At the age of twelve weeks, Lekalta was beginning to come out of her shyness and see the world with unleashed exuberance. Kisla spent much of her time rounding up the little scamper, ushering her back to the rendezvous site and trying to keep tabs on her. Often times, she would attempt to lure Inna in to the same mischief.


This day, the cub was nestled in some long grass, which elicited a loud sneeze from her as it tickled her nose. Offering a soft, puppy growl, Lekalta took a swat at the offender before letting her jowls loose upon it – snagging it with her teeth and pulling.


Of course, this would only last so long, and after she had ‘viciously’ plucked a large chunk of the grass, the tawny girl settled her muzzle back down to her outstretched forepaws with a dramatic ‘plop.’ A sigh ushered past her lips, and blinking, the girl’s bright eyes drifted upward to the blue sky, noting the puffy white clouds that sailed across it, as if it were a sea. To say she was bored was an understatement, and glancing back down, she looked around, wondering where her twin just might be. “Innaaaaaa,” she called, her muzzle canting as she waited for her sisters reply – she was only met with a cricket. “Inna!” The demand was harsher this time, a scowl darkening her puppy features as she looked about for her sister.. and yet logic did not seem to pull her forward that she could actually go look for her littermate.. No, she wanted Inna to come to her.

It was not the tiny ebony form of her sister that came tumbling out at her, but instead, a rather large and intimidating wolf. Cloaked in a pelt of deep chocolate and black, this stranger’s form was tinted with aspects of cream and reds as well – a far cry from her sister’s almost pure black fur.


Lekalta shifted then, studying this wolf as he came closer – and, of course, she was captivated by the empty socket where his eye should have been. Not of the understanding that it was rude to stare at such a thing, the creamy girl did so rather blatantly, and found a sick curiosity pull at her.


You could lose an eye?


Of course, little did she know that it was likely taboo to also mention these incidents either, and pushing herself up with her forepaws to her rump, Lekalta peered curiously at the man, barely heeding his words as he mentioned her mother. “Where’d you put it?” The question seemed logical enough – had he left it behind somewhere? And if so, how? Or, more importantly, why? “Does it hurt?” It would seem the daughter of Maksim and Kisla had yet to learn the meaning of fear or nervousness – pack so far had only meant fun, and so with the scent that laid thick upon Kjors, Lekalta had no reason to assume otherwise.


She wanted to scooch closer to him then – the familiar comradery she would offer her parents or siblings, but something kept her rooted from the spot. Was he sick?

Unbeknownst to her open rudeness, Lekalta was still pleased when the male sidled closer, pleased she had questioned him of his fate. She continued to stare openly at him, her eyes wide as she studied the lines of scar tissue – the prospect of a missing eye seemed far too gruesome to truly consider.


The man sprawled before her then, and with the open invitation from body language alone, the girl scooched her rump closer, one paw lifting to hesitantly skim upon his own outstretched paws as she attempted to gain better balance – and, of course, peek in to the oblivion of where another golden eye should have been staring out at her.


“They stole it?” Her words came out almost as a gasp – the baby slur apparent as she gawked at him now, perplexed by this thought. People could steal your eyes? “Did she no have her own?” Again, the baby slur was out, and settling back further to better stare at the entirety of the beast before her, Lekalta was in awe over this tale. “What’d she do with it?” Imagination running rampant, Lekalta could only imagination what the she-wolf had done. His words coaxed her to take a closer peek, and the honeyed pup once more peered at him, studying it through squinted eyes. “Still hurt?” Had she been braver – perhaps if her sister had been at her side – Lekalta might have even lifted a paw to touch his cheek just below the old injury – yet even at a young age, she knew it might only cause him pain.

Both disturbed and completely captivated by the tale as it was unwoven before her, Kjors certainly had Lekalta’s rapt attention. He lost it in battle – how terrible! Surely, the she-wolf who had taken it was powerful, for the male before her was terribly large, in her eyes. Not as big as her father – but quite formidable!


What came next, though, had her jaw drop in utter disbelief. “What?! Ewwww!” The gasp and squeal jumbled together, and the girl could barely keep a smile from breaking out upon her tiny features. The thought alone was sickening – surely it had tasted disgusting! “Didjou get her back?!”


His nose pressed to her belly, and a small giggle escaped the girl, allowing herself to flop down and to her side, one paw swinging to tap his nose. Her ears splayed back, excitement shining in her eyes as she thought of his story.


And then she truly thought of his story, and a sobering moment washed over her, nervousness flickering across her features. “Will she.. will she come and eat my eye?” Because as cool as the story was, Lekalta was definitely not keen at having her eyeball eaten. Kjors hadn’t mentioned why the she-wolf took his eye.. only that she had. Had he been bad? Is that what happened to bad pups..? Shifting her weight so that she remained splayed upon her stomach now, the cream-colored girl waited for an answer from the man who would know best – and maybe he could even protect her from it.