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Rochelle was sure the pups were asleep when she heard quietly scuffling. She glanced behind her into the den, counting the pups mentally, perking suddenly.
"Nickel's gone." she stated, standing.

Shane stood abruptly.
"Well..where'd he go?" He wondered aloud, sniffing around.

"Nickel!" Rochelle barked, looking around. "Nickie!"

"Nickel! Nickie boy come on back!" Shane called out as well, stepping outside and sniffing around.

Rochelle's ears flicked at the sound of howling, it was a nightly howl from a group of wolves a few miles off like usually, but there was another voice to it, one that sounded younger. From in the den, Chrome perked and raised his head, knocking Radon off. Chrome jumped to his feet excitedly. "Nickel!"

"He's...singing!" Shane exclaimed excietedly. He looked back at Rochelle, "Stay here." He ordered, dashing off, following the sound of Nickel's howl.

Nickel was very close. He was standing in the middle of a group of wolves that were all loners. Nickel howled sweetly and in harmony, seemingly leading the other wolves in the howl.

Shane sat back and watched for a moment, before quietly padding over, all too aware of the wolves around him.
"Nickel." He stated quietly.

Nickel stopped his howl and looked over to Shane, the other wolves stopped their howling as well.
"Oh kid you got a voice!" an older wolf laughed, then looked to Shane. "You his dad?"

Shane looked at the wolf who spoke to him, then back at Nickel.
"Well..yes and no. But either way you're supposed to be at home Nickie." Shane replied, turning back to Nickel.

"Ah..Don't be mad at the little guy." the wolf pleaded. "He just wanted to sing a little is all.."
Nickel padded over to Shane, looking up at him.

Shane raised his eyebrows and sighed.
"Sorry I think...I'm just jealous. We've been trying to get him to talk for so long, and then he just is so open around you..."

"AH..we'll..don't try to get him to talk." the old male said. "He's visited us a few times before. He doesn't like to talk, but he loves to sing. Raise up a howl and i'm pretty sure he'll join in with you."

"That so?" Shane perked, wagging his tail lightly. "Well Nickie you can sing with your friends later, 's time to go home now." he explained. Shane looked at the wolf an smiled.
"I'm Shane, by the way. You are..?"

Nickel nodded and moved to stand in between Shane's paws.
"They call me Tanto." the wolf replied with a smile. "I'm just a wanderer with a few of my friends here. I pass by here a lot."