Chapter XXI: Worry

I was woken up by a howl. A faint howl.
Tripping over several sleeping wolves, I raced through the cave and out into the snow.
After howling back I perked up my ears anxiously.
Wolves shuffled inside the den as I heard a reply.
I sprinted through the camp entrance and pounded along the trails. I heard paws thudding against the earth as several other wolves followed me.
"Reed! Korea!" I yelled as I came to a howling pair of pups. I scampered forward, pulling them from the bush and licking their ears to ensure that they were really okay.
"Mama!" Korea squealed, throwing herself towards me. Reed followed suit, and Ember sat next to me, licking the pups' cheeks.
"Thank the moon you're alright. Are you hurt?" I asked frantically.
"No, Mama," Reed said.
"Just cold," Korea said, shivering.
"Then we'd better get moving," I murmured, grabbing Korea by the scruff as Ember scooped up Reed.
As we trotted through the trees the other wolves ran ahead to let the camp know the pups had been found.
When we arrived I pushed through the group and entered the cave, licking Korea's forehead when I set her down again. As I curled up around my pups I couldn't help but notice how they kept shivering, despite the heat rolling off of my fur.
I looked up at Ember's worried face as Frito and Wash trotted up.
"Are they okay?" Frito asked, frowning.
I shook my head. "They're shivering nonstop." I pressed my muzzle against each pup in turn. "But their fur is really hot."
"What should we do?" Frito asked.
"Send for Thebes," I said, turning to him. "Send Tuff, he knows how to get there, and another wolf or two. But first, I need to talk to Tuff."
Frito nodded, calling my brother over. He scampered up.
"Y-yes, sir?"
"You are going to find Thebes and bring him here," I said. Tuff jumped, turning to look at me. "You're going to ask him How's life in the sky?, alright? Then if he asks, tell him my pups are sick. Wish and Smoky will go with you. You know where to find him, right?"
Tuff nodded.
"Good. Please hurry."
"I will."
"Thank you."
As the group loped away I looked down at my pups, very worried.