do.”

“Then say we are your friends or sisters, that way we could meet him and your cubs” Valeria replied smiling.

“I wise idea and one I should have thought of myself” Aniou replied.

     By the time that Cathán came back from his hunting both Aurora and Valeria had gone, reassured that their mother was happy and with the promise they would see her again when they could.

 “Were you alright on your own?”

“I was fine a couple of old friends came to visit.”

“I would like to meet these friends one day.”

“You will in time” Aniou replied falling to sleep.

     A week passed and on a bright morning Aniou and Cathán’s pups entered the world, four in total three males and one female. A dark/light brown one was named Balto, his dark grey brother was named Suka (meaning fast), his light brown/ white / dark grey brother became Arden (meaning eagle valley). The only female of the litter had matching markings to Balto, where he had dark brown fur she had light brown and where had had light brown she had white. This coloring earned her the name Eagle, a name which also came from a pair of eagles who lived in a tree next to the cave.

“Oh Aniou they are so beautiful” Cathán whispered looking at his family.

“A perfect mix of both of us, our family” Aniou replied licking Balto.

“Balto, Eagle, Arden and Suka our pups, I never thought this day would come.”

“Our family, a perfect family who will live free….”

“Free in this paradise” Cathán replied licking his pups and curling his body around Aniou.

     Over the next few weeks Aniou and Cathán adjusted to being parents, both were there the day the pups opened their eyes for the first time. Once the pup’s eyes were open they began to take an interest in their surrounds and it soon became clear they knew their father as all would speak when he arrived back from hunting. Lying in the cave one night Cathán watched as Balto pushed himself up onto his paws, then tottering slightly Balto walked over to his father, stopping in front his nose.

 “Well done Balto” Cathán said with pride licking his son and placing a paw around him.

    The pair then watched as Eagle stood up, her legs shaking a little as she walked over to the pair. As the pair cheered Eagle’s legs gave way and she fell onto her father’s back, her curly tail wagging as Aniou laughed.  Letting out a bark Eagle turned her body around so that she was laid on her father’s back. Then Suka stood up and ran around the cave before jumping onto his mothers back.

“Owe Suka that hurt, we certainly named you right” Aniou said shaking her head.

       Impressed by the success of his brother and sister, Arden stood up, and walked directly towards the entrance of the cave, looking at the world for the first time.

“Away from there Arden” Aniou called.

      As the pups grew they became increasingly curios about the world outside the den, with Eagle and Balto spending hours sat at the cave entrance. There favorite time was when their parents sat with them at the cave entrance, telling them about the outside world. At five weeks old the cubs were allowed out of the den for the first time, and the day was perfect, bright sunshine and warm.

 “Wow this is nice” Suka said sniffing the air.

     Sniffing near a tree Eagle’s ear went up as she heard a screech from above, looking up she saw three bald eagle chicks staring down at her from their nest.

“Hello what are you?” Eagle asked wagging her tail.

“Bald eagles” the female replied. “My name is Wind, who are you?”

“I am a husky wolf, my name is Eagle.”

“That is a good name, you look like us, I like you eagle.”

“Mummy and Daddy said they called named me because of my color, can we be friends Wind?”

“Yes please” Wind replied flapping her wings.

      Elsewhere Suka and Arden were investigating a rabbit warren their noises twitching at the unfamiliar scent. Next to the lake Balto was watching a fish, his eyes fixed on their silvery scales. Watching their cubs Aniou and Cathán smiled their tails wagging with happiness.

     Over the next few weeks the pups spend more and more time outside the den, their days taken up with playing, napping, eating, and playing some more. Each had seemingly boundless energy, racing each other around the clearing and playing with their parents. It soon became apparent that Balto and Suka had inherited their fathers speed, as both spend hours racing each other. The friendship between Eagle and Wind blossomed to the surprise of their parents. Arden emerged as the joker and trouble courser of the litter, forever getting into mischief, where it be as simple as coming home covered in mud or as serious as falling into the lake. The latter gave his parents a shock, prompting swimming lessons for the cubs. Fittingly Arden was the quickest learner with a love for swimming appearing during the lessons.

     When the pups were six weeks old Cathán and Aniou told them about their mixed heritage, explaining how they met and of their love. The pup’s young age enabled them to accept their heritage happily, as they did not fully understand or know how dogs and humans saw wolves.

  “What is a town like?” asked Balto a couple of days later as they sat in the cave watching the storm outside.

“A town is where humans live, it is a place made of wooden den which humans live in” Cathán replied describing Fairbanks to Balto and Suka.

“That is strange, I would not like to live there” Balto replied watching the rain.

“It sounds horrible, I am glad we live here” Suka replied licking his paw.

“So am I Suka, we wolves do not need a town, we would be prisoners, I am glad we live here free” Balto replied as the rain eased off. “Can we race you Dad?” 

“Please Dad.”

“Alright” Cathán replied getting up.

      Seconds later the three set off racing through the woods, all trying their hardest to win with Cathán deliberately running slightly slower than normal. The rain soaked their fur within seconds, their paws becoming covered in mud, their delighted howls filling the forest. Putting on a burst of speed Suka edged ahead of his father and brother, reaching the finish line seconds ahead of Balto. Wagging their tail the cubs delighted that they had beaten their father, unaware that he had allowed them to win. Walking back with their father Balto and Suka grinned at each other, their tails held high with pride.

   Family of the forest

      Slowly the weeks passed the pups grew up lively and healthy, curious about everything and anything. From their parents the pups learned how to survive in the forest, their life was paradise. Watching them play, playing with them or hunting with Aniou, Cathán always had a smile on his face. For the first time in his life he felt truly happy, without releasing it he had found the piece missing part of his heart, for the first time he truly felt as though he had something to protect.

      Sitting in front of the cave one day Aniou watched as Balto and Eagle jumped onto Cathán’s back, both laughing as he stood up and gave them a ride. Then there came a loud splash as Suka and Arden landed in the lake, both swimming confidently towards the opposite bank.

  “TURN BACK BOTH OF YOU!” Aniou shouted bounding over to the lake. “YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED OVER THERE.”

    Hearing his mother’s call Suka immediately turned around, running over to her as soon as he climbed out. Arden on the other paw completely ignored her and carried swimming over towards the other side of the lake. Seeing her son’s actions Aniou snarled before setting off around the lake, on the wind she caught an unwelcome scent, one which sent fear down her spine. Glancing behind her she saw Balto, Suka and Eagle playing under their father’s eyes. Turning back around Aniou saw that Arden was only a meter from the shore as her ears alerted to the rusting coming from the tree line.

 “Arden swim towards me” Aniou called looking at her son. “Come here NOW.”

      Seeing the apparent anger his mother’s voice Arden swam over to her, getting out of the water with his head held low. Then he stopped as he caught hold of a strange scent, and then out of the tress came a female lynx, tensing once she saw the pair.

“Wolves! You are that family from across the lake.”

“We are and we mean you no harm, that I swear to you” Aniou replied. “My son should not be here.”

“The word of a wolf, some of my kind would not trust that, but you are a mother” the lynx replied as kitten walked out of the tree. “This is my daughter my other kits are in the tree.”

“She is so pretty, do not fear us little one.”

“Hi my name is Arden.”

“My name is Mist” the kitten replied as she and Arden sniffed each other. “I have never met a wolf before.”

“This is the first time I have met a lynx,