Rascal's jaw dropped.

DROPPED.

He looked at Misty, absolutely astounded. She smiled at him with glowing eyes.

"R-really?" He asked when he finally found his voice.

Misty nuzzled his cheek. "Really."

Rascal whooped and jumped in the air as high as he could. He covered Misty's face with passionate licks.

"I'm gonna be a father." He whispered. His tail thumped wildly against the ground. "We're having pups!"

"NO!"

The two lovers snapped their gazes on Heather. The cloudy-gray she-wolf was gaping at them in distress. "You can't!"

"We can." Misty raised her head. "I'm not ashamed of who I am, and the mate I've chosen to be with." She bared her fangs. "You don't control my life. If you wanted to be involved, then you should have been there for me years ago."

Heather opened her jaws to protest, but nothing came out. Violet and Velvet were huddled together staring at Misty in fear.

Magnus even looked defeated. His eyes were wide.

Rascal smiled and wrapped his tail around his beautiful mate. He was proud of her. She finally let them have it without holding back.

Misty narrowed her eyes. "I think it's time you left us in peace." She continued with a gesture to Rascal. "He and I have some things to discuss. Alone."

Heather nodded obediently and walked off stiff-legged and blank. Magnus and their daughters followed.

When they were out of sight, Rascal bounced up and down like an excited pup.

"Misty! I can't believe it!" He stopped and looked at her in worry. "Oh my goodness! W-we have so much to plan! The den needs to be cleaned out and have a fresh pelt put in...We need to make sure there aren't any spiders in there...Do you think Blossom has enough supplies for when they get sick? What about predators? We gotta keep them away! And the meat-pile must be stocked every—"

"Rascal," Misty interrupted softly. "We have time to figure all of that out. For now, Blossom said I must take it easy."

Rascal shook his head. "O-of course. Right." He looked embarrassed. Misty could tell his cheeks were burning.

"Don't be embarrassed, love." She rested her snout under her mate's chin. "We should be excited. This is the most wonderful thing to ever happen to us!"

Rascal's lips tugged into a smile. "You're sure right." He closed his eyes and exhaled, still in absolute disbelief. "I really can't believe it." He whispered.

Misty touched her nose to his. "I love you."

Rascal's mind calmed. "I love you, my only."

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

The Pack was buzzing with excitement when Rascal and Misty told them the news. Tyrant was especially excited.

"It seems like yesterday Misty was just born. And look now; she's having pups of her own!" Melody exclaimed.

"Time sure flies by." Thunder commented while shaking his head.

"More friends!" Ivy, Bolt, Loki, Brave, and Swift yipped.

Tyrant's face was soft. "Congratulations, you two. These pups will be greatly loved."

"I know they will," Misty replied.

Rascal smiled. He couldn't be as happy as he was at that moment. A lot of the she-wolves gathered around Misty. Tyrant leaned over and whispered in Rascal's ear.

"Copper would be so proud of you."

Rascal felt his heart swell at the mention of his father's name. "He would."

Tyrant gave a small sad smile and dipped his head before congratulating Misty.

Isaac slid in next to Rascal. "Pups are always a blessing. You'll do great, buddy."

Rascal lifted his chin. "I know I will. They will be depending on me."

Everyone was celebrating. Except for Heather and her family. Rascal trotted over to them.

Heather looked at him blankly. "What do you want?"

"Just thought you could use some company." Rascal paused before asking. "Why aren't you happy for Misty?"

Heather visibly flinched. She looked very uncomfortable. The hard look in her eyes returned. "Why should you care?"

Rascal rolled his eyes. "Never mind. I'm wasting my time." He walked away before the old she-wolf protested. He couldn't understand her negativity. How could anyone be so mean?

The Pack was still murmuring excitement as Misty and Rascal made it to their den. Misty laid down on the pelt. Rascal eyed her curiously.

"I can't believe I didn't notice it before."

Misty glanced up at him. "Notice what?"

"That your stomach was...bigger?"

Misty chuckled. Rascal realized how rude that must've sounded and flattened his ears in embarrassment.

"Oh no, Rascal. It's fine! I know I'm getting large." The she-wolf looked at her belly. In a whisper, she added, "I really can't wait."

Rascal sat down and wrapped himself around her, placing his tail on her stomach. "Neither can I."

"We'll do just fine." Misty gazed into Rascal's deep green eyes. "I know we will."

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

The night grew surprisingly warm. The snow melted and turned the ground to slush. The clouds moved away and revealed the moon glowing brightly in the black sky.

Rascal sat in the mouth of their den. He relished the warm atmosphere. With a jolt, he remembered that spring would be rolling in, in a couple of months.  He got all happy when another realization caught his attention.

The pups will be born around then!

Rascal sighed with a look at Misty. The she-wolf was sleeping soundly in a heavy slumber. Rascal was glad she was resting. Especially after all the stress that has been on her shoulders. She deserved a break, now that she had to take care of herself for the unborn pups.

Rascal day-dreamed about fatherhood. He would play with them whenever he could tell them stories about his life and how he met their mother, and teach them how to hunt and defend themselves.

Won't it be wonderful...

He suddenly wished one of his parents were here to gently guide him along his parenting journey. He needed their experience and wisdom.

He looked at his paws.

I'm awful young to become a father. What if I mess up?

Rascal remembered the wise words of Fire, the previous second-in-command. The red wolf had said that Copper was younger than Rascal when he became a father.

My parents were really young when they became parents....I'll know what to do when the time comes.

Misty snorted and rolled over to her other side. Rascal silently laughed at his mate's mood. He laid down beside her, closest to the den exit, and closed his tired eyes, relaxation taking over.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

A warning howl roused Rascal the next morning. He jerked up from where he lay and blinked the sleep from his eyes.

Misty didn't even stir. These symptoms that came from carrying pups were already taking their toll on her. He licked her cheek ever so softly and slipped out silently. He gasped when a surprising sight was standing in the clearing.

"Howler?" He questioned confused. What in the name of Lifeless Forest was the Stone Hollow Pack leader doing here?

Accompanying him, was Destiny, Skylark, Buck, Aspen, and........

"Ella!" Rascal shouted as he spotted a familiar pair of sky-blue eyes.

"Rascal!" Ella met her brother and touched her nose to his cheek. "Oh, how I've missed you!"

"Same here," Rascal pulled away and his curious thoughts returned. "What are you doing here?"

Ella dismissed the matter breezily. "Howler wants to speak to Tyrant about rumors of another Pack moving in." She shook her head. "But I don't believe it's true."

"It is!" Rascal exclaimed. "We've already fought with them! They captured me and some of my Packmates!"

Ella's eyes widened. "That's terrible!"

Rascal pushed away the subject. "Tell me what you've been up to! It's been almost a year!"

Ella looked at her paws nervously. "I found a mate."

"Really?" Rascal was ecstatic for his sister. "Who is he?"

Ella was silent before replying. "More like I was forced. I-it's Skylark."

Rascal's face dropped. "W-what?"

"Yeah," Ella whispered. "I didn't have a choice. And......" She hesitated.

"And what?" Rascal was in absolute suspense.

Ella's eyes filled with tears. "I can't give him pups."

Rascal's expression saddened. "Oh...Oh my..." He could see how badly Ella was hurting over this.

She sniffled. "We tried for pups for almost six months before Fern examined me, and told me I was unable to have pups."

Rascal brought Ella in for a hug. "It's okay. You'll be all right."

"No, I won't." She muttered. "He's shamed me in front of the whole Pack. Saying I can't carry his pups."

That made Rascal's anger burn. "He should jump off a cliff!"

Ella sighed. "I'm miserable. But I know things will be better in the end."

"Ella, don't deal with his crap! Don't let him humiliate you!" Rascal growled in exasperation. "You're such a sweet wolf! Why would anyone do something like that to you?"

The small she-wolf sighed. "I don't know. I'm trying to be strong, but it's just so hard."

Before Rascal could open his mouth to respond, Misty bounded over to them and greeted Ella warmly.

"Ella! What a nice surprise!" Misty dipped her head politely.

Ella's frown disappeared. "Misty! You're doing well!" She commented while noticing her large stomach.

"Yes! Very!" She nuzzled Rascal. "We're expecting pups!"

Ella's eyes widened. Rascal could see her forcing the pain away. "Congratulations! Happy for you guys." Her voice was strained, obviously fighting back tears.

Rascal leaned forward and whispered. "Don't tell the rest of your Pack. It's none of their business what happens here."

Ella nodded. "You have my word."

Misty glanced over her shoulder to see Destiny and Howler following Tyrant into his den. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Howler wants to talk about the new Pack with Tyrant. They're trying to take away some of our territory."

"They've already taken some of ours!" Misty burst out. "Without even confirming with us if it was all right!"

Ella shook her head. "It's strange. A third Pack in the forest? There have only been two all these years. Times are changing."

"Definitely," Rascal commented. "I'm just hoping things will get better. For the sake of our pups."

Word count: 1,694

Sooo Ella is in misery, Rascal and Misty are expecting pups, and tension is rising between the Packs. DUN DUN DUNNN!!!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl