saying ‘Congratulations to you both, Aniu has blessed you with beautiful pups.’”

Ch: 6

Three weeks later, the pups were standing and walking around the cave. Crescent had her fathers amber eyes, Lightning had blue eyes, and Sunset had amber eyes as well. Aleu smiled at her beautiful pups and thanked Aniu for blessing her with such wonderful pups. She was also able to go in shifts, to go and get her own food while Merlin watched them.

Another week later, Lightning tried to stroll out of the cave and see what there was. “Oh, no you don’t Lightning,” his father nudged him back. “But dad, how will we know what the outside world is like if we are cooped up in here?” asked Lightning. “Because your not old enough.” Crescent was napping peacefully in the corner. Suddenly Sunset jumped on Crescent, and Lightning jumped on them. “Hey! No fair!” yelped Sunset happily. Crescent yelped at the sudden weight and looked up to see her siblings on top of her. She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Face it. You’re never going to be able to pin me down,” she said and tossed them off of her. She rolled up onto her feet and got ready for the next attack. They were all playing happily when Aleu came home. She smiled at the three pups and sat down next to Merlin.

The next day Aleu was able to go and see their visitors form 4 weeks ago. Sun Eyes, Night Shade, and Quiet Streak all bowed before her and Merlin. “You may rise,” she said. They rose and sat down. “You were found at the western border of our territory. What brings you here?” “Well, your honor, we were banished from our pack, never to return again,” explained Night Shade. “And what, pray tell, did you three do to be banished?” Night Shade looked at his two companions and sighed. “We started talking back to our Alpha. It was a crime, now we were punished for it. Please your grace! We beg you, don’t hurt us! We’ll gladly leave your land,” whimpered Night Shade. Aleu raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? Well I see no harm in letting you stay here. I mean, as long as you keep your attitudes in check.” The three 2 year olds yelped and jumped around in joy.

That night, Aleu called a meeting of the pack to introduce the new members and her pups. “These three 2 year olds are, Quiet Streak, Sun Eyes, and Night Shade. And these are my pups. Crescent, Lighting, and Sunset,” greeted Aleu. One by one, the pack members stood and smelled the pups and the new members. That was step one of the greeting; step two was the actual speaking. Each wolf greeted the pups with a hello and a happy birthday. They greeted the 2 year olds with a hello and welcome.

Later, Aleu lead them all outside and they gathered in a circle around her, her mate, and her pups. She looked at the sky and saw it was a full moon, and not a cloud was in the sky. The stars shown brightly over them. She gazed at them in marvel. Than she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and… “ARRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” She howled her heart to Aniu as a thank you, and as a celebration of the new members, of family, and friends. She smiled and howled on.

The End