Part 1
“No, we still can’t keep the wolf pup,” Xevva’s dad says.
“But daaaaaad!” Xevva whines.
Not long ago, a little girl named Xevva found a white wolf pup. The pup had no home, and saved her from freezing to death. Ever since, Xevva has been obsessed with the little guy. After a traumatic incident in which Winter, the white wolf pup, got kidnapped, Xevva has been even more keen on keeping him safe.
“You KNOW it’s illegal to own wolves here. We’ve discussed this a million times,” Xevva’s dad says, rubbing his weary head.
“Yeah, but we already went through the trouble of sneaking him through the airport,” Xevva points out.
‘The humans are arguing again,’ Mommy Doggo, Xevva’s pet husky, says to Winter.
‘Seems I’m still not welcome in this family…’ Winter says with a sigh.
‘I don’t care what they think, you’ll always be my little baby,’ Mommy Doggo says, licking Winter.
“It’s not likely that the crazy guy will track the pup down to Minnesota. We release him here, he should be safe…though that’s technically illegal, too,” Xevva’s dad says. “There’s already wolves here. Surely nobody will notice one more.”
“Are you absolutely sure he’ll be safe…?” Xevva asks, pouting.
“Yeah, don’t worry about it. And DEFINITELY don’t run off after him again, got it?!” Xevva’s dad asks.
“Okay, dad…” Xevva says, sadly.
‘NO! DON’T YOU DARE!’ Mommy Doggo barks as Winter is taken from her again.
‘I’ll be back, mom,’ Winter says with a sigh. ‘I promise I’ll stick close by!’
Mommy Doggo chases after her adult male human. Leaping up, she licks Winter’s face one last time. Xevva curls up, crying as if her life is over. Winter is sent back outside.
‘Bye for now, Xevva. This won’t be the last time I see you,’ Winter thinks, whining sadly as he pads away through unfamiliar territory.
Winter picks a random river to follow and follows it. If he’s going to live out here, he’s going to have to get to know the region. It’s still winter time, so it’s still bitterly cold out, but…it’s not quite like Alaskan winters. This is considerably warm in comparison to where he was found.
‘Anyone out there?!’ Winter howls.
His howl echoes. A few birds take to the skies, startled by the sudden wolf howl. Winter trudges onwards. Then, he halts.
‘Food,’ Winter thinks to himself.
A squirrel, very sleepily, has awoken to eat some of its hidden food stash. Winter sneaks forwards, his white coat helping him blend in with the snow. Rather clumsily, he attacks the squirrel. If it hadn’t been hibernation time, that squirrel would have been plenty aware that Winter was coming.
‘Now that’s a juicy chunk of meat…’ Winter says with a satisfied growl.
Winter does as all carnivores do. Afterwards, he happily licks his lips. With a bit of food in his belly, he continues on, exploring his new world. Sniffing about, he comes nose to nose with a weasel.
‘Oh, excuse me,’ Winter says, taking a few steps back.
‘Child! Careful where you tread! I have half a mind to strike you across the face!’ the weasel snaps.
‘Wouldn’t be my first time getting attacked…’ Winter says, wincing.
‘Oh… Now I feel bad for threatening you…’ the weasel says, frowning. ‘Still, though. Be careful where you tread. You’re young, you have a long life ahead of ya if you don’t get eaten or shot by a human.’
‘I know a few humans. One of them is really nice, the rest…I’m not a fan of them,’ Winter says.
‘You have to be wary of the hunters. They come by in droves especially in the spring and fall… Minnesota is a dangerous place, but the most dangerous predators of all are the humans and their guns,’ the weasel says.
‘I’m a wolf, surely a human wouldn’t shoot me,’ Winter says.
‘Oh yes they would. They’d kill ya, take yer fur, then lie it on the ground as a decorative piece!’ the weasel says. ‘Oh, then during the summer, the fishermen come and empty the rivers of fish. They’re lucky there are so many rivers, that way we can just move if they take all the fish in the area, but, eventually, there may be no more fish.’
‘Do they really do that? I’m sorry, I don’t know much. I’m just a pup…’ Winter says.
‘Yeah. I tell you what… If someone strikes you, you strike them back twice as hard!’ the weasel exclaims. ‘It’s what has kept me alive thus far!’
‘I’ll keep that in mind, thanks,’ Winter says.
‘Good luck out there, kid. And please don’t chomp on any weasels…’ the weasel pleads.
‘I’ll try not to. Squirrels are fair game, right?’ Winter asks.
‘Just don’t take more than you need. Everything in moderation…or else you risk becoming just like the humans,’ the weasel says, nodding.
‘I see, thanks!’ Winter says.
It’s the next day now. Xevva hasn’t seen Winter at all since he was forced to leave. With hardly any motivation, she grabs her backpack and gets ready for school. Mommy Doggo with her pups, whom are growing bigger by the day, looks up at Xevva.
‘Xevva, my human! Now is the time for some kibble!’ Mommy Doggo barks.
“Hi, Doggo…” Xevva says, only slightly cheered up by seeing her pet.
‘Kibble? Kibble time? I know you’re sad, so am I, but I require food,’ Mommy Doggo prompts.
“What? What do you want?” Xevva asks.
‘I said, feed me! See? Look?’ Mommy Doggo says, pawing at her half full food dish. ‘It’s empty!’
“Huh? You have food. Eat that,” Xevva says, pouting. “Mom! Mommy Doggo is begging for food again!”
“Xevva, here, it’s almost time to catch your bus,” Xevva’s mom says, handing her some fresh hot chocolate chip pancakes.
“Oh, thanks,” Xevva says, quickly digging into her pancakes.
“I’m making your favorite. PB&J,” Xevva’s mom says.
“No! I hate PB&J!” Xevva complains, nearly dropping a pancake.
“Careful. Don’t let the dog eat your chocolate,” Xevva’s mom says.
‘That looks tasty,’ Mommy Doggo barks, whining.
“You can’t eat this!” Xevva says. “It’s mine!”
“What do you want for lunch? I can’t believe you’re saying no to a perfectly good PB&J… All kids, and adult, love these…well, aside from kids with allergies, but you’re not allergic,” Xevva’s mom says.
“I want a bagel with onion cream cheese and a slice of ham,” Xevva says, pouting.
“If you insist…” Xevva’s mom says, shrugging.
‘Mmmm, didst thou mention the swine product known as ham?!’ Mommy Doggo inquires, sniffing at the air excitedly.
“Give Doggo some meat!” Xevva demands.
“I just fed her, she doesn’t need any more- MOMMY DOGGO NO!” Xevva’s mom exclaims as Mommy Doggo leaps over the table and runs to the fridge.
‘I’m gonna scream. You’ve been warned,’ Mommy Doggo barks and then, loudly, she proclaims, “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
“No! No means no! You’re not getting any ham!” Xevva’s mom wails, holding the meat out of reach.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Mommy Doggo screams.
