As I later find out, Chandria is pregnant and I am the father. About a week after she told me of this surprise and gave birth, we have five healthy pups: we named the serious white male Chas, the quiet grey male is named Tobias, the jumpy white female is Summer, after Chandria's favorite season; the daredevilish, yet oddly spotted female is named Sage, after my favorite plant to roll in (I'm half-dog for Christ's sake!); and the brown male is now named Asher. As we all sit by the fire that night, Summer is jumping all over the place and shifting her gaze this way and that. What's wrong, Summer? Chas asks playfully. You got a bug in your fur? Summer jumps on him and nips him playfully. No! That stupid crackling noise won't go away!

Asher rolls his eyes and whispers It's just the fireplace, Summer... As if they were signalled to do so, all five little ones yawn in unison. Chandria nudges me, telling me to get up and help her move the cubs to their bedroom. I pick up the boys by the scruff of their necks and carry them to the sleeping chamber as Chandria does the same with the girls. I love my wife, no matter what anyone says. So what if she was a thief at some point in her life? She did it for her family (me, and now the cubs as well); I still love her very much, and always will. She asked me for the chance to redeem herself, and I gave her that chance.

When Chandria and I sit by the fire again, we hear howling in the distance. It is once again time for the High Wolf Council to meet with the Vampire Councils. As Chandria and I are members of the High Wolf Council, it is imperative that we attend. Of course, we always attend in our wolf forms (I simply cannot stand being in human form around those scumbag excuses of vampires). As I pace the floor of the parlor, Chandria grows weary of it. "Gildren... let's just go; they'll be fine, my love..." In response, I kiss her dainty lips and whisper "You may think that, Chandria, but as their father and head of this Pack, I say we worry about them. In that sense, you shall stay here this time around; give it another month and they'll be strong enough-" Suddenly, the cubs' chamber door squeaks open and a little grey paw reaches through; Tobias. Do you have to leave, Daddy? he asks.

Now that I am back in my human form, I bend down and pick him up, holding him to my chest all the while. "Yes, I do; but your mother will be here still. I have to go deal with the vampires... ugh. Never trust a bloodsucker, Tobias. That is my advice to you." As he usually does, Tobias cocks his head just a little to the left, and asks Why, Daddy? The only way I can answer this is to sigh and mutter in his tiny ear "You will know why when you are older; perhaps, by that time, you can join the meetings." Tobias seems shocked by my words, yet I sense there is something else, something deeper bothering his still-penetrable subconscious. "Tobias? What is bothering you, son?"

I don't like having dreams, Daddy... they scare me...

"Do they, son?" He nods, giving me consent. "And what scares you?

I had a dream where you and Mama died...

I cannot help but cringe at the thought that my son, my second eldest, is already having morbid thoughts about my love and I. Tobias starts to make his way back to his room, but licks my chin a few times; it's for good luck, he told me the first time he did it. I suppose I would need good luck to stay alive, to keep his dream from coming true. I suppose I should have told him where I will be, but I figure he is a smart enough cub; he could figure it out just by tracking my scent.