FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Snow lightly crunched beneath my shoes. My heavy coat was buttoned tight, and my rabbit furred hat withstood the occasional gust. Cold air turned my exhaling breath into a foggy cloud that dissipated into the icy breeze. My cheeks and nose had little sensation remaining from the stinging chill, but my home wasn't far away. Winter always came to the area with unrivaled fierceness. Blizzards were not uncommon and snow easily reached topped a foot in a few hours. The landscape could be buried overnight. There was a joke that in the far north there were only three seasons. Before winter, winter, and after winter. The warm seasons were much shorter than their cold counterparts. Late October was a testament to that. There would be a lot more snow than the scant dusting covering the ground in the months to come.

"Not to mention the nose biting cold..." I told myself with a half grin. The wind whisked my vapor of breath away. Below freezing was a way of life at the border of the taiga forests and tundra plains. The sound of snow crunching continued underneath my boots. I had checked all of my traps today along the northern edges of the evergreen forest. I hoped for a catch, but there was no luck yet. The rifle hanging over my shoulder hadn't fired a shot either. "There will always be another day." I watched my breath turn into vapor as I spoke. That optimism warmed me like a bonfire. Having a fair stock of food ready for the harsh winter was plenty of reason to be a good mood. My steps remained upbeat as the wind cut against me. Trees were at a distance to my left, but a patch of evergreens ahead inched closer with every step. I paused by a lone oak to rest for a minute. The trunk was sturdy enough to lean on.

'Empty.' I surveyed the horizon. The snow covered every inch of ground, and the edges of a frozen lake. No trees or hills added to the northern emptiness, giving it a scenic aesthetic appeal. However, the land was deceptively beautiful and peaceful. Eight years of experience hardened any remaining softness about surviving on my own. You couldn't afford to be lazy for too long. I stood up when movement in the plains suddenly caught my eye. I carefully squinted my eyes and spotted three moving figures against the snowy backdrop. Two arctic wolves and a grey wolf walked steadily across the flat snowy landscape.

'Female. Male... Female...' I could tell who wore a sturdy chest garment, not that it mattered. All three were carrying something more than quivers and knives. 'They must be on a hunting expedition.' I thought. It wasn't uncommon for me to cross paths with another group doing the same. Arctic tribes would walk for miles through the winter snows in search of prey or to a favorite fishing hole. It was certainly more difficult than trapping or hunting in the forests. I had joined a band of hunters from a village in the forest twice before, but I had never hunted with the arctic foxes and wolves. I met and talked to a few on occasion though. Against the snowy backdrop, I couldn't recognize any of the three. Arctic wolves were more difficult to recognize apart than their fox kin. Their fur remained solid white for the entire year, yet the arctic foxes morphed between grey and white from season to season. One paused to look up at the cloudy sky.

"Aroooooo!" The cry echoed across the landscape. A chill ran up my back causing me to physically shudder. I knew there was nothing to fear, but there was an ancient instinct telling me that I should. I never liked the ominous wolf howl anyway. I resumed walking parallel with them to the forest. They would veer north, and I would veer south. On occasion I glanced over at the group returning to their home. The first two looked ahead without concern, but the last one's attention was focused on me.

"That one must be making sure that I'm not a threat." I guessed and continued walking. The closest we met was one hundred yards or so before I took a left into the sparse underbrush and evergreens. I looked over my shoulder one last time. The grey she wolf still had me under her watchful gaze. The occasional double crunch of snow on top of pine straw greeted my ears. Pines and spruces soon surrounded me as I followed a little trail back home. Their strong, fresh scents filled my olfactory. After some distance, I stopped in a tiny clearing and set my rifle aside. I brushed away some snow and started a fire. A fallen log served as a convenient seat. The wind wasn't as big of a threat where enough trees could shield me.

"I'm ready for a nice fire back home." I told myself as I rubbed my covered hands together. A warm meal wouldn't hurt either. My hand shuffled through the coat pocket and brought out a few nuts and a piece of dried meat. Even though I wanted all of that, I still enjoyed moving freely outside before the bitterest of winter holed me up. Being stuck in a cabin for nearly a month alone had its own difficulties. I blew a long sigh and watched the flames crackle and flicker. The sudden feeling that I was being watched overcame me. I gazed around the snowy pines and underbrush without moving. The silence was reassuring. Unable to shake the feeling, I grabbed my rifle. My eyes couldn't see whoever or whatever was hiding. A sudden rustle caught my ear.

"You can come out." I spoke in a non threatening voice. A figure stepped out of the little pines towards me. It was the grey wolf from earlier! My body physically relaxed knowing that she wasn't a curious brown bear late for hibernation. Her fur wasn't merely white and grey, but various shades of both colors with hints of light brown and black. Long silvery grey hair from her head and mane reached the base of her tail. A simple band of rabbit fur around her right arm was tied on with leather string. It was useful to keep her nose warm from the strong winter winds. The only other clothing on her body was a buckskin loincloth that draped to her knees, and a similar garment covering her chest. With a thick winter coat, that was all she needed to wear. Admittedly, I envied that. Nearly freezing outside even with so many durable clothes covering my skin. Not even the middle of winter could prevent her from roaming outside.

"Hello." She slowly spoke the word.

"Hey there." I stood up to greet her in tribal fashion. The wolf was only a hair taller than me, but her ears gave the impression that she was much taller. I cupped her cheeks and touched noses. My hands sunk into her smiling furry cheeks. I felt the wolf inhale and I backed off. She didn't touch me because her hands were full. She carried a black bear skin over her shoulder and a spear. An empty bag made from an animal stomach probably once held a fat rich broth, but something else caught my eye. Two chunks of meat stringed together hung on her spear.

"Fire?" She pointed to the fresh meat and the fire. "Ko ch'nuk." That meant 'to cook.'

"Sure! Yes." I motioned to the fire. I didn't mind sharing. After all, she had been walking at least twice the distance that I had today. She gladly set the items down in the snow and skewered the meat onto a sturdy stick. They were propped into the fire with a careful hand. I helped her gather some more wood to cook them faster.

"Uh... Epihu..." She fidgeted in place. That word sounded familiar.

"Elk?" I held up my hands to form antlers at my head. The wolf quickly nodded and grinned. 'She probably doesn't speak a lot of English.' I guessed by how little she spoke. Her lack of words was easily made up for with her beauty. The deep blue eyed wolfess was a stunning sight. She was strong and independent like her male counterparts, but feminine too. Fur covered anything intimate though, which is probably why the natives don't mind wearing so little around others.

"Akua." She pointed to herself. The name sounded familiar, but I didn't know her. It wasn't easy keeping up with so many odd sounding names from the forest and plains tribes.

"Aketchmi?" I guessed the tribe that she was from. The canine eagerly nodded. The two black tipped white feathers gave away the tribe that she was from.

"Human." She pointed at me. Her fingers were slightly bulky and wielded claws. The canine feature was intriguing and made me wonder if the pads on her hands were warm or cold.

"Err... Yes." I hesitantly nodded. It wasn't my name, but I technically was a human. And what were the odds that she knew another? She had probably seen me a few times without me directly knowing.

"Siskyu." She touched the feathers in her hair. That was the name of her village's chieftain. He was a modest arctic wolf who took over leadership after his older sister died. I hadn't talked to Siskyu since he became chief last winter. "Er... Busho's maha." She motioned something with her hands. I knew that 'busho' meant father...

"Oh! Okay." I nodded. He was her mother's brother. Her mottled grey coat was very different from his pure white, but I knew that tribes from the forest and plains intermarried.

"Human..." Akua pointed at me again only to hesitate. "Busho? Maha? Neguwisko?" She motioned around with her hand.

"No, I don't have any family around here. Uh, Du Neguwi." I told her. She nodded and continued chattering with me. I enjoyed the small talk with her as the tantalizing smells of cooking meat spread. For once I wasn't nervous about a bear popping in because of the bear pelt that she brought. It was a pleasant change from usually being alone. Akua checked the two morsels frequently before making sure they were cooked. Scented steam wafted off both as she lifted them out of the flames. I unknowingly licked my lips. She took a testing bite to her satisfaction.

"Mm!" Her tail flicked up. I thought it was a little cruel to eat in front of me, but she earned it from a difficult hunt. The pretty wolfess suddenly held the second piece out to me.

"Huh?" I blinked from a banquet themed daydream. "For me?" I pointed to myself.

"Ititu nuk." She insisted.

"Nahuchti." I graciously thanked her and accepted the food. Offering such a rarity was a great sign of friendship, and I gladly took a bite. "Mm!" The elk meat tasted as good as it looked. Akua giggled and with a flash of teeth, began to eat her piece. 'They look sharp.' Her teeth had little trouble biting the meal. I've seen first hand how strong a killing blow can be delivered while hunting with the forest tribe. A muzzle is always strong, despite being hidden under a winter coat of white fur. My eyes looked her over while we ate. The wolf resembled an angel. The way she was sitting with her legs neatly tucked to the side... The wolf was very attractive!

'I can't think about that!' I mentally scolded myself. What would my family back home think if I was interested in a wolf? But I wasn't with my family. I had been living alongside wolves and foxes for years, and I felt closer to them. A female or two had caught my eye before, but the canine lady before me was stunning. Our gazes met, leading to an awkward pause. The wolf's ears cutely fell back for a brief moment. I looked away feeling a tingling giddiness.

"Sesukah hay uquopog." She spoke. That had something to do with me looking at her.

"Um... Huchi." I rubbed my neck and pointed at her. That meant 'pretty' in her language. The wolf's ears perked up before resting flat against her head. A large smile overcame her muzzle that revealed the tips of her canine teeth. An exciting thrill made my heart beat wildly.

"Nahuchti." She sweetly thanked me. That nearly sent me off the log.

"Ke'k unha-lih..." My voice faded as her ears fell back bashfully again. The ardent smile on her muzzle and blue eyes made me wonder what I else had tried to say. 'She is pretty.' My cheeks warmed at the thought. Here I was, sweet talking a pretty wolf! A glance up above ended my brief run into romance. The sky was already thick with clouds, and the filtered sunlight was waning. As much as I would've enjoyed getting to know her more, the sun wasn't going to stay in the sky longer for me.

"Uh Akua... Keka hoohu un-unik." I think what I said meant 'I have to leave.' I stood up much to the wolf's surprise. She tilted her head and quizzically looked at me. I pointed down the trail. "Cold." I rubbed my arms to convey the meaning. The wolf pointed to the fire. "Nambu n'uk." I told her, 'dark soon.' Her expression changed as she watched me prepare to leave.

"Nabhook un niis." She put out the fire and stood up. One of those words meant follow.

'She's going to follow me home.' I realized as she gathered her things. I waited for her to gather her things before setting out down the twisting path. The wolf followed me at a distance. It was odd, but I didn't see any harm in it. Her village must not have been too far away from my home. My shoulder noisily brushed against a branch. Flurries were starting to fall. 'It's going to snow heavy.' I glanced up at the grey clouds and picked up my strides. Over my shoulder, the grey wolf was faintly present like a ghost. She would barely come into view through the trees before I had to follow the windy path through the pine forest. All of her white blended in with the snow, but the greys and traces of brown blended in with everything else. Even though she was essentially stalking me to my house, I couldn't help but feel safe and relieved. I didn't have to worry about encountering a bear or some rogue by myself. The narrow, winding path soon opened up to a large field. In the center was a dormant cabin, my home. Snowflakes twirled to the ground as I marched through across the light covering. 'I made it.' I contently sighed and kicked my boots against the wall. Over my shoulder, I spotted the mottled grey canine emerging from the snowy conifers. I was starting to think that she would leave, or at least turn back to the plains, but the grey wolf's path headed straight towards me like a released arrow.

'What should I do?' I hesitated and bit my lip in thought. Shouldn't I repay her for the food? I decided to wait for her by the door. The wolf's strides quickened in response. I politely opened the door for her. She shook as much snow off her body as she could and entered. I quickly closed the door behind us and set my rifle aside. The wolf set her belongings aside and looked at the dim space curiously. My home was a simple one roomed cabin design. I didn't require any privacy since I lived alone, until now. It wasn't much warmer than outside since I had been gone most of the day.

"Fire." I knelt down and motioned to the empty hearth. She nodded as I created a spark. The sound of claws clicking across the wooden floor were constant as she explored the little cozy space. A spark caught hold in the dry tinder, and I soon had a flame growing. It would take some time before the cabin heated up. I removed my thick outerwear and hung it on a peg.

"Snnnf!" A loud chuffing sound startled me. I looked over and found the wolfess smelling the covers on my bed.

"Hey, uh..." I stalled. She looked up at me and wiggled her nose. It flared as she exhaled. A twinge of nervousness crept into my skin. "The fire is ready." I pointed to the hearth coming to life. Akua nodded and grinned before walking past me. The winter coat of fur made her appear larger, and a little intimidating. Despite the awkwardness and long silences, I was happy to not be alone in my home. I watched the canine daintily sit down on the floor. The pretty wolf stretched her legs to the fire and dried her paws. It was amazing that she didn't require shoes like me, but her body was built for this unforgiving environment.

Not another word was spoken as the evening steadily drew to a close. As if mesmerized, I stared at the canine beauty in the firelight until a yawn interrupted me. Sleep became a priority, but then I wondered about her. 'What will she do?' As much as I wanted her to stay, where exactly could she stay? My home was a one room cabin, and there was only one bed. The two villages I had visited in the forests would normally lay pelts out and sleep together. Did the arctic tribes do the same? Either way, I didn't have any animal pelts for her to use. I didn't even know how far away her village was. On top of it all I had invited her inside.

"Yampu hehmuk?" I asked the wolf 'you stay here?' Or maybe I didn't say it quite right. Her tail wagged a little.

"Henettu sim hiyuk." She quickly answered. I couldn't understand what she said, but the canine's happy grin seemed positive.

'Did I just invite her to stay for the night?' I wondered if I had bargained for too much, but I didn't mind the company. If anything, I needed to improve my native speech before I created some serious gaffes. Either way, the wolf didn't gather her belongings and leave. The light outside gradually dimmed as the wind whipped up outside. It was going to be a cold night, and having some company felt nice for a change. Flames quietly crackling in the hearth soon became our only source of light. A prolonged yawn from her muzzle briefly displayed her teeth. Behind her beauty was strength that could take down an adult elk. She stood up and arched her back in a graceful stretch. I watched Akua smooth her fur for a brief moment.

"Hey, Akua." The wolf's ears perked up and she peeked over her shoulder at me. "You can sleep in the bed if you want." I motioned as she resumed tidying herself. "Or by the fire..." My voice tapered off as she bent forward and dusted off her legs and paws. My eyes widened slightly. That pert rear on display with her tail hiked up. I could clearly see her... 'Stop!' I caught myself staring, and quickly looked away. When my nerves cooled and she finished the seductive display, our gazes finally met once again.

"I'll sleep here if you're fine there." I motioned to the bed. Her tail swished once behind her. The predatory grin on her face unnerved me as much as it thrilled me. The air in the cabin changed. I suddenly felt wobbly in my knees. My body struggled to contain its sense of giddiness. The wolfess didn't budge. She simply stood there, waiting for my next move. "Ok then..." I turned my back to her and approached the bed. I guess I had to take the lead, but my hands suddenly had trouble untying my belt. Clammy fingers stuck together, but managed to unfasten it. I gradually stripped down and left my clothes on the floor. The clicking of claws on the floor made me hesitate to put on my wool night clothes. I looked over my shoulder and saw her approach.

'She's right behind me!' The wolf bent down and picked up my clothes. The sound of her smelling them before setting each neatly aside made a hot chill run up my spine. I watched her start fumbling with the chest cloth next. After a second, the garment came loose and she pulled it off. Two beautiful snowy mounds of fur were revealed to me. With a flick of a claw the loincloth unceremoniously fell to the floor next. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of the naked she wolf. She was very beautiful, as if an angel had emerged from the snowy sky. Her arms loosely crossed behind her back, arching her posture slightly. I swallowed roughly. This was more than just being kind and inviting a guest to stay. My gaze rose to meet hers. Those blue eyes never left mine the entire time. I folded my arms and turned my head forward. Nervousness crept up my body again.

'What should I do? My face is a red hot coal!' I could feel my skin heating up. I started shaking as the exposure to cold air afflicted my naked skin. My posture closed as I folded my arms. I glared at the wool sleep clothes. 'Just put the clothes on!' My thoughts begged, but my body refused to budge. I looked vulnerable like a wounded calf, and she knew it. The grey wolf met my hesitation with stronger moves, and she wasn't shy about it.

'Click. Click.' The dull sound of claws dully clicked as Akua gracefully stepped towards me.

"U-Uhh..." I stuttered uselessly. She turned and pressed her front against against my back. I sighed and instinctively leaned back into her warm fur. I could see a grin form on the corner of her muzzle. Her hands gently rested on my shoulders and led me step by step to the bed. I hastily pulled the sheets back with a shaky hand and crawled in. 'Where is she going to sleep-?' I completely forgot about offering the bed to her first. The frame shifted as I felt her crawl in behind me. I suddenly felt wide awake. I laid down to give her passage. Her chest was mere inches from my face as she crawled over me to the other side. The end of her long light grey hair brushed over my nose. The wolf laid down beside me. There wasn't much room between us in the small bed, and our bodies pressed right together. Our legs tangled, leaving me nowhere to run if I wanted to. The downy fur below was exceptionally soft and warm, but she continued to scoot even closer.

"W-wait... This is all very sudden!" I reached out. My hand sunk into her winter coat. The plush downy fur made me wonder why I didn't want her closer. Those pretty blue eyes looked at me questioningly, as if to ask, 'why are you moving away from me?' I relaxed my body. She brought her arms around my back and pulled me closer, enveloping me into her caring protection. The padded hand rubbing my back lulled away the cold. She cradled my cheek next.

"Muhoonekako... Nemtet..." Akua whispered something to me. Those crystal blue eyes gazed lovingly at me. My stare became lost inside their beauty.

"I-Uh..." My mouth was dry, and I could barely form a word. 'Just say something!' I cursed at my shyness. Her nose flared at my breath. She craned closer and I blinked. Fuzzier lips pressed against my flesh and a smooth tongue dipped inside my mouth. I grasped her side from the sudden advance. "Mm-mm!" Any response was muffled as her tongue danced. My breath and heart were stolen at once. She backed off and let me breathe. I licked my lips at the tantalizing taste. At least my mouth wasn't dry anymore.

"Ento..." Akua licked her lips and caressed my cheek.

"E to?" I blinked. The canine grin on her muzzle only grew. "Y-You're uh..." I paused feeling my heart jump into my throat for a second. "Huchi." I knew that word meant 'pretty' in her language, or at least some equivalent. Her mouth opened in a tongue lolling smile. Her hands resumed touching me, and felt over my upper body. Her legs started moving too. A leg hooked over me and I felt the kiss of something hotter against my privates.

'Uh oh.' I knew what was coming. She wouldn't allow me to move away, and arousal easily overcame me. Her ears perked up feeling a part of me eagerly pressing against her entrance. She shifted and reached for my throbbing length. I let her grab ahold. She enticingly rubbed my tip along her folds. A leg nudged my rear, wanting me to do the honors. I pushed and she guided me inside. I softly gasped and suppressed a moan. The slick internal heat caressed me sweetly and lustily to the hilt. We both breathed deeply, waiting for the other to make the final first move. The wolf craned her neck closer. Instead of another rough kiss, she cradled my cheek and gently licked my lips. I finally relented and rubbed her back. A low growl of approval rumbled in her throat.

"Akua... I want you." I whispered and kissed her nose. Our lips locked together once again into a passionate seal. I relinquished my inhibitions and mated with her. We rolled over and her legs crossed behind me. She wasn't letting go, and I wasn't letting up.

"Yes." She moaned so I could understand. The young night of love began. The following cries passed between us were less clear and more passionate. But further words were not needed.

At an unknown hour, after many acts of love, I collapsed onto her, completely spent. We held each other until sleep became inevitable. The howling winds outside went unheard to us.

The mid morning was quiet when I awoke in bed. I was on the opposite side that I started on. My eye peeked open and glanced across the cabin. The fire had long since extinguished, but I hadn't felt this warm in a long time. The sensation of fur, warmth, and love was all around me. We were holding each other as if a snowstorm would drive us apart. I couldn't help but smile with my face half buried into the top of Akua's head and ear. Her muzzle rested on my neck and shoulder. The soft sounds of her breathing sighed into my ear.

'Cozy.' I couldn't think of a reason to get out of bed. I ruffled through the mottled grey fur on her back and touched the silvery grey hair on her head and mane. The strands pooled on the sheets were silky smooth, and just like human hair. A single short braid marked the otherwise wild strands. The lady in my arms soundly slept while I lazily played with the locks of hair. Akua shifted and started to wake. The wolf yawned a mouth full of teeth, and a waft of warm breath cascaded over my face. 'Morning wolf breath!' I started shifting to sit up, but she only snuggled closer. Her damp nose touched my skin and took a reassuring breath. I traced a hand down her side and began rubbing her back. A light whine of approval emitted from her throat. We simply laid in bed, nose to nose staring at each other. Those sapphire blue eyes shined brightly into my soul. What was it about her that I loved so much? The intimacy, her beauty, grace, or everything? It was a mystery that I wanted to solve because she made me feel so happy. I haven't felt so happy in my entire life!

"I love you Akua." I whispered. The wolf curiously blinked.

"Luf?" She questioned the human word. I nodded and reached forward. My hand sunk into the sea of white fluff in the center of her chest. The wolf curiosity watched me as I rubbed the spot closest to her heart. She smiled and held my hand there. "Love-" A sudden knock on the door startled us. The door wasn't barred, and I wondered if someone was going to step in. After a moment of silence, another round of knocking started. She covered my ears and sharply barked twice. The knocking ceased to my surprise.

"Who was there?" I started to sit up only for an arm to pull me back down. Whoever was at the door would have to wait. "H-Hey!" I laughed as teeth gently nibbled my ear. I attempted a struggle, but she met every move until I was wrapped under her limbs securely. "Okay! You got me." I smiled as her tongue bathed my face in gentle licks. I didn't fight her and let the wolf smother me with her love. A little growl rumbled in her throat as a muzzle pressed to my lips. We shared a brief kiss. I heard a tail thump against the bed.

"Ok. I need to sit up." I hummed and stretched myself to the edge of the bed. My body was sore, but I didn't care. I peeked back at Akua reclining with a raised leg. Having such a beauty in bed delighted me, and the sultry pose added to those sentiments. The grey wolf stirred and crawled to my side. I wrapped my arm around her waist and she placed an arm over my shoulder. We snuggled together as if we had know each other for years.

"Many at night." She softly spoke in broken English.

'We did a lot last night.' I understood. A hand cupped my privates and lightly fondled me before resting on my thigh. "Tired." I half grinned and placed my hand over hers.

"Kampu n'chi." She smiled and nuzzled me. I returned the intimacy and leaned against her. The grey wolf giggled and tightly hugged me. I relaxed and rested my cheek on her shoulder. I could've slept through the entire day in her arms. She nudged me up and slipped out of bed. I watched her gracefully walk in the buff. The wolf didn't need much to stay warm. She retrieved the bear skin that she had carried with her, and placed it around my naked shoulders. "Thank you." I wrapped it snugly around my body. It was warm, but nowhere near as warm or soft as her. I watched her pick up two feathers from her belongings before approaching me again.

"Un'tahnee." Akua motioned with her hand out until I did the same.

"Wha-?" My jaw unhinged as she placed both into my palm. The black tipped white feathers were the symbol of her tribe. Every member wore them to signify that they were part of the tribe. Gifting them to me meant-

The wolf covered my ears and sharply barked once. I blinked and the door whooshed open. Snow drifted inside as two white figures speedily entered and closed the door.

'The two arctic wolves?' A male and female shook their heavy coats before composing themselves. Their brown eyes, black noses and lips were the only splashes of color on their fluffy white bodies. Both wore loincloths and had hunting knives around their waists. They wasted little time and approached me. The grey wolfess quickly stepped aside and put on her loincloth in their presence. The male silently greeted me first, followed by his female counterpart.

"Hello." She leaned forward and touched noses with me. I was speechless. I sat naked in bed with three wolves in my house.

"H-Hi!" I hastily covered myself with the bear skin, but the female waved for me not to bother. They seemed to understand what had happened.

"We know." The arctic male humbly nodded to my hand.

"That's why we are here." The arctic female added.

"Oh..." I suddenly felt a little embarrassed. A hand patted my shoulder to cheer me up.

"She has watched you before." She flicked her tail toward the grey female. "You hunt well, work hard, and speak some of our language." She spoke much better English than the grey wolfess.

"Apassathnisu kikoni hok." The grey wolf quickly told her arctic companions.

"She loves you very much." The older female smiled happily. More words were exchanged that I couldn't understand. "And she says that you love her with equal strength."

"Well... Uh..." I rubbed my neck. "I do." I smiled at all three wolves. They were equally pleased at my answer.

"Akua wants... Hmm. There is no word in your tongue for it." The female white wolf hesitated. "Uningmak." She brought her hands together. I didn't know that word, but her clasped hands gave me a clue.

"Marriage?" The word made everyone's ears pivot curiously.

"Eh. Be together." She bashfully grinned at her best choice of words. "Females pick males." She chuckled and rolled her hand several times.

"Oh. Okay." I nodded. 'Akua definitely picked me.' I glanced at the wolfess putting on her arm band of rabbit fur. The arctic she wolf briefly said something to the male before returning her attention to me.

"We will return at evening for the Uningmak." She informed me. "Will bring our chief and shaman."

"Evening?!" I perked up. It was nearing noon outside.

"Yes." She smiled at my bemused reaction. "Be ready." She stepped back.

"Tahehook nim'olha." Akua hastily told them as she put on her chest and arm garment. The two arctic wolves patiently waited at the door for their grey companion. Akua stood in front of me and grabbed ahold of my hand. She daintily pressed it to her heart and smiled. "Uningmak... Luf." The word came out awkwardly, but I understood.

"Love." I nodded. She nearly sat in my lap and hugged me tightly.

"Evening." She hummed the word of time happily.

"Evening." I agreed and patted her back. Her tongue washed over my face one final time before she backed away and retrieved her belongings. It was a fleeting sensation compared to last night, but I knew there was much more to look forward to. They filed outside, but a head peeked back at me.

"Waha kekokk." She flashed a smile at me before closing the door.

"That means 'meet soon'." I understood. I looked down and jumped out of bed in search of my clothes. I couldn't accommodate guests with only a bearskin over my shoulders!

Epilogue: Fourteen months later.

The quiet sound of snow lightly crunching beneath soft steps were barely heard above the occasional breeze. One, a pair of boots, and the other a pair of sturdy paws. However, there was a little pair bundled up tightly in a blanket too. I stayed close to my wife, Akua the lovely grey wolfess of the Aketchmi tribe. Several inches of white covered the ground like a thick blanket, making our hunting escapade tricky. Three others were part of the group. They were far ahead of us, mere dots against the silent white backdrop. It didn't usually take five to bring down an elk, but having enough people to carry the fresh kill was important.

"They're far ahead."

"I see." Akua nodded. My eyes scanned around and made out a small structure ahead near some brush.

"Do you need to rest?" I looked at the precious bundle that she was carrying.

"Mmhm." She nodded. We called out to those ahead of us before making a small stop. The shelter was a small dome resembling structure that faced away from the powerful winds. A few were built along strategic hunting grounds to rest or tend to a kill. We crept down and huddled into the small space together. A soft whine was heard.

"Is she okay?" I peered at the waking face in her arms.

"She is safe." The grey she wolf grinned. Two little blue eyes blinked awake and looked at us. I felt pride swell up inside me. The cute pup looked exactly like her mother. She wriggled in the blanket and grumbled. "Untie." Akua tapped her shoulder. I reached around and untied the leather string to her chest cloth. She opened it and pressed the pup close. Her little nose sought for a nipple hidden in the dense fur. "She is hungry!" Akua chuckled. Quietness resumed as the little wolf ate. Raising a family in the village and in the cabin wasn't easy, but being a father was infinitely more fulfilling. It was hard to imagine that she would grow up and become as tall as me one day. But it wouldn't happen in a single day. I brought an arm around my wife and our daughter. A tongue licked over my cheek. i grinned and shared a brief nuzzle with her. Akua smiled and happily nursed.

"Yenuk." I whispered the little one's name. It meant 'sacred' in the tribal language, and she was very sacred to me. I have a family now. The cold winter would never keep me alone anymore.

End