The morning had been relatively calm in Howlclaw Cavern when the news reached Jackie. One of the prized Dire wolves, a towering creature with jet-black fur and eyes that gleamed with intelligence, had become pregnant. Jackie had known it was a possibility, but the timing came as a surprise. Without hesitation, she decided to inspect the beast herself.
Jackie strode through the Bloodfang Enclosure, her golden hair flowing behind her, eyes scanning the rows of restless creatures. Laborers and overseers stopped to watch her as she passed. No one dared approach the beast pens except under strict supervision, but Jackie was different. She had always commanded respect from the creatures in the camp, her presence alone enough to keep them in line.
As she approached the Dire wolf's pen, she paused at the gate, her silver eyes narrowing as she observed the massive creature pacing inside. "Easy, girl," she murmured, opening the gate and stepping inside with the calm confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times before.
The wolf immediately stopped pacing, its sharp ears flicking toward Jackie. Its belly was visibly swollen with the signs of pregnancy, and the animal let out a low growl, protective of its unborn young. Jackie crouched down slowly, extending a hand toward the beast.
"You're not going to harm me, are you?" she said, her voice low and soothing. The Dire wolf eyed her warily before lowering its head, a sign of submission. Jackie smiled, stroking the creature's thick fur.
"Good girl," she whispered. "We're going to move you somewhere safer."
For now, Jackie had the wolf transferred to an empty pen, away from the other beasts, where it could rest peacefully. The laborers worked swiftly under her direction, carefully guiding the wolf into its new enclosure, though they moved with an obvious tension. They knew how dangerous the creatures were—pregnant or not—but Jackie's calm presence seemed to ease their nerves.
Later that evening, as the camp settled into its usual rhythm, Jackie found herself thinking of the future. The Dire wolf's pregnancy was just the beginning; there would be more creatures in need of care and recovery after battles or labor. She needed a place where these creatures could heal, a sanctuary far from the harshness of the training grounds.
After dinner, she approached Harry and Luna, who were seated in the main hall of The Den, reviewing reports from the day.
"I've found a space," Jackie said, her voice thoughtful. "On the other side of The Den, there's a cavern that feels... different. It's quiet, peaceful. I'm thinking we could use it as a recovery area—for both creatures and laborers."
Harry looked up from his scrollbook, intrigued. "A recovery area?"
"Yes," Jackie nodded, her silver eyes gleaming with purpose. "A place where they can heal. It's not like the rest of Howlclaw. There's something soothing about it. I've decided to call it Celest Howl Bay."
Luna's eyes lit up, her usual dreamy expression shifting into one of quiet excitement. "A place for healing... How perfect."
Jackie smiled at Luna's enthusiasm. "Exactly. The creatures, especially the ones like the Dire wolves, will need somewhere to recover after childbirth, injuries... and even the laborers could benefit from it. It'll be a space for rest."
Harry considered her words, his expression thoughtful. "It's not a bad idea. It could boost morale for the laborers, knowing there's a place they can go if they're injured."
"Not just them," Jackie added. "The beasts, too. They need a place that isn't all about training or punishment. If they don't have somewhere to recover, they'll never be at their full strength."
"I agree," Luna chimed in softly. "The balance between discipline and care is important. They'll respond better if they know there's peace somewhere."
Jackie stood up, her mind already racing with plans. "I'll get started on it immediately. We'll make it the one place in Howlclaw that isn't filled with fear or pain. A place of restoration."
As Jackie left to oversee the initial steps of creating Celest Howl Bay, Harry and Luna exchanged a glance. There was something undeniably different about the camp since Jackie had taken charge. She had a vision, not just for control and dominance, but for balance.
By the time the sun set, Jackie had already gathered laborers and overseers to begin work on the new cavern. The space had a natural tranquility, with soft moss lining the stone walls and a faint glow from bioluminescent fungi casting an ethereal light. It was as though the cavern itself was meant for healing.
"Tomorrow," Jackie mused aloud to herself as she stood in the center of the space, "we'll begin moving the creatures that need care."
As the day came to a close, Celest Howl Bay began to take shape—a sanctuary within the heart of a place built for fear and control, a small beacon of calm amidst the chaos of Howlclaw Cavern.
