It's been a few days since Stone Hollow Pack's sudden entrance in camp. Tyrant and Howler planned to go to Red Fang Pack and talk with Mystique about the issues of borders. Their second-in-commands would accompany them along with their most trusted and experienced wolves.

Thunder, Melody, Thorn, Oak, and Frost would go along with Isaac and Tyrant. Blossom was in charge until they return. Rascal is supposed to help guard camp.

Misty watched the procession of wolves leave and waved to her cousin as he smiled before disappearing in the forest.

Misty rose to her paws and groaned. Carrying pups sure was difficult. Back pains and unwanted nausea made it worse.

"It will be worth it in the end." She muttered to herself and staggered over to the meat-pile.

The pups were chasing one another around the clearing while some of the adults talked about prey and the weather. Moon and Baron stood at the entrance and guarded it like their lives depended on it. Archie was murmuring something to Alusia, which made her giggle. Misty smiled at the two young wolves.

Rose reprimanded her pups whenever they did something naughty. Her sister, Saphira, gave her a playful nudge.

"Oh come on, Rose! They're pups! Let them have some fun!"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Thunder and I want to teach them manners at a young age so they learn to respect their elders."

Saphira snorted. "Whatever you say, dear sister."

Moondancer was washing and stacking dirty pelts from sick patients. Scrubbing and hanging them up to dry on big boulders.

Misty decided to help Moondancer. "Let me help—"

Moondancer shooed her back. "Oh no you can't! You're expecting pups! These are used pelts from sick wolves. You shouldn't be touching them."

Misty flinched back. "I'm s-sorry."

Moondancer's eyes softened. "I'm sorry I raised my voice. But it's my job to keep you well and healthy."

"No, it's fine. I need to remember I'm not only taking care of myself now. I'm taking care of my pups."

The young healer nodded. "Good. Just come back if you have any questions or discomforts."

Misty dipped her head and turned around. Startled at the scene before her, she began laughing.

Rascal was standing atop Tyrant's den like he was alpha. Chest puffed out, posture tall and proud. He looked like he was about to give out serious orders.

He caught sight of Misty and glanced down at her. Misty could just see his cheeks growing scarlet under his dark fur.

He hopped down and gave his pelt a shake dismissively. "I was left in charge of defense."

"I know that." Misty smiled slyly. "On guard, yes?"

"Of course," Rascal's eyes glinted. "I must be prepared. You know never what may happen."

Misty head-butted his shoulder. "You're doing very well."

"I know," Rascal replied mischievously before strutting away.

Misty snorted with a roll of her eyes. She wandered around in complete boredom. Confined to camp, unable to do too much work.

She spotted Heather, Magnus, and their daughters sitting away from everyone else. Heather was looking at Misty in a strange way. Not anger, but wonder.

Misty met her mother's gaze briefly before turning around and sitting with some of the she-wolves in the Pack.

Heather hasn't bothered her since Misty told her off. The young wolf was proud of herself for standing up against her mother's wrongdoings.

Rose, Saphira, and Sky looked at Misty as she approached, staring over her shoulder at Heather.

"Has she bothered you anymore?" Sky asked.

Misty ripped her eyes away from her mother. "Not after our last argument."

"Good," Rose commented. "I was afraid you would let her win you over."

"We were afraid that you would go back with her and leave Rascal." Saphira flattened her ears.

"He would've been heartbroken." Sky sighed. "He's very sweet and gentle."

"And he's cute." Saphira winked as the she-wolves burst into laughter.

Once Misty caught her breath, she shook her head. "No. I wasn't about to leave. I wouldn't leave Rascal. Flame Woods is my family."

"We're glad," Rose put in. "You're one of the strongest wolves in the Pack! What would we do if you left?"

Blossom and Alusia joined the group.

"Talking about cute males?" Alusia asked as she plopped down.

"You're the one to talk!" Exclaimed Saphira. "You've been padding after Archie for quite some time now."

The females snickered and glanced over at Archie. He was in conversation with Baron and Okami. He caught them looking and smiled brightly, catching Alusia's face and staring at her.

Alusia blushed and looked away, down at her paws. Saphira nudged her and teased her.

"He is cute!" Sky's mouth was agape as she craned her neck to get a better look of Archie.

Alusia blushed harder, if that was even possible. "Uh-huh..."

"Ooohhh!" They all crooned.

Saphira started a song:

"Archie and Alusia sitting in a tree—"

"Stop it...." The young dark gray she-wolf muttered with a shy smile on her lips.

Misty laughed and caught her mother looking again. She flattened her ears and ignored her, still feeling Heather's gaze burning her back.

Moon eventually joined the group. Pretty much all of the she-wolves were here except for Moondancer, Melody, and Frost.

Misty glanced over to see some of the males gathering and whispering, looking at the females.

"Lookie" Misty prodded Sky, who was closest. "They're conspiring."

"What about them?" Rose gestured to Misty's mother and her family.

"What about them?" Misty snapped back too harsh.

Rose ignored Misty's strong remark. "Why is Heather staring at you?"

Misty shrugged. "Who cares?"

Before Rose could reply, Saphira squealed and shook Alusia.

"Archie is looking at you..."

They all turned. And indeed, Archie was gazing at Alusia. The other male wolves snickering and whispering behind him.

"You two should have about four litters of pups!" Sky chimed. "They'd be super cute!"

Alusia's eyes widened. "We're not even mates. How could you just picture what may not even happen?"

"I'm just saying, if you two had pups, they would be extra cute." Sky explained.

"Because you two are good-looking wolves." Rose pointed out. "Your offspring would be adorable."

Alusia rolled her eyes. "Okay. Whatever you say."

Misty enjoyed their company. Talking and laughing care-free sure was a joy. The weight from stress lifted off her shoulders. She finally felt happy and content. Her mother's actions dissipated with their effects. Heather couldn't touch Misty.

She let out a long hearty laugh. One she hadn't heard since she was a pup. Heather's mistakes could no longer touch her. She was finally set free.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

Evening fell. The sky turned pink-gold as the sun rested behind a hill in the distance, streaking the sky with orange and yellow touches.

Misty opened her eyes to the golden sunset. She hadn't realized she had been sleeping.

Blossom was at her right with an understanding smile.

"That tired huh?"

Misty yawned. "I didn't know I fell asleep."

Blossom shrugged. "One of the symptoms that come with carrying  pups."

Misty pricked her ears. Stumbling paw steps were heading toward camp. She jumped up.

"They're back!"

The Pack rushed toward the entrance and sat in excitement. Hopefully Red Fang would finally realize that they can't push their way through.

Tyrant's head poked in, amber eyes dim. He whispered over his shoulder and trotted into camp.

The Pack gasped.

Tyrant and his patrol were all torn and blood-smeared. Melody was unconscious, being carried by Thorn.

Rascal and Blossom pushed to the front. "What happened?" They asked together.

Isaac dropped his gaze. "They wouldn't listen to us."

Thunder limped forward heavily. A long gash cascaded down his leg all the way to his pad, tearing it in half. "Tension is rising between the Packs."

Word Count: 1,304

Thanks for reading!

What are Flame Woods and Stony  supposed to do with Red Fang slowly rising to power?

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl

Fun Story Fact: At the end of the original book, Tyrant was going to sacrifice his life to save Rascal in the final battle. But I decided it wasn't time for him to go just yet.