The night had been brutal against my tiny body. I had shivered all night long and for a time my paws had seemed numb despite how I tucked them close into my fur, wrapping my head into my tail. All night long I had cried at the cusp of my mothers den. At least most of the night anyways because the shadow of my father had appeared in the dark hours and I had dashed away, fearful that he would murder me now that my mother had thrown me out. She had cursed me the first hour, calling me weak and a waste. Told me to go bother someone else, or better yet, find a damn den. I was old enough, she said, to fend for myself.

That didn't stop my crying. It only intensified my whines, my begging to be let in. Only once had I tried to creep back in and the sharp bite of her teeth against my face reminded me not to try it again. The moment the sky began to lighten I straightened from the small ditch I had found myself in, standing up on shaky legs and stiff muscles. I groaned and cried, sneezing into the snow as I choked on my own snot before shaking my head and stretching out. I began to feel better but there was a certain cottony feel to my head and my eyes burned, both from tears and exhaustion. It was hard to sleep when I feared never waking up.

Instinctively my body curved back towards my mom's den but I froze, whimpering as I realized that it was done. There was no going back. And so I stood there for a time, staring blankly into the frosted land as the sun began to creep along the edge of the horizon. What did I do now? I feared wandering too far from her den because what if she changed her mind? But I also needed somewhere to sleep in case she didn't. I couldn't survive another night like that. My belly ached with emptiness, hunger having long ago set in.

I decide to make a wide circuit around her den, spreading my range as I trip over roots and eventually I find myself turned about and heading in the wrong direction. Further away from the den and closer to the marshy area and water. I almost turn back or collapse - I hadn't decided which - when I spy the girl. Father had mentioned other children and mother had snarled, muttering about killing the bastard spawn, but I hadn't put two and two together. I didn't realize I had sisters out there. I just saw another pup.

My pace quickens as I grow closer, tail wagging and relief on my face. Maybe she could help me. "Hey! I'm Zafira! What are you doing out here?"