Taken?
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Cosmo’s Pov
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It’s been a week since Scraps told me that information, I can’t help but looked at the new cubs crying, and being laid in cribs, they’re such a cutie.
I began to hummed a soft melody, as I looked over the clipboard with some of the notes I had taken and including the cute pups names,
I traced my finger over the names, each one written with careful precision. New life in the village always brought warmth, a sense of hope for the future. But despite the joy surrounding me, my mind was elsewhere.
Scraps’ words still lingered, echoing in my head like an old melody I couldn’t shake.
The northern village is thinking about changing its laws.
The chief’s daughter is in love with a werewolf.
They might finally give us a place to belong.
I wanted to believe it. To believe that maybe, just maybe, the world was shifting into something kinder, something new. But I knew better than anyone that change real change came at a cost.
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
“Cosmo!”
I looked up as Goob rushed into the clinic, his ears perked with excitement.
“Big news!” Goob skidded to a stop beside me, panting. “A group from the southern village just passed through. They’re heading to the north.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And why is that big news?”
“Because the Red Hood hunter is there”
The name echoed in my head, rattling something loose inside me, something I thought I had buried long ago.
Sprout...
The weight of it pressed down on me, an old wound aching as if it had never truly healed.
I wanted to ask more. How does he look? Is he different? Does he… does he ever talk about me? But the words wouldn’t come.
Instead, I forced my voice into something steady, something indifferent. “And you’re absolutely sure it was him?”
Goob gave me a look, like I had just asked if the sky was blue. “Oh, come on, Cosmo. A Red Hood hunter with a red streak in his hair? Who else could it be?”
My ears twitched at that. A red streak?
Had he always had that?
Or was it new?
I clenched the clipboard a little tighter. “Did he… say anything?”
Goob blinked. “Say anything? I mean, I wasn’t there, but from what I heard, he’s mostly keeping quiet. You know how hunters are serious and broody.”
Serious and broody.
The Sprout I knew was anything but.
The Sprout I remembered had laughed with his whole body, had been stubborn and reckless, had dragged me into ridiculous baking competitions just to see me struggle with his weird human recipes.
But that was years ago....
And time had a way of turning people into strangers.
I didn’t realize I was gripping the clipboard too hard until my claws punctured the paper.
Goob’s ears flicked at the sharp sound of tearing paper. His playful grin wavered, shifting into something softer more cautious.
“Cosmo?”
I blinked down at the damage I had done, my claws sinking deep into the parchment, the ink smudged beneath my fingers. Slowly.
Iforced my grip to relax, but the damage was already done. The marks were still there deep, jagged, and irreparable.
Just like the past.
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. “It’s nothing.”
Goob didn’t look convinced. “Uh-huh. Sure.” He studied me for a moment, tilting his head. “You’re acting weird. I mean, weirder than usual.”
I rolled my eyes, setting the clipboard aside. “It’s just… surprising, that’s all. I didn’t expect him to be in the North.”
Goob grinned, his tail wagging. “Ohhh, so you do care.”
I shot him a look. “Goob.”
“What?” He laughed, nudging me with his shoulder. “You’re all tense and broody. Just saying, you got that whole tragic lost love thing going on ”
“I swear, if you don’t stop talking, I will personally make sure you’re on bed rest for a week,” I deadpanned, reaching for a jar of pungent herbs.
Goob gagged, stumbling back dramatically. “Alright, alright! Sheesh, no need to bring out the bad medicine.”
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Look, just… tell me everything you know. Who saw him? What’s he doing there?”
Goob stretched his arms behind his head, still grinning. “Dunno all the details, but from what I heard, he’s with a group of hunters. Something about investigating the village chief’s daughter and her… possible werewolf boyfriend?”
I stiffened. “What?”
Goob waggled his brows. “Yeah, you know, the big scandal! A human falling for one of us crazy, right? Apparently, it’s causing quite a stir. And if Sprout’s there, well…” His grin faltered slightly. “I mean, you know how that village is. If they find out the rumors are true, it’s gonna get messy.”
My stomach twisted, a mix of worry and something else something colder.
Sprout was there because of them. Because of another wolf, another human, another impossible love.
Not because of me.
I clenched my fists, forcing the thought down before it could fester. “And the village?” I asked, my voice steady. “How are they handling it?”
Goob hesitated. “Depends who you ask. Some people are fine with it. Others… not so much. The elders are furious, obviously. They think it’s dangerous.”
Of course they did.
Goob scratched behind his ear. “I don’t think they’ll let this slide, Cosmo. The chief’s daughter is really involved with a wolf, something’s gonna happen.” He paused. “And if his there to handle it…”
I didn’t let him finish.
I already knew how it ended.
Humans didn’t change.
Sprout didn’t change...
After what he had done..
So why did part of me still hope?
I turned away, my gaze fixed on the moon peeking through the treetops. “Thanks, Goob,” I murmured. “That’s all I need to know.”
Even if my heart screamed otherwise.
Goob studied me for a moment, his tail twitching thoughtfully. “Guess we’ll see,” he said, his voice light but carrying an undertone I couldn’t quite place.
I frowned, my grip on the clipboard tightening. “Goob, don’t ”
“Don’t what?” he interrupted, tilting his head. “Don’t think it’s strange that the Red Hood still visits the west side of the forest? Don’t think it’s weird that after all these years?”
A cold knot twisted In my stomach. I opened my mouth, then closed it.
Goob sighed, flopping down dramatically onto his back. “Come on, Cosmo. You can at least admit you’re curious.”
I forced my ears to stay upright, my face to remain neutral. “I have responsibilities, Goob. I don’t have time for ”
“For what?” Goob rolled onto his side, grinning. “For checking if your long-lost childhood love still thinks about you?”
I let out a low growl, but he just wagged his tail, unfazed.
“I’m not going to the northern village to chase ghosts,” I said, ignoring the way my own voice wavered. “If he’s there, then so be it. It has nothing to do with me.”
Goob snorted. “Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
Before I could snap back, a voice rang out from outside.
“Cosmo! We need you another pup’s coming early!”
The shift was instant. My ears perked, my body already moving before I could think.
“I’ll talk to you later,” I told Goob, all teasing forgotten.
Grabbing my medical bag, I sprinted toward the den, willing my thoughts to quiet, to bury themselves beneath the weight of responsibility. But no matter how much I tried to push them away, they lingered like shadows in the back of my mind.
Duty first. Always.
The moment I stepped inside, the warm, earthy scent of the den surrounded me damp fur, dried herbs, and the sharp tang of sweat. The air was thick with tension, the quiet murmurs of waiting wolves mixing with the labored breaths of the mother-to-be.
“Cosmo, over here!” Ginger called, cradling a newborn pup against her chest. Her fur was ruffled, and exhaustion lined her face, but her golden eyes held firm. The pup nestled against her, small and fragile, letting out soft whimpers.
I didn’t hesitate. I moved toward the mother, who was still panting heavily, her body trembling with the effort of bringing new life into the world.
I crouched beside her, my practiced paws moving instinctively as I checked her pulse, the damp fur along her flank, the tension in her muscles.
“You’re doing great,” I murmured soothingly. “Just a little more. Deep breaths.”
The mother let out a low whine, pressing her forehead against the nest of blankets beneath her. “I I can’t,” she gasped.
“Yes, you can,” I reassured her, pressing a steady paw against her side, feeling the final pup still waiting to enter the world. “You’re almost there.”
She clenched her jaw, her ears pinned back, and with one last push, a small, slick pup slipped into my waiting paws.
For a brief second, there was silence.
Then, a sharp cry filled the den.
Relief flooded my chest as I quickly checked the pup’s breathing, rubbing its tiny back with careful paws. The newborn let out a stronger cry, its tiny limbs twitching. Strong. Alive.
I passed the pup to Ginger, who carefully placed it beside its mother. The exhausted she-wolf let out a shaky breath, licking her newborns with the softest touch.
A moment of peace settled over the den.
I sat back on my heels, exhaling as the weight in my chest loosened if only slightly. This was what I was meant to do. Heal. Protect. Bring life into the world, not take it away.
And yet..
Even as I watched the mother curl protectively around her newborns, warmth filling the space with each gentle breath, a part of me still felt cold.
The den was filled with the scent of new life, of something pure and untarnished. And yet, deep inside, something in me remained distant like I was watching from behind a glass wall, unable to fully step into the moment.
A soft voice pulled me back.
“Thanks, Cosmo.”
I turned to see Ginger standing beside me, exhaustion evident in her posture, but relief in her eyes. “Can you call the father?” she asked, her voice quiet.
I nodded, brushing my paws against my tunic to rid them of lingering herbs before stepping out of the den.
The father was on the other side of the clearing, pacing anxiously, his ears twitching at every small sound. His claws scraped against the dirt with every restless step, but he froze the moment he saw me approach.
I caught sight of two small pups huddled beside him, their wide eyes reflecting the flickering den fire, their tiny bodies trembling with uncertainty.
I crouched down to their level, offering a warm smile despite the weight still pressing on my chest. “Your mama is okay,” I told them gently. “And you have two new baby siblings. They’re strong and healthy, just like you.”
The pups perked up, their little tails giving uncertain wags before turning toward their father. His tense shoulders loosened, and for the first time since I had seen him, his eyes softened.
“They’re safe?” he asked, his voice hoarse, as if he had been holding his breath for hours.
I nodded. “Safe and waiting for you.”
For a moment, he didn’t move. Then, as if something inside him had finally given way, he exhaled sharply, scooping up his older pups and pressing his nose into their fur. “Did you hear that?” he murmured to them, his voice breaking just slightly. “Mama’s waiting for us.”
The little ones beamed, their fear melting into excitement. “Can we go see her now?”
I smiled. “Of course. She wants to see you too.”
Without hesitation, the father stood, gently guiding his pups toward the den. I watched them go, something warm stirring in my chest, though it didn’t quite reach the cold edges lingering inside me.
This was the part I loved the part that made me feel like I was doing something good. Bringing families together. Saving lives. For a fleeting moment, the warmth of it settled in my chest, easing the ever-present weight I carried.
Then, a familiar howl echoed through the trees, low and urgent.
I excused myself, giving the family a final reassuring glance before slipping out of the den. The night air was crisp, carrying with it the distant scent of pine and damp earth. The howl had come from the edge of the village, near the main path leading to the outskirts.
And then, I saw her.
Gigi.
She was pacing near the tree line, her tail flicking in agitation, ears alert. The moment she spotted me, her tense posture eased, and she quickly closed the distance between us, pressing her forehead against mine in a firm but brief nuzzle.
“Hey, little bro,” she murmured, her voice holding that familiar warmth one I hadn’t realized I needed tonight.
I leaned into the touch for just a second before stepping back, my eyes scanning her face. There was something off about the way she carried herself something restless beneath the surface.
“You’re worked up,” I noted, tilting my head. “What’s wrong?”
Before she could answer, another figure approached from the side.
Ginger.
My cousin had likely overheard our exchange, given how sharp her ears were. She smiled softly as she joined us, but even she seemed aware of the underlying tension.
“You barely visit this late unless something’s important,” Ginger remarked lightly, though there was clear curiosity in her tone. “So what’s going on?”
My breath hitched, my chest tightening like a vice.
Scraps is gone.
Gigi’s words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my skull, refusing to settle.
Gone.
I felt like the ground had just been ripped out from under me. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.
“What do you mean she’s gone?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, laced with something close to desperation. I took a step forward, ears pinned back, claws digging into my palms. “Gigi, tell me she’s just hiding, tell me she’s playing some stupid joke ”
Gigi shook her head, and that was worse than any words she could’ve said.
Panic clawed at my throat. My mind raced, connecting pieces I didn’t want to fit together.
Goob.
What was I supposed to tell him? How was I supposed to look him in the eye?
I barely registered Ginger stepping closer, her voice firm but gentle. “Cosmo, breathe. In and out, okay?”
I tried, I really did, but my lungs felt too tight, like they couldn’t expand properly.
Scraps is gone.
The words wouldn’t stop repeating in my head, over and over, hammering into my skull.
“Tell me everything,” I finally managed, my voice raw. “Where was she last? Who saw her? How long has she been missing?”
Gigi looked at me, hesitation flickering in her eyes. That hesitation made me sick.
She knew something.
And I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it.
“Her last scent was near by at the village..”
She voiced, before I can say anything I hear a whimper, I looked over to see him looked shocked sad and tears.
Goob.
The moment I saw him, everything inside me twisted.
His ears were pinned back, his tail tucked close to his body. His usual bright, mischievous eyes were wide and brimming with tears. His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but no words came out just a broken little whimper.
And that sound.
That tiny, devastated noise shattered whatever fragile grip I had on my own emotions.
“Goob…” I barely choked out, stepping toward him, but he flinched.
Flinched away from me.
It was like a knife to the gut.
Gigi turned, ears drooping as she took a slow step toward him. “Goob, I ”
“Is it true?” His voice was hoarse, thick with barely contained emotion. He looked from Gigi to me, desperation shining through the tears threatening to fall. “She’s… she’s not gone, right? She’s just hiding, or or she’s playing a trick?”
No one spoke.
Goob’s breathing quickened. He shook his head violently. “No no, she promised! She told me she’d be careful! She said she she’d come back!”
His voice cracked on the last word, his whole body trembling.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to stay steady. “We don’t know what happened yet, Goob. We’re going to find her, okay?”
He finally looked at me then, searching my face for something reassurance, certainty, a miracle.
I had nothing to give him.
A fresh wave of tears spilled over, and before I could stop him, he lunged forward, burying his face in my chest. His tiny frame shook with silent sobs, his claws digging into my fur as if holding on would make this nightmare go away.
“I want my sister back,” he whispered.
I clenched my jaw, wrapping my arms around him.
“We’ll find her,” I promised.
---
Scraps Pov.
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I held her hand gently, bringing it to my lips, pressing a lingering kiss against her knuckles. Her warmth, her scent everything about her felt safe, felt like home.
“I’ll protect you, Poppy,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, but filled with every ounce of devotion I had.
She cupped my cheek, her touch soft, yet grounding. “Scraps,” she breathed, her voice carrying a mix of love and worry.
I leaned into her touch, savoring the moment. Then, she kissed me, and I hummed against her lips, feeling the way my heart melted into hers.
If I could freeze this moment, I would.
If I could carve out a space in time where nothing else mattered where there were no villages, no rules, no fears I would.
But reality was cruel.
Poppy pulled back slightly, resting her forehead against mine. “Scraps…” she hesitated, fingers trailing against my fur. “You know this won’t be easy, right?”
I let out a soft whine, closing my eyes. “I don’t care how hard it is,” I whispered. “As long as I have you, I’ll fight through anything.”
She sighed, shifting closer, wrapping her arms around me. “Then we fight together.”
Her words were a promise, a vow sealed between us. I held onto her tighter, burying my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent like it could tether me to this moment. I didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want to face what was coming.
But I could already hear it.
The distant, rhythmic pounding of hooves against the dirt. The unmistakable clang of armor.
The hunters were coming.
I lifted my head, ears twitching as I turned toward the distant sound. From the edge of the cliff, I could see them—torches flickering like fireflies in the dark, bodies moving in formation, an army of men who had already decided I was a monster.
Poppy’s grip on me tightened. “Scraps…” her voice wavered, and I hated that I was the cause of her fear.
I let out a shaky breath before flashing her a small, defiant grin. “If they want me, they’ll have to tear me apart first.”
My heart thundered in my chest, but I refused to show fear. Not now. Not when she was watching.
I turned back to the approaching threat, my claws digging into the dirt. The moon cast a cold glow over the land..
They were coming for me.