A Drizzle of Home

22 | A Drizzle of Understanding

"Tonight is a special occasion," Mist began, her tone strong and calm. She sat across from us, her muzzle tipped to our newcomers. "As yet another wolf finds refuge in our ranks. Though the earth provided danger today, it also brought us safety, here, with five new friends."

She met Dusk's amber eyes and smiled. "We thank the stars for this chance to be together. Sol, for his warm gaze and the food his forests provide." Mist turned her nose to the sky. A waning moon shone down on us, just starting to shed its petals. It had lost only a couple slivers of light. "And Luna," she said, "for reminding us that there's joy even in tragedy. For letting us share that joy with another."

Spruce and I dipped our heads in a nod of agreement, and from the corner of my eye, I watched the curious Dusk follow suit. As Mist uttered them, I whispered along, feeling the words deep in my core. "For the stars connect us all."

Our meal commenced, and the three of us ate our small, tawny-pelted prey in relative silence. But the stillness in the air was quickly interrupted by yipping and bawling from the pups at Dusk's paws. They hadn't had anything to eat yet, still too young and short-toothed to down solid food.

"Why don't you show Dusk to a den?" Mist met my gaze, and gestured toward the cave with her nose. An understanding look passed between us. Dusk would probably like somewhere more private to nurse.

I turned on my paws and led her to the cave. Inside, Pine and Cloud were nowhere in sight, likely back in our own den so that she could rest. I ushered Dusk and the pups through the farthest tunnel to the left, our last unoccupied den. They'd have it all to themselves.

"Thank you, again," she said as we stepped past the threshold and into the even dimmer space. Short, rock walls surrounded us, spanning a couple strides in each direction. This one was much smaller than the other dens, but plenty of space for the mother and her young. Dusk turned to face me, still standing at the entrance. "I don't know what would've happened if Mist hadn't invited us to stay."

The familiar feeling tugged at my heart, a warmth filling my chest. "It was the same way when I got here," I told her, gesturing with my pawless leg. "I wasn't sure that Mist would even accept me, but she always helps a wolf in need. We're just as thankful to have you here..."

My voice trailed off as my vision focused. With a couple blinks, the fur before me settled into a pale tan. I lifted my muzzle upward to find her towering snout, one that smiled down at me while her hazel eyes sparkled with joy. "Well, hello," she said.

Teeth closed around my scruff, and with a sudden rush of air around me, I was yanked backward. Tumbling to a halt at a pair of white paws, the wolf they belonged to stepped between myself and the other she-wolf with a growl. The tan wolf didn't flinch––unfazed by the act of hostility. Her ears remained perked and curious, her lowered tail wagging back and forth in a calm, collected excitement. She only watched as my grey-pelted sister prowled closer, keeping a wall of bristling fur between us.

"Get back, Drizzle," she barked, using a hind paw to push me even further. But this wolf wasn't dangerous, why couldn't my sister see that?

The orange and yellows of the forest swayed around us in the chill of autumn's claws. My eyes shifted back to the undergrowth where I'd emerged. Against my sibling's stubborn calls for me to sit still, to stay hidden and quiet, I decided that this was our chance. If she wouldn't take it, I would.

I was tired of being afraid. Tired of hiding. Of being alone.

"What are you two doing out here?" the she-wolf asked. "You're just pups, the both of you." She glanced around, as if there should've been another wolf hiding among the foliage. Only dead leaves hung from the branches. Our sole company was the crunch they made beneath our paws.