Painted Lady

An old, grizzled wolf sits serenely amongst a tumult of puppies. Yips, growls and whines fill the air as they play. There's a few quiet ones, nestled in whatever cozy spots they've decided were best. Amongst it all, she appears as an ancient, calm beacon in a raging storm of youth.
She invites you in kindly. The old wolf's voice is surprisingly soothing, despite how raspy it is.
"We just got the newest batch in," she chuckles. "Not sure where these will end up. Maybe they'll spread their wings and leave our hive."
She looks fondly down at the sleeping puppy between her paws, who started fussing as if he were having a bad dream. She licks him a couple times, and brings him closer to her chest.
"Maybe..." she begins again, "They'll stay, and help us all out. Maybe they'll have beautiful puppies of their own, new ones for me to care for."
You think about correcting her, as she may not even live to see them grow up, but think twice about it. She knows. It costs nothing to dream.
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Lady found a home with Dermestid and Monarch where she thought there would be none. She had left her pack, feeling constrained by her recent realization. She had been living a lie, and while her pack was not unkind, she knew they would not understand.
Dermestid had found her, cold and alone, and brought her to their den, which was much smaller then that it is now. She was there to see all of it. The friendships, the love, the pups. There is love and light where there once was darkness and estrangement. No one here batted an eye at who she was, as they all were like her in some way.
She had her family on her own terms, finally. Her den is full of lavender and she has more puppies than she knows what to do with. Life is good.