Cut Rock River beckon the morning

Maksim was not far away, as the wolves of Cut Rock River came to Kisla's call. He had disappeared early in the morning, to search for food to feed his mate and children. Not to hunt, per say, but to look for something. Perhaps the caches would hide something for his family, something substantial enough for four mouths, albeit three of them being small ones. And so, the agouti regal followed his nose, inhaling the scents of his home. Everything was so familiar now. The cedar pines, the marshy tang, the hint of hawthorn and the most wonderful of all (in Maksim's eyes): Kisla. The occasional whiff of deer struck his nose, small families grazing in the clearings they found. Easily locating the nearest cache, he investigated the contents stored within. The leg of a mule deer was pulled from the hole tucked away beneath the large, dark coloured rock and Maksim. What he hadn't expected was his mate's howl to ring out through the forest, signalling that today was the day that Aleksei, Orren and Karina would be officially introduced to the others—their first time truly meeting their pack mates and family. The siblings often tumbled about on their own, playing and wobbling about on paws that were learning to tread the ground. This was different though. This was an occasion to be proud of. The Cut Rock cubs had survived thus far, and that luck would continue. Setting off at a brisk trot, his tail wagging behind him, the River king made his way back to the den as swiftly as possible, following the well worn paths that littered their slice of the Cedarwood Forest. Closer the agouti wolf drew, his rounded ears picking up the soft murmurs of the others meeting the youngsters. Naia was speaking to each of Maksim and Kisla's children, one by one. By the sounds of it, she was offering them little trinkets. The male smiled as he stepped around the final cedar, his gaze scanning the gathered wolves. @Lachesis wasn't here yet, it seemed, but Maksim was positive the young man had his reasons. Approaching his beloved, he lay beside her, dropping the meal he carried to nose her cheek and watch his children's reactions from the corner of their eye. “Aleksei, Orren, Karina,” he mused softly, “these wolves are your guardians, your teachers, your providers. Family.” He echoed his mate, his green eyes meeting hers with a smile. “They couldn't have a better one, hm?”

Out of all the meetings that Lachesis could be late for, it had to be this meeting. He swore loudly as the call sounded – he was much too far away to be there in a timely manner, even with his long legs. With his bundle of herbs folded neatly in an oversized leaf hanging from his jaws, the long-limbed healer lurched forward. He had been constantly worried since Capella’s absence, so he had overwhelmed himself with his work in ensuring that he was properly equipped if anything were to happen to the River wolves. She had disappeared once before and returned – XIX was positive that she would return. She couldn’t abandon him… not after everything… she wouldn’t do that.

His claws dug into the dry soil as he plunged through the trees, his muscles on overdrive as he struggled to close the gap between himself and his family. Lachesis knew that his leader would understand, but it was still embarrassing. After all, since Hati had left the pack, the slender male had been promoted to the pack’s second (along with medic!) and now he was late. He swore profusely in his mind as he sprinted over the terrain, his long legs stretching out to carry his lanky body as quickly as possible to his destination. The other wolves would be there, along with the pup’s waiting eagerly to meet the wolves of Cut Rock. Excitement fueled his movements; this was an extremely important meeting, he needed to get there – and fast!

As he neared where the wolves gathered XIX slowed his pace, allowing himself to catch his breath before greeting his packmates. With his head bowed Lachesis entered the meeting site, his bundle of herbs swaying from his jaws before he dropped it next to a tree. Slinking forward, XIX dipped his head in greeting (and to apologize for his late arrival) to Maksim and Kisla before turning his attention to their {perfect} children. A goofy, lop-sided grin fell onto his maw as he settled down onto his hindquarters. “The best family there is,” he added after catching Maksim’s last words.

stick with those who stick with you

Awkward Karp is awkward

we must accept finite disappointment,

karpos slayer

but never lose infinite hope...

Karpos looked at the children with a soft smile present on his muzzle as the rest of the wolves shuffled in. His sister had settled in right beside him and his shoulder bumped into hers in a greeting as he allowed himself a glance at her. He hadn't seen her in a while because they both had been keeping themselves busy. His aunt Naia arrived and he allowed himself a grin at her. He still felt awkward because he had not taken the time to get to know any of the wolves in the pack other than the ones he already knew. He had met Kisla only once before he was pretty sure and he had seen Maksim around though only talked to him on one occasion where the adult had caught him in a rage. Apart from his leaders he only really knew Adsila and Naia and Lachesis. Where was Lachesis anyways?

Kisla's voice broke the air around him and he smiled. He was going to try and be like an uncle to them maybe. He still tended to stick to the borders of the pack for a reason though he thought that perhaps he would be more involved in the lives of the children he was protecting if he was allowed. Maksim spoke about not having a better family and that is when Karpos caught the scent of Lachesis, arriving a bit late to the party with a perfect answer. He grinned at his adoptive uncle and back at the pups. "They couldn't be more lucky to have such great parents." He would compliment the pair on their children.

One of the wolves moved forward, capturing Orren's attention - her scent was familiar, and the pup thought for a moment before deciding that this face and smell and voice belonged to the one often standing guard near the mouth of the den. Her voice went on, in a captivating cadence. And when she dropped and nudged forth an assortment of treasures, he took a wavering step forward, small ears straining to hear and eyes round with awe.

Orren looked up at his mother excitedly, then at Karina as her treasure was described. His puppy-blue gaze sparkled with excitement, round paws shuffling in excitement. His sister's gift seemed downright magical to the young boy. His jaw fell open in a grin as he tottered to his sister in congratulations at such a prize. His gift came next, and he fell still for a rare moment, caught up in the she-wolf's lilting voice as she addressed him. He wasn't sure what it all meant, but he was sure his gift was rare and wonderful too, so he nodded happily back up at her with a bashful smile. "Tanks!"

His brother's gift was next, and Orren glanced from his gift back to Aleksei's and then Karina's, eyes sparkling with admiration. There was a little jealousy somewhere in his heart too, as he glanced at his brothers present and the word 'heir' bounced off his ears. He didn't know what it meant, either, but he had to wonder why he was always in the middle, wedged between his siblings.

One of the other wolves spoke up, reminding Orren just how many large forms had crowded around. Just then, though, Maksim was arriving, and with a delighted yip, Orren tumbled toward his father. "Pa! Look, lookit our giffs!" he exclaimed in a (not so) hushed tone, attempting to clamber over his father's giant-like front paws and greet him with exuberant licks on the chin. He hardly even noticed that Maksim said his name in the middle, too. Maybe he didn't mind. He was with his family, and that meant he had nothing to fear.

She remained upon the ground, her eyes dancing with contentment as she watched the faces of her children – Orren proudly showed Maksim their gifts, and as Karpos and Lachesis fawned over them, she turned to rest her muzzle down on one outstretched, creamy paw. The summer breeze toyed with her pale golden fur, and despite the turmoil of the past year, the she-wolf could say she had never been more content. Somehow, if it was possible, it almost felt like Corinna was looking down upon her somewhere, smiling.

She spoke nothing for the moment, simply allowing the moment to encompass her. Her bright eyes played upon the handsome features of her mate as he captivated their children. She could recall their first meeting – she had almost been walked upon by him form her own stupidity, and yet somehow she had made herself out to be the victim in a sense. She could not imagine not ever having ran in to him.. almost literally. Somehow, fate had twisted them to this point in life, and as the trees whispered with the wind she knew they would continue to build a strong future together.

Her tongue smoothed over her lips before smiling, her eyes now sweeping over each of her children. Aleksei and Karina, ever so silently studying their gifts, and Orren who was far more exuberant of them. The day would flourish more, though within only an hour, the pups would begin to reveal the fatigue of their big day. Finally standing, Kisla greeted the members who had come with a gentle touch to their cheek before ushering the trio within the confines of the den where sleep would find them.

sparking up my heart