Wolves of the Falling Stars Book 2: Dog of the Wolf Pack

Chapter 16

Feather Wings tumbled around with Gentle Breeze in the omega den. He had grown closer to her in the passing days, and she was no doubt his favorite omega to play with. Each day he looked forward to another day playing with his best friend.

Besides being a good playmate, Gentle Breeze was someone he could always confide in as well. Sure, Lily Petal was there for that too, but Gentle Breeze understood Feather Wings better, and sometimes he preferred her company over his sister's.

"How is your father doing?" Gentle Breeze asked as Feather Wings batted at her long, fluffy tail.

"Better," Feather Wings said happily. "His wounds are starting to heal fine, though they'll probably leave some scars."

"There are few wolves that don't have any," Gentle Breeze explained. "It shows he's a good fighter."

"You don't have any," Feather Wings pointed out. "Your pelt is nice and silky. I like it."

Gentle Breeze grinned. "Thank you, but I wouldn't speak too much of it. I'm sure some wolves wouldn't like that. Having scars demonstrates your bravery."

"Why don't you go out and fight the rogues?" Feather Wings asked innocently.

Gentle Breeze sighed and shook her head. "It's not that simple," she explained.

Feather Wings tilted his head, not sure why. Weren't all wolves responsible for protecting the pack?

"One day, when I'm big and strong, we can fight off the rogues together," Feather Wings explained. "We can give a few scars to the rogue that hurt my father and killed Morning Dew."

"I wouldn't be going off about revenge," Gentle Breeze said softly. "That's one of the many things I hate about being in this pack. A lot of you are very stubborn."

"You sound very wise," Feather Wings complained.

Gentle Breeze giggled. "I'm certainly not. I would love to protect the pack and hunt with you one day."

"Would you?!" Feather Wings exclaimed. His mind flashed to the future where Gentle Breeze was always by his side, serving as a pack member beside him.

"Sure," she said, though she did not seem as enthusiastic as him. He wondered why.

"Feather Wings! Tell your girlfriend good-bye and come see Cold Blizzard!" Lily Petal screeched.

Feather Wings cheeks went red. "It's not like that!" he shouted as he headed toward the entrance.

He glanced back at Gentle Breeze and grinned.

"I'll see you later," he told the brown wolf.

She dipped her head and gently smiled.

Feather Wings returned the grin and bounded out of the den, nearly running into his sister. She had fallen ill for a bit after Cold Blizzard had gotten injured, which was why Feather Wings had spent so much time with Gentle Breeze. She was finally beginning to act like her old self again though. Just this morning she had forced Feather Wings to play with her for an extended period of time.

"Where's Dandelion Puff?" he asked as they headed toward the den Cold Blizzard was resting in.

"She and Moon's Shine went for a walk," Lily Petal explained.

"But it's dangerous!" Feather Wings gasped. "You know Raven's Wing said we had to be careful in the woods."

"They're not going far," Lily Petal teased. "Come on! It looks like he's awake!"

She sprinted into the den with Feather Wings following behind. Indeed, Cold Blizzard had stirred and was licking his healing wounds. He glanced up at his kin and smiled as they entered.

"How are you two?" he asked as they sat down beside him.

"Great!" Lily Petal exclaimed.

Feather Wings nodded beside her. He glanced at his father's face, noticing the long scar that trailed across his muzzle. Lily Petal didn't seem to notice, but to Feather Wings the thin red line was clear as day.

He supposed it didn't matter much. His father was still the same. Though he looked older now with that scar and perhaps wiser too.

"Will you play with me?" Lily Petal begged her father.

Cold Blizzard chuckled.

"My muscles are still a bit sore, but I suppose I can play for a little bit," he said.

Lily Petal let out a yip of glee and leapt onto his back, gently biting on his ear. Cold Blizzard grinned and playfully batted one of his large white paws at her. Feather Wings watched from the side, noticing the striking resemblance between the two.

They both had silky white pelts and the same playful personality. When Gentle Breeze thought of it, he wasn't sure where he had gotten his personality from. He loved both his mother and father, but he never felt like he connected to either one of them like his siblings. Even Lily Petal was completely opposite of him.

He thought back to Gentle Breeze, how she understood him well. Their personalities flowed nicely together, which was probably why he spent so much time with her.

"Feather Wings, come play!" Lily Petal said. She leapt off her father and nudged her brother forward with her tiny muzzle.

"I'm tired," he argued. "You made me play all morning, remember?"

"Don't force him to play, Lily Petal. Your mother tells me how often you make him do things for you," Cold Blizzard said. "Let him rest every once in a while."

Lily Petal let out a big hmph and took a seat next to her brother.

"When will you be back doing wolf things again?" Lily Petal wondered.

"Hopefully in the next few days. I'm still a bit weak though. I did lose a lot of blood," he explained, his eyes drifting toward all the still-healing wounds on his body.

Feather Wings glanced over at his sister and watched as she shivered some. Her lighthearted personality had gone all of the sudden. He stiffened, and glanced over at her, concerned.

Cold Blizzard seemed to have picked up on the sudden mood change, because he smiled and his eyes got light again.

"I'll be all right. Don't you worry," he assured them.

"D-Did they catch the rogues who did it to you?" Lily Petal asked.

The white wolf shook his head. "Afraid not. They've just been popping up and disappearing."

"O-Oh," Lily Petal stammered.

"Raven's Wing keeps the pack safe," Feather Wings quietly alerted his sister.

"That's right. You pups have nothing to worry about," Cold Blizzard stated. He lifted his head, glancing past them. "It looks like your mother and sister are back. Why don't you go back and join them? It's getting late."

Feather Wings nodded. They both said good-bye to their father and exited the den.

"It'll be okay, Lily Petal," Feather Wings told her.

She nodded, yet her peppy personality was still gone.

All Feather Wings could do was sigh and return back to his mother. Soon enough, the sun was going down, and he was growing tired. He'd had a long day playing with both Lily Petal and Gentle Breeze.

Feather Wings curled up beside Lily Petal, hoping it would lessen her anxiety some. She curled into his fur, and slowly she fell asleep. Feeling relieved that his sister was finally at peace, Feather Wings closed his eyes too, drifting into a peaceful slumber.