The New Light of Hope: Books I to VI.

Chapter XVII: The Three Loners.

Aurora:

One day, I took part on a tracking patrol that was led by QuailHeart with BlueFire, ArrowHeart, ShadowPelt, SilverSun, and DaisyPetal in order to make sure that all boundaries were marked by the Southwest Forest and not by any loners. As we were checking the area, ShadowPelt began to sniff the air. "What is it, ShadowPelt?" I asked. He turned to face me. "I sense loners." He said, sniffing the air once more, "Three of them."
He then followed where the scent was coming from. We followed; BlueFire stood behind while ArrowHeart, SilverSun, and DaisyPetal followed behind him. We then came to a stop near some bushes where the scent was coming from. "You are on the territory of the Southwest Forest. Whoever you are, show yourself at once." BlueFire commanded. At that moment, three animals made themselves known to us. The first was a she-wolf with jet black fur, a light gray spotted chest and yellow eyes; the second animal was another she-wolf with light gray fur, a brown, chestnut red, and dark gray spotted chest, white tipped ears, and blue eyes. Her belly was swollen as well, it was clear that she was in fact expecting pups; the third wolf was a male wolf with dark brown fur, light gray tipped ears, a gray tail with a black tip, light gray back feet, and green ochre eyes, he let out a small snarl as he stood his ground. "We're just passing through." The she-wolf said. "Who are you three?" ArrowHeart asked.
"Well, my name's Hope." She said. "And this is my sister, Sage, and her mate, Hawk. As I said, we're just passing through, we'll leave if you wish."

We all looked at them. I looked at Sage and felt sorry for all of them. These poor animals, out here all alone fighting for their lives and survival.

We all felt bad for them, especially with the fact that Sage was pregnant with Hawk's children and that there was a threat lingering in the forest in which could endanger the pups, possibly even killed at that. I was the first to speak just before they left. "Wait." I said. They turned to looked at us. "If you want, you all can stay in the Forest Spirits Division where you will be safe." BlueFire said.

Hope: "Do you really mean it?"

BlueFire: "Of course I do, and with a threat is the forest it would be safer if you all lived with us."

DaisyPetal: "Especially if a she-wolf is pregnant with pups and she has nowhere to call home to protect both her and her pups."

Hope: "Oh, thank you! All of you for your generosity."

Aurora: "Anytime, now just follow us and we'll settle y'all in."

Hawk: "All right, lead the way."

We then showed them the way to the Forest Spirits Division.
...
We then made it to the camp. "DaisyPetal, show Sage where the Nursery is." I told her. "All right, follow me, Sage." She said. They then left.
"Now as for the both of you, follow us." BlueFire told Hope and Hawk.
They followed us to the Leader's Den and we waited. "The leader is currently on patrol, but he'll be back shortly." BlueFire told them. "Just be patient."
And so we waited. "Will he accept us in?" Hope asked me. "Why, I'm sure he will, Hope. Chief CrimsonPelt's really kind and a good and wise leader." I told her. "He is?" She asked.
"Yes, indeed." I replied. "BlueFire is his co-leader and is also his brother."

BlueFire: "Yes, indeed."

Just then, we saw Chief CrimsonPelt and his patrol entered the camp, he then saw us and as soon as he dismissed the animals, he came towards us. "Hello, Aurora, hello, BlueFire." He said. "Hello, sir." I said. He then looked at Hawk and Hope and then said: "I see that you have found two loners during the patrol. Care to explain why?"

Aurora: "Well, there's actually three of them. We found them in the forest and we couldn't help but notice that Hope's sister, Sage, was pregnant with Hawk's children and we all felt bad especially with the fact that there's a threat in the forest, it wouldn't safe for any of them to live in. And so we... brought them back with us."

BlueFire: "And we were waiting for your approval and to also talk about what position they would like to take on."

Chief CrimsonPelt then looked at the loners. "Well, you all can stay. But only under one condition: You must give up your life as loners and adjust and accept the ways of the forest. And we will keep a close eye on all of you." He said. "Yes, sir. And we thank all of you again for your gratitude and kindness." Hope said. "You're welcome." Chief CrimsonPelt said. "And now that that is taken care of, we shall discuss your positions. There are five in total: A healer, a fighter, a hunter, a messenger, and a tracker. Choose wisely."

Hawk: "I choose fighter. I wish to fight to help protect my family and the forest."

Hope: "And I choose healer. During our time out in the woods, I learned about different herbs and how to use them and to help the injured and sick. I'm doing this for my sister's sake and for her pups."

Aurora: "You made a good choice. Because the current healer of this Division, NightStone, doesn't have an apprentice or assistant. Aside from my friend Bella, or Bellatrix."

BlueFire: "Healers can also help the other Divisions. You can help the other Divisions if you would like."

Hope: "I would like to do that."

Aurora: "I'll show you where each Division is since you're bre here. But for now, I'll take you to the Healers' Den where you can help out NightStone and Bella."

Hope: "All right."

I singled her to follow me and we went to the Healers' Den.
...
I peeked inside of the den where Bella and NightStone were talking before Bella looked up at me. "Oh, hey Aurora!" She said. "Glad to see you all in one piece from the patrol. How was it?"

Aurora: "It went well and we picked three loners who are now new members of this Division."

Hope came up from behind me. "This is Hope. We brought her, her sister, Sage, and her mate, Hawk to live with us." I said.

NightStone: "I suppose there is a reason behind this."

Aurora: "Yes. We saw that Sage was pregnant with Hawk's children, with a threat somewhere in the forest, it's at all safe for them. Chief CrimsonPelt has approved to let them live here, as long as we keep an eye on all of 'em, they should be good."

Bellatrix: "Anything else you wanna share with us, 'Rora?"

Aurora: "They also picked their positions as well; Hawk chooses to be a fighter and Hope here chose to be a healer. So now, ya got an extra paw to help y'all out as well as the other Divisions as well."

NightStone: "Thank you, we could use the extra help."

"Now come, we have to replace some bedding now." She picked some moss and clinched it in her jaws, followed by Bella and Hope grabbing some moss as well. They then left and I carried on with the rest of my day.

As I was walking, I saw Chief CrimsonPelt walk up to me. "How can I help you, sir?" I asked him. "I just came here to tell you that you and your patrol did the right thing today, Aurora." He said. "Why, thank you. No animal deserves to be out there with little resources or shelter." I replied.

"You're right on that one, but as always, we must keep a close eye on all of them."

We were both right about what we had said; no animal deserves to be on their own in such poor or dangerous conditions. But we must always keep our eyes on them too.