Cedar couldn't care less about the two humans that he and Jace had met, and he didn't want to talk about it anymore. He was more interested in finding a quiet spot to shift back into his wolf form and enjoy the rest of the day. They found a secluded spot beneath the canopy of a large oak tree where they could change without being disturbed. Once they were both in their wolf forms, they felt a sense of freedom and comfort that was hard to describe to humans.

"It feels so good to be back!" Cedar sighed contentedly, rolling onto his back and stretching his powerful limbs. The grass tickled his fur as he reveled in the sensation of being free from human form. Jace nodded in agreement, savoring the warmth of the sun on his fur as he surveyed the beach through narrowed eyes. Even though they were far away from the prying eyes of humans, they couldn't help but feel a little bit uneasy about the encounter they'd just had.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we need to check on Luna and Caspian." Jace said, his voice low and gruff. The mention of his mate and pup seemed to ground him, reminding him of what was truly important. They exchanged one last glance before they both took off in long, graceful bounds, disappearing into the trees.

Cedar almost forgot about the new arrival to the pack as he bounded through the forest with Jace. His mind was focused on Luna and Caspian, worrying about how they were doing without him. He knew that they had been taken care of by the others while he was gone, but he couldn't help but feel a responsibility to make sure they were alright. As they ran, he caught sight of the familiar shapes of their home through the trees. His heart skipped a beat with excitement and relief.

"that's them!" Jace exclaimed, pointing to a group of wolves playing with a small pup near their den. They had arrived at their home, and it was clear that things were back to normal. Cedar's heart swelled with relief and happiness as he spotted Luna and Caspian amongst the other wolves. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, chasing each other around a small clearing near the den entrance. The sight of them brought a smile to his face and warmth to his heart.

"Jace must be so lucky to have a family of his own," Cedar thought to himself, watching Luna and Caspian play together. It was true that Jace had found his mate in Luna, and they had had a pup, Caspian, not too long ago. Seeing them together like this filled Cedar with a mix of joy and envy. He knew that he would find his mate one day, but for now, he was content to be a part of the pack and to help protect and care for Luna, Caspian, and the others.

"you're back!" Luna greeted him; she picked up her son with her powerful jaws and brought him closer to Jace. "Yes, we're back. How were things while we were gone?" Jace asked, his voice gentle and protective. He bent down to get a better look at Caspian, who was now sniffing at his legs curiously.

"Surprisingly, it turned out better than we hoped," Luna replied, her tail wagging slightly. "While you were gone, I had a talk with Talvi, and she agreed to take on more of a maternal role in looking after Caspian, especially when you and Jace are not around. She's done a wonderful job, and I think you both should thank her," she explained, nodding toward the larger she-wolf who was standing nearby.

Talvi's amber eyes lit up like the stars above as she heard Luna's words. "It's nothing, really. I'm just happy to help," she said modestly. Jace smiled at her, grateful for her kindness. He knew that not all wolves would be willing to step in and take care of another's pup, even if it was for a short while.

"Thank you so much for helping out with Caspian; he is only fourteen days old already!" Jace said, his voice filled with gratitude. Talvi smiled warmly at him, her amber eyes twinkling with affection. "It's been my pleasure. He's such a cute little thing. I'm sure you'll be just as great of a father as Jace has been." She nodded over at Cedar, who was watching the exchange with a proud smile on his face.

"I think just to be safe, we need to move away from the beach and find a more secluded area for Luna to nurse her pup." Jace said as he looked around at the clearing. "We don't want any humans or other predators to come across them." He glanced at Cedar, who nodded in agreement.

"We'll move till nightfall; that should be safer." Cedar said, looking around once more. As they waited for night to fall, they continued to play and socialize with the other wolves in the pack, taking care not to venture too far from their den. Luna nursed Caspian several times throughout the day, making sure he was fed and content. The sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. The air grew cooler, and the wolves began to make their way back toward the den.

Caspian can barely move on his own, but his curiosity leads him to explore the den as the other wolves settle down for the night. Jace and Cedar keep a close eye on him as they lie down next to Luna, making sure he doesn't venture too far. The den is cozy and warm, filled with the familiar scents of the pack. Luna yawns and curls up beside Caspian, using her body to protect him from the cool air.

"He's a trooper," Jace cooed, nodding at Caspian as he tried to keep up with the other pups. "He's going to be just fine." Luna smiled, her tail wagging slightly. She was proud of her son and grateful for the pack's protection. As the night wore on, the pups grew tired and curled up close to their mothers for warmth. The adult wolves, including Cedar and Jace, kept watch, making sure that everyone was safe and sound.

"There's no way I'm going to sleep yet." Cedar protested, his eyes still fixed on the pups as they played around them. "I want to make sure they're safe and sound." Jace chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving Caspian as he crawls around trying to navigate his surroundings; his eyesight is improving rabidly; and his limbs are growing stronger by the hour. "Trust me, they're fine. Even if they do get into a little bit of trouble, we're here to help them," he reassured his packmate and Alpha, his voice soft and soothing.

"I'm the alpha, remember? I call the shots here. It's my job to make sure they're safe." Cedar pointed out, a small smile on his face as he glanced at Jace. "You're a good father, though, Jace. I'm glad Luna chose you to help raise Caspian. You two make a great team."

Jace chuckled lightly, feeling a sense of pride wash over him. "Thank you, Cedar. I'm just doing what I can to help. It's an honor to be part of Caspian's life, even if it's only temporary." He glanced down at the pup, watching as he struggled to stand on his own two feet. "He's going to grow up to be a strong, smart wolf, just like you." Cedar nodded, his eyes never leaving the playful pup.

"Do we even know why he smells like burnt vanilla?"We never had that scent in a pup before." Cedar wondered, his gaze still fixed on the little bundle of fur. "It's a mystery, just like he is." Jace mused, gently nudging Caspian with his nose. The pup let out a tiny yip before trying to crawl over to him. Jace chuckled, scooping the pup up into his strong arms. "Well, whatever the reason, it's clear he's special. He's already captured our hearts."

"He sure does," Cedar agreed, his gaze lingering on the pup as Jace cradled him gently. The alpha wolf smiled, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. Even though Caspian wasn't his own son, he felt a deep connection to the pup, as if he had known him all his life. As the night wore on, the other wolves began to settle down, drifting off to sleep one by one. But Cedar and Jace remained awake, taking turns watching over the sleeping pups.

"Dude, I'm so tired..." Jace yawned, his gaze drifting to Caspian, who was curled up comfortably in his arms. The pup let out a soft sigh, his little nose twitching as he dreamed. "He must be exhausted too, huh?" he asked Cedar, who nodded in agreement. Despite his own exhaustion, Jace couldn't bring himself to put Caspian down. There was something about the pup that made him feel protective and maternal all at once.

"You look so weird in your human form. It's so uncanny," Cedar joked, watching Jace's expression of exhaustion. Jace let out a soft chuckle. "Well, you're not looking so great yourself, old man." Cedar smiled and said, "I'm just fine. I've been through worse. Now, why don't you try to get some rest? I'll take over watching over the pups for a while." Jace hesitated for a moment, but the exhaustion in his eyes was clear. He knew he needed sleep. Reluctantly, he nodded and carefully laid Caspian down on a bed of fur, making sure the pup was comfortable. As he pulled the fur over the pup, Caspian let out a soft whimper but quickly settled down again.

"I'm only twenty in human years; I'm aren't that old." Jace protested, glancing back at Caspian, before finally relenting. He curled up nearby, still within arm's reach of the pup. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held for Caspian. Would he remain with the pack, or would he be forced to leave? Would he grow up to be a strong, respected wolf like Cedar or face challenges of his own? These thoughts swirled through Jace's mind as he slipped into a fitful slumber.