My characters - Anda, Balto's sister and her companion, Nox

The morning was crisp and clear, with only some clouds visible here and there, and below the dark trees were wrapped in a milky veil of fog. The pair of wolves continued their journey through the mountains, and now they had a difficult descent. The wolves stopped to catch their breath and enjoy the view. Truly wild and free, and everything breathes with peace and tranquility. Anda closed her eyes, exposing her muzzle to the light wind, and feeling an attentive gaze on herself, smiled at her companion - a beautiful dark wolf, whose long collar, like a mane, fluttered in the wind. Nox looked at her with warmth, and a faint, wistful smile played on his lips. Anda again looked into the distance, and deeply breathing in the fresh morning air, with determination took a new step in their joint adventure, with the belief that they will master the planned path, because they will be together, ready to support each other and come to the rescue.

But before it was difficult to imagine such a picture, because the beginning of their communication was rather difficult. Nox, a lone rogue, rescued Anda when she was in danger. His nobility and care conquered Anda - in the pack everyone communicated with her respectfully, but detached - many were embarrassed that she had grown up to be a large she-wolf, which was Aniu, her mother. But the wolf in front of her was even larger, and he did not look at her as if something was wrong with her. Nox lost the habit of normal communication, and was wary of her. Anda began to look for an opportunity to spend time with him, and he tried to avoid it, which turned out with varying degrees of success. He liked the territory where the pack of Juneau, brother of Anda, lived, and thanks to his act, his presence was turned a blind eye. However, one day he got into trouble, and Anda considered it an opportunity to repay him for saving.
- Are you following me? - Nox grinned, closing his eyes from the pain in his injured shoulder.
- You're hurt. You need help, - pressing her ears, Anda calmly explained, looking anxiously at the wound. It will heal, and it seems not scary, but the bruise was much more worried - the wolf hit the stones.
- I don't need help! I can handle it myself.
- You saved me, let me to thank you!
- Not worth it.
- Do you have any problems? - Stopping, the she-wolf looked into his eyes, and her voice sounded cold notes. She desperately wanted to help, examine the wound, lick it, check the bruise and, if necessary, take him to the flock or make him comfortable here. But the wolf, for all her noble thoughts, only martyrically lifted his eyes to the sky.
- Now my only problem is you, - he glanced at the she-wolf irritably. - You were not told that you are obsessive?
- Appreciate, - Anda corrected him, frowning. She thoughtfully looked at the wolf, his cautious movements and thought with regret that they had known each other for several moons, but Knox was still far from her. Already softer, the she-wolf added: - I can see that something is bothering you.
- Besides you?
- Funny. You have trust issues, you know.
- Oh, surprised! So what?
- You can trust me. Tell. It will become easier for you, - for several minutes the wolf glared at the interlocutor, obviously restraining himself from caustic remarks, until he grunted:
- If I tell you, will you leave me alone?
- Yes, - Anda perked up.
- Well ... People destroyed my pack. My family. Parents. Brothers and sisters. Friends. And I survived. One. Occasionally. I thought revenge would fix something, but it only got worse and I didn't feel any better. I wandered around looking for a new place to call home and those to call family. But those whom I trusted ... Either abandoned me or betrayed me. Once I was even nearly killed by those whom I considered my family. So yes, definitely, I have trust issues. Are you satisfied? I did not feel better, - Nox looked defiantly at Anda, and she lowered her head in regret. She knew the same story.
- I will not harm you. I won’t betray you, - she said softly, looking resolutely into her bright eyes, at which the wolf snorted disdainfully.
- I've heard it too often to believe it.
- But I have no reason to lie to you or hurt you.
- And they had?!
- I don’t know, - Anda answered honestly, pressing her ears.
- Maybe you will find a reason? So why go through all these tedious stages of "friendship", if you can go straight to the moment of separation. I don't think you are any different from them. So, you will also leave. Sooner or later.
Nox's cold and cruel words lashed at Anda's heart, and it took a while for her to calm her feelings. The wolf gloomily, with hidden indignation and anger, looked at the wolf. She had six brothers and sisters with whom it was never easy. She's no stranger.
- You know, if you judge everyone by what happened ... Seeing in other old friends, then you may miss what you have been looking for a long time.
- For example? Betrayal? Betrayal or, maybe, betrayal? - the wolf grinned with some doom and pain.
- Hope. Friendship. Love? - She smiled warmly, but Nox only darkened and turned away.
- Leave. You promised to leave me alone.
- My family was also ruined by people. And I was also betrayed and deceived. It was not easy for me either, but I chose a path thanks to which I can help others. And I will help you.
- I don't need it! I didn't ask you for help! - Barked Nox, but Anda did not back down, and with a short sigh, took a step forward.
- I know. But you saved me, and I owe you.
- I'm starting to regret it, - sighed Nox ...

Not immediately, but their relationship became stronger and more trusting, however, Nox took it more and more with a sneer, not fully believing that he could find someone who was really not indifferent. He did not notice how much he was attached to this gray beauty with amazing multi-colored eyes. Only when she did not come at the usual time, he addressed. On the second day, he decided that she had finally left him, but something bothered him. He overcame himself, he came to the flock of Anda, and it turned out that she had caught the disease, and was lying in her brother's cave, suffering from a fever. Seeing her, helpless and quiet, he felt the need to do something for her, and during the entire period of her illness he did not leave his friend. And when she recovered, he felt really happy ...

P.S .: The background is completely hand-drawn. Photo-references of nature were used in drawing.