Crusade sighed as he stepped out onto the cold ground of the street. He looked up at the apartment he had just come from and shook his head. “They are all the same…” he shrugged and stumbled aimlessly down the street. “There is no such thing as true love. Or love at first sight. Anyone who believes in that ridiculousness is just well… full of it.” He thought angrily to himself. He had been on an endless search for “The One” for what seemed like a very long time. He shook his fur as small drops of rain began to fall. He breathed in the cold air and sniffed. The smell of the first snowfall seemed near. Soon, the rain turned into light snow that danced around Crusade as he walked along the empty street. It was early morning and he had thought to go home but, lost in thought, he ended up at the local park. He looked around, not seeing anyone, and decided to take a walk through the trees.

As he walked he became more and more upset. In his heart he wanted to believe that there was someone out there for him. But it seemed, at every turn, every girl he had come in contact with only wanted one thing. They were players…. And so was he. But he had grown tired of the game and longed to settle down with someone. “I must have deserved this punishment somehow…. I must deserve to be alone….” He whispered to himself. Suddenly though, he heard something. He lifted his head and perked his ears up. “Laughing?” he questioned. He followed the sound until he came to a small clearing where he saw the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

​

Muse had gotten up early, bouncing around as she prepared for her day. She grabbed her paints, brushes, and easel up from her home and scampered out the door. She practically ran down the sidewalk to the local park. No other dogs were up yet and she was fine with that. That meant she could be as loud and happy as she wanted. She trotted through the park smiling as she went. She stopped in her favorite clearing just as it started to snow. She set up her easel and her paints. But, before she started, a snowflake landed on her head. She laughed loudly and began to dance around catching snowflakes as they fell.

Muse laughed and rolled around in the light blanket of snow that had covered the ground. As she stood and shook her fur she noticed someone watching her. She smiled brightly and bounded up to the stranger. “Hello! My name is Muse! Who might you be?” she smiled at the strange wolf. He looked shocked and taken aback that she just came up to him without any caution.

“My name is Crusade.”

“It's very nice to meet you Crusade!” Muse laughed. “What brings you here?”

“Well... honestly I heard laughing and wanted to investigate....” Crusade chuckled. Her lightheartedness seemed almost infectious. Muse smiled and danced away in the snow. “Wait!” Crusade almost yelped, thinking she was leaving. Muse stopped and turned back to him.

“Yes?” she asked.

“I... I think... I think you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” Crusade stammered. What was wrong with him? He has never acted like this around any other girl before. “I'm sorry... that came out... funny...” Crusade blushed. Muse laughed and trotted over to him.

“You're cute! Want to go get some hot chocolate at a diner close to here? It's the best around!” she smiled. Crusade nodded feverishly and followed her.

They spent the next few months getting to know each other better and soon Crusade found himself falling head over heels for her. She was always on his mind and in his heart. One day, close to spring, Crusade asked Muse to come to the small clearing where they had first met. When Muse arrived, she saw that Crusade had prepared a beautiful picnic for the two of them. After talking, eating and playing around in the field Crusade sat down and motioned for Muse to sit next to him. He didn't speak for a long time. Muse began to worry slightly. “Crusade? Is everything okay?” she asked. Crusade didn't reply. Muse was really starting to worry now.

“Muse... I know I have told you that you have been the light shining in the darkness for me. But, I don't think I have expressed it in enough of a way... Muse, may I ask you something?” Crusade whispered softly.

“Of course Crusade. You can ask me anything” Muse smiled at him. Crusade smiled back.

“Would you.... be my mate? For life? For forever?” he asked. Muse was surprised at first. She wasn't expecting this.

“This is rather sudden!” she laughed. “Of course! Nothing would make me happier!” Crusade smiled at that and licked her happily.

 

Funny how love seems to find those in their darkest moments of doubt.