Snowball and the mature snowwolf were only less than an inch from each other, the adult wolf digging its large feet in the pure white snow and snarling loudly, its two top long teeth showing. It just had to shoot out its head and sink its teeth in Snowball's frail body and fling him around like a chew toy until he went limp. Or...his head detached. Why had I imagined that? He did not stand a chance against the mature wolf. If you prefer calling an animal that cannot or refuses to comprehend how nuts it is to kill - and devour if it chooses to - a baby from its own kind...mature.

Was the bigger wolf heartless enough to brutally kill its offspring? How could I save Snowball while also saving my own skin? Why did I not take something that might be used for a weapon with me? I could have bashed the skull until the adult suddenly lost consciousness. Or its skull cracked open like an egg.

Was this wolf the same one that tried attacking me and Monica? Did it matter? The adults were equally vile.

"Snowball!" No point in keeping quiet or whispering to him. I was in the adult's line of sight. It must have seen me - and would take delight in tearing me apart after it dealt with Snowball. If it ended us, we would force it to join the party. One less snowwolf for my family and the other snowy mountains' residents to grow weary about. "Snowball!"

No doubt that he heard me. He just ignored me. All his attention was on the more experienced wolf. He arched his back, ready to leap probably on the snowwolf's face, and frantically wagged his adorable tail.

I glanced at the mansion. Could I pick up Snowball and make a beeline for the front door before we both ended up in the adult's mouth or arms? I would have to hurry right past the adult to reach the front door. What about the back door? Was it unlocked? I do not know. Should I stop by the door to check if it was? I was certainly not faster than the wolf thrilled to open me up and tear out my bones, intestines, and other insides.

If I just stood in front of the wolves like some idiot...the disgusting wolf would mercilessly kill me and Snowball in the blink of an eye. But if I tried grabbing the puppy, the wolf would bite off my hand or arm.

I scolded myself for not fetching a weapon as I scanned the surroundings colder than a freezer. Twigs thick and thin were in the snow in the woods. I sprinted into said woods and gripped two sticks, one thick and one thin. I almost tripped probably over a tree root as I raced back to the wolves.

"Snowball! Fetch!" I tossed the thin stick as close to the front of the mansion as I could.

Would the stick overpower his strong determination to battle the bloodthirsty wolf and protect me?

Their heads followed the delicate stick soaring through the air and splatting on the snow. Snowball's barks had returned all happy and irresistible. He barked loudly as he kept switching between sprinting and bouncing. My plan had worked. I got him away from his evil relative. So I thought.

Shortly after he took off, the adult started chasing him! A frightened gasp left my dry mouth before I joined the chase. Why did the adult chase a snowwolf pup instead of trying to attack me and kill me, a human? I was easy prey. I was right in front of it.

Snowball's parents would probably not be joyful seeing their son's head detached from his body, nasty bruises, deep teeth and claw marks, and so much healthy blood covering both parts. His parents would be out for blood - but not human blood. Their son died not because of a human, but because of their kind. They would find this dangerous snowwolf and end it by making it feel all the excruciating pain that their son endured - signing away the wolf's fate by ripping off its head.

Apologies for grossing you readers out again. Trust me. My theory plays a part in this story - without any heads detached.

The adult quickly drew closer and closer to Snowball.

"No!" I protested, not caring if my family heard. I flung my arms back and forth faster, clutching the thick twig, as I picked up the pace, my boots noisily crunching the snow and leaving a long trail of footprints behind. "It is me that you want! I am a defenseless human! Come get some! You are wasting your time with the small fry!"

Seeing that Snowball could understand me, the mature snowwolf should have also. But it did not stop and turn around to chase me. It was completely ignoring me. Its mind was already made up. Its first target was the pup. If only I could run as fast as a snowwolf. No. Outrun.

Once it was on Snowball's rear end, it shifted to the left - and hurried past him. I slowed my running. Snowball was not the target. The intimidating wolf was scurrying to the front of the mansion. Hold up. Was it getting the stick?

I put two fingers in my mouth and whistled. "Snowball, I have a present just for you!"

He stopped and looked at me.

I showed him the other stick. "It is all yours!"

He raced back to me with a pep in his steps. I stretched out my arms, and he leapt into them. I handed over his prize and scurried to the front porch. His parents owed me for saving his life.

When we were inside, I set him and his stick down and started closing the door.

With the stick in its mouth, the larger wolf ran towards the door.

I closed and locked the door in time.