have you as the members of this clan and if you have a clan on your own, may the fortune smile in your futures." Anya took over in here as her voice was full of wisdom and optimism. She added: "If you ever remember us and everything we've done for you in here, remember that you'll always have an allied wolf clan led by us!"
"And if I may say, I'm sure that you will be great alphas like my uncle and aunt are in this clan." Atka said his lines the shortest. Tala, full of wisdom and kindess, spoke to her scout friend one last time: "Atka, we thank you for being a good friend to us. Your past might not have been bright, but I do see that one day you'll become an alpha again and be as good as your uncle is!"
That compliment let Atka to sink in his mind and feeling the hope and warmth in her words, he actually felt like how she was right and his leadership anew would actually repair the damage being done in the past. As for Hunter, who stood by the side, he was proud at his sister and brother-in-law as he said: "Tala, Saku, it's been a pleasure to be with you while it lasted. I wish you all the best out there!"
Instead of bidding one last emotional farewell to his sister like once before, Saku raised his eyebrow and asked: "What are you talking about, Hunter?" This question surprised Hunter as he didn't expect this reaction nor the one coming from Tala: "I have been thinking, Hunter. If you want to, you may come with us on this journey and be the beta male of our future pack!"
Being offered the place as a beta wolf was indeed surprising to Hunter and he glanced back at Maska's clan. Whether they saw this move or not, Hunter could see in Maska and Anya's eyes the encouragement to go and even Atka told him: "Hunter, you've been a scout in this clan, but I think you should go with Tala and Saku, this could be your life call!"
Since it was that way and not any other way, Hunter graciously smiled on that offer and so his answer was: "Then I'm going together with you two!" He ran towards them and the warm feeling went through his body, knowing that he'd be together with his sister and his best friend. Then it was at last by Maska: "Farewell, Tala, Saku and Hunter."
The omission of "young" did make them feel more confident and each of them said: "Goodbye, alpha Maska, alpha Anya. It has been an honor." But this wouldn't be over if it weren't for Tala's; "Remember one thing: Goodbyes are not forever!" This was something to sink in their minds and they all took that well before the clan started returning to their dens and forest, thus getting away from their sights.
The road to the west under the sunny and blue sky was awaiting the three wolves. There was no snow this time around, just the dirt trail surrounded by the rocks and the pines on each sides, with the occasional flower meadows. Saku looked at his mate and at his brother in law so he could ask them: "Are you ready?"
No doubt they were and with Tala on his right side and Hunter on his left side, they said it: "Ready!" So the three wolves had set off on their journey westwards, with the hopes that they'd find their fortune and start their wolf pack, being led by them and prove their leadership to match up with the skills of Maska and Anya.