Requiem for a Wolf

Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Scooby Doo and all related characters are the property of Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and /or Cartoon Network. Names, characters, locations, and events are fabricated from the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, locations, or events is entirely coincidental.

Rose Wolf is a real person and has graciously given consent to use her name.

Ideas taken from "All I am is me" by 'littlebixuit' and "Sandalwood and Maple Syrup" by 'M. Night Wolfalona' are used with permission. Thanks guys!

A/N: Since Scooby and the wolves in this story can't speak our language too well, especially with a mouth full of Scooby Snacks in Scooby's case, I have taken the liberty of translating their howls, barks, growls, and other sounds.

Prolong

It was biting cold that day when the two crossed the border from Alaska into Canada. They had watched the shimmering curtain of the northern lights together before they left their home forever, "In search of new adventures" was the way Blaze put it; Blaze, so named for the white stripe from nose to forehead was big, muscular and with a snarl that gave the warning, "Don't open that can of pain unless you can stand the hurt!" Most didn't; those that did lived to regret that decision. If they lived. Few, if any, matched his strength, cunning and pride in leading their pack.

Rose, smaller, leaner but able to run with her mate all day unless he really went all out which he rarely did; setting a pace that ate up ground without overtaxing their strength. Her ferociousness was well known inside and outside the pack; not heavy enough to go toe to toe, Rose relied on quickness to cut her opponent, leaving the wolf bleeding and whimpering for mercy. There was no mercy.

The pack had grown too big and rather than pushing some of the omega members of the pack away to form another pack or join another pack which he could have done by pack law, Blaze had given the "new adventures" excuse, named Three Toes leader; he and Rose had left the pack the following day.

It had taken most of the year for the two wolves to wander down through Canada. If they had a calendar and could have read it, they would have known that November 13th was the day they crossed into the United States and had taken up residence in the 'High Reaches' area of the Kettering mountain range.

----------Xxxxxx

Chapter one: Leaving Home

The horse on the carousel was her favorite. She could close her eyes and pretend the horse was real. She could pretend the breeze blowing in her short brunette hair was real too. She kept her hair short because it was easy to care for, shampoo, towel dry and be done.

"Can we do it again?"Velma cried when the carousel slowed then stopped. She could usually wheedle one more ride out of her Aunt Abby. Later there would be fresh baked warm cookies and cold milk and after dinner she would crawl into her uncle's lap to hear wonderful stories but first another ride on her favorite horse.

Velma became aware of soft kisses on her cheek and lips awaking her. "Mmmmm, good morning handsome" she wrapped her arms around his neck returning his kisses.

After breakfasting, they opened the door to the book store at eight a.m. At nine, the first shipment of books arrived. They had just finished unpacking the books when the telegram arrived; short and not so sweet, it only announced the passing of her Aunt Abby.

Some thirty minutes later the package was delivered; plain brown wrapping paper with Velma's name and in care of the book store. Still in shock from the news of the passing of Aunt Abby, Velma took the package into the office. Sitting at the worn wooden desk Velma tore the wrapping paper away to reveal an envelope and a photograph album.

The envelope only contained one piece of paper on a lawyer's letterhead. Neatly typed was the last wish of Aunt Abby to have the enclosed album sent to Velma and that funeral arrangements were being made and that she would be informed as soon as arrangements were finalized.

On opening the album Velma gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The first page was a dedication of the album to Velma; square in the center of the page was one picture. A picture of a very young Velma on a carousel horse with her hands thrown high in the air and a beaming Aunt Abby standing to the side.

The caption read "Look Aunt Abby...No hands!"

"Oh my God...I never knew" sobbed Velma. The rest of the album contained photograph's of Velma all the way through school including one she never knew existed; a picture of her and Shaggy dancing at his senior prom although she hadn't been his date that night. Also included was the newspaper clipping of the announcement of their engagement and two pages of wedding photographs.

It would be an hour before Shaggy found her, sobbing and slowly turning the pages of the album.

---------Xxxxxx

December 22nd...

"Mr. and Mrs. Rogers doctor" the assistant announced as she opened the door to Dr. Joe's office. Dr. Joe rose from behind his cluttered desk, indicating the overstuffed visitor's chairs.

"I guess it's a relief to have all those tests done with."

'That's an understatement' Velma thought as she took the offered chair. An hour and a half of being poked, prodded, pricked and electrodes placed all over her body had left her irritable, sore and questioning why all this was necessary.

"I guess you're wondering why all this was necessary," as if he could read her mind, "I've been your family doctor for...well, let's say for a long time. In that time I hope I've become a friend as well as your doctor. Velma, we'll have to wait for the blood test results to be sure but I can relieve your worries. Physically, I can find nothing amiss. What does concern me is this depression Shaggy has told me about. I know you took the passing of your aunt hard and that explains some of my concern...but not all.

"Velma, I'm giving you a choice. Not bed rest, but I want you to take two weeks off with no work and no mysteries except where to have dinner. I've taken the liberty of making some phone calls. One of my favorite ski resorts just had a cancellation. I told them to hold it in your name."

"I don't ski. At least not well, I haven't even graduated from the bunny slopes. What's the other choice?"

"As a friend, I hope you'll take the ski resort. Rest your fanny in a hot tub after a day of skiing. Your other choice is to rest your fanny on a psychiatrist's couch for as long as it takes."

"And where is this ski resort?" Velma knew when she was defeated. She was mad at Shaggy and Dr. Joe! Teaming up against her, she had had no real choice!

"Oh, you don't get off that easy" he laughed, "I want you back in two weeks for a follow up. You have some homework to do. In two weeks I want you off the bunny slopes and skiing at least the intermediate slopes. To make sure you do your homework I've arranged a personalized ski instructor for you.

"Jeannine, has Mrs. Rogers' ski instructor shown up?" he pressed the knob on the intercom.

"Yes doctor, she is in the waiting room now" came a feminine mechanized voice.

"Send her in will you please?"

It took only minutes before one pert, bouncy red head was ushered into Doctor Joe's office.

"You didn't think we were going to let you two have all the fun did you? This is going to be so much fun. Velma, you have to do everything I say! Doctor's orders!" Beamed Daphne.

"Oh, joy! And where are we supposed to have all this fun?" Velma's question had yet to be answered.

"It's in the Kettering mountains at a place called 'High Reaches Bed and Breakfast'. It's just outside the ski resort." Dr. Joe announced. "I suggest you go home and pack. I'll see you in two weeks."

With a few minor details worked out, the fully loaded Mystery Machine with Fred driving began the drive to High Reaches Ski Resort the following morning.