Everything was hurting. Pain clouded her vision. Misty could barely move without crying in discomfort. Her body felt like stone, unable to budge from the earth.

She moved her eyes carefully, landing on her bandaged foreleg. Confusion simmered to the surface, the memory caught up with her.

All she remembered was falling, feeling her stomach drop as the ground came closer and faster to her face. Until she felt nothing at all.

She realized she was alone in the medicine den by the scents and sounds. Misty shifted her legs. A grimaced crossed her face. Biting back the pain.

Panting, straining, she drug herself up with shaky muscles. She nervously glanced at her belly.

"What about my pups?" Her voice was raspy. Her eyes stung with tears.

I can't believe I made such a foolish move. And expecting Rascal's pups!

She sighed wearily and lay back down, closing her eyes, praying this was just a nightmare.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

Misty found herself in dream world. The

Why is the dream world better than reality?

She walked along the soft spring grass. Stars blinked at her. The breeze was warm with the tiniest scent of summer. The harsh bitterness of Winter was behind her.

The sky was a dark indigo color with beautiful yellow streaks showing where the sun just set.

She glanced at the ground, seeing a trail of large paw prints. Deciding to follow she lowered her nose for any familiar scents.

The trail veered over the grass, deep heavy prints that indicated a big wolf.

Misty trotted along the warm grass. The trail swerved around trees and neat rock formations. Through a stony hollow with little streams singing over the smooth rocks.

It came to a dead end. Misty glanced around in confusion.

A low growl resonated from behind her. She gasped and tilted her head to see a pair of sharp fangs heading toward her throat.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

"Ahh!" Misty sat bolt upright and grimaced as a wave of pain shot up her spine.

She groaned and blinked several times to steady her blurring vision. A wound reopened and bled, trickling a line of scarlet down her leg.

"Misty?" The soft voice was Moondancer's. The young gray wolf emerged from the darkness and looked at Misty in concern.

The white wolf cleared her throat. "I'm okay." She shifted her weight to hide the reopened injury. "Just a nightmare."

Moondancer nodded and sat down. "Fever dreams? Do you have an infection?"

Misty quickly answered. "No! It was only a dream. Don't worry."

At that reply, Moondancer snorted. "I'm supposed to worry. That's my job. And you—" She added with a gesture to Misty's stomach. "Shouldn't be climbing trees."

"How did you—"

"Rascal explained to me. You must think of your pups." Her gray eyes softened. "Rascal would be heartbroken if something happened to either you or the pups."

Misty swallowed, feeling guilty. How stupid was she to try and escape up a tree like a darn squirrel!

She clenched her paws, feeling angry at herself. "I'm a complete idiot."

Moondancer patted her back gently. "No, you aren't. You were just panicked."

Misty groaned. "But I need to come to my senses. I'm expecting Rascal's offspring, for crying out loud!" She snapped.

She noticed the sad look on Moondancer's face.

"Sorry." Misty instantly apologized. "Being pregnant has made me more irritable."

Moondancer dismissed the subject breezily. But Misty could still see the hurt playing in her eyes.

"It's morning," Moondancer whispered with a glance outside. "Rascal should be able to see you. He's been awfully worried."

Misty couldn't wait to see her mate. It felt like she hasn't seen him in eternity. Although it's only been a night.

"I'll go see if Blossom says it's all right." Moondancer left briskly. A few moments later, Rascal came crashing in with wild, sleepless eyes.

"Misty!" His voice was raspy and dry. He covered her face in affectionate, relieved licks.

Misty chuckled. Rascal pressed their foreheads together and whispered. "I'm just relieved you're okay. If I lost you..." He trailed off in a trembling voice.

Misty shushed him by placing a shaky paw on one of his. "I know." She could see the look of absolute fear on his face.

Rascal shifted closer to Misty, but not too close, for fear he would hurt her. "Are you still hurting badly?"

Misty moved each body part and winced heaviest on her front right paw. "Yeah."

Rascal's eyes lit up. "Is there anything I can do for you? Water? Are you cold? Hungry?"

Misty shook her head with a gentle smile. She loved how sweet Rascal can be. "I'm good, dear."

Rascal didn't look convinced but didn't poke the matter anymore.

"The pups....are they...?"

"As lively as ever!" Misty replied with a flashing smile.

Rascal gasped in relief. "Really?"

"Feel for yourself." She took one of Rascal's paws and placed them on her stomach. His face melted into an indescribable love as one of the pups gave a strong kick. He exhaled breathlessly, looking at Misty with tears in his eyes.

"They're really ours?"

"They really are."

Rascal swallowed and shifted his eyes back to Misty's belly, where his paw lay in her soft fur.

Rascal buried his face in her fur. "Oh Misty, I really love you. More than words or actions can ever express. I mean it when I say I love you."

Misty smiled and felt a blush heat her cheeks. "I love you so much. If you were to die, my heart would bleed for you."

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

When did I fall asleep?

Misty groggily blinked and yawned. Rascal was at her side. His breaths were even with the tiniest hint of a snore.

She sat up and sucked in a painful breath. With a grunt, she stood and limped heavily out into the open.

A dark dreary day with gray clouds and eerie silence. Misty nearly fell over in surprise when she saw Heather sitting in the mouth of her den, looking out into the clearing.

When she noticed Misty her eyes almost looked—relieved.

Misty inwardly snorted and stumbled across to the pitiful meat pile. A small rib bone was all that was left from yesterday's measly catch.

She snarfed it down hungrily and licked her lips. Turning to return to the healer's den, she almost collided with her mother.

She instantly flattened her ears. "What do you want?"

"How are you feeling?" The question surprised Misty.

"F-fine." Misty stammered.

Heather's eyes were wide. "Tell me if you need anything?"

"No thanks." Misty dismissed and walked past her mother.

"Give me another chance!" Heather pleaded.

Misty stopped in her tracks and whirled around to face her. Icily calm, she replied. "I have given you chance after chance, after chance. And where has that gotten me?" She didn't wait for an answer. "I will never accept your help."

Heather's face instantly turned into a scowl. "You truly are ungrateful! Here I am, begging at your knees for another chance. And you won't give it to me!"

Misty set her jaw. "I'm sick of playing games. And you know what?"

Heather glared at her daughter.

"I won't make the same mistake again." Misty spun on her heel and limped back to Rascal, leaving Heather in her cloud of ignorance.

I was beginning to think she changed. Once again I feel the same old disappointment.

Misty knew she didn't need stress on her shoulders. She couldn't believe her mother would disapprove of Rascal so heavily. What was wrong with him in her eyes? He's the sweetest mate any female could have. Misty knew she was lucky to have Rascal. He was so patient, loving, and gentle. Who wouldn't want that in their mate?

Misty entered the healer's den and quietly sank down beside Rascal. She noticed the peaceful look on his face as if he was happy and content.

Misty smiled and cuddled closer to him.

I will always be happy, as long as you're here beside me.

Word Count: 1,323

Hellooooooo
So... I've got some sad news.............

This book only has a few more chapters left! 😱😱😱

Never fear! There will be a third book! *throws confetti*

I'm super excited to get started on it! I've got some ideas... 😉

It won't be published until March. I want to take some time to plan and set out the story.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl