"It's awful cold today," Isaac commented as he lowered his head against the wind.

Misty nodded. She watched the creek move rapidly over the smooth stones. Ice was forming at the banks.

The wind blew directly into her fur, she stiffened against it, trying to prevent freezing.

After a long silence, she turned to Isaac. "Have any of the hunting parties found a trace of prey?"

Isaac flattened his ears in frustration.
He shook his head. "The prey has moved South. We won't see them again until Spring. I just hope the Pack can last until prey returns."

Misty sighed, hoping for a miracle. She glanced in the direction of Stone Hollow Pack, wondering how they were doing throughout this Winter.

She remembered the Battle of the Full Moon. Ella had nearly been killed by Skylark. Only Misty and Rascal knew that. They realized that Stone Hollow Pack would never believe them if they told the truth. So they decided to not say anything. Word had been sent a few days after the battle that Ella would make it.

Misty remembered the relieved look in Rascal's eyes. He had been worried about her and didn't really sleep.

Misty's heart grew sorrow as she thought of Jumper. She couldn't believe her best friend was really gone. She thought of the final words he'd said to her.

Fight as you've never fought before. Breathe as if it'd be your last. Love like you'll never love again.......

Misty sighed shakily, her lip twitching. She felt this hard lump in her throat that wouldn't move. Those painful memories stabbed her through her heart. She couldn't stand it.

Pushing aside those traumas, she replied to Isaac. "Yes. Hopefully, the herds will move in soon. With Blossom expecting pups, she'll need all the nutrition she can get."

Isaac's brown eyes stared at her. "I've given up my share, so the pups could grow."

Misty looked at Isaac. His ribs were poking through his shabby pelt, jutting bones just under a breeze of skin.

"You have to eat too, Isaac. Once the pups are born, Blossom will need all the help she can get. And the majority of that help will be from you."

The dark gray wolf nodded, not saying a word. He watched the creek roll by.

Misty looked to the sky. Rain or snow is on its way. "Let's see if we can find a scent of something. We may be able to scavenge."

Misty padded into the trees, Isaac at her heels. She lowered her nose to the ground and took in everything.

Isaac was sniffing a couple of leafless bushes a few paw steps away.

Finding nothing, Misty rose and frowned. She sniffed a pile of sticks.
She almost decided to stop, but something caught the corner of her eye.

Snow— with scarlet drops. She felt hope rise in her chest. "Isaac!"

Her cousin came bounding her way. "What is it?"

"Look." She gestured with her nose.

Misty brought her head to the ground, scenting the snow. Faintly, she could detect the smell of a young deer—but the overpowering stench of a cougar covered most of it up.

Misty shuddered at the cougar scent. Her brother, River, had been killed by a cougar when they were pups.

Ignoring the memories, she glanced back at Isaac. "A cougar had caught and killed a young deer. It must have hauled it off somewhere."

Isaac looked past Misty into the forest. "Should we return to camp and get back up?"

Misty shook her head. "We should be okay. Two full grown wolves against a cougar. It may be a young one. We'll just have to see." With that, she raced further through the trees. Isaac was at her side.

They were thankful for the protection of the trees. The wind wasn't as bad in there.

Misty came to a sudden halt and stared ahead. The cougar was eating the deer, it's back facing the wolves.

She felt Isaac freeze beside her. He lowered to the ground and stared at Misty.

"What are we supposed to do?" He whispered.

Misty scanned the area. They couldn't really hide, bare patches of ground wouldn't keep them covered.

Finally, she had an idea.

"I'll be a distraction. I'll pretend to take the cougar's prey, and while it tries to get me, you'll retrieve the deer, okay?"

Isaac didn't look so sure at first, but he finally nodded and slid into position.

Misty looped around toward the front. The big cat's ears pricked up when the wolf had stepped on a stick.

She started "limping" around, whining in a hungry manner. The cougar spat warningly.

Misty stumbled its way. The cougar hissed and leaped over its meal to face the she-wolf.

Misty drew back a couple of steps, slowly leading the cat away. At the corner of her eye, she saw Isaac tiptoe to the deer. He grabbed it in his jaws and started dragging it toward the woods.

The dragging sound alerted the cougar, it whipped around and growled madly. It saw Isaac and charged him.

But Misty was quicker.

She leaped onto the lean cat's back and dug her teeth into the back of its neck.

It shrieked in surprise and wildly started to try and throw Misty off.

She could feel herself losing her grip. Isaac rushed up and drew a strong paw over the cougar's muzzle. He repeatedly swatted his blows until the large cat couldn't take it anymore.

It squirmed away from their grip and bolted off into the Woods.

Misty sat down, panting. She glanced at the deer carcass and rejoiced.

We'll eat tonight.....

The two each grabbed an end and carried they're prey back to camp.

When they entered camp, the relieved look in everyone's eyes was a good thing to see.

They set the deer down. Everyone came over to smell it. Hunger was aggressively dancing in their dull eyes.

Melody drew back, bristling. Her brown eyes were wide as she stared at Misty and Isaac.

"This is.... cougar scent." She curled her lip.

Misty nodded. "We know. We had to steal it from a cougar."

The wolves gasped and glanced at one another in astonishment. Rascal padded up and nuzzled his cheek to Misty's.

"You're so brave." He murmured in her ear.

Misty relished in her mate's praise. She closed her eyes and felt safe and sound.

The deer was split up equally. The wolves were glad to share a warm meal.

Misty and Rascal shared their piece. After they had eaten, they went back to their den.

Misty lie-down, she could feel Rascal's chin rest on her back. She closed her eyes and snuggled more into him.

She sighed. Rascal chuckled gently, his warm breath reaching her ear. It wasn't long before both of them fell asleep.

Sorry again for the lame, short chapter. It will get better!!! I hope you enjoyed, and if you did, I would love to know!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl

P.S. Tag anyone who may enjoy a story like this! Just make sure they've read the first one before reading this one!! Thanks!!