As the horizon ate slowly at what was left of the setting sun, the pack of four traveled back to the den from hunting. They were successful, Willow carrying a large vole, Stone and Fern both helping to haul a large hare.

Eclipse led the group with two plump voles, hanging from their tails, bumping into her fore leg with each step.

Willow dropped her catch and warned, "Stop, I smell something." 

Everyone else stopped and did the same. Out of the tangle of a nearby pine tree, came a small, round animal, with brown spines covering its body.

Willow stepped closer, growling her warnings to the animal. It hissed at her and backed a few steps.

"Willow, stop!" Stone warned frantically.

But it was too late, Willow tried to attack the animal but jumped back and yelped in pain. On her muzzle was the animal's spines sticking out of her skin. Where the spines came into contact, blood oozed out.

"Ow!" Willow complained and lifted her paw to try and rub them out.

"Stop, Willow, you'll make it worse!" Fern warned, "Lets get to the den and see what we can do then.

Eclipse picked up Willow's catch, and her two as well, and led the group back to the den.

When they got back, the rest greeted them.

"What happened!" Sapphire asked when she saw Willow's muzzle.

Eclipse answered, "We encountered a spined animal and Willow tried to attack it."

"I can get them out, follow me," Birch told them and ducked into the den.

"How do you know about healing?" Stone asked as Birch pulled the last needle.

"Ow!" Yelped Willow.

"There, the last one." Birch told Willow, then answered Stone, "Not long after i left Night Pack, before I found Smoke and Willow, I met an old loner. He taught me everything i know now."

"Where is he now? Maybe he wants to join." Eclipse asked seeing Sapphire roll her eyes from the corner of her eye.

Birch hung his head, ears laid back, "He died, i couldn't save him"

Instantly guilty, Eclipse apologized, "Sorry, i didn't know."

"Its ok, how could you have known without asking," Birch said calmly.

That night they ate quietly. Willow and Birch sharing a vole, crunching softly as their teeth snapped the tiny bones. Stone and Fern shared the hare, and Ice and Smoke crunched on one of the voles Eclipse caught.

Eclipse ate in silence next to Sapphire. The flesh sliding down her throat, satisfied her empty stomach.

Whispering from above made them all stop. Eclipse rose from the vole, shacking her pelt, and stepped toward the opening.

Stone rose as well, "Wait, let someone come with you."

She turned and dipped her head, "Stone, Smoke, and Sapphire, come with me."

Eclipse walked up into the outside world. Dusk, casting shadows across the forest. Waiting was four wolves, and with the sight of Eclipse, they dipped their heads respectfully.

"What brings you to our den?" Eclipse asked.

The brown wolf spoke, "Greetings, Eclipse, we, former loners, would like to join your pack."

"This is puddle," A black wolf said, "I'm Berry, and my mate," he pointed to a white and grey female, her tummy large with pups, "is sky and her brother, Cloud."

The white wolf, Cloud, said, "Please take us in. Its not long until Sky has her pups!"

Eclipse dipped here head, "Yes, we will take you in, but I must talk to my pack first before you become a pack member. I hope you understand."

"We do," they said.

"Sky, you should stay with us, they will be safer," Eclipse advised as the new pack members got conferrable.

"No," Sky persisted, "I will move next to this part of the cave, and i will have my pups there."

Eclipse understood why she wanted to be alone, she was a first-time-mom, so sky was bound to be territorial.

"Very well," Eclipse dipped her head, "I will help move your bedding."

"Eclipse wake up!" An excited voice woke her, it was Cloud," Sky, she had her pups!"

Eclipse jumped up and stumbled to Sky's den to take a look.

When she got there she saw four pups curled up into the crook of Sky's tummy, "Whats their names?" 

"The brown one is Feather, the grey one is Dawn, the white one is Ivy and the small black and white one is Bird," Sky announced proudly, her eyes sparkling.

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Hi! animal_maniac here! Sorry for the long wait, i had year end exams so i was kinda busy. I hope you enjoy the book! Tell others, comment, and enjoy! hope you like it! 

If you have any ideas, comment or message me! Thanks!