The pups had been growing and had come to a point where the four of them could easily smother their small mother. In the flower covered den of the higher fields, at least two of them were attempting to do just that.

Play almost constantly on the forefront of their minds, Whisper and Metztli nipped at their mother’s ears and face. Occasionally one of the girls would switch it up and move to her paws, just to keep the Alphess literally on her toes. Their laughter and mirth sank deep into them, a mirror to the innocence Pine had embodied in her own childhood. In the lights of their eyes, their mother lost herself and shared in their innocent natures.

The call whirled through the mists and moor, catching Pine’s attention from her children. Her smile was not wiped away when she recognized the tones of Zelda. She knew the other wolfess did not approve of what had come to pass in the moors, but that did not mean the little Imp held ill-will towards the Forest Goddess. Come, meet family! She encouraged, knowing full well at least the two sisters would more than happily meet just about anyone. The tri-colored wolf scrambled out of the den and hurried along the trails that would bring her to Zelda, the pups scrambling after her. Halfway there she called to her sons, and heart and soul, to see if they would join the party.

As soon as they were within sight, the girls raced forward and wiggled around Zelda like the puppies they were. Pale as the moon and black as the night they were the same in their excitement and yips of greeting, being Iromar’s perfect new little greeters. Behind them, Pine bounced up, her tail high and waving in a friendly greeting. Hello, Zelda! She called over the noise her offspring were making. Meet Metztli and Whisper, my and Cenna’s daughters. The Imp puffed with loving pride at the girls, her heart warmed to a steady heat at the sight and sound of them and the combination that was her and her lover. Once she was closer, more in conversational proximity, she sat a little roughly beside her friend, formalities not something she typically recognized. Tilting her head, she looked over at the Goddess, remembering briefly their last meeting. Her smile faltered for half a second, but she kept it as well as she could. But…. I don’t think you are here to talk to me about them…

Meanwhile, the pale Whisper was dancing between the two adults, while Metztli stared intently at Zelda’s tail, pupil-less eyes eager to pounce.