A FEW WEEKS LATER

Ryan had returned a few weeks ago, only to tell me he had met my brother, Kahitra. A cold shiver traveled up my spine when I heard him speak of my lost brother's name. My face grew with sorrow of not getting to finally meet him once again. My brother had always been there for me, through the good times, and the bad. He hated his pelt color, white as snow. He always said that it was the opposite of his attitude, his past, our past. I agreed, only to turn full of sadness inside to be reminded of what we had went through as young ones.

The pups had opened their eyes a few mornings ago. Blood Angel had been the last to open. I laughed softly to myself when I saw her reaction to the small den that surrounded us. Her eyes widen as she looked around, thrilled at the new sights her eyes had to bring her. Her light puppy-ish blue eyes would soon turn a beautiful amber or golden to match Ryan or I's color.

The pups also got to venture out of the den today for the first time. BlackOut was the first one to step out into the open, nervous at first because he wasn't sure what the wild was in store for him. Soon, he was bounding around happily in the grass and wrestling with his older brother and sisters.

Ryan sat, full of pride, next to my side as we watched our pups play. He wrapped his tail around my tail and smiled. I laughed softly and looked down, embarrassed. He always treated my better that I deserved. I never fully understood why he would choose me to be his mate. I guess it just.. happened.

I sighed as I called the pups to come to Ryan and I. They stopped as soon as I told the too, and calmly came to see what I had to say.

Azrael was the first to reach us both. She wagged her black-stripped tail happily and licked my chin in kind welcome. "Hi mom! What did you want?" She asked with a grin on her face as her brothers, Fate and BlackOut, and her sister, Azrael came to join her in a small circle around Ryan and I. Her personality was not at all like mine. She was cute and bubbely, always cheering up the atmosphere that surrounded her. She never seemed to get mad very much. I loved her for that.

I licked her nose in response and replied, "Your father and I just thought we'd take a little adventure and take you guys to go see what else nature has for you guys. And maybe we'll see some deer or elk!" I said as I looked around at the pups' wide eyes and surprised reactions. I glanced up at Ryan, who had a big fatherly grin on his face.

"Really?" Blood Angel squealed excitedly, bounding up onto her feet and almost knocking her siblings that sat around her. "We can? Yay! Wait.. What's elk and deer?" She came to realization that she didn't know what both elk or deer were. The other pups nodded their small heads in confusion.

I glanced up at Ryan again and let him take this one. "Elk and deer," he explained, "are very big things that we kill for food. Deer are smaller that elk, though. They are much easier to take down, maybe only needing two wolves at the most. Elk, on the other hand, need over three or four to take down. Elk tower over us, and you can receive bad blow with a single kick of their hind legs. Unfortunatly, you little ones will not be able to hunt them until you are all strong and able to help your mother and I in the hunt." He smiled as he explained to the pups about the differences between elk and deer. The pups seemed intent in the topic. When Ryan was done speaking, the pups were all talking in one big chatty mess. Ryan chuckled as he quiet the pups down to a low whisper.

He let them talk to each other about the wonders of hunting, and turned to me. "You know, I think these pups have big potential."

"I think the same thing." I said as a smile curved at my lips. I never thought my pups would not end up like me. I was pround of myself for now knowing that my pups will have a better start on life than I had.

"Alright pups," I spoke over the chatter of the excited pups. "we will start our journey through the forest right now. But I have to warn you, it is very easy to get lost in the twists and turns the forest holds, so keep very close to your father and I. Okay?"

"Okay!" The pups said at the same time, jumping to their feet and raced around the plains.

I barked to call the pups to follow. They came trotting over, pumped at the thought of going somewhere new. As we entered the dark forest, I walked alongside Ryan, my soulmate, our pups close by our feet. I smiled the whole time we walked together, a strong, happy pack. Nothing could ever ruin this moment. At least, I don't think anything could..