As I padded down to them the one that was not injured turned and snarled at me bearing teeth and ears plaster to its head. I slowed and began to walk slower and held up my hands open faced. Then I realized that the one snarling was a female and the injured one was a male. I approached ever slower and with more caution. She continued to snarl and bear her teeth and I came ever closer and I finally spoke, “I am here to help you little one honest, I mean no strife.” I came closer and bared her my throat in submission and she calmed a degree. She still held that edge of uncertainness but it was soon dissipating as I approached. She sniffed the air and bowed her head. I dropped my head to its normal level and came closer and I could see the extent of her companions injury. He had an arrow though his left shoulder that was inches from his heart. It was a miracle that it did not hit his heart.
His gray fur was matted were the blood had dried and clotted, it was a mess. He was young. No more than 40 in wolf years, which was in human years at least 16. His fur was gray and he had white on his abdomen and face. He looked strong from where I was standing and his hair was silver with hints of black. He was lying on his back and had his eyes open and alert but was to weak to move from the loss of blood. His eyes were a dark chocolate brown and the held a light of defiance in them. This made my lips curve up in a wolfish grin. He was a hand full when he was at full strength, there was no doubt in my mind about that. I studied him for a moment and then turned my attention to the even younger she-wolf.
She looked to be no older that 30 in wolf years which was like 15 in human years. She was the same shade of gray as he, but her making were different and she had more of them the him. She had white on her clawed hands and feet and on her chest also. Her tail was tipped with white as well as black. She was less muscular then her brother but just as strong willed. I bet their father and mother pull out their hair when they have to deal with their strong wills. I thought to myself with a chuckle. Her hair was more silver than her brothers and her eyes were the color of good ale.
“How did this happen to him might I ask?” I asked calmly as I came closer the she-wolf and her brother. She looked up at me with her ale colored eyes and said in a small scared voice that did not match her attitude from earlier. “My brother and I were trying to get home when we ran into some humans with bows and arrows we barely got away and my brother, Thorn ,got hit by there arrow in the shoulder.” She was shaken up but still strong willed as ever, I kneeled down and looked Thorn over. “He will live. Can you stand Thorn?” I asked him softly. He nodded not speaking and got up with the help of his sister. “My name is Rose.” She said as she stood next to her brother supporting him. How interesting  Rose and Thorn. The rose has its thorns. How entertaining this is going to be an interesting time.
We walked to my cave at the top of the ridge and I lead them in. I pointed at a bed of deer hides and Rose laid her brother down carefully and gently. Then she turned to me and looked at me and nodded. I nodded back and stood there watching them interact with each other and I smiled. The love of a sister for her brother. Then I finally stopped my observing and went out of the cave one last  time to go get us food. I went down to the clearing and found a herd or elk. I picked an overly plump male and cut him from the rest. I ran him down and tore out his throat and let the warm blood coat my fangs. Then I picked it up and haled it to my cave where I found Rose and Thorn sitting together on the pallet of hides. They looked overjoyed to see the elk over my shoulder but did not jump me for it. Wise choice. I laid it down in front of them and moved my clawed paw in the “eat” motion and they launched themselves at it. I watched and could not help but smile. “I gather you have not eaten in a long while from the way you are gorging yourselves right now.” I said with a hint of amusement.
They both stopped eating with blood drenching their muzzles. They looked embarrassed at their behavior. “ It is okay, go ahead eat, I will eat later. It your turn to eat you need it more than I.” I said in a reassuring voice and they nodded a thank you in unison and  began again. I continued to watch them with amusement. I sat against the wall opposite them. When they finished they sat their for a moment and cleaned the blood off each others muzzles. “What brings two such as yourselves to my land?” I asked. “We were on our way home when we came into contact with the humans. We were trying to get out of this land as fast a possible in case the One Who Strikes and Kills was about.” Rose said . I was very amused now. If they only knew whose den they were in now they would not be so quick to insult. So I was their boogieman huh? So wolf mothers told their pups of me. Well that is to be expected. “What have you been told about the One Who Strikes and Kills?” I asked calmly. “We have been told that if we come into contact with him that we will never be seen again and that he will eat us and use our bones to pick his teeth of our flesh.” Rose said with a shiver. I could not help but laugh out loud at this tale. What foolishness is being told about me. Will wonder never cease. Their mothers and grandmothers tell them these tales so they will not go far from the den. How entertaining this is. I continued to laugh for several more minutes, then my laughter ceased and I had to run a clawed finger under eyes to catch the tear that where coming down my face from my laughter. The two young wolves sat across from me with looks of embarrassment on their faces. “I am sorry young ones, it is just funny to hear such a thing about him.” I said in a sincere voice. Smiles broke onto their faces as they saw the foolishness in their story and they too began to snicker.
“Excuses me Wise One but, if it is not to much to ask, may we know your name? You know ours it is only right we know yours.” Thorn asked. This was the first time I had heard him talk and he had an edge to his voice that said that he still had a lot of growing up to do. I turned my head to look at the young wolf and a smile curved my lips. “My name is Adelfos Claw.” I said quietly looking into the young wolf’s eyes. They seemed to be excited by knowing my name. I smiled at this and nodded at then to ask the questions they were dying to ask of me. Rose asked the first question. “How old are you Adelfos Claw? You do not look very old, I am 30 and Thorn 40.” I smiled at her question she found me interesting I could tell from her body language. “I am 125. A little older then you no?” I said and she seemed to shrink a degree in disappointment.  The next question came from Thorn. “Have you killed other wolves before?” He asked. I looked at him and he was eager to hear my answer. “Yes, I have killed many humans and wolves alike but I do not wish to get into that conversation.” I said politely.