Typhoon, “Their pack is weak and does not have many members and would not risk losing a battle against us at this point… While I note your concern, we do not need to react to them for now… Now if there’s no other concerns or comments, I’ll end this meeting now so we can go back to our dens for the night.”

No one spoke or uttered a single word or sound. Typhoon waited a few minutes before deciding to complete their meeting.

“Very well then, this meeting is dismissed!” Typhoon announced and walked off heading back to his den.

As soon as Typhoon stepped inside the den, he heard the soft snoring of his wonderful mate. He grinned as he saw Lily, the pups curled up next to her belly, all of them deep asleep. Walking over to her, Typhoon gently licked her cheek, hearing her murr softly in her sleep. He lay down beside her and lay his head down next to hers, closing his eyes.

“Goodnight Lily…” he whispered softly and fell into slumber.

Chapter 2

            About a month after the birth of the pups, Typhoon opened his mind to the wolves that made up his pack. If he was to ever find another trainer for Rallan before he got to the age he’d be allowed to begin his training, he’d have to start looking long and hard for one of the most experienced wolves in his pack. At one point, he’d considered asking Talon, but knew the young Beta would have his paws full with his new pup.

“So who then?” Typhoon asked himself as he walked through his territory, “Who in my pack as the necessary qualifications to turn my son into the brilliant, powerful leader he’s destined to become?”

As if by magic, the answer stumbled upon him. Or, more accurately put, walked past him. It was Captain, the ten-month old pup he’d accepted into his pack after they’d found her alone in a blizzard. She had already completed her training to be a guard and warrior and now only needed to wait two more months before she could actually begin to serve Typhoon.

“Hello Mister Typhoon!” she answered respectfully, bowing her head as she walked by.

Typhoon noticed her and recalled her training. He remembered how quickly she struck, how rapid her attacks were and how well she fought in her duels with other pups training to be guards. She was the top of her class, and had the skills and knowledge that Typhoon was searching for.

“Captain, wait!” Typhoon called out and ran up to her, “I’d like to offer you a deal: How would you like to be promoted to Head Guard in five months?”

“Head Guard? I’d love to!” she said ecstatically, a large smile on her face, “Wait, why in five months? I’m old enough to serve in two months…”

Typhoon smirked and chuckled silently. He knew she’d ask that question of him; most would in her situation.

“Well, you see, you were exceptional in training, you were above average!” he told her, “I’m sure you’ve heard about my month-old son, Rallan. I want him to be the best wolf in the pack, and that requires training from the best of the best. You are one of those best! In five months, my son will be old enough to endure your training, and that’s when I want you to teach him, understood?”

“Yes sir!” Captain said happily, eagerly looking forward to her first mission, despite it being months away from now, “I’ll fulfill your request to the letter! I won’t fail you!”

“I know you won’t… Dismissed, Captain.”

Typhoon watched Captain bow and continue on her way. He smiled at the young pup and continued on walking through the forest, a large smile on his face. He’d found his son a personal trainer; everything was working out according to plan. Now all that he’d have to do was wait for time to pass by.

            By the age of three months, the pups were just like any other: energetic, playful, and adventurous, though Varim was a little hesitant at adventuring on his own. He was usually found with his older brother, tailing him wherever he went, looking up to his brother as a role-model. Rallan was quick to pick up on his new surroundings, learning his way around the first two hundred feet of the outside world within a week, quicker than his siblings. Today, the five pups were busily playing just outside the den, Lily watching from the entrance.

“Gotcha!” Rayne shouted as she pounced out from behind a rock and tackling Rallan.

The two puppies rolled for a moment before coming to a halt, Rallan on top and holding Rayne down by her shoulders. The two laughed and Rallan let his little sister up.

“See sis? I told ya!” Rallan said playfully, “You can’t pin me for anything!”

“Oh yeah?” Rayne asked and tackled him again, the results ending up the same as before.

“See? You can’t win Rayne!” Rallan said and playfully nuzzled her in a brotherly manner.

“I’ll beat you one day, Ral!” she replied and pawed at his muzzle before pushing him off, “Just you wait and see!”

“That’ll be the day!”

Rallan happily trotted over to another part of the hill when he heard someone behind him. He turned around just in time to see a mass of white tackle him and hold him down tightly.

“Hey Rayne, I got him for you!” Snow called over to her sister, “Come on, you can torture him now for beating you so many times!”

“Sounds like a great plan Snow! Thanks!” Rayne replied, a playful smirk on her face as she approached Snow and Rallan, “This is gone be fun!”

Rallan struggled to get free as Rayne lowered her muzzle to his exposed belly. Giving a few quick licks to his belly, Rallan burst out laughing as Rayne tickled him with her tongue and paws.

“S-stop! I’m ticklish!” Rallan said between fits of laughter, “C’mon! Stop!”

“Ah, payback is sweet,” Rayne said and continued to tickle him, “Isn’t it Ral? Isn’t payback so sweet?”

“Rayne, leave your brother alone,” Lily called over to them, “He’s had enough payback.”

Rayne reluctantly moved away from him and gave him a look that said ‘I’ll get you again later,’ before walking off with Snow. Rallan got up and saw Varim come bounding up to him. He grinned and walked over to meet him halfway.

“Hey big bro!” Varim said playfully and crouched down, wanting to play, “Wanna see who can pin who first?”

“Sure!” Rallan replied and crouched down as well, “Ready? Go!”

The two pups launched themselves at each other, Rallan gaining an advantage and holding Varim down for a second before his brother reversed the pin. Rallan grabbed Varim’s shoulders and rolled so he pinned his brother down again. Varim struggled to get loose and Rallan held down firmly, beating his brother’s efforts at freedom. Finally, Varim gave up, both of them panting slightly from their struggling.

“Well… you beat me… big bro…” Varim said between pants, “You always… beat me and… Rayne at this game…”

“Well, that’s just natural skill, I guess,” Rallan said and climbed off of Varim, letting his brother get to his feet.

Varim got off and attempted to tackle Rallan from behind. However, Rallan had anticipated a sneak attack and rolled out of the way, causing his brother to fall flat on his face into the soft grass. Rallan laughed and smelled Typhoon coming near and, in a matter of seconds, saw his father coming up the hill toward them.

“Dad!” Rallan called out to him and ran up to him, barking happily, his tail wagging. Rallan looked up to his father for his courage and leadership skills.

“Hey Rallan!” Typhoon said happily and nuzzled his son as he bounded up to him, “How’ve ya been? Where’s your mother?”

“She’s up at the den,” he said and smiled widely at Typhoon, “C’mon Dad, let’s play!”

“Maybe later son, right now I need to talk to your Mom for a bit…”

Typhoon nuzzled his son one more time before completing his ascent of the hill and walking up to Lily. He lay beside her and licked her cheek, following her gaze out to the five pups, running and frolicking playfully with one another. He chuckled softly, his eyes fixed upon Rallan.

“They sure are energetic and playful, huh?” Typhoon asked, a smile on his face as he traced Rallan’s movements with his eyes.

“Yes, they are… But why are you watching Rallan so intently?” Lily asked him, glancing over at her mate.

“Probably because he’s to be my heir… He was the first-born, after all…” Typhoon said, a gleam in his eyes as he watched Rallan successfully pin down Summer, then Snow, “Plus, he’s going to be very successful in life… Especially since I’m giving him the finest training I can supply… I can feel that he’ll live an extraordinary life…”

“Now Typhoon, dear, remember: he’s just a pup still at six months. Don’t overwork him…” Lily told him softly.

“I promise, my dear… I won’t push him too far…” Typhoon promised. But I will work him hard enough for him to learn enough to rule successfully.

Typhoon grinned as he carried on watching his offspring play. Lily nuzzled him under his chin and sighed softly. She glanced over at the five pups, whom only three months ago were nestled against her, whining softly.

“They grow up so fast… Time just flies by…” Lily said somewhat sadly, “The next thing we know, we’ll turn around and they’ll all be grown up, young adults… I can’t believe it, can you?”

“No, I can’t Lily…” Typhoon replied softly, “It’s amazing what time can do to what you love the most…” You may feel sad about our pups aging, but I can’t wait until Rallan becomes a young adult wolf, leading his pack successfully, a loving mate by his side. That’d be such a pleasant sight for me…

“I’ve noticed you pay a lot of attention to