She could feel it in her skin; the days were growing warmer, and no amount of drenching was enough to stave it off. Indeed the time was drawing nigh that she would need to shed her thick coat, as it had already begun falling in clumps around her den, and in the wake of her steps to and from the creek's bend. A diligent grooming would have done her good, but the female could not bring herself to do so just yet. Or at least that was her excuse when she woke before the dawn, sweltering in her own fur til she crawled out to meet the open air.

Meeting the morning with an exasperated sigh, she preceded in the arduous task of ridding herself of the mountain coat. Beige and umber fell away as she cleaned, plucking debris and the like from her pelt til beneath was only a sleek and manicured coat; a little thinner than was to her liking but none the less clean. She felt better near immediately, but never would she admit this truth to another. She was proud of her mountain exterior and the bulk it provided to her person, but given the change in terrain, she reasoned she could have to get used to something smoother and lighter.

She only hoped it would not look so strange...

With the extra weight expelled, the female felt much lighter on her paws as she began to busy herself around the territory. As always, she stopped by the creek's edge to fish; catching something small for herself and the two young ones before returning to her own den to clean. It was nearing the height of the afternoon when a summon called for her routine to cease, and with eager attentions she heeded, immediately changing course for the densite of the new mother.

Her ears were pleasantly met by the soft pipes and squeaks of pups in the open. And much like a young one herself, the she-wolf stepped with a little more pep with tail swaying eagerly at her heels to meet the new life. Yet how quickly her enthusiasm drained when she reached the site, spying not only the mother and her brood but the deceptive female standing near to greet them first. Umber hackles raised as she slowed her enthused pace to a stalk, nearing the gathering with purpose; her eyes momentarily fixed on the dark female. Her jaws snapped open with a singular bark of warn, her lips reared back as her large head lowered to rest between her shoulders. She approached the dark wolf from the side, but did not advance to strike. Instead she stilled and waited til she pardoned herself from the dame and pup's presence; her eyes ever watchful til she was put a shadow against the trees.

Surely there was no real threat present, yet the mountain wolf was not inclined to give the dark female the benefit of the doubt. While taking her eye off the woman, she let her bi-colored sights behold the small treasures, allowing the faintest smile to grow gradually upon her muzzle. With eyes softening to their innocence, she lowered her head nearest to their mother before offering a respectful lick to her cheek, then let her eyes fix fondly upon the little babes exploring about. They were so small! She whined happily as she lowered herself to her belly near the little pups, but a little distance away that she would not pose as a danger to them. She let her large paws slipped forward in front of her, hoping that a little pup might take interest in their girth.

It was quite clear that the woman adored the little gifts, yet she kept her enthusiasm well controlled. After all, she was still but a stranger in a house not fully her own.

So when the howl rang out, summoning the wolves to the den where he knew the pups would be, he scrambled to get there as quickly as he could. He wanted Aponi to see them too- but in his excitement he couldn't force himself to go out, find her, then go and see the pups. He held his head high as he ran, and bounded on stretched legs so he could catch a glimpse of them as soon as possible- but as soon as he caught the faintest glimpse of wolves in the distance his posture shrank instinctively, though his pace quickened. He couldn't go running about with his head held high, certainly not in the presence of the alpha, but he could hardly keep himself held back.

He slowed when he approached so that he joined the gathering at a walk with his belly low to the ground, eyes glancing to and from the puppies, and then away- he didn't know if it was improper to gaze upon the pups, as it would have been improper for him to gaze directly at the alphas...But they were too cute to ignore. There were two, little blobs with pudgy bodies and little, soft ears that looked way too tiny for their heads. One was fair and dusted with tans and browns, the other more reddish and dark along her spine. Both had pastel eyes, the same shade that he'd had until his eyes had been touched with a tinge of silver. He lay down on the ground beside K'arnae and rested his muzzle on his paws, stretched forward as much as possible but he didn't dare move any closer, not where he was still little more than a stranger to the pack. His tail waved in the dust behind his haunches and he whined softly.


"speech"