Her dreams were filled of wide open spaces, vast fields of waving green and the sound of rain. It was her favourite noise, and the infant could always be relied upon to settle the moment that the sky became overcast; she would listen intently, waiting for the white noise which always made her eyelids heavy.

The rise and fall of her brother's chest added to her peacefulness, and she made a small, airy content noise as she cuddled against him closer, her tiny body dwarfed even more by her littermate's size. Gently she pawed at his belly, enjoying his warmth, but it was nothing compared to the huge mass of white fur which kept her safe and cosy all of the time. When her mother shifted, Belladonna murmured in discontent, but the rain in her dreams kept her from waking, and there she stayed until a nose prodded her awake.

Her eyes scrunched up before opening, full of tiredness and the desire to go back to sleep. Her mother's soft voice called for them, and Bella could not disobey, though she blinked wearily up at the familiar white face with the faintest of frowns. "Mmmrrmmm?" Wake up... Well, if she must.

With a high-pitched yawn, she rolled away from the warmth of Datura and onto her four unsteady feet - though as she woke up, growling affectionately as she buried her dark muzzle into her mother's white cheek, Bella's coordination and balance much improved. If they had been woken up, did that mean food? Eagerly she hopped up onto her hind legs, reaching out to grab her mother's ear and tug it downwards, giggling quietly.

OOC: I hope it's okay Ava didn't get here first. Maybe Ver could write her waiting outside the den already, or have her come with food? I'm sorry. I just wanted to get this up before I leave for the weekend.

The call came at no better a time, for Ava had just finished her border patrol and taken a seat at the lake's edge to calm her racing heart. Running the mountain's passes was a pastime she would never forego, no matter how winded she felt in the end. The freedom of it was like flying, and the little blackbird wanted nothing more than to be able to fly. But she was not given time to contemplate her wishes and waste time dallying; Athena's melodic voice had beckoned her forward. Within moments she was on her four and slipping through the path of nightshade like a shadow.

Outside the birthing den was Chantille, falling on her behind as though the gravity of having to wait was too much for her. A delicate smile edged its way on to the Second's dark face, which was waned slightly by the approach of Treena. The mottled female did not dare step so close as Chantille had, which was wise, but she stuck her neck out in a fashion that did not suit a lower-ranking wolf. Interesting was all she could make of it, though she was not so concerned which one of them was higher ranking than the other. At least, not here and not now. Her heart was swelling with warmth at the picture of her little golden Datura, curled in a ball somewhere beyond the darkness of the den's mouth. There was well would be Bella, and Athena, the lifeblood of their Poisoned pack.

As Ava stalked forward, Ash arrived. She was not surprised by his presence, for the male's scent had been recently marked on the borders as well as hers. So, he had actually come back to them? That was a pleasant surprise. Despite their turmoil he accepted the life anyway. That was respectable, at least. Her brilliant stare swept among the gathered wolves no more than once, but her hasty greeting had to be pardoned for she was too excited to see the children.

Gently Ava broke through the shadow of the den, posture simple while her smile was extravagent. Quickly she approached Athena to lick her Leader's chin, a whine of happiness escaping her dark jaws. Afterward, she swung her head toward the male pup. In the darkness of the birthing den his golden fur shone like a candle, yet he denied opening his eyes very wide. Ava shook her head and leaned down to nose the space between his legs and belly open, a requisition that he stand up. "No more sleep, Datura," she coaxed softly. "Your family is waiting."

A strange sound plucked at her ears, and, game forgotten, she turned slowly to peer at the den's entrance - where she caught the briefest glimpse of a retreating pale shape. The playfulness fell from her immediately as she stared, and then took the smallest of steps forward.

The sounds outside were different than normal. She could not hear the wind so well over the sound of footsteps, of breathing... Faintly she recognised them, as though they were strange sounds which had passed by her home before, but now they seemed important. They were here all at once.

The sight of Ava, a comfort in itself, broke the spell, and Bella's short tail wagged at the sight of the other woman she knew. It was not the same love as for her own mother, but this was the wolf who cared for Datura like her mother cared for her. Swiftly Ava went to her brother, coaxing him from sleep. Good luck with that! Bella thought with a giggle, before turning to gaze up at the white face she loved.

Outside?

She could not wait. Curiosity burned at her - it was almost as bad as if there had been a heavy, grey sky. Who had that cream blur been? Feeling safe, for her mother was here, Bella carefully waddled towards the promise of open space, but stopped just short of coming out. Instead, she peered out, startled by the faces she saw there, the faces so like mother's and Ava's and yet totally different! Who were these wolves? Why were their scents so familiar?

Eyes wide, she stared out at the gathered pack, unable to move herself another step, overwhelmed. Her toes itched, her haunches tensed - but to leap out into the day, or back towards comfort? Cautiously, for they were all but aliens to her, she yipped softly - a greeting, to them all in general. Friend or foe? Her mother would sort it out, make it clear. All would be well.