Fallen Tree Cove Blood will out

@Elwood

The cove alpha woke from a short nap outside the den he shared with Birtie and the pups, or had once shared rather. Since the pups had arrived he'd been giving the new mother her space but he didn't go far. He still looked after her as he always had and always would. Now he was going to look after his son and take him down to the lake like he'd once done with Chan. Neither pup had been far from the den but he didn't see why they couldn't go as long as he was with them.

He rose to his feet outside the den entrance and stretched before he started looking for his son. Sticking his head in the den he looked for the creamy body of his son. “Elwood,” he called into he den, “I thought you and could walk down to the lake. You could play in the water if you want.” He didn't have any actual plans to hint but he thought his son might like to see the water.

Being that the lake was close by Elwood would have to get used to it at some point in. What better way to teach him about the water than to just take him to it.

Once the boy was asleep, he was difficult to awaken, so when his name was called, he didn't immediately catch what his father was saying. ..water if you want. "Hmm...?" The boy blinked lazily, tongue curling in a yawn, a slow stretch taken while his brain struggled to catch up with the words that had been spoken. Water... the water was far... if you want... but he wasn't carrying any with him... water...? water! As in, go to?!

Suddenly the boy was awake, tearing past the dark wolf at the den entrance, his tail waving a mile a minute. "Race da! Race!" If he kept this pace up he'd be out of breath before he was even a quarter of the way there, but he wouldn't be deterred. He had to get there and get there fast! Noah was gonna be so jealous!

The father was patient as he waited for his son to appear at the mouth of the den. He was glad to have a son and a daughter but it was hard to keep himself from having big dreams for them. Kajika wanted them to grow into their own wolves who were confident in what they wanted just as he had been when he'd chosen to leave his parents behind.

His plans for the start of their day had been made but he would let his son decide what they did from there. A sound from inside the den reached his ears and a few moments later Elwood emerged speaking of racing. “A race it is,” he said with a chuckle before moving in the direction his son had gone. Kajika didn't run though knowing he would overtake his son quickly, no, he'd let the boy win this one.

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He could hear his father's pawsteps behind him, letting him know the race was on. Giggles were quick to bubble up from his chest, a quick glance thrown over his shoulder showing just how close his father remained. With a high pitched shriek of joy the boy pushed himself harder to stay just out of reach, but the brisk mountain air was starting to burn in his lungs and the lake was still so far away. It was also difficult to keep going when most of his oxygen was being used on giggles.

The boy became lightheaded, and he stumbled as he reached for one of the many boulders that lined the earth between the cove and the lake. "I won!" he loudly declared, allowing himself to stumble and sprawl in the grass well short of the lake itself. His long tongue lolled from his parted jaws, a long line of slobber tethering him to the earth as his small chest heaved to make up for the early morning exhertion. They weren't at the lake yet, but this was as far as the boy could go without giving his shaky legs a chance to recover.

The new father kept an even pace as he chased after his son. The boy certainly had a lot of energy that Kajika himself possessed less and less of each year. Watching the creamy figure of his son move as fast as he could drew a chuckle from the dark maw. The moment caused him to think of Chan in the water when he was still young but it wasn't the same, Chan wasn't him son but Elwood was and there was a sense of pride at the boys determination. Kajika could see it as he pushed himself harder to win the race. The dark alpha laughed as his son giggled still trotting along behind him.

Then the race was over as Elwood stumbled but it was clear when he declared he'd won that he was okay. Kajika caught up a moment later and fell onto the ground next to his son. “That you did,” he told him with a lick to the boys crown. “I think a rematch is in order,” he added with a chuckle and nipping at Elwood in play. He didn't mind if they didn't make it to the lake, he'd only wanted to spend some time with his son.

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The best thing about being so small was that it didn't take long for the boys batteries to recharge. Once his heart rate slowed and breathing settled down, he was ready to push himself upwards again, taking advantage of his fathers low position on the ground to climb up on the dark wolf's shoulders, splaying unsteady legs much like a goat on the top of a boulder, (though not quite so sturdy). He would need to get his sea legs yet, but there would be plenty of time for that. Taking confidence from his high position, the boy leaned forward to grab a hold of his father's ear, but he hadn't been expecting the movement that came with skin and fur over muscle and more than missed his mark as he slid forward and onto the grass beside the larger man's head with an "Oof." But he meant to do that, he totally meant to do that!

To cover for his mistake he was back on his feet in a flash, tail waving as he looked across the remaining distance to the water, a small bark of excitement leaving his lips as he bounded forward once, then twice, only stopping to make sure his dad was going to follow. There were so many smells to smell that he wouldn't be making such hasty progress again, but he wasn't ready to go back yet either.

Elwood wasn't down for long after his burst of energy that had led to his stumble onto the grass. Only moments passed before he got a second wind and was soon climbing up his shoulders. Kajika laughed at his sons antics but he stopped when his boy fell back to the grass next to him after trying to grab at his ear. He wasn't concerned or worried but instead he didn't want Elwood to feel as though he was being laughed at when he'd failed in his attempts. Just like other pups he’s seen the young Tallis was just as resilient and was back on his feet in a flash.

The large man brought his legs under him and rose to his full height as his son bounded away. It seemed they were going to make it to the lake after all. He was right behind the small pale figure as it moved toward the water. He imagined how exciting it had to be for Elwood to see a new place, “What do you think?” He asked to maybe get some insight as to what was going through his boys head just then.

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drink up me hearties

His feet abruptly came to a halt, eyes growing wide, and then wider as he took in the sight before him. Of course, he had heard of the lake, but he never imagined it would stretch so far that he wouldn't be able to see the other side of it from his low vantage point. There was so much water, as far as the eye could see!

"SO! MUCH! WATA!" was all the boy could manage in an excited squeak. He stumbled forward, walking straight into the water until it brushed against his belly. He barely had to lower his head to drink this way and wide eyes could continue to take in the sight that was laid out before him. It was then he noticed movement on the other side. "Da, wassa white?"

yo-ho

The new father padded along behind his son letting him lead the way through the trees to the lake. When Elwood came to a stop at the water Kajika came up behind him before stopping. He didn't say anything at first to allow the boy to take it all in. It was a lot for a young pup who hadn't ever seen a water so big.

The alpha chuckled, “Yes it is a lot of water,” he agreed with his sons observation. He watched closely watched his boy to ensure that he was safe as he ventured toward the water. At the same time Elwood asked about something white in the water Kajika caught the movement as a fish cut through the water not too far from them. “It's a fish, Elwood.” He informed his son, “One day when your bigger I'll teach you how to catch one."

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