Sunniva

Sunniva is the daughter of Evanthe. She was a runt, in a litter alongside her two sisters and largest pup brother. Though she had the least chance to survive, she made it through the unrelenting seasons. Her brother didn't.

Sunniva has always felt resentful of herself, constantly condemning herself for the passing of her brother. But her family is thoughtful and understanding, and are teaching the wolf to love herself again.

Excerpt:

As Sunniva drew over the rise, she spotted an amber-furred she-wolf gazing quizzically into the horizon. Sunniva blinked, her stomach melting with relief. She had finally found Avalon. What was she doing so far from the camp?

She bounded towards her sister. "Avalon!" she called. She saw her sister turn her head over her shoulder and beckon her with welcoming eyes. Sunniva slowed her pace as she drew near to her. "What are you doing out of the Nursing Den? The pupsitters have been worried out of their furs!"

Avalon's welcoming expression twisted into one of indignation. "I'm not a pup," she replied, turning her head away to stare at the sunrise.

Sunniva frowned and stared at her paws. "I never said you were," she mumbled, sitting next to her sister. "Aeron's worried too."

Avalon swung her gaze around to look at her. She looked as if she were going to say something but hesitated too long and didn't.

Sunniva echoed what she had asked before. "What are you doing out here?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes at her sister.

Avalon replied curtly. "Hunting."

Sunniva jumped to her paws, her fur spiking like a bristle. "Your pups are due in half a moon!" she snapped. How could her sister be so ignorant? "If something happens to you, your pups will be hurt too! And Aeron! And me!"

Avalon glared at her. "And this is why I didn't tell you I was hunting," she snapped. "I knew you'd react like this. You're so overprotective."

Sunniva flinched as if a claw had raked her muzzle. She dropped her gaze to her paws, sadness slowly packing her heart. "Oh," she muttered. She could feel alarm pulse from Avalon's fur, and her sister quickly shifted closer towards her.

"I'm sorry, Sunniva," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings... This is my second litter; my first with Aeron. I don't want everyone to treat me differently."

Sunniva blinked. "Nobody would ever," she responded. Avalon looked at her gratefully.