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“Where do you think Wolfie goes when he's not with us?”
Eyes turned to Wind and thoughtful expressions crossed the faces of several boys, while a few others worked hard not to look at Twilight.
When no one immediately answered, Wind carried on with his theory. “I think he's got a wolf girlfriend. Or wife. I dunno how that works.”
Twilight nearly choked on his skewer and Time smacked him on the back with an unreadable expression.
“Do wolves take more than one mate? Maybe he's got a bunch of wives,” Warriors remarked.
Twilight ran a hand over his face in embarrassed exasperation. “Or maybe he just likes to explore.”
“He could have pups, too,” Time added mildly and a brief look of horror crossed Twilight's face.
“Maybe he's marking his territory,” Wild added. “Can't let the scent fade.”
Twilight shot him a look of betrayal - a look that quickly moved to Four when he said, with a barely concealed smirk, “I don't know. I think he's probably one of those rejected wolves that can't get a mate. He doesn't seem to have a pack, after all.”
“I'm sure Wolfie could get a mate if he wanted to,” Twilight said defensively.
“So you think he's got a wife?” Wind asked.
“That's not what I said,” Twilight quickly replied. “Like I said before, he probably just likes to explore. He's not like a dog, after all. He doesn't always need to be around people.”
“He acts like a dog around Wild,” Hyrule said.
“He does not!” Twilight refuted.
“You've never even met him,” Sky pointed out.
Twilight fell silent at that for a moment. “Well, I just- I can't imagine a wolf acting like a dog is all.”
“You've got some strong opinions for someone who doesn't even know Wolfie,” Legend said. “It's kind of suspicious.”
Twilight stared at him, eyes narrowing. What was he…?
“I think you're secretly jealous,” Legend continued, a smirk spreading across his lips.
“...Jealous?”
“Yeah. That Wolfie might have a mate.”
Warriors burst out laughing. “Aw, is that why you don't want Wolfie to have a mate so bad? Because you can't get one?”
“Shut up! That's not it!” Twilight said, cheeks heating. “Stop making stuff up!”
“You wanna talk about your girl problems?” Hyrule teased, resting his chin on his hand.
Time put a hand on Twilight's shoulder. “I'm sure you'll find someone one day, rancher.”
“I'm not jealous of Wolfie!”
“It's okay to want a girlfriend,” Wild said with a grin.
“But it's probably not healthy to be jealous of a wolf over it,” Four added.
Twilight scowled. How dare they add fire to this conversation?!
“Yeah, don't wish loneliness on Wolfie just because you are!” Wind said.
“I'm not wishing loneliness on him! I was just saying that having a mate might not be the reason why he leaves!”
“But you sound really defensive,” Legend said, sitting back against a log.
Bold words from someone whose secret I know too, Twilight thought as he glared at the veteran.
“Alright, enough arguing. What Wolfie does is Wolfie's business,” Time finally interceded.
Thank the goddesses.
“And whether or not Twilight is jealous is his business too,” Time added and Twilight tried to smack him as the man dodged with a chuckle.
The next time Wolfie came around, he pointedly ducked Wind’s attempt to pat him.
“Wolfie seems moody today,” the boy noted.
“Maybe he doesn't have a mate after all,” Wild said, “and he's upset because he can't get a gir- OW! Wolfie, did you just bite me?”
You deserved it, he thought, trotting ahead.