Annie & *Pups*

Annie crawled into the den, her ears down and her heart heavy with worry and doubt. This was her first litter, and she was still rather young. And now, she didn't know where Smokey had gone too. She had no idea whether the intruding pack would support her or not, or if they might turn and kill her pups. She was desperately worried and afraid now.

The dethrowned wolf curled herself up in the den and drifted to sleep. Several hours later, she was woken by a pain. Instantly, she knew what that meant...

It was a few more hours later when Annie had three little pups nestled up into her warm fur. Three little males. The first one was mostly white with black mixed in along his ruff and back. A streak of white ran up his muzzle. The next was light buff in color, with a half-ring of black around the top of each eye. His floppy ears were tipped in cinnamon, as with the tip of his tail. And the last pup was pale gray with various black markings on his head and shoulders. Of course, these colors couldn't quite be seen yet, for all the pups were black in color. But in a few days, their true pelts would begin to show.

Annie licked the pups and let them nurse. Her joy was mingled with worry still, not knowing where Smokey was, or how the rest of the 'pack' would respond to the three new lives.

Smokey

The alpha followed his mate and found her he stayed up and sat on his haunches until she woke and gave birth.

Smokey smiled and spoke "Annie I see you had our pups." He nuzzled her and licked the pups, and layed beside help keeping them warm so they don't get cold, in the Winter weather.

Annie & *Pups*

She liked him gentally and thumped her tail once against the ground. "Aren't they just beautiful?" Annie whispered, turning her gaze to the three bundles of life. Of course, in the dark den, it was very hard indeed to see them. But, they could be smelt and heard at least.

Smokey

He sighed and spoke "They claimed the lands but I claimed once again, they think that I gave up, saying they couldn't fond lands, well we coudn't either." He raised his head and said "Annie you and me will be in our rightful place once again, and if not my father said that they or we can take over, and also watch their pups." He nuzzled the pups and licked them he then licked Annie, telling her that everything will soon be fixed again like the old days.

Annie & Ireshk

Annie licked her mate's nose, "You are brave, Smokey. I hope that all works out well in the end." The mother looked tenderly down at the three whelps at her belly. "I think I will name this one Ireshk." She whispered, nudging the center pup that would be tan-colored.