Because Aunt Alba and Uncle Robert stayed in a toasty yet cool mansion, Louis and I had our own rooms. Just like back at home down in normal climates except that our new rooms provided more space for a little party. I would have had plenty of fun in here with Monica. She could have finished the snowwolves' origin story. After we were nearly mauled by a snowwolf, I wanted - had - to learn all about Snow and everything else concerning the wolves blending in snow since their beginning. But Monica explained to me and my family once again that her folks wanted her home. She promised that the first thing that she would do is convince them to let her stay here for one night. She, Bianca, and I could experience a neat sleepover. My first sleepover. Bianca's first also, I think.

I am unsure with Monica. She stated how she does not have friends. Did not have friends. Bianca and I would be her friends, as well as Rufus and Luigi, me being the bestie because we share a fascination with snowwolves - especially since that she had spilled part of a secret to me. A lengthy secret to never be shared with, including my own flesh and blood. There would be consequences for me and Monica if we did. I admit that a tiny part of me was curious to find out what would happen with us - and those that we foolishly spilled to. What would the dreaded snowwolves and their leader, Snow, do? Make us suffer before the wolves end our miserable lives and chomp on our delectable organs?

Why did Monica open up to me? Did Snow want her to so I would be riled up over the snowwolves? Now why? And how did Monica know about Snow and her silvery whistle? She likely read about them in a book or on the web. My biggest questions were...why did my aunt and uncle possess the whistle? How did they manage to get their hands on it without their limbs being torn off? As much as I wanted to ask them, my life was dangling by a thin thread. If I talked about Snow to anyone besides Monica, I was doomed.

I rolled onto my side and slapped a hand on my pillow. You may ask Monica these questions tomorrow, Lucia. Time to drift to sleep now. A long yawn left my mouth. I shut my eyes and tried thinking of nice things to help me go to sleep faster...but all that I could imagine were the snowwolves. My wired mind kept playing the event in the bookshop without forgetting a single detail.

I knocked on my forehead and groaned, "Stupid brain. Stupid snowwolves." I heard whimpers and opened my eyes. I squinted into the darkness and spotted the pup. He was on all fours at the foot of the bed with an upset expression. His drooped tail was wagging. Surprised, I bolted up and scooped him up in my arms. "Hey, cutie. Fantasy seeing you in here. Why are you not snuggling with Bianca?"

He rested one small paw on my mouth and whimpered louder.

I pushed the paw to my cheek. "If only you could speak English. What are you trying to tell me?"

Lying on his belly, he opened his mouth wide, showing his small yet pointy teeth, and motioned to it.

"Is a food piece stuck in there? Between your teeth?"

He pointed his paw at my mouth.

"A piece is between my teeth?"

He closed his mouth and rested his paw on the front of my neck.

"My esophagus? My voice box?"

He showed two fingers.

"Voice box?"

The pup nodded.

That is when I put all the pieces together. "Oh. Are you upset over a remark that I made?"

He nodded again.

"About the snowwolves being stupid?"

His ears drooped. Tears welled up in his eyes.

I hugged him. "So sorry for putting you down. I should have been a bit more specific. Just the evil snowwolves are stupid. Cuties like you are pretty much geniuses."

He returned to his energetic self. His tail wagged quick like propellers on a helicopter. He licked my cheek and panted hard. Not much drool clung to my warm skin. I did not care. Regardless how smart he was, he was still a baby. An innocent puppy getting used to humans and his new surroundings.

"Silly snowwolf," I said. "Who is your favorite person?"

The puppy slapped my chest and smiled broadly.

I stroked the top of his head. "That is my boy. Say, do I have the perfect name for you."

He flew out of my arms and began excitedly leaping up and down on the bed.

I giggled. "Do you like the name...Snowball?"

He stopped. His mouth shaped into an O.

I booped his beady nose. "You look and act exactly like a snowball. My cute, little Snowball."

He toppled onto his back and snuggled close to me, his tail still wagging. His paws kicked the air.

I lied back down and draped my arm over him. "Such a good snowwolf. I pray that you do not grow up to be as nasty as the other snowwolves."

He shut his eyes. Then I shut mine.

I was awoken to the pup - Snowball - plunging my face in snowwolf drool. When I was fully awake, he stopped and panted. I sat up and wiped my blankets on my face and stared down at him. Before I could ask why he was licking my face, we heard a distinctive sound.

Hoooooooooowl!
Hoooooooooowl!
Hoooooooooowl!

I froze. "The snowwolves," I whispered.

He nodded and motioned his head to my window.

"You want me to check outside?"

He nodded again.

I gulped. "That is not a good idea, especially if they are lurking nearby."

He grabbed my pajamas' sleeve and tugged.

"Alright. I will check."

I tossed off my blankets and approached my window.