Storm

As you approach a cozy cave, a variety of brush and flowering bushes sprouting around the entrance, you hear the unmistakable sound of little paws clambering around. However, you still find yourself taken off-guard as a little pup comes bursting forth and dashes underneath you legs, followed quickly by a somewhat frazzled looking grey female that bumps into you. 

"Oh! So sorry, one moment!" She says, brushing past you and quickly scooping up the errant pup with a chastising growl. The pup's spirit doesn't seem very dampened, scampering back into the cave with the same amount of energy. 

"So sorry, once again, they can be quite a handful. Are you just passing through?" She asked, keeping her eyes on the playing pups. "My name is Storm! It's just me and these little ones here at the den right now, but the others are never too far, if you want to meet them. It's hard to say where Roma, our leader, may be, she tends to go all over the place. Well, same with Matavo and Mishra, our scouts, I suppose. But Sreva, our healer shouldn't be too far! She's just gathering some herbs for her stores. Our hunters all live in a different cave, not too far from here." 

She was interrupted when one of the pups yelped out, the play-fighting apparently getting a little too rough. Storm gave them a once over and a caring lick to the top of their head, and they went bounding right back into the middle. She let out a soft chuckle. 

"They're really quite the sturdy little things, I have to hand it to them. It's one of the things that drew me to this pack, after my last one . . . well. It's a grim story, I'm not sure you'd want to hear." Storm said, ears laid back as she shuffled her paws. You shake your head at her and give her an encouraging expression, prompting her to go on. 

"Well, my last pack wasn't very large. A lot of members left for greener pastures, or to create their own packs. At the end, it was just me, my mother, grandfather, and grandmother. They were all great wolves, but well, they had gotten quite old. So when a new pack, not much larger than ours challenged us for our territory, there wasn't much we could do. But, my grandfather was a great leader, but pride was his downfall. His, and the packs. I'm just glad I was able to escape, and preserve their memory." Storm said, turning away as she composed herself. 

"We won't let any meanie wolves get you, Auntie Storm!" One of the little pups barked, giving their best fierce snarl. Storm snapped her attention back, not realizing she had a young audience listening as well. A few of the other puppies joined in, creating a small ruckus of growls and barks. 

"Now, now, I'm very thankful for that, but I'm sure you won't ever have to. Now, let's not tell Mother Roma about any of this, okay?" Storm laughed nervously, and gave you a weak smile. You decide to make your escape, wishing Storm goodbye before heading out.