Oak Tree Bend hallelujah shot right through you

For @Reginald and @Serach if you want to hop in too.
September 7th, Dusk

 

The pups had slowly been receiving more freedom as they aged and grew into their awkwardly proportioned bodies. Most recently they had been told while they still needed an escort to leave the territory and while over the borders they were capable of bringing themselves home alone. At first they had seemed drunk on the power of walking themselves home one pup in particular had already pushed the boundaries. Ayla and Corsair were accounted for but one cream coloured pup was noticeably missing from the evening routine and the mother’s alarm bells were instantly raised.

Aponi was known for being a particularly fleet footed wolf and she made as quick work of the borders that they had laid out so meticulously as she could. She had made her way almost all the way around the irregular shape when she came across the scent of Mabel and Reginald crossing their markings. It was many hours old and for all she knew they were possibly still out hunting as she had not seen either since early in the afternoon. The silver queen’s heart slowed in her chest as the explanation eased her mind, perhaps they had just gone on an extended hunting expedition.

Still, knowing how apt Mabel was to trying to pull the moss over wolves eye’s Aponi raised her muzzle to the sky and called for the newest member. Either he would answer from out of territory with a howl of his own and she would know everything was fine, or he would find her empty paws. If this was the case she would have a lot of question, many of which would have to wait until after they had located her daughter.

 

Like magic beanstalks, his children had grown rapidly. They were still adjusting to their paws and newly lengthened limbs, but already Serach could see signs of who they would be at the end of their first year. A harsh winter in his own youth had stumped his growth, but Corsair in particular had the makings of a larger wolf. The growth in their physical size was matched by their developing personalities. Mabel's boundless courage and thirst for adventure had pushed Serach's and Aponi's boundaries from the very beginning, and her new-found freedom had only emboldened her. He had personally thought it was granted too soon, but he was willing to trust And follow Aponi's lead on this one. After all, she had raised two daughters successfully on her own already - what experience did he have besides watching from the sidelines?

So when Mabel had not come back as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, he had not been particularly concerned. It was Mabel, after all. But he had seen Aponi's agitation, which had piqued his concern. When she had gone to search, he did the same, although he lopes through the innards of the territory instead of the borders hoping that maybe their first-born had simply found a wonderful hiding spot for a game with her siblings. But Aponi's howl that came later confirmed that wasn't true, and so he followed her voice. She had called for Reginald, one of their newest members - perhaps he had gotten caught up in one of Mabel's schemes.

Nudging her flank with his nose, Serach joined his mate waiting for Reginald's response. "I'm sure she's fine," he soothed, hoping that his voice sounded more reassuring than he was feeling internally at that particular moment.