Sambe chuckled. "Just to get to know you better that’s all." Sambe flicked his tail beneath her chin and walked away. Wind stood there, watching him leave. "So this is what Cocoa felt like? Wow…" Wind shook her head and started on her way. She was going to forget this run in but her heart would remember it.

"Mother he was so handsome! I swear I thought I was in heaven." Wind could hear her sister inside. "Don’t let it slip." She said to herself. "Hey Wind!" Cocoa said as her sister walked in.

Rose the tawny colored wolf smiled at the gray wolf. "Hello Wind. How are you? Cocoa here was telling me about this Sambe fellow."

Wind smiled at her younger sister. "Cocoa just fell head over heels for him. And to your question I’m doing just fine." "Yeah right." Cocoa smiled at her sister and Wind smiled weakly back.

"I was going to meet Sunstroke for lunch. So I better run. It was nice talking with you Mom. See you later." Cocoa darted out of the den. Wind waited for a bit.

Rose started to get up. "Mom…" Wind started. Rose looked at her daughter. "Yes dear?" Rose asked. The older wolf sat back down. Wind hesitated a minute.

"I…ran into Sambe earlier and I think he captured my heart. But Cocoa would be so crushed! I don’t know what to do."

Rose smiled at Wind. "Well I just say stay out of his way for a while and don’t think about him. You’re good at things like that." Wind chuckled.

"Thanks Mom." Wind nuzzled her mother before departing the den she was raised in.

Cocoa was outside the den she and her sister shared. Night had almost fallen. Cocoa felt lonely as the wind blew a chill. Cocoa raised her head and howled a lonely song.

Sambe raised his head. A lone song had reached his den. Was that Cocoa? He sniffed outside then ran in the direction the howl had come from. It wasn’t too far if he was correct. He hopped across the Pebble Stream and sniffed around again. Cocoa’s sweet scent was strong. He smirked and went along his way following Cocoa’s faint trail.

Cocoa sighed. "I should have know better. He’s probably sick of waiting for me." She stood and turned toward the den. "And where do you think you’re going?" Cocoa froze and slowly turned her head to look behind her. There he stood below the ridge. Cocoa smiled and turned to face him. Sambe hopped onto the ridge she was on. "You thought I wouldn’t show?" Sambe asked. Cocoa just looked down. Sambe licked her cheek. "Come on sweetheart, let’s head to my place." Cocoa smiled and licked under his chin. Sambe smirked and nuzzled her fondly.

Wind watched them leave. She growled to herself. Why did it have to be the same guy her sister liked. Err…

Sambe and Cocoa were talking about their lives. "So any family?" Sambe asked. Cocoa nodded. "And?" Sambe asked.

"Three brothers and two sisters." Cocoa nodded. "Right now I live with my sister Wind." Sambe nearly choked.

"So how did it go?" Jafa asked. Cocoa was beaming with confidence. She was flowing with energy and excitement.

"Something had to happen!" Cadena nearly screamed from excitement. Cocoa giggled. The three friends were laying in a circle to see each other better. They were right next to the stream.

"Hello sweetheart." Sambe spoke as he walked closer. Cocoa smiled up at him. Sambe looked at Jafa’s and Cadena’s expressions. "Oh and if you’re wondering…we’re dating."

Jafa and Cadena gasped. "Oh goodness!" Cadena said. "I can’t think of a better pair." Jafa spoke. Cocoa licked Sambe’s chin as he sat down next to her his tail curled around her.

Weeks had passed. Cocoa was so happy that her and Sambe were together. Wind just acted like she was happy for them both. Deep down she wanted Sambe. Cocoa was spending fewer days with Wind and more with Sambe. She even slept in his den at times.

Sambe and Cocoa were snuggled together one night. Sambe watched Cocoa. She breathed easily with her eyes closed. "Hey babe you want to play a little?" Sambe asked. Cocoa opened her eyes and smiled.

Cocoa sprang to her feet and barked playfully. Sambe performed a play bow and tackled her. Cocoa laughed and playfully nipped his paw. The roughhousing continued for a while before Sambe flopped down to the ground. He breathed deep before rolling over onto his back. Cocoa walked closer to him. Sambe grinned and moved his paw and tripped her back feet. "Whoa!" She called out and landed on his stomach. Cocoa smirked. "It that all you got?" She said with a devious tone. Sambe grinned.

Cocoa groaned. "Oh what happened last night?" She asked herself. Her whole body ached a bit. Then she gasped. "What is it babe?" Sambe asked as he slowly awoke. She shot him a panicked look. "Did we…?" She asked and Sambe chuckled and laid a paw across her back and pulled the brown she-wolf closer.

He kissed her cheek and she licked his muzzle. "So I’m…" Cocoa started Sambe nodded. Her bottom jaw dropped.

***

"You’re what!"

Wind smiled big to cover her real feeling. Cocoa barked happily."Pregnant." Cocoa had just told Wind.

"Oh my goodness Cocoa that’s wonderful!" Liar!

"It’s so going to be awesome!" Cocoa grinned. Wind just smiled.

***

"Cocoa you’re going to be a mother?" Rose smiled at her youngest daughter. Wind sat sulky in the corner watching her sister. Cocoa nodded her head yes. "Well if you need any help you know where I’m at." Rose spoke cheerfully.

"Thanks Mom." Cocoa said. Wind felt like a volcano inside. She wanted to erupted but couldn’t. Cocoa started out of the den. "You coming sister?" Cocoa asked. Wind was taken by surprise.

"What?" Cocoa just chuckled as her sister followed her slowly.

Sambe was stretched out in front of his den. He was snoozing when a voice asked, "So you’re the father of Cocoa’s pups?" Sambe lazily opened his eyes. They revealed Larkspur standing before him. The white/black male stood and stretched himself out.

"So? What is it to you?" Sambe asked Larkspur. Larkspur wasn’t the kind of guy to pick a fight.

"Just take care of her ok? She’s a real good person. She doesn’t need another love walking out on her." Sambe smiled at Larkspur response.

"Don’t worry…she be fine." "And so will her sister." Sambe thought to himself with a grin. Larkspur smiled and started back on his way.

***

Tensions were rising between the sisters. Wind never talked with Cocoa when she went into her second week. Cocoa became concerned for her sister as she thought her older sister would help her. But Wind wasn’t helping her.

Before settling for bed, Cocoa watched as her sister went far to the other side. The brown wolf took a breath then asked, "What’s eating you sis?"

Wind didn’t look up. Cocoa became a little annoyed. "Aren’t you going to answer?"

"No." Was Wind’s response.

Cocoa growled. "Why are you being so solitary?" She snapped.

Wind looked up, her eyes glaring. She stood and Cocoa became a little scared. "Maybe because I like someone and I want to be alone with my thoughts!" Wind yelled. Cocoa was a little taken back.

"Who is it?"

Wind growled. "Is it Sambe?" Cocoa asked again. That was the first person to pop in her mind.

"NO!" Wind snapped.

"Yes it is because you’re really not that defensive in arguing!" Cocoa snarled.

"Yeah so what if I like Sambe!"

"But he’s my mate!" Cocoa took a breather to collect her thoughts. "That’s why you’ve been so sulky and solitary! It’s because you’re jealous of me because he picked me over you!"

Wind shoved her snout into Cocoa’s face. "Damn right I’m jealous of you! I never thought I could like a guy as much as I loved him! But he chose YOU! That’s why I’m not helping you out because his pups are with YOU not ME!"

Cocoa’s eyes became moist. How could Wind do this to her. But she shook off her hurt. Her sadness turned to anger "I hope you burn in hell!" Cocoa shouted and turned away.

"Where are you going?" Wind asked.

"Why should you care?" Cocoa responded smartly and headed outside. She started in a light jog to her mother’s home.

"I’m your older sister that’s why!" Wind shouted but there was no answer. Wind growled and curled up. She had now just realized what she had done. She silently wept. Hours later into the night, Wind awoke feeling cold and all alone. But she wasn’t. "Thought you’d never awake." Wind jumped to her feet.

"Who’s there!" She demanded and Sambe stepped into the light that the den let flood in. Wind could feel herself weakening. "What do you want?" Wind asked softly.

"Cocoa and you arguing over me?" He laid down on his belly, paws stretched out in front of him. Wind looked away. He chuckled. "It’s okay babe." Wind looked back toward the handsome wolf.

"I told Cocoa I loved you and she got all mad." Wind said.

Sambe chuckled again. "That’s all right. Besides…" He stood and walked closer to her. Wind trembled when he touched her neck with his snout. He started in a tight circle but yet not bumping into her.

Wind watched him with cautious but somewhat hungry eyes. "Besides?" She asked curious. Sambe stopped right in front of her.

The scene was exactly like the first night Sambe showed himself to Cocoa only this time Wind was in Cocoa’s position. Sambe sighed before starting, "Besides I’ve liked you more any way’s." Wind gasped and her heart was jumping gleefully. "Only Cocoa was looking for love and you weren’t."

Wind stood and swished her gray tail and gazed into his eyes lovingly.

She moved her head where she could nearly kiss him and whispered. "What makes you think I’m not looking now." Sambe grinned and Wind smirked and started walking away, moving her body graceful and tempting. "But I can understand if you don’t want me now."

Sambe cooed. "Oh sweet baby what makes you think I don’t want you?" He stood and arched his neck and stood with a proud stance. Wind chuckled.

"Wind you should have know better!" Rose said angrily.

"Keep your voice down. Cocoa doesn’t need to know." Wind hushed her mother.

Rose growled. "Either you tell Cocoa or I will tell her. She’ll found out soon." Wind sighed.

"She needs to hear from me. Mother you don’t need to get in this. I just needed to tell you that’s all." Wind looked ashamed of herself. Rose licked her daughter’s cheek.

"At least you know what you did wrong." Rose smiled and Wind just gave a small smile.

"When I start showing I’m going to go away for a while okay." Wind spoke.

"Wind! I thought you were going to tell your sister!"

"I am. I just…don’t want to face everyone else."

Rose nodded to show she understood. "Thanks Mom." Wind said as she spotted Larkspur coming out of the den. The gray wolf hastily disappeared into the brush.

***

Cocoa decided not to visit Sambe tonight. She wanted to be left alone. Earlier, Wind said she would stay with Mom and Cocoa could have the den to herself. Cocoa was a little confused about Wind’s sudden kindness but she gladly took the offer. Cocoa was nestled inside on her makeshift bed of dry leaves and dirt. The sun had just fallen and she was feeling very tired. Right before she laid her head down there was a little scratching. Her brown head popped up and she gave a warning bark. "Don’t worry Cocoa it’s just me."

"Larkspur?" She cocked her head as the red wolf with white stockings strolled in. "What in the world are you doing here?" Cocoa asked as she looked at Larkspur with questioning eyes.

"Just to say hello I guess." Larkspur replied.

"Right and you’ve been watching me all day long as if something was going to go wrong. So it’s not hello or is it good night." Cocoa spoke and Larkspur blushed.

"Sorry if it seemed as if I was stalking you." Larkspur spoke quietly. Cocoa just smiled. She had to admit she liked the feeling of being watched by someone. As a matter of fact, she had not seen Sambe in a while.

"It’s okay." Cocoa nearly whispered and Larkspur smiled a little.

It was quiet for a bit between the two. It nearly killed Cocoa. "There is something I need to tell you." Larkspur said quietly. Cocoa looked back to his handsome face and waited. He took a deep breath and started. "Cocoa I think that…I…uh…um…err…" Larkspur’s cheeks were redder than his coat and his ears were to the side. His eyes screaming scared.

"What? You think that you what?" Cocoa asked. She tried to remain calm for Larkspur was a little shy. Also she didn’t want to upset herself over something small or so she thought. Larkspur looked away then back at her.

"I think I like you." He quickly answered trying to not make a fool out of himself.

Cocoa’s bottom jaw lowered a little and her eyes wide and her expression blank. "I’ll be going now." Larkspur said hastily and retreated to the cover of night.

"Larkspur wait!" Cocoa called out as she hurried to the entrance. But the red wolf was gone.

***

"Sweetheart what’s troubling you?" Sambe asked the next day. Cocoa shook her head to clear her mind.

"What?"

"What’s troubling you?"

"Oh nothing." Cocoa answered with a smile. She was thinking of Larkspur and why Wind never was around. She was burdened with not only precious cargo but also with the worry of everyone else and how she would be a good mother.

Sambe looked at Cocoa with eyes that made her melt. "Are you worried about the pups?" He asked.

"Yes I am." She lied just a little. Sambe nuzzled her warmly.

"You’ll be the best mother."

Wind watched them from the shadows of the forest as the pair walked through the clearing. She felt like a blender with all types of feelings tossed in. She was happy about being a mother but angry how Sambe and herself could betray Cocoa like that. Worried how she and her pups would live.

"Is it true?" Wind wheeled around to see Domingo.

"What’s true?" She asked quick. Domingo took a few sniffs at her.

"I was speaking with Rose. Well my mother and I. Rose said something happened to you and you would be going away for a while." Wind gasped then looked a little depressed and also a little angry with her mother. Domingo noticed her expression change. "I didn’t mean to offend you or anything like that! I swear, don’t kill me!" Domingo had the deer in the headlights look.

Wind growled. " I’m not going to kill you. It’s okay." She smiled up at Domingo. She had to admit besides Larkspur, Domingo was her best guy friend. She sighed. "Yeah it’s true. I’ll be away for a while."

"You smell just a little different." Domingo pointed out. Wind froze.

"I…um…uh…got to go!" She jumped to her feet and dashed past Domingo.

"Wait!" Domingo cried out. He gave a huff as he watched her run away. He thought for a minute and turned his attention to the clearing where Cocoa and Sambe stopped walking and sat together. He gasped as he thought then he shook his head. "I don’t think Sambe’s that kind of guy and Wind wouldn’t do it. But then again he came out of nowhere and the sisters haven’t been speaking with each other." Domingo spoke to himself. He shook his head again. "Not my problem." He whispered.

***

Wind was starting to show at 3 weeks and she became a little worried and terribly scared. Cocoa was a month along and was large but she would be bigger by the time the second month. "I’ve got to tell her!" Wind thought as she was laying outside of her mother’s den. Rose constantly reminded Wind she had to tell her sister.

"Decided what to do yet?" Wind looked up to see Sambe. She growled.

"Not yet." She replied with a deep tone. Sambe smirked as he sat himself in front of her.

Sambe looked at her mad expression. "You wanted it and so I gave it to you. Not my problem now."

She couldn’t take his so calm attitude that covered his lies. "Shut up! You lied to me! You lied to my sister! You really don’t love her do you?" Wind exploded.

Sambe looked at Wind with not concerned eyes. "I do it for the pleasure not love. It’s how I am." Sambe gave a smug grin.

Wind gasped and growled. "Go away and never come back." She snarled before standing. Her hackles rose and her tail straight back.

Sambe closed his eyes and shook his head. He reopened his eyes to the furious expression of the masked wolf. He chuckled and stood before nuzzling her. "Nope. I’m sticking around. The pups got to know who their father is."

"My pups will never see you!"

"Your pups? You mean ours." Sambe spoke freely before he turned away. Wind growled deeply. "Now I’m checking on the other litter. Good day to you, Mrs. Sambe." Sambe called back over his shoulder. Wind just growled louder, her hackles raised in frustration.

"You will pay for this!" She yelled.

***

Sambe was snuggled up against Cocoa. Cocoa rest deeply as her energy always seemed drained. "How many do you think there will be?" Sambe asked. Cocoa opened her eyes slowly and raised her head to look at him.

"It feels like 20." She responded and Sambe chuckled. Cocoa licked his chin. Sambe smiled and for some reason was remembering what Larkspur told him a while back.

Wind was fuming anger as she made her way to Cocoa’s den. She was going to tell her sister everything and who Sambe really was. She couldn’t lie beneath her guilt anymore. "Hey Wind where are you going?" Cadena asked as the ebony wolf spotted Wind walking past.

"Come with me Cadena." Wind said without looking at her friend. Her tone was deadly. Cadena decided to not question her friend and followed alongside Wind to the den Wind once occupied.

Sambe was licking the top of Cocoa’s head. Cocoa had her head on her paws. "Sambe! Cocoa! Get out here now!" A voice bellowed into the den. Sambe hopped to his feet and Cocoa startled awake. "Wind?" Cocoa asked. She shrugged and headed outside.

"Where are you going?" Sambe hissed. He had an uneasy feeling. "Outside. Aren’t you coming?" Cocoa asked. Sambe growled but followed Cocoa.

"What the hell for all the ruckus?" Cocoa snarled at her sister. Right off the bat she could tell something was with Wind. Cocoa had not seen Wind for a while and she seemed different. Cadena stood behind Wind and popped her head out and smiled weakly before hiding again. Wind was furious as she glared at Sambe. Sambe glared back.

Wind relaxed a little. "Cocoa I’m sorry."

Cocoa was confused. "What for?" She asked quickly.

"Sambe and I…" Wind started.

"Don’t listen to her lies." Sambe whispered to Cocoa.

"Shut up!" Wind shouted and her voice returned to level when Cocoa gave her a nod to go on. "Sambe and I committed adultery. I’m pregnant with his pups. We didn’t force each other. We did it freely. I’m ashamed of myself and disappointed in Sambe for not knowing better. That’s why I’m sorry."

Cocoa gasped and looked from her mate to her sister then back at Sambe. Sambe gave an easy smile hoping to convince her that Wind was lying. Cocoa shook her head as she faced Wind again. Wind looked to her sister in a pleading way to believe her. "Sambe is it true?" Cocoa asked without looking at her mate.

Sambe nuzzled her fondly. "No it’s not true. She’s lying. She’s trying to get us apart so she can have me all to herself." Sambe spoke hastily. Cadena meanwhile sat back watching with wide eyes and a lowered bottom jaw.

Wind snarled, "Liar! You admit you didn’t love her. You did it for the pleasure!" Cocoa gasped as she looked at Sambe. She moved away from Sambe slowly. Sambe looked at Cocoa in disbelief.

"I am your mate! She’s lying as always. Don’t believe her."

Cocoa spoke softly, "Wind doesn’t lie." Sambe growled and faced Wind with a furious expression. She smirked.

"I told you, you would pay for this." Wind said. "Now we discovered the real Sambe. Someone who does not love."

Sambe growled deeper as Cocoa moved over by her sister and Cadena. "It would be a shame to kill my mate, her sister, their litters, and their friend. But my ways can’t be told." He was about to advance toward them. Cocoa, Wind, and Cadena growled and their hackles raised. The den was in a dense forest, no one would see if there was going to be a fight, even though close to the stream that many visited.

"Not if I can help it."

Sambe spun around and gasped before he started to growl. Cadena, Wind, and Cocoa were surprised at a sudden appearance of someone that Sambe knew maybe too well.

To be continued…

"Then show me what you got mad cat." Sambe moved closer to Wind. She turned her head and licked his cheek. Sambe rubbed against her side then reared on his back feet. He grabbed hold of her neck scruff.

***

Wind and Sambe were snuggled together. "Hey Cocoa!" A male voice shouted. Wind startled and realized Sambe was still here. "Sambe you have to go!" She whispered hastily. Sambe groaned as he awoke. "Wind?" The voice called again. "Coming!" she responded before turning back to face Sambe. "There’s an exit in the back. Use it!" Sambe smirked. She turned away and walked, trying to be casual to the den entrance. Larkspur stood before her. She blinked her eyes in surprise and also to the bright sunlight.

"What is it Larkspur?" She asked. Larkspur kind of shuffled his feet and looked to the ground.

"I was wondering how Cocoa was doing." He answered quietly. "Oh." Was all Wind responded.

"She’s over at my mother’s. We had a big fight so she headed to Rose’s place." Wind added to her useless oh.

Larkspur looked up. "What was it about?" He was curious. Wind gulped and Larkspur looked a little ashamed of asking it. "You don’t have to tell me."

"NO! I need to tell someone or it’s going to tear my heart!" shouted Wind. Larkspur was a little surprise and sat down. Wind looked around to see if others were about. Once secured, she down in front of him. It felt a little awkward to her but she knew Larkspur could keep a secret. "I have feelings for Cocoa’s mate, Sambe. I had to tell Cocoa. I was jealous of her and she told me I could go burn in hell." No way was she going to tell Larkspur about what had happened last night between her and Sambe.

Larkspur’s eyes were wide. "Really? Wow…" Wind looked down and Larkspur smiled weakly. "Well at least say you’re sorry." He suggested carefully. "But it’s too late! I never meant to hurt my sister but now I found the worst way!" Wind thought and she could feel a tear sliding down her gray cheek. Larkspur looked a little helpless on how he could comfort Wind. He lowered his head a little and nuzzled her shoulder. Wind choked on her sob and nuzzled him back under the chin.

"It’s best if I just don’t go near her." Wind pointed out. Larkspur just smiled softly. Wind smiled at Larkspur. "Thanks for listening." Wind said as she let one more tear roll down.

"Your welcome. Now I’m going to go check on Cocoa, see how she’s doing." Larkspur said softly before turning away. Wind wondered a little.

"Why are you so concerned on Cocoa?" Wind asked. Larkspur stopped but kept going, a little red on his face. Wind smirked. Maybe she wouldn’t be in such deep of mud. No, Cocoa was loyal so loyal she would even take a bullet for any of her friends and a thousand bullets for her mate.

"So two litters on the way should bring excitement to the valley." Wind wheeled around to see Sambe. He smirked and walked away, back to the shadows. She would have gone after him but she knew most of the problem was of her fault.

***

Rose was outside enjoying the sunlight. Larkspur and Cocoa were inside, speaking with each other. Wind sighed before walking toward her mother. Rose opened a blue eye to see the approaching and in trouble Wind. "Good morning daughter." Rose said quietly.

"Did Cocoa tell you?" Wind asked her mother as she sat down. Her eyes kept darting back to the den and back to her mother. Rose nodded. "Well I made it worse." Wind responded. Rose became concerned and confused. "Worse?" She asked. Wind nodded her head. She squeezed her eyes tight, took a breath, and reopened her eyes. "Sambe came last night to check on Cocoa and we…" Rose gasped.