pups. They were ganging up on his head, making all the wolves of the pack, who were there and not out scouting, laugh to themselves.
"Ow," Achak gasped when Tonrar tugged at his father's lip. It was then when uncle Takoda decided to take over playing with the pups for his brother. These little bundles of joy were so full of energy, but it would only make them more tired at night, thankfully. Taking leave on his younger brother, Achak joined his mate's side, nuzzling her face briefly.
"Having fun?" Kiona asked softly, inwardly laughing.
"Of course," Achak replied. He remarked about how soundly they were going to sleep tonight, but almost as soon as he said it, he looked back at Takoda, and the three pups were sound asleep on his front legs.
One would think that looking after pups day after day in nearly the same way would get boring or tiring. On the contrary, especially with wolves, they loved being with the little offspring, and it was hardly boring. Tiring, at times, yes, but none of them ever regretted it.
As Nayeli, Tonrar, and Hinto continued to grow little by little every day, they were learning new things quickly. They didn’t like or want meat just yet, still being too young. Their mother’s milk was just great for them. But they were growing in their teeth, which were sharp. Unfortunately, the three of them, well, mostly just Tonrar and Hinto, they didn’t quite realize this yet. Often, when they were playing with an older pack mate, in their excitement and play, they would bite down on a paw, tail, or other body part, earning a yelp from the wolf.
One time Tonrar had chomped down hard on his great uncle Kanook’s nose during a tussle. The entire pack must have heard the loud yelp that the beta had let out. Tonrar of course, found it hilarious. But the poor older wolf’s nose was even bleeding for a little bit, little puppy teeth marks dotting the body part. Kanook didn’t hold it against the little one of course, and they were all playing soon after. Though the cream and chocolate colored wolf was sure to watch where his nose was.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Shiro earned more than his fair share of bite marks from the pups. To them, he was a better chew toy than uncle Kanook. It was probably because Shiro couldn't "punish" them like everyone else could. No matter what, he had to let them chew on him and push him around.
It only got worse when the three pups were about two months old; they were officially big enough to even tackle the omega to the ground. And they were now big enough to eat meat. So whenever the pack brought back the kill (aside from being ecstatic to see mom and dad) they dug in. Shiro was thankful for meal times at this point.
Kiona would never let herself teach her pups to kill. She left that as Achak's job because she was afraid to let her children know what a maniac she used to be. She wasn't sure why she was ashamed of it; she had never been ashamed of anything before (give or take meeting certain folks in her life). She just didn't want them to see her differently than they did now (although, now that she thought of it, Hinto might have found it cool). They loved her.
Achak leaned in to the kill and ripped a piece off, explaining how to tear the flesh in one tug, by using not just the teeth, but the entire body. They all gave it a try. Tonrar, with plenty of effort, happily tore a small piece meat and ate it. Hinto did as well, as did Nayeli, but she wasn't as malicious as her brothers. She was a lot like Ayashi.
After everyone had their fill, Kiona offered to scout the territory while the pups rested. Kanook offered to go with her, while everyone else remained behind at home. As the two were walking through a familiar route, the beta heaved a big sigh randomly to break the silence.
"So, need a break from being a mother?" Kanook asked, referring to Kiona’s checking out the neighborhood, which realistically wasn't uncommon.
"About as much as you need a break from being the pups' chew toy." Kiona joked. They both chuckled.
"Heheh, yeah, sweet little things, they are," Kanook said looking over little bite marks on his legs. It had already been about an hour since they started and Kanook asked if they could take a break. Achak had said it was alright, knowing that his uncle was getting on in years. They sat down in the shade of a large pine tree and rested for a few minutes.
"Do you hear something?" the cream and brown colored wolf asked his pack-mate.
Kiona moved her ears about, trying to pick up any sound out of the ordinary. When she looked in the direction Kanook was looking, she heard little short gasps coming from a short distance away. What was that?
The red hybrid headed in the direction the gasps were coming from, but cautiously. She still wasn't sure what it was. She peeked out from behind a rock and looked around, expecting to see a young vixen, but when she looked down and heard one last gasp, she realized it was not what she thought. It was a blonde, thin, muddy...hybrid cub.
Kanook, seeing the female go off a bit around a large group of rocks, grew more curious as well. At hearing her gasp, he started over. What had it been that caused that reaction? It was a strange scent as well. Peeking his head around Kiona's his blue eyes set upon the unexpected sight, his blue eyes widening. A dog pup? At least that's what it seemed like. Yet, there was something different about it.
The pup couldn't be much older than Nayeli, Tonrar and Hinto by the size. But it was hard to really tell even that because the poor pup looked half starved! Its ribs could be seen under the dirty blonde fur. And not just there, but also most of this young one's body was pretty bony. It was a shock to see one so young in such condition. It took the beta a moment to gather his thoughts. Frowning, he moved around the red alpha female and approached the pup.
"He must have been abandoned judging by his condition. Poor thing..." His heart went out to the smaller. Careful not to move too quickly, or seem threatening, seeing as the pup's eyes were wide and fearful, the older wolf tried getting a better look at him. "It's alright there, we're not going to hurt you. Are you all alone? Where's your mother?"
At that, the blonde and brown-patched dog whimpered, looking ready to cry. But he cowered, and tried to move away when the male moved closer. Kanook sighed sadly, moving back, not wanting to stress the poor pup. Turning to Kiona he wondered if she would have a better chance. "Why don't you try talking to him? He might be more willing to trust you, being female." They certainly couldn't leave him here.
Kiona stared down at the shivering pup. She hoped that they'd be able to find his parents soon, even though she was already growing very attached to him. She was almost afraid to ask his name, but in a matter of minutes, Kanook was back with a small hare in his teeth. The beta placed it on the ground in front of the blonde hybrid, who didn't hesitate to eat. He was too hungry to be timid right now. He appeared to already know how to tear chunks of meat off to chew on, and in no time, a good fraction of the rabbit was eaten. He burped and thanked Kanook for feeding him.
"It was nothing," Kanook smirked. He motioned for Kiona to leave. They had taken up alot of time and would need to be heading back. Her pups and Achak would be wondering where they were.
"Right," Kiona said, standing. She took the pup by the scruff of his neck and carried him back. He would be slow after eating so much, and he was probably too tired to travel anyway. Thankfully they weren't too far away from home, because this pup was getting too heavy to carry.
Kanook held his breath longer for each step they took nearer to their destination. This was not going to be a pretty sight.
It was a good idea that they carried the pup back. He soon grew tired from the full stomach, and was yawning, his golden eyes drooping. Little did Kiona or Kanook know what the pup's past had been. For now, he was just glad to be on his way to somewhere warm with company.
As they neared the caves, the two grew steadily tenser. Neither of them were looking forward with what was most likely going to happen once they returned. Kanook would most likely have to be the one to deal with Achak first, since Kiona was occupied. All they could do was hope that, over time, the alpha had somewhat changed his mind over hybrids, being with Kiona, and having the pups.
The little yipping voices of the pups were first to greet them as they came into sight. All three of them ran over excitedly, obviously awake and ready for more play. At first they didn't know what to think of the dirty blonde and brown form dangling from their mother's mouth. But they were soon over the shock and it turned to curiosity.
"What that momma?" Hinto asked, as he followed the two adults, along with his siblings. Tonrar, never one to disappoint or be outdone, chirped in as well.
"Yeah who is that? Can he play with us momma? Why does he look funny?"
"He not does look funny!" Nayeli objected, smiling at the newcomer.
Kiona placed the blonde pup down on the ground to get acquainted with her pups. They all appeared to like him, which was good, but everyone else, though well mannered, gave him a slightly peculiar look. Kiona would have to explain to them why she brought him here. She looked at Kanook, who shrugged, as if to say, "Here goes nothing."
So far so good. But where was Achak? Kanook walked over to Dartanion who was coming up, curious as to the new pup. His maroon eyes looked over the pup before making eye contact with his friend. Kanook looked nervous, he noted. The cream and chocolate wolf sighed a bit, glancing around once more before speaking.
"Do you know where Achak is right now?" The tri-colored wolf motioned with his head over his shoulder towards the caves, wondering if the new events were good or
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