rest of the Clan to give birth in a secret den and raise her pup until about a month later, when he would be old enough to venture outdoors. When the two Betas recognized the Alphas’ presence, they quickly lowered their heads in proper respect of their traditional lupine hierarchy.

“Ah, it’s good to see you two are doing well,” Riko spoke first, giving his fellow male a gentle paw-tap on the shoulder and licked him in a show of fellowship. “Sherry and I are glad to hear the news from the Elder of your unborn pup’s destiny of being our next heir. Many congratulations to you both.” 

“Thank you very much, Riko,” Flicker bowed. “It is an honor to bear your successor, and I hope he leads with your same strength and character.”

“Yes,” Riko slightly grinned. “But back to the reason why we came to speak to you. It’s because of the fact that my heir is within you that we wish to make a deal with you and your mate.” 

The pregnant she-wolf and her mate looked at the Alphas, then turned to each other for a few moments before turning their attention back to their successors. “Go on, Riko,” Harrow nodded his head, curious to hear what they wanted. “What is this deal all about?”

“Well, you know very well that my mate has been unsuccessful at producing a litter for the past couple of years that we have led the Evergreen Clan after you two passed the torch to us.” Riko began to explain, but his Alpha Female completed his thought. 

“What he means to say is, we would love to raise your next offspring once he’s born,” Sherry completed. She noticed the shocked expression on the Betas’ faces and chuckled. “It’s only a suggestion, of course. We understand if you wish to raise them both once they are old enough to wander on their own, but you do have the Clan’s successor within you.”

“That is true,” Flicker responded. “It would make sense for an Alpha to care for the future Alpha of the Evergreen.” She turned her head to her mate. “What do you think, Harrow dear? It would give us some time for ourselves for once.” 

Harrow gave her a hesitating gaze. Just the thought of giving away one of his own fur and blood was just unthinkable. “Oh, I don’t know, dear . . . it sounds risky.”

“Oh, come on, Harrow, old pal!” Riko chuckled a bit, walking closer to his fellow wolf. “Be a good sport!” He calmed his voice down for a moment and cleared his throat. “This is the future Alpha we’re talking about!” He moved his gray and white face towards Harrow’s black ear. “And wouldn’t it be nice to know that your son would be in the best of care, by Alphas, no less?” 

“And I’ve always wanted to raise a pup too,” Sherry added, sighing lovingly. “It’s a shame that the almighty spirits made an Alpha Female barren in a Clan.” She pouted, but quickly looked back at the expected parents. “So . . . what do you say?”

“Well, . . . .” Harrow’s voice hesitated with the movement of his eyes. “I suppose if it would help him grow and develop to be an affective Alpha –” 

“Perfect!” Riko exclaimed, nuzzling his Beta Male with glee, then his own mate, and finally approaching Flicker with a bow. “Oh my dear, sweet Flicker, I understand that it may be hard to part with a pup so soon, but you needn’t worry. Sherry and I will raise him as if he were our own.”

Flicker only nodded slightly, trying to smile happily . . . but the thought of her mate’s worries began to affect her as the Alpha couple left the den. The happiness in Sherry’s voice echoed from the opening of the cavern, followed by Riko’s gladdening laughter of glee.  

Once the Beta couple was alone, Flicker let out a quick gasp as the fetus inside her moved, then she began to cry unexpectedly.

“Oh, Harrow . . .” She sniffed, leaning her head against her mate’s. “What have we done?” Her sobs intensified as she stained Harrow’s coat darker. “What have we done to them?” 

“Them?” Harrow’s ears sprung up at the sound of the word. “Whatever do you mean, darling?”

Flicker’s face shifted away from Harrow’s neck, streams of tears forming waterfalls down her beautiful face. “There’s more than one . . .” She sniffled again, her tears continuing again as she repeated the phrase again. “There’s more than one, Harrow . . .” 

Realizing that his previous worries were correct, Harrow lowered his ears and head, joining his mate in weeping. “Oh, what have we done, merciful Tikia?” He cried out to the guardian spirit of his Clan. “What have we done?”

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