Chapter X: Snowstorm

I ran through the den entrance, sliding to a stop in the middle of the clearing and throwing my nose in the air.
I tipped my head back down, my ears perked for a reply. Except this time, Ava's howl was more faint and was joined by four smaller, weaker howls.
"The pups!" I hissed, standing and trotting to the entrance. Ember followed along beside me.
"Mira, are you sure you want to go out now?" He asked. "There's a blizzard on the way."
I glanced up and sure enough there were snowflakes littering the air.
"I'll be fine, Ember," I reassured him. "But when I come back, don't be surprised if I bring others with me."
"Fine." He sat. "I'll wait here."
I ignored him and trotted out of camp, picking my way through the thickening snowstorm until I finally reached the cave.
"Hello?" I called.
"M-Mira?" A timid voice asked.
I walked forward slowly, and when I saw Valor and Tanisha sitting there I smiled.
"Hi guys," I said softly, dipping my head. "Remember me?"
Tanisha nodded vigorously. Valor only beckoned for me to follow, so I did. When we were in sight of the back of the cave I gasped, running forward.
"Ava?" I whispered. "Ava!"
She didn't move, even when I prodded her. Kana was weeping a few feet away and Jay sat next to her, head low and tail still.
"Come on Kana," I finally murmured. "Jay, you too. Get the others, we should go."
He nodded silently and nudged Tanisha. Valor trailed along behind them as I picked up Kana by the scruff.
When we returned to the den entrance the storm had thickened to a white sheet, and a chill had seeped into the cave. Jay hesitated for a moment, but when I began to plow through the storm he followed in my tracks with Valor and Tanisha on his heels.
Occasionally I glanced back to make sure we were all still together, and I squinted into the blinding wind, trying to make out where we were. A howl, probably Ember's, tore through the night, and thankfully I appeared to be heading towards it.
After what seemed like hours of trekking endlessly three dark figures appeared, and when he was close enough Ember snatched up Valor. Smoky carried Tanisha and Yukon grasped Jay in his jaws. We pushed through the blizzard, frozen paws sinking into the snow over and over.
When we eventually reached camp I pushed my way into my den, shaking myself off before trotting to the back and setting Kana down. Ember, Smoky, and Yukon shook out their own snowy pelts before dropping the other three pups by my side. Smoky and Yukon disappeared immediately thereafter, while Ember took a seat a few feet away. I bent down and sniffed and prodded each pup before pulling Valor between my front paws as I laid down. I began licking his fur rapidly, and when he was warm I set him down, moving on to Kana. I repeated this process with Tanisha and then Jay, neither of which said a word. Then I wrapped myself around them to ensure they wouldn't get cold. Ember stood up and sniffed them before turning away to lay beside the entrance to the vast cavern as always, keeping watch.