Please, Forgive me...My Dear
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3rd Pov
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As the months passed, the routine Cosmo and Sprout had built around the full moon remained unwavering. The forest had become their sanctuary, a haven where the pressures of their separate worlds couldn’t reach them. Each meeting was like a breath of fresh air, filling their lungs with relief and their hearts with quiet joy.
Despite the hunters still patrolling the woods and the traps scattered like dark secrets in the underbrush, Cosmo and Sprout always found their way to their secret spot. It was as though the moon itself guided them, casting its silvery glow as a protective barrier over their bond.
Sprout had changed in those months, but not in the way his father had envisioned. He wasn’t a hardened warrior or a disciplined son, but he was alive again. His laughter returned, bubbling up during quiet moments with his friends. He baked more often, even if it meant enduring his mother’s scoldings. And every time he returned from the forest, his spirit seemed lighter, as though Cosmo had stitched together the pieces of him that training and expectations had frayed.
Cosmo, too, had found solace in his secret meetings with Sprout. The once-restless wolf now carried a quiet joy in his heart, a change not lost on his older sister, Gigi. She noticed how his golden eyes seemed brighter, how his steps carried a newfound lightness. Naturally, she couldn’t resist teasing him about it.
One evening, as Cosmo sat outside their family den with a small basket of leftover pastries he had baked, Gigi sauntered over, her tail swishing lazily behind her. She flopped down beside him, her sharp blue eyes scrutinizing him with a smirk.
“You’ve been awfully cheerful lately,” she remarked, snagging a pastry from his basket without waiting for an invitation.
Cosmo shot her a mock glare but said nothing, nibbling on his own pastry.
Gigi tilted her head, her smirk widening. “So, what’s her name?”
Cosmo choked on his bite, coughing as his ears flattened. “What?” he croaked, his voice slightly hoarse.
“You heard me.” Gigi grinned, taking a bite of her stolen treat. “Come on, little brother. You’ve been sneaking off every full moon, coming back smelling like the village, and you’re walking around here like a lovesick pup. Spill it.”
Cosmo tried to maintain his composure, though the heat rising to his ears betrayed him. “It’s not what you think.”
“Oh, really?” Gigi leaned closer, her grin mischievous. “So, you’re not secretly meeting some cute little mate under the moonlight? Because that’s exactly what it looks like.”
Cosmo groaned, covering his face with his paws. “You’re impossible.”
Gigi laughed, her voice ringing out like a melody through the forest. “I’m your sister. It’s my job to be impossible. But seriously, who is it? You can’t keep secrets from me forever.”
Cosmo hesitated, his mind racing. He had never told anyone about Sprout not even Gigi, whom he trusted more than anyone. The thought of sharing their secret felt dangerous, like exposing something precious to the cold light of day.
“It’s not like that,” he said finally, his voice soft. “I… I just have a friend. Someone I care about.”
Gigi raised an eyebrow, her teasing expression shifting into one of curiosity. “A friend, huh?” She leaned back, stretching lazily. “Well, whoever they are, they’ve definitely put a spring in your step. I just hope they’re worth all the sneaking around.”
Cosmo smiled faintly, thinking of Sprout his laughter, his stubbornness, the way he always looked at Cosmo with unshakable trust. “They are,” he murmured.
Before Gigi could press further, a low, resonant howl echoed through the forest. Both wolves froze, their ears swiveling toward the sound.
“That’s the Alpha,” Gigi said, her tone suddenly serious. She stood, her posture alert.
Cosmo’s stomach tightened. The Alpha’s howl was a call to the pack, a summons that rarely boded well.
“What do you think it’s about?” Cosmo asked, his voice low.
Gigi shook her head. “I don’t know, but we’d better not keep him waiting.” She glanced at Cosmo, her teasing demeanor gone. “Whatever this ‘friend’ of yours is about, keep it quiet. The Alpha’s been tense lately. You don’t want to give him any reason to question you.”
Cosmo nodded, his heart sinking. The fragile peace he and Sprout had built felt suddenly precarious, like a thread stretched too thin.
As Gigi turned to head toward the big den, Cosmo lingered for a moment, gazing up at the moon. The silver glow bathed the forest in an ethereal light, a beacon of hope in the dark night. He closed his eyes and whispered a silent promise to Sprout. “No matter what happens, I’ll protect us. I’ll protect you.” The weight of his vow settled in his chest as he took a deep breath, his paws reluctantly carrying him toward the den where the pack had gathered.
The den was alive with murmurs and whispers as wolves of all ages assembled, their golden eyes glinting in the flickering firelight. At the center, the Alpha stood tall, his presence commanding respect and attention. His fur, speckled with gray, shimmered faintly in the light. Despite his strength, there was an undeniable heaviness in his stance, as if burdened by the news he carried.
Cosmo slipped into the group of wolves his age, standing beside Gigi. She shot him a curious glance but said nothing, her tail twitching in quiet anticipation. The murmurs subsided as the Alpha raised his paw, signaling for silence.
“Good evening, my pack,” the Alpha began, his deep voice carrying a mix of authority and sorrow. “Tonight, I bring both troubling and necessary news. As many of you know, the humans in the nearby village have become more aggressive in their attempts to claim this forest as their own. Their traps have devastated our hunting grounds, endangering our ability to provide for the pack.”
A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mix of growls and concerned whispers. Cosmo’s ears twitched as he caught snippets of conversation.
“They’ve gone too far…”
“We should fight back…”
“What will we do?”
The Alpha raised his paw again, and silence fell once more. His ears drooped slightly as he spoke again, his voice softer this time. “Today, I have even graver news to share. My mate your Luna was shot by one of the hunters.”
Gasps echoed through the den, and a collective sense of grief settled over the pack. Some wolves began to cry softly, their mournful whimpers filling the air.
“She is alive,” the Alpha reassured them, though his voice trembled slightly. “But she is gravely injured. We cannot continue to risk our lives here. This forest has been our home for generations, but it is no longer safe for us. It is with a heavy heart that I have decided we must leave.”
A hush fell over the den as the weight of his words sank in.
“We will move as a pack,” the Alpha continued, his tone resolute. “To a new territory, far from the reach of these hunters. It will not be easy, but it is necessary for the survival of our family. Prepare yourselves on the second full moon from tonight, we will leave this forest behind and journey to a new land.”
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a few wolves began to howl, their voices filled with a mix of relief and determination. Others joined in, their howls rising into a symphony of unity.
But Cosmo stood frozen, his heart sinking like a stone. The Alpha’s words echoed in his mind. Leave this forest? Leave Sprout?
Gigi nudged him gently, her eyes alight with excitement. “A new territory,” she said, her tail wagging slightly. “It could be an adventure, don’t you think?”
Cosmo forced a weak smile, but his mind was spinning. How could he leave Sprout behind? How could he abandon the fragile bond they had built, the trust they had nurtured?
The Alpha’s voice broke through his thoughts. “We will face this challenge together, as we always have. Our pack is our strength, and we will thrive wherever we go.”
Cosmo barely heard the rest of the Alpha’s words. His thoughts were consumed by the looming reality of their departure. The second full moon was not far off, and with each passing day, the time he had with Sprout would slip away like sand through his paws.
As the pack began to disperse, Cosmo remained rooted to the spot, his mind racing. He couldn’t tell Sprout not yet. But he needed to figure out a plan, something that would allow them to hold onto what they had.
Gigi noticed his distant expression and frowned. “Hey, what’s wrong? You’ve been weird all night.”
Cosmo shook his head, forcing another smile. “Nothing. Just… a lot to think about.”
She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before shrugging. “Well, don’t overthink it. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out.”
As she trotted off, Cosmo looked up at the moon again, its light filtering through the trees. His chest tightened, and he whispered softly, “Im sorry...”
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On the next full moon night,
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The clearing was bathed in silver light as Cosmo waited for Sprout. He sat on the soft grass, the basket of pastries and herbs by his side. His golden eyes flicked toward the path where Sprout always emerged, and his ears perked at the faint sound of footsteps.
Sprout appeared, lantern in hand, his face glowing in the moonlight. He looked different tonight his eyes held a mix of excitement and worry, and his steps were quicker, as though he couldn’t wait to reach Cosmo.
“Cosmo,” Sprout called softly, his voice carrying across the clearing.
Cosmo stood, his tail wagging slightly as he smiled. “You’re early tonight. Everything okay?”
Sprout reached him, setting down his lantern before sitting beside him on the grass. “Yeah, I just… I needed to get away,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair.
Cosmo tilted his head, his gaze softening. “Rough day?”
Sprout sighed, leaning back on his hands to stare at the moon. “Rough week. My dad’s been pushing me harder than ever. He says I’m not improving fast enough.”
Cosmo frowned, his ears flattening. “You’re not some weapon he can sharpen, Sprout. You’re ” He hesitated, his voice softening. “You’re so much more than that.”
Sprout glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You always say the right thing.”
“It’s the truth,” Cosmo said firmly. He reached into the basket and pulled out a small jar of salve. “Let me guess he didn’t go easy on you.”
Sprout chuckled dryly. “When does he ever?”
Cosmo shook his head, his worry evident as he gently took Sprout’s arm. “Let me see.”
Sprout hesitated but eventually rolled up his sleeve, revealing a fresh bruise along his forearm. Cosmo’s eyes darkened, and his paws moved with care as he dabbed the salve onto the tender skin.
“You shouldn’t have to endure this,” Cosmo said, his voice low but filled with emotion.
“It’s just how it is,” Sprout replied quietly. “But being here… with you… it makes it bearable.”
Cosmo looked up, his golden eyes locking onto Sprout’s. “You shouldn’t have to bear it at all.”
Sprout’s heart ached at the sincerity in Cosmo’s gaze. He reached out hesitantly, his fingers brushing against Cosmo’s furred hand. “I know. But I have you, and that’s enough.”
The two sat in silence for a moment, the moonlight wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as though aware of the fragile peace between them.
Finally, Cosmo broke the silence. “Hey Sprout...I think I’ll be leaving..”
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap, shattering the fragile tranquility that had wrapped around them. Sprout blinked, his heart skipping a beat as he stared at Cosmo. “W-what do you mean, leaving?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Cosmo’s ears drooped slightly, and he avoided Sprout’s gaze. He picked at a blade of grass, twisting it between his claws as though it could distract him from the weight of his own words. “The pack,” he began, his voice soft but strained, “we’re moving. The Alpha says it’s not safe here anymore. The hunters… the traps… it’s getting worse.”
Sprout’s stomach dropped, his chest tightening with a sudden wave of panic. “When?” he asked, his voice trembling.
Cosmo hesitated, finally meeting Sprout’s eyes. His golden gaze was filled with regret. “By the next full moon. That’s when we leave for good.”
Sprout’s breath hitched, and he shook his head. “No. You can’t just… leave. What about this? What about us?”
Cosmo’s tail flicked anxiously, and he reached out to place a paw on Sprout’s hand. “I don’t want to leave, Sprout. Believe me, if I could stay, I would. But I don’t have a choice. The pack comes first. If I stay behind, I’ll be… exiled.”
The word hit Sprout like a punch to the gut. “Exiled?” he echoed, his voice cracking.
Cosmo nodded, his expression pained. “If I’m not with them, they’ll see me as a traitor. And a lone wolf… I wouldn’t survive out here on my own, not with all the dangers.”
Sprout looked down at their joined hands, his mind racing. “Then I’ll come with you,” he blurted out, the desperation in his voice startling even himself.
“No,” Cosmo said quickly, shaking his head. “You can’t. Your family, your life they’re here. You can’t just abandon everything for me.”
“But I can’t just let you go!” Sprout exclaimed, his voice rising. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he clenched his fists. “I can’t lose you, Cosmo. You’re the only thing that makes all of this ” He gestured vaguely, his voice breaking. “You make it bearable.”
Cosmo’s heart ached at the sight of Sprout’s pain, and he leaned closer, his voice gentle but firm. “Sprout, you’ve always been stronger than you think. I know this isn’t fair, and it hurts more than I can say. But we have to think about what’s best for both of us. If you came with me, you’d be in danger every day. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
Sprout shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks. “This isn’t fair. It’s not fair…”
Cosmo wrapped his arms around Sprout, pulling him into a tight embrace. “I know,” he whispered, his own voice thick with emotion. “I wish things were different. I wish I could stay with you forever.”
They clung to each other in the moonlight, the weight of their unspoken fears pressing down on them. The forest seemed to mourn alongside them, its usual sounds muted as if in respect for their heartbreak.
Finally, Cosmo pulled back, his golden eyes shining with unshed tears. “We still have time,” he said softly. “One more moon. Let’s make it count.”
Sprout nodded, though his heart felt like it was shattering. “One more moon,” he echoed, his voice trembling.
Cosmo’s ears drooped further, his golden eyes clouded with pain as he struggled to meet Sprout’s gaze. He fiddled with the blade of grass in his paw, his voice trembling. “The pack…” He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “The pack is leaving. The Alpha says it’s no longer safe here. The hunters’ traps are everywhere, and our food is running out. We can’t stay.”
Sprout felt as though the ground had been pulled out from under him. His chest tightened, his heart pounding in his ears. “When?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it louder would make it more real.
Cosmo hesitated, looking away. “By the next full moon,” he finally said, his voice breaking. “That’s when we’ll leave for good.”
Sprout’s breath hitched, and his hands trembled as he clutched the grass beneath him. “No,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “You can’t… You can’t just leave. What about this? What about us?”
Cosmo’s tail flicked nervously, and he finally forced himself to look at Sprout. His paw reached out, trembling slightly, as it rested over Sprout’s hand. “I don’t want to leave, Sprout. You have to know that. But… if I stay, I’ll be exiled. I’ll lose everything my pack, my home. And a lone wolf…” His voice cracked, and he shook his head. “A lone wolf doesn’t survive.”
Sprout’s throat tightened, and his vision blurred with tears. The word exiled echoed in his mind like a cruel taunt. “Then I’ll come with you,” he blurted out, the desperation in his voice palpable.
Cosmo’s eyes widened in shock and pain. “No,” he said firmly, shaking his head. “You can’t. You have your family here, your life. You can’t just throw that away for me.”
“But I can’t lose you!” Sprout’s voice rose, his tears now streaming freely down his cheeks. His fists clenched as he tried to hold himself together, but the cracks in his composure were obvious. “You’re the only thing that makes all of this bearable. The training, the pressure it doesn’t matter because I have you. I can’t do this without you, Cosmo.”
Cosmo’s heart broke at the sight of Sprout’s anguish. He reached forward, pulling Sprout into a tight embrace. “I know,” he whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of his own sorrow. “I know it’s not fair. None of this is fair. And if I could stay if I could choose you know I’d choose you every time.”
Sprout buried his face against Cosmo’s chest, his body shaking with silent sobs. “Why does it have to be this way?” he choked out. “Why can’t we just have this… just this?”
Cosmo held him tighter, his own tears falling silently onto Sprout’s hair. “I wish I could answer that,” he murmured. “I wish I could make it all better. But no matter what happens, Sprout, you’ve given me more than I ever thought I’d have. You’ve made me feel like I belong. Like I’m more than just… a wolf.”
They sat together in the clearing, the moonlight casting a soft glow around them. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the usual rustling leaves and chirping crickets absent, as if the world itself mourned their pain.
After what felt like an eternity, Cosmo pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Sprout’s tear-filled eyes. “We still have one more moon,” he said softly, his voice filled with both hope and sorrow. “Let’s make it count, Sprout. Let’s make it something we’ll never forget.”
Sprout nodded, though his heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. His voice wavered as he echoed, “One more moon.”
Cosmo smiled sadly, his paw brushing against Sprout’s cheek to wipe away a tear. “One more moon,” he repeated softly, his voice tinged with a sorrow that he couldn’t hide. He held Sprout’s gaze for a moment longer, as though trying to etch every detail into his memory.
The moonlight painted the clearing in silver hues as they stood, neither of them wanting to move, afraid that the moment would shatter if they let go. The world around them was still, as though even the forest understood the fragility of their time together.
But then, the tranquility was broken by the harsh sound of rustling in the bushes. It was sudden, jarring, and sent a shiver down Cosmo’s spine. He instinctively turned his ears toward the noise, his golden eyes narrowing. Before he could react further, a voice cut through the silence like a blade.
“SON, TACKLE HIM DOWN!”
Sprout’s head snapped toward the voice, his body freezing in place. His father stepped into the clearing, his towering figure illuminated by the glow of a lantern in one hand and the gleaming barrel of a hunter’s rifle in the other. The light cast harsh shadows across his stern face, his eyes burning with authority and fury.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” his father barked, his voice rising in anger. “I SAID TACKLE THAT YOUNG BEAST DOWN!”
Cosmo’s heart began to race as he looked from the man to Sprout. “Sprout, wait ” he started, his voice tinged with panic.
But before he could finish, Sprout moved.
It wasn’t the Sprout Cosmo knew this was someone else, someone cold, mechanical, and empty. His expression was blank, devoid of the warmth and light that usually filled his eyes. Without hesitation, he lunged forward and tackled Cosmo to the ground.
The force of the impact knocked the wind out of Cosmo, and he gasped as he hit the earth. Before he could recover, Sprout’s hands were on his neck, pressing down with an alarming strength.
“Sprout!” Cosmo choked, his voice barely audible as he struggled against the weight pinning him down. “It’s me... It’s Cosmo…”
But Sprout didn’t respond. His hands trembled slightly, but his grip remained firm. Cosmo’s golden eyes searched his face, desperate for a sign of recognition, for any trace of the boy he cared so deeply for.
“Sprout, please…” Cosmo’s voice broke, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
Sprout’s father stepped closer, his expression unrelenting. “That’s it, boy. Prove to me you’re not weak. Take him down, and you’ll finally be the man I’ve been trying to make you.”
Cosmo’s vision blurred as his lungs burned for air, but he refused to stop fighting. “You’re stronger than this, Sprout,” he rasped, his voice filled with desperation.
For a moment, something flickered in Sprout’s eyes a crack in the blank façade. His hands faltered slightly, and a faint tremor ran through his body.
“SPROUT!” his father bellowed, his voice a thunderous command. “DO NOT DISOBEY ME!”
Tears began to stream down Sprout’s face, mixing with the sweat on his skin. His grip loosened, and he stared at Cosmo, the weight of his father’s words and his own actions crashing down on him.
“I’m sorry…” Sprout whispered, his voice barely audible as his hands fell away from Cosmo’s neck. He stumbled backward, his body trembling as he clutched his head. “I’m so sorry…”
Cosmo coughed violently, his breaths ragged as he struggled to sit up. He looked at Sprout, his heart breaking at the sight of his friend crumbling under the weight of his father’s expectations.
In final action, Cosmo gave a big loud whimper howl, Sprout didn’t know what Cosmo was doing, until a few seconds of silent until a deep dark howl had returned, making Sprout stopped, Tears streamed down Sprout’s face, mixing with the sweat clinging to his flushed skin. His hands, trembling and weak, fell away from Cosmo’s neck as though the weight of his guilt made it impossible to hold on. His breaths came in sharp, panicked gasps, and his eyes darted between Cosmo and the shadowed figure of his father looming nearby. The realization of what he had almost done hit him like a crashing wave, and his legs buckled beneath him.
“I’m sorry…” Sprout’s voice cracked, barely louder than a whisper, as he stumbled backward. His hands clutched at his hair, his whole body trembling with the force of his despair. “I’m so sorry…”
Cosmo coughed violently, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breath. His golden eyes never left Sprout, filled with a mix of pain and an ache deeper than words could express. Despite the fresh bruises forming around his throat, Cosmo’s first thought wasn’t of himself but of the boy before him the boy who was breaking under the weight of a life he never chose.
“Sprout…” Cosmo rasped, his voice raw, filled with emotion. He tried to reach out, but his arms felt heavy, his strength fleeting.
Sprout’s body shook with sobs, his knees hitting the ground as he clutched his chest. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t mean to hurt you…” His voice broke, and tears streamed freely down his face.
Cosmo’s ears flicked slightly, his body tense despite his overwhelming sorrow. He turned his gaze toward the dense forest around them, his instincts sharper than ever. He knew they weren’t alone. His ears twitched again, catching faint rustles among the trees. And then, with a deep breath, Cosmo let out a loud, mournful whimper of a howl a desperate plea that carried his anguish into the night.
Sprout froze, his tear-filled eyes widening in confusion. “What… what are you doing?” he stammered, his voice shaky and uncertain.
Cosmo didn’t answer. He just kept howling, his voice rising and falling in a rhythm that was both haunting and beautiful. His body trembled with the force of it, and the clearing seemed to reverberate with his call.
For a few moments, there was only silence, the kind that stretched too thin and too long, leaving Sprout on edge. His father shouted something behind him, but it felt distant, muted by the pounding in his ears.
Then it came a deep, resonant howl, answering Cosmo’s call.
The sound sent a chill through Sprout’s body. It was nothing like Cosmo’s mournful plea. This was darker, heavier, filled with an undeniable authority that demanded attention. The woods seemed to shudder in response, the trees swaying as though bowing to the power behind the howl.
Sprout’s breath hitched as he turned toward Cosmo, whose expression had shifted from sorrow to determination.
“They’re coming,” Cosmo said quietly, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
Sprout stared at him, his mind racing. “Who’s coming?”
“The pack,” Cosmo replied, his eyes fixed on the shadows. “I called for them. I had to.”
Sprout’s father, now visibly alarmed, stepped forward, his rifle raised. “What’s the meaning of this?” he barked, his voice filled with anger. “Sprout it’s time to, finally teach you how to end this pesky creature”
Before Sprouts father can say anything else, the sound of paws pounding against the forest floor grew louder. From the darkness, glowing eyes began to appear dozens of them. The wolves emerged slowly, their forms illuminated by the pale light of the moon. They moved as one, their presence commanding and unyielding.
The deep, guttural growl of the Alpha sent a wave of terror rippling through the clearing. It was a sound primal and raw, vibrating in the very marrow of Sprout’s bones. He stumbled back, his hands trembling as he instinctively let go of Cosmo and scrambled away.
Cosmo lay on the ground, breathing heavily, his golden eyes dull with exhaustion and pain. His body sagged in defeat as he saw Gigi, his older sister, step forward from the pack. Her red velvet fur glistened under the moonlight, her wide eyes filled with horror as they landed on her injured brother.
“Cosmo…” Gigi’s voice wavered, soft but trembling with restrained fury. She crouched down beside him, her paws hovering over his bruised neck as though afraid to touch him.
Cosmo let out a weak whimper, his ears flat against his head. “I… I couldn’t stop it,” he rasped, his voice broken. “I didn’t want this…”
Gigi’s expression hardened, her sorrow giving way to anger as she turned her gaze toward Sprout and his father. Her lips curled back, revealing sharp teeth, and a growl rumbled deep in her throat.
The Alpha stepped forward, his massive form casting a long shadow over the clearing. His eyes, burning like embers, bore into Sprout’s father with unrelenting fury. The weight of his presence seemed to press down on everyone, silencing even the restless trees and animals of the forest.
“You dare harm one of my own,” the Alpha growled, his deep voice vibrating through the ground beneath them. “A pup of this pack. Do you truly believe your actions will go unanswered?”
Sprout’s father, though his hands trembled, gripped his rifle tighter and raised it toward the Alpha. His voice was sharp but shaky, a mix of fear and defiance. “Stay back! That beast attacked my son first! I’m protecting him!”
A weak, pitiful whimper escaped Cosmo’s throat, barely audible but enough to draw the pack’s attention. Two wolves, their pelts streaked with silver and carrying the calm authority of medics, moved swiftly to Cosmo’s side. They nudged his limp form gently, their noses brushing against his bruised neck before lifting him with care.
As Cosmo was carried away, Gigi’s mournful eyes followed her brother. Her sorrow turned to rage as she turned toward Sprout, her claws digging into the earth with each step. Her silver fur bristled, and her sharp teeth glinted under the moonlight. Each movement radiated fury, her grief fueling her every step.
Sprout, paralyzed by fear and guilt, couldn’t move. His chest heaved as he tried to speak, to plead, but no words came.
Gigi’s growl deepened as she charged toward him, her claws extended and her eyes blazing with anger. But before she could reach him, the Alpha moved with terrifying speed, his massive paw slamming into her side. The force knocked her off balance and pinned her to the ground.
“Enough, Gigi,” the Alpha commanded, his voice like a thunderclap. “This boy is not the one to punish.”
Gigi writhed beneath his paw, her whines a mix of protest and despair. “He hurt Cosmo! He he betrayed him!” Her voice cracked, her emotions spilling over as she glared at Sprout. “How can you let him go after what he’s done?”
The Alpha’s fiery eyes narrowed as he observed Sprout’s trembling form. His voice was low, commanding, and heavy with expectation. “Do you regret what you’ve done?”
Sprout hesitated, his eyes darting toward Cosmo, who was now being carried away by the medics. Guilt and sorrow flickered in his gaze, but something darker stirred beneath the surface. Slowly, his attention shifted to his father, who stood rigid, the rifle still raised, his face a mask of anger and control.
A silence settled over the clearing, broken only by Sprout’s shallow breaths. Then, his expression changed. The tears stopped, and his trembling ceased. Slowly, a blank, almost eerie calm took over his face.
“No,” Sprout said softly, his voice carrying an unsettling edge. He raised his head, his lips curling into a wicked smile that sent a shiver through the pack. “No, I don’t regret it at all.”
The Alpha’s gaze darkened, his ears twitching at the sudden shift in Sprout’s demeanor. Gigi froze, her confusion turning to alarm as she stepped closer to the boy, her hackles raised.
Sprout moved with unnerving precision, his footsteps deliberate as he turned fully toward his father. His eyes gleamed with a cold intensity that made even the bravest wolves hesitate.
“What are you doing?” Gigi growled, her voice laced with both fear and warning.
Sprout’s movements were quick and calculated, his grip on the rifle firm as he turned it toward one of the wolves. His hands shook for a brief moment, but the venom in his eyes didn’t falter. With a deafening crack, the shot rang out, striking the wolf’s leg.
The injured wolf howled in pain, collapsing onto the forest floor, its packmates rushing to its side. Gasps and growls filled the clearing as the other wolves looked on, torn between fury and disbelief.
Sprout’s father seized the moment of distraction. “Good work, son!” he hissed, grabbing Sprout roughly by the arm.
Sprout hesitated, his body stiff as his father yanked him backward. His gaze flicked to Cosmo, who was being tended to by the pack’s medics. Their eyes met briefly Cosmo’s filled with heartbreak, Sprout’s with a flicker of regret that quickly vanished behind a mask of detachment.
“You did what had to be done,” his father continued, dragging him away. “Now let’s get out of here before they turn on us!”
The Alpha, who had been ready to leap into pursuit, suddenly froze, a sharp, agonizing growl escaping his throat. He glanced down to find his leg caught in a rusted bear trap, its jagged teeth biting cruelly into his flesh.
The pack turned to their leader in alarm, their earlier focus on Sprout and his father shattered.
“Alpha!” Gigi cried, rushing to his side. She began to pull at the trap with trembling paws, her fury and desperation palpable.
The Alpha gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing as he barked an order. “Do not let them escape!”
The wolves hesitated, their instincts torn between loyalty to their wounded Alpha and the scent of their fleeing prey. Gigi’s sharp snarl cut through their indecision. “Go! Don’t let them escape! I’ll stay with him!”
Reluctantly, a few wolves broke into the shadows, their howls echoing through the trees as they pursued Sprout and his father.
Sprout stumbled after his father, his legs moving mechanically as though disconnected from his will. The forest blurred around him, its once-familiar paths now ominous and suffocating. Twigs snapped beneath their hurried footsteps, each sound cutting through the heavy silence like a blade.
“You see, son?” his father panted, his breath visible in the cold night air. He glanced back at Sprout with a twisted grin. “You’re finally learning what it means to be strong. To survive. I always knew you had it in you.”
Sprout didn’t respond. His stomach twisted in knots, the weight of the rifle in his hands feeling unbearable. His father’s words echoed in his mind, but they clashed violently with the memory of Cosmo’s wide, hurt eyes, the desperate yelp of the injured wolf, and the Alpha’s pained snarl.
They pushed deeper into the forest, the village lights finally breaking through the darkness like distant stars. Sprout’s father slowed, his shoulders relaxing as they neared the edge of the trees. “You did well, Sprout,” he said, his voice laced with grim satisfaction. “Today, you proved you’re not weak. You’re a hunter. Like me.”
The words struck Sprout like a dagger. His grip on the rifle tightened, his knuckles turning white. His mind reeled, a storm of guilt, anger, and despair crashing over him.
“I’m not like you,” he whispered, his voice trembling.
His father chuckled, either not hearing him or choosing to ignore the quiet defiance. As they crossed into the village, he clapped Sprout on the shoulder. “You’ll thank me one day. You’ll see this was necessary.”
Sprout’s chest tightened, the weight of his father’s words pressing down on him like a stone. Each syllable felt cruel, a bitter reminder of the promises he had shattered to himself, to the forest, and most of all, to Cosmo.
They arrived at the barn, the familiar warmth of home now cold and suffocating. His mother rushed to meet them, her face lined with worry. “What happened out there?” she asked, her voice trembling as her eyes darted between Sprout and his father.
“Sprout proved himself,” his father replied gruffly, leaning the rifle against the wall with a satisfied smirk. “He’s finally growing into a real man.”
Sprout flinched at the words, shame flooding through him like a tidal wave. His mother’s worried gaze fell on him, but he couldn’t meet her eyes. Instead, he stood frozen in the doorway, the rifle still clutched in his trembling hands.
“Get some rest,” his father added, turning toward the kitchen. “Tomorrow, we’ll teach you how to set proper traps. The pack won’t stand a chance.”
Sprout’s breath hitched, his father’s voice fading into a blur of meaningless noise. Only one thought consumed him:
“ I broke my promise. I betrayed Cosmo... I betrayed the one person I cared for. The one person I..loved...”
His throat burned as he swallowed down the lump of emotion rising in his chest. He couldn’t cry. Not here. Not in front of them. Weakness wasn’t allowed not in this house.
His hands shaking, he carefully set the rifle down by the door. The weight of it lingered in his palms, a sickening reminder of what he’d done. He turned and trudged up the stairs, each step heavier than the last, as though his guilt was dragging him into the ground.
Downstairs, his parents’ voices rose in heated argument, but their words barely registered in his ears. They sounded distant, unimportant compared to the storm raging in his own mind.
When Sprout reached his room, he barely managed to close the door behind him before his legs gave out. He slid down the wooden frame, the rough texture digging into his back, but he didn’t care. His body felt numb, his mind drowning in the image of Cosmo’s face the wide, golden eyes that had once looked at him with trust and warmth now filled with confusion and raw, unfiltered pain. The betrayal carved into every line of Cosmo’s expression was like a dagger twisting in Sprout’s chest.
He tried to breathe, but the air felt thick, suffocating. His trembling hands pushed against the floor as he crawled to his bed, his knees scraping against the wooden planks. By the time he reached the mattress, his strength gave out completely, and he collapsed face-first onto the quilt.
His hands clawed at the fabric, bunching it in his fists as his chest heaved with sobs. The first tear fell silently, then another, and another, until they poured freely, soaking into the quilt beneath him. His cries started as quiet gasps, but soon they grew louder, rawer, until the room seemed to echo with the sound of his despair.
“I’m sorry…” The words tumbled from his lips, cracked and broken. “I’m so, so sorry…” His voice faltered, shaking under the weight of his regret. The words felt hollow, useless nothing more than desperate whispers in an empty room.
Sprout’s thoughts spiraled, each memory hitting him like a blow to the chest. He saw Cosmo’s playful smile when they baked together, heard his warm laughter echoing in the clearing, felt the safety of his embrace on nights when the forest felt too dark. And now… Cosmo’s face twisted in pain, his voice choking as he tried to speak, his body crumpling under the weight of betrayal.
I betrayed him. I betrayed everything....
Sprout’s fingers dug into his scalp, pulling at his hair as if the physical pain could drown out the storm inside him. “Why did I listen to him?” he whispered hoarsely, his throat burning. “Why couldn’t I stop myself? Why did I…” His voice broke entirely, the words dissolving into another wave of sobs.
He felt sick, his stomach twisting violently as the memories played on a loop. The weight of Cosmo beneath him, the rifle heavy in his hands, the sound of the injured wolf’s howl. And worst of all, the look on Cosmo’s face trust shattered into pieces that Sprout could never put back together.
“I’m no better than my father,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “I’m a coward. A monster.”
He pressed his face into the pillow, muffling the sound of his cries as his body shook uncontrollably. The room felt unbearably small, the walls closing in on him as guilt clawed at his chest.
For the first time, Sprout hated himself. Hated the weakness that had let him be controlled. Hated the fear that had silenced him when he should have fought back. And most of all, he hated that he had hurt the one person who had ever made him feel truly understood.
The forest couldn’t hear him. Cosmo couldn’t hear him. And Sprout knew deep down, in the part of him that still dared to hope that no apology would ever be enough...