The golden rays of sunlight work their way through the cracks of the den, bathing Cedar and Talvi in warmth. He stirs first, the soft rumble of his snore dissipating as he slowly opens his eyes, taking in the familiar sights and scents of their den. Talvi's scent fills his nostrils, her fur tickling his nose as she nestles closer to him. They've slept in, and the rest of the pack is already awake, moving about the den and preparing for the day's activities.

"Good morning, everybody," Jett greeted tiredly, yawning loudly as he stretched out his long limbs. He glanced over at Cedar and Talvi, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It looks like our Alpha and his mate are starting to wake up. Better get the day started, eh?" With that, he loped out of the den, disappearing into the trees to relieve himself before returning to the pack.

As the rest of the pack began to stir, Cedar and Talvi exchanged soft licks and nuzzles, their bodies pressing closely together. They took in the familiar scents of their pack, each one a reminder of the bond they shared and the life they had built together. The air was crisp with the scent of pine and the saltiness of the nearby ocean, a testament to the beauty of their home and the challenges they faced living at the edge of two worlds.

"I've got to check on Luna and her pup," Cedar mumbled, his eyes still closed as he breathed in Talvi's scent. She hummed in agreement, reluctantly pushing herself up onto all fours as he slowly rose to his feet. The movement brought them closer together, their muzzles almost touching as they looked into each other's eyes. "We'll have a busy day ahead of us," he added with a small smile.

He nodded mutely, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned away, padding out of the den. Talvi watched him go, feeling a pang of sadness as she was left alone. But she knew that their pack relied on them both and that they would face the day's challenges together. She stretched languidly, her muscles protesting the lack of movement from the night before, and then followed Cedar out of the den.

She always hates it when he leaves her behind, but she is very aware that he is the alpha of the pack; he has responsibilities that she doesn't. She takes a deep breath and follows him, trying to ignore the slight ache in her heart. The sun is already high in the sky, painting the world with its warmth and light. The forest is alive with the sounds of birds singing, squirrels chattering, and other wolves going about their daily business. The scent of the sea is strong today, carrying the salty breeze across their fur.

She wanted to check on Luna and Caspian. The pup's birth was loved by his parents and celebrated by the pack. She would love to see him in the morning and eagerly share the joy of the day with him. She follows Cedar, careful not to lose sight of his powerful figure, the scent of his fur mixing with the salty breeze from the ocean. "He wasn't lying; he went to the beach with those two mundanes," she thought, shaking her head and chuckling.

She lags behind Cedar's powerful figure; he really had changed during the past months; the weight of his new responsibilities had left its mark on him. He walked with more confidence, his stride longer and more assured. It wasn't that she didn't trust him or anything; she just missed those moments they used to share, when they were just a couple of wolves, enjoying each other's company, exploring the forest and its surroundings.

He was kind, reserved, and overly trusting, always wanting to believe the best in people, even when it was clear that they didn't deserve it. and it was that very quality that had made him such a great beta before he'd taken over as alpha—always there to support his alpha and mate, always ready to step up when needed. But being alpha had changed him, hardened him in some ways, and made him more cautious and guarded. and she couldn't help but wonder if that newfound caution extended to her as well.

"Being alpha changed him a lot since he took control of the three packs," she thought to herself carefully, following his trail. "He was always cautious, but now he's more... protective? guarded? I don't know, really." She sighed, shaking her head. "I guess it's natural, really. He has to protect the pack and keep them safe, even if that means being a bit more distant from me." She paused, her ears perking up at a strange sound coming from the direction of the beach. "What was that?" she wondered, her curiosity getting the better of her. "I don't remember hearing that sound before."

"That's the beach; I've been there before," Cedar said, turning his head to look at her, a puzzled expression on his face. "Did you say something?" He asked, his ears perking up as well. "I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary."

She shook her head, a strange expression on her face. "It's not the beach; it's... something else," she insisted, sniffing the air. "It's... strange." Her curiosity getting the better of her, Talvi stepped forward, her ears perked and her tail raised, her senses on high alert. As she drew closer, the strange sound grew louder, becoming more distinct with each step. It was singing. No, I am not singing. It was music. Human music. She had heard it before, back when she was still a pup, but it had been so long since then.

"We need to go to the den," he reassured her as he sensed her unease. "You shouldn't be around there." He paused, his ears pricking. "That's human music, isn't it? I don't remember ever hearing it this close before." He shrugged his shoulders. He regrets living near the beach with the pack after they moved here. He doesn't want his mate to be in danger. "We should go back to the den and tell the elders about this." He said, his voice filled with worry.

She nodded, her mind wandering back to Caspian, the new pup just born a few hours ago. She hoped the pack's youngest member wouldn't get hurt, or worse, exposed to the dangers of humans. The thought of losing a pup, especially one so precious and dear to her heart, was unbearable. Her eyes filled with tears, and she felt her heart ache. She knew she had to do something, anything, to protect them.

"You want to check on Caspian, don't you?" Cedar asked, understanding her concern. "I'll go with you; we'll make sure he's safe." He put a comforting paw on her shoulder. "We'll figure this out together."

as the duo made their way back to the den, they couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding in the air. The sound of the human music grew fainter with each step, but the memory of it lingered in their minds like a bad dream. They knew that something wasn't right, and they were determined to find out what it was.

"we need to tell the elders," Cedar said to Talvi, his voice filled with worry. "They'll know what to do." The pair hurried through the forest, their minds racing with possibilities. What if the humans were planning something sinister? Were they a threat to the pack? The thought sent shivers down their spines.