//------------------------------//
// Giving Hope 
// Story: Spike The Dog 
// by bakersong 
//------------------------------//

	"P-please... h-help..." he moaned out.

<Ah, what's the matter little pup? Did you have a little fall?>  One of the Timberwolves said.

<That wasn't funny, we should treat our prey with a little more respect. Especially after a good chase like we had, and especially prey that took out one of our packs with a pebble.> One said with a snarl.

<Wait, I thought that was a baby dragon?> One asked.

<Well, it's the same scent and a little bit of magic. So I think a pony turned him into a mutt, though a small one at that. Afraid there won't be enough for all of us.> The first Timberwolf said.

<We can decide who gets seconds, but I think Maple should get first dibs since she managed to catch up to him.> This one had a tone of leadership.

<Wait, that's not...> A growl cut the one talking off.

<It's completely fair, and how we've always done it. If you would like to change that, then challenge me to be Alpha.> He managed to open his eyes to see one Timberwolf holding another down by it's neck. <But you know exactly what would happen don't you?>

While they were distracted he managed to get up, though he bit his tongue as a bolt of pain came from his hind left leg. He managed to get five feet before the pain made him fall over again, and the sound of him falling caught the attention of the timberwolves. They quickly surrounded him, even though he couldn't even go one more step without everything getting black spots.

<So, can I go ahead and take the first bite? I mean I honestly don't like seeing other creatures suffer like this, even if we are the ones who put them like that.> A more female voice said, the voice actually having genuine sympathy for him as he gave a little whimper.

<Then go ahead, and you all best back off. We should always put our prey out of misery before they suffer too much. For we are not monsters, we are hunters.> The one he assumed was the alpha said, with a snarl, though his attention was shifted to one who started to take steps toward him, and as she got close she whispered in his ear.

<I'm sorry little pup, but we need to eat just like everything else.> He gave another whimper, and closed his eyes as he could feel the female timberwolf open her jaw and start to close in.

But then the feeling of the female timberwolf hovering over him just disappeared as he started to hear the other timberwolves fighting. Though that went to the back of his mind as he waited to feel the wooden teeth to sink into him, but that never happened. He managed to open his eyes to see what was happening, and to his surprise the same timberwolf that was about to eat him fighting the other timberwolves.

He honestly couldn't believe his eyes, after all why would they be fighting each other? Last he knew they were all silent, and the only sound he heard was the breathing of the female timberwolf. Once again his attention was drawn back to that very same timberwold who was now very injured.

<I'm very sorry for that scare little pup, but I had to catch them off guard> She said looking at his hind leg with guilt. <And I'm sorry about actually catching you, but if you're wondering why I saved you it's because I don't believe in killing pups, or any form of child.>

"B-but I thought y-you needed to eat..." he said flinching out of pain.

<We do need to eat, but killing a pup is not right. As my former alpha said, we are hunters not monsters.> She said.

"W-what do you mean by f-former?" He couldn't help but ask.

<Well little pup, because of what I did to save you I can no longer go back to the forest or eles I will be killed. At the same time, I can't stay out of the forest or the ponies will think I'm attacking them. So, I'm at a crossroad, run the risk of certain death or run the risk of being killed or captured.> The female timberwolf said.

"L-listen, I need help but I can't walk. I-if you help me get help, I know somepony that will help you. Even if she doesn't, I'm friends with a Princess so if I talk to her she can guaranteed you won't be chased by ponies." He said.

<I wish I could believe that little pup, but ponies are too scared of my kind.> She said.

"Listen, you may not believe this but I was a baby dragon, and I got transformed by a portal. But what I'm trying to say is that ponies are scared of dragons as well, and they still trusted me. I-it'll take time, but you can earn that same trust as well, j-just please I-I just wanna go home before I bleed to death." He said wincing, this made her give a sigh.

<I'm only doing this because I still owe you for what I did, but if you keep your word then maybe I can live my life among the ponies. I think I would like that.> She said, managing to pick him up and put him on her back, though he did yelp in pain quite a bit.

After he managed to get comfortable enough where she could start to walk, they slowly made their way through town. Only a few ponies were out and about, and every one of them avoid the timberwolf though none of them called out for help. This surprised the female wolf, but she put it off as her carrying the little purple and green pup on her back. But that didn't stop her confidence from boosting, giving her hope that she could live among these ponies.