Dusk

spring, year one

When Dusk steps into the Ring, she tries to lend herself to something crucially necessary, like chasing prey with the somewhat-established-but-ragtag-party of hunters. Her presence on the team makes everyone uncomfortable though, and they end up losing more prey than they bring home. She tries to persevere, because there are no puppies to watch, and there are no apprentices to train. She considers scouting, but that role is quickly filled by North and Storm Wind, other migrants from her previous pack, the Cinnamon Cinders. They're not very good at their job at first, but she's sure they'll be okay. She's not great at hers, either.


summer, year one

Suddenly, puppies.

It seems every day now Birch has come home from the crossroads with another pup in his teeth. Dusk can only watch this madness for so long before stepping up herself.

"Birch," she starts, trotting after him. "We can only feed so many mouths."

"I'll make another hunting party tonight," he assures her.

"Birch," she protests. "All of our resources will be put to waste if these puppies die."

"We have pregnant wolves to be nested; they can watch the pups until they age up."

"Birch," whines Dusk, shaking her pelt out in frustration. "We don't have enough eyes, ears, or paws, to keep all of these puppies safe and healthy!"

He stops in his steps and regards her. "Then, you will watch puppies as well," he declares, and she tilts her head. She is used to much more kind treatment from her leader, but with Rielle's passing and many members of the pack growing uncertain with themselves or finding difficulty staying in the Riparian Woodland without seeing, hearing, smelling their queen everywhere, many turned to allied packs for solace in their grief. Birch's forward speaking and heavy paws are having Dusk reconsidering her choices.

There is no time to reconsider for long, though. Soon Swan has very rambunctious puppies, and Dusk realizes none of the wolves here have a single clue what they're doing with puppies. Birch, she curses under her breath. If this pack is successful, it will be disjointed, with many weak bonds. If it fails, it will crash so greatly the entire deciduous forest will burn to the ground.