Cocoaface

Dawnstar approached the chocolate brown she-wolf standing alert in the tall grass and lightly touched noses with her. The stranger perked her ears when Dawnstar stretched down into a bow, and let out a tentative but warm howl in response to the golden wolf’s invitation. Dawnstar smiled and led Cocoa back to the Winterhaven camp. 

———

When Duskpelt joined the pack the following day, Cocoa was instantly smitten. His vibrant orange pelt reminded him of dazzling sunsets in the summer. Not one to be shy, Cocoa began a rapid courtship with the new wolf that led to two healthy (and adventurous) pups - Brackenpup and Ashpup. These pups, being the first born in the fledgling pack, represented hope and pride for the future, and filled Cocoa with more love than she ever thought was possible.

The small family had a convenient situation: while Cocoa hunted during the day, Duskpelt was in camp to watch their pups. Because the pack was still small, all the wolves pitched in to meet each day’s demands. On a particularly busy day, Duskpelt was tasked with removing old bedding from Sunrise Cave and retrieving fresh materials from a well-known spot near a giant boulder. When he left the camp in search of soft grass, he wasn’t aware of the tiny paws that stalked behind him. In fact, he didn’t even realize he wasn’t alone until Ashpup squeaked in alarm. A buzzard had swooped down from the top of the boulder and snagged both pups in its talons! Stricken with fear, Duskpelt chased after the bird but it ascended, flying so high that he lost track of it. Devastated and in shock, Duskpelt returned to the camp to deliver the horrible news. Cocoa returned to the camp with her hunting patrol to find all eyes on her, most red and some still tearful. Duskpelt took her to the den to tell her what happened. In their grief, Cocoa declared she would never attempt to have a family again, and Duskpelt never forgave himself for what he knew had been his fault. The two drifted apart, having not set a firm foundation to their relationship in the first place.

Dawnstar felt so much sadness for her new friend over the loss of her pups that she decided the she-wolf had earned her full name.

”Cocoa, from this day forward you will be known as Cocoaface. May Starpack guide you in your journey of healing.”

———

After the incident, Cocoaface was determined to have a new start in Winterhaven. She put all of her energy into her role as hunter, and quickly became the most proficient stalker in the pack, leading over 100 successful hunts in her first moon. She still grieved for the pups that she lost, but she was content with her role, replacing her destroyed family with her new packmates.