Kapnos

Kapnos's earliest memory was her mothers voice singing her to sleep. It was a beautiful voice, soft and melodious, one that Kapnos would never have. The lyrics themselves lulled her into the dark realm of dreams once again. "From the northwind, here we are, bright blue summer, dark blue winter. The ice will freeze then melt once more. It is the cycle we must follow, they cycle we were born to follow. For even as the storm rages, the northwind brings us back together."

.

"Little pup." it was her mothers amused voice. Saturn was an aging alpha female, and hoping her last litter could take over the pack. She had been hoping for a small litter, no more than three so that deciding a heir wouldn't be hard. But it was a litter of six. No matter, she loved them all the same.

But Kapnos wasn't so little, no. Already a six month old, she had begun hunting the smaller critters and watching over the packs pups. But her favorite job was to follow Chrysos out scouting. He always sent her back, which she didn't think was fair. He was basically the same age as her!

.

"Little pups, listen." the youngest litter of Saturn gathered around her, eager to find out who the next alpha would be. "I don't want you to fight. Swear on your honor?"

"Swear." each wolf replied.

"Good. Then Hermes is our new alpha."

As much as she tried, Kapnos couldn't fight the anger and rage flicking over her face. Control. Don't let them see. Don't give them anything. 

She couldn't do that. But she could run, far, far away from her mother, far, far away from the shame. But some of the shame did follow. Perhaps the only part she could love.

.

Kapnos growled as she limped along the ground. One of her paws was a mangled mess. Chrysos stood on her other side, supporting her. He had run after her that fateful night, and Kapnos had grown to love him, in some way or the other. It was perhaps just the beginning of a romantic relationship- but not yet.

.

"I'm pregnant?" she said, staring horrified at Ouranos. "It appears so." her healer replied. 

"Chrysos!" she roared, storming out of the den. 

"So, you figured it out?" Chrysos asked, stepping out of the scouts den. 

"How could you! You know I didn't want pups! I even made a law against it!"

"It wasn't for you, it was for the pups." Chrysos replied.

"Why." she spat back.

"To become beta." he replied simply.

"Why." she snarled again.

"The pups need a father to raise them. I can't do that with my current position." he replied.

"You can't do that already. You know what your role is? A scout. You are away from home for long increments of time. You can't be a father to these pups. Go do your job and scout." she spat at him venomously.

.

She regretted what she had said. Apparently, she still didn't know how to control herself. 

She didn't need a father for her pups, she could do it on her own. But she hadn't got her on her own. She had needed Chrysos every step of the way. And she needed him now. 

And he agreed. So at her side now stood Chrysos, beta of Thyella pack.