Bella was not one to squander opportunity, not when the door remained wide open and nearly begged her to cross the threshold. And so when the morning light touched the sky, and her eyes fluttered open, she jolted to her paws like a kid on Christmas day. She had passed a quiet glance toward her mother and sleeping siblings but had given them no other indication that her deft paws would slip away from their snoring and snoozing silhouettes.

No, Bella wanted to explore. To see what these mountains could create, what secrets they held, and what adventures would ultimately greet her.

And so she pranced across the frosty earth, a tail raised high above her back as her spring-time stare crossed the unfamiliar terrain. At first, everything was boring—doused in a morning glow and quiet among the others that had not risen. But then came a voice.

Bella’s ears tipped forward, curving toward the sound of words as peppered crunches of snow indicated another was coming. She twisted around, hopping to her step as greedy, curious eyes soared upwards.

A woman she did not know. Large and stocky, emitting the same…energy that her father often exuded. She stared, blinked once, and then narrowed her green-toned eyes with a look of careful intensity. Who was that?

Belladonna, She proudly asserted, her chin tilting up with a pleasant smile plastered across her lips. Who are you? And why did she look so similar to her?