It had been Mabel and her sibling’s birthday the day before and while their mother and father had done their best to make things normal it was definitely tense. It didn’t help that the female alpha was absolutely huge and grouchy all the time so the cream coloured pup had done her best not to be disappointed. They were adults now, and it was evident that things wouldn’t be the same as how they were - maybe never again. Not only that but it was also clear that it was time for them to start thinking about roles and how they would really contribute to the pack.

The yearling had been considering being a scout quite a bit, she could spend most of her time out and away without upsetting anyone or being in trouble. That sounded pretty good to Mabel. She had been heading for the exit when a strange sound had made her pause, what the hell was that? The expression on her face might have been comical if anyone had been around to see it but fortunately she was alone for now.

Changing directions she headed towards the strange croaking without a second thought, she had to find the source of the sound. A couple minutes later she saw Chamomile’s dark figure up ahead and she chuffed at him to get his attention, ”What the hell is that sound?” He would surely know.

Chamomile was pretty cool in Mabel’s opinion, he was only a year older than her but he was already out living in a new pack away from his family and working on a role. Even if his desired role was to spend all his time with the incoming demons and teach them how to be wolves, it was still alright she guessed. Because until her younger siblings made their entrance that meant that Mabel and the now yearlings had his full attention and that was just what she liked. So, when he turned to her and gave her a familiar smile the yearling returned it without hesitation and her own tail wagged behind her.

Brows furrowed and she made a humming sound at his guess, ”Have you ever heard a bird or frog sound like that before?” Or was the whole world turning upside down this spring, not just the Bend? Nodding enthusiastically at his suggestion Mabel fell silent, pressing forward as quickly as she could without making too much of a racket and scare away their prize. At first it seemed as if this had all been a dream and the Donata was about to halt and announce that it must have left when another croak echoed loudly from just to her right.

Quickly turning and pressing her belly into the dirt so that a nearby bush would hide her large frame her eyes widened when she saw the heron. It was huge, she had never seen a bird so big before. Though definitely lighter than her it easily stood taller than Mabel even at her highest point. A smile spread across her features as she glanced at Chamomile, this was going to be good.