Round Stone Crest welcome to the real world

The sunrise-coated woman did the best she could to placate Gent in the given situation. She relented immediately to his forceful movements, dropping down to the dirt and back away from the den's opening. He then stood there, effectively blocking the opening, arctic eyes boring down upon the young girl to silently demand an explanation. Wonderfully, she quickly offered him one. Given her age and what seemed to be her general demeanor, he took what she said as truth. While he knew better than anyone how powerful and convincing a lie can be, there was a strong glow of genuity in her eyes that convinced him completely. The only thing that raised a question within his mind was her claim of being a previous member of Black Thorn Downs.

Once she was deemed to not be a threat, Gent's stature noticeably relaxed and he lifted his gaze from her dial to peer into the den opening. He did not move from his position; just because her intentions had been innocent didn't mean he was going to allow her to get close once again. The cubs were now clamoring at the opening of the den, as far as their stubby legs would take them. They were obviously utterly confused by all of the new stimulus entering through their eyes and slowly-opening ears, and stepping all over each other as they did not yet know each other as siblings. While this was his own first experience, he had already learned so much from watching them and speaking with Minka. A soft smile crept over his maw as he reached a paw in, gently caressing each chubby little whelp before tenderly pushing them closer to each other so that they would hopefully recognize and appreciate each others' warmth.

"They're just a little over loaded because everything is changing so fast; they're just beginning to see, and they'll be hearing soon. And the only thing that's been constant for them is gone right now."

He was referring to Minka, and mildly wondered when she'd be back and if she'd have anything to say about Firefly's presence. However, before another thought or motion could occur on Gent's behalf, a different member of the family appeared. Kova was prompt to push himself between the russet girl and himself, and Gent mindfully took a few steps back, respecting that Kova was before him in line in regards to the cubs. The pack second listened to his explanation, but it only brought up more questions and Gent's icy gaze turned once more to Firefly, thoroughly appraising her.

"What business did you have?" he asked, his voice level without a hint of hesitancy. While he was not currently alpha, in his eyes he was as good as leader to anyone who ranked below him, and that certainly included Firefly; thus, if he asked, she would answer. If she knew what was best for her, anyways. Perhaps in this instance could tell him that it wasn't his concern, but once he did fully hold the title of alpha he would only ask her again, and at that point she would truly have no choice.

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

The stranger's face disappeared from the small entrance just as quickly as it had appeared. Less than startled, the tiny cub continued forth, in an effort to find out exactly who had come barging in on them. One shaky paw after another, Draven made the journey, which seemed to stretch on for miles. He was almost there. Just two, maybe three more steps, and he would be there. Only then did Gent's gargantuan head appear in place of the woman's. Thrilled at finally catching a glimpse of the man he knew only by touch, and smell, the dark boy chanced another step. His scent was comforting, always mixed up with that of their mother. A staple in his life, to be sure, since it seemed like the man was always nosing around inside of their little hideaway. He was able to provide them with heat, but food was something only Minka could provide.

The large head floated toward him, it's jet black nose nudging the boy lightly back to his siblings. With all thoughts of inspecting the opening forgotten, the raven-colored boy chanced swatting a paw at Gent, before turning to the others. Their muffled cries reminding him of the ache within his rounded belly. Shuffling even closer to the two blurry balls of fluff, he tried to steal away a little of their warmth, while he let out a squall of his own. It didn't help that his newly-opened lids were starting to feel heavy either. Cold, tired, and hungry all made for a very cranky cub.

The adults had turned their attention among themselves, murmuring words and phrases Marianna couldn't understand. She'd woken because she was cold, and the comfort of her mother's side had disappeared. While it had only been a few minutes at most, it seemed like an eternity to the young puppy. Things only seemed to be going downhill, her brothers toddling towards the opening, the adults paying them no thought at all. Stumbling over her wide feet again, the russet female released a piteous wail, refusing to get back up off the ground. Her ears twitched wear they lay against her head, eyes closing as she whined again.

Being awake was getting strenuous, and she was no warmer than she was when she'd woken to find herself subjected to the chilly breeze. At least she'd been sandwiched between Kino and Draven – now, she was abandoned by everyone. Misery was creeping in, exacerbated by her exhaustion and frustration with the mutiny of her very own feet. Sprawling her chunky body against the ground, bright, sky blue eyes searched the fuzzy forms of the adults outside her den, and she whined as loud as she possibly could.

The cries only grew in pitch and volume the longer she remained alone – without Minka nearby, and without any natural sense of fearing these other wolves, any warm body would do. If Kino or Draven returned for a snuggle, or if her sibling or other packmates settled down to be her pillow, she'd be happy. But as long as she remained alone, Ari continued to creel.

Kino had begun his meandering forward, but paused before the opening. He felt something inside of him telling him to stay inside where it was warm, that that moment wasn’t the time for him to go on a little adventure. He needed to stay back and take care of his siblings, and by take care of them he particularly wanted them to still their cries. His feeling was proven correct when a large but slightly familiar character pushed them back from the opening. He offered a squeal of indignity, but that was soon drowned out by his sibling’s cries. The silver prince waddled himself back to his siblings, rubbing against the crying being in an attempt to get them to stop making the noise. They were all tired, the brief moments of excitement leaving them exhausted and confused. All he wanted was sleep and food, and at that moment only one could be achieved. He settled next to the fur ball, pressing his side against hers and resting his head across her back with a yawn. His eyes blinked sleepily and he couldn’t help but reach up and bat at her to shut her trap. It wasn’t a mean bat, but rather a motion to say “I’m here now, so you can shut up.” He wanted just as much as them to be suckling away happily, drinking the sweet liquid that flowed from their guardian’s teat. Their feelings were mutual, but it wouldn’t do any good whining about it. She would surely come back, as they had awoken before to the presence being gone, and they would have what they sought then.

She had only left the birthing den to visit the stream that wrapped around their mountain and when she had left all of her children had been sound asleep. After quenching her thirst Minka made her way swiftly back up the incline, hoping to make it back before the litter even realized she was gone. Having only been gone for twenty minutes tops she was surprised to see that quite a gathering had formed outside of her den, and the tension was clear amongst them. Gent's tone made the alpha's eyes narrow slightly. While he had every right to assert his dominance over those ranking below him, especially the packs lowest, she didn't appreciate him doing so this close to her young. Moving into the fray without hesitation she spoke before Firefly responded, "Her business was personal and it has already been discussed with myself. Now I appreciate all of you coming to see the pups but it is time for them to rest." Her tone while not cold or unfriendly left little in the way of argument, when she children were concerned the mother wasn't playing around.

Ducking inside the den without waiting to hear the response of Gent, Firefly or Kova she quickly looked over the newest litter to check them. The others were more than welcome to wait outside the den or even hover near the entrance if they wished as long as they did so quietly. The three of them had been wailing pitifully before she had entered but Minka hoped her presence would sooth them. Laying down against one of the side walls she used her tawny muzzle to nudge each child into the warm fur of her belly. She would wait for them to suckle if they wanted or drift off to sleep before giving the signal that whoever remained could take a look at them. Pretty soon they wouldn't be contained to just this den and the members of Round Stone Crest would be spending their days chasing them. For now though they were all new, a source of wonder amongst the pack, a breath of new life.

Finally, finally, after what seemed like an eternity, her mother had answered her calls. Minka returned to find a crowd around her puppies, and truthfully, the princess could no longer be bothered by anything else. Recognizing the alpha's voice, all she wanted was for her dam's comforting touch, and before long, she got her wish. After a gentle reprimand towards one of the adults, the woman returned to her den and organized her cubs in no short order. Even without her mother's help, Marianna would had toddled back towards her parent's side, but she was glad for the assistance.

With a heavy huff, the puppy flopped against her mother's belly. This was the warmth the child so missed, and a soft croon escaped from her chest as she nuzzled against the familiar safety. This was exactly what she wanted. Even better than being sandwiched between her brothers was being safely nestled by Minka's side. All at once, the puppy allowed a massive yawn to escape her, entire body shuddering with the effort. The visitors still outside the mouth of the den had been completely forgotten. Ari had gotten what she wanted, and satisfaction was a powerful sedative.

It took her a few more moments to get comfortable, squirming and rolling against both her mum and her siblings before the toddler finally got herself comfortable. Her mother was given a happy squeak, pleased to be with her once more, before the princess finally laid her head down to rest. Blue eyes began to drift shut – all was well in the world. The little Lagina princess could want for nothing.

Fade.

A familiar presence finally entered the den, a sigh coming from his maw in a silent thanks. The wailing had been pitiful, and while he couldn’t say that he hadn’t joined in at one point he could say that he had stopped before them. With the noise finally dying down he suddenly felt the weight of the events that had transpired take full effect, hitting him like a truck and virtually turning his legs into little stubby logs. A large yawn escaped from his maw, scrunching up his little silver maw and exposing tiny needle-like baby teeth before closing with a grunt. His gaze had begun to droop as his mother pulled him to her belly, the scent of milk invading his senses and making his give a small squeal in pleasure. He turned his body to her belly, adjusting himself with a few prods and pokes to his sister as he did so so that he was facing Minka’s teats primly. He had to nose around for a moment a two before he finally found the nipple, and when he did he happily latched onto it. Sweet liquid filled his maw as he sucked noisily, kneading her belly with his tiny paws as he fed. Eventually he was able to fall asleep, but that didn’t release his hold on the life-giving substance. The boy fell into dreams, still suckling away in the silence that finally enveloped the birthing den.

Exit Kino