"Sick? I bet they're tricking you," said Rhys.
"I don't think they are," Stone replied. "If Terra loves him, then Stormfast being sick would make her feel down. When she came to me, she did look upset." Rhys wasn't sure if he was right, but she didn't question him.
"Hey, Stone?" Their noses were inches from each other.
"Yes?"
"Since you're making this new pack and stuff, I'd... I'd like to be a part of it!" she blurted out with a big smile. Stone started laughing.
"Well, of course you can."
"Oh, thank you." She hugged him. Stone was so surprised by it that he fell backward. Both of them rolled down a short hill. When they reached the bottom, Rhys landed on top of Stone. "Looks like I pinned you down," Rhys said playfully. Stone felt embarrassed.
"I guess it does."
Then out of nowhere, there was a noise that sounded like a yip from a pup.
"What was that?" Rhys whispered.
"I wish I knew," he answered. Then a wolf pup jumped out of the nearby bushes. It scared the living daylights out of them. "Don't do that!" Stone screamed. Their hearts were pounding, begging for relief.
"Please. Don't be afraid," the pup said. He was a gold-colored little pup who still had blue eyes. He was small for his age, and he was skinny. "I just want a home." Rhys felt sorry for him.
"Awww. You can come with us, sweetie." Stone couldn't understand what just happened. Everything went by fast.
"Wait, what's your name?" questioned Stone.
"Oh, me? I have no name."
"No name?" said Rhys. "Must be terrible. We will find a name for you."
"You will?"
"Sure. How 'bout Justin?"
"No."
"Marco?"
"No."
"Hmm... Seth?"
"Definitely no."
"Well, you got to want some name."
"What about Stephen?" Stone suggested. The pup jumped in excitement.
"Yes! Yes! I want that one!"
"Okay," said Rhys. "Stephen it is."
"Yay! I got a name!" shouted Stephen. Stone turned to Rhys.
"How are we going to keep him? Simon will most likely not let a pup stay in his cave."
"I guess we have to find a new one then," said Rhys.
Later. . .
"Does this look okay?" asked Stone. Near the waterfall was a good-sized underground den.
"Yes. It looks nice." She stared into his eyes. Stone looked away in shyness. Then everything went quiet. After a few minutes, Stephen came.
"Whoa. Is this my home?"
"Yep," Stone and Rhys both said. Speaking in unison caught them by surprise.
"And look! What is that?" The pup pointed towards the waterfall.
"Oh, that is a waterfall," said Rhys. The pup never heard of a waterfall.
"Wa... water... ta... ta..." Stephen tried to pronounce it. Rhys wanted to make sure he got it right.
"No, no, Stephen. It's a fff sound."
"Okay. Water... fa... fall. Waterfall!"
"Good job, Stephen!" The pup ran in circles in happiness.
"Well, it looks like we're back at the place where I found you," said Stone to Rhys.
"Yeah. I still see the sharp rocks."
"Well, I think I'm going to reside here with Stephen. Do you still want to sleep with Simon or—" Stone then tripped on himself and fell into the den. Rhys laughed. Then she tripped and also fell into the den but landed on top of Stone again. She turned her head towards him, and the next thing she knew, she touched noses with Stone. She closed her eyes. He was the wolf she wanted to be with.
To be continued. . .