Ghost

[ denkeeper || princess ]

It was unusual that King Wicker stopped by the pups' den. So unusual, Ghost thought, that she hardly believed he was her dad. Sure, he had the same grey-and-white fur as her sister, Ash, but he didn't live here like mom did. He didn't visit every day like November did, bearing gifts of elk ears and bobcat claws. Snake's fangs (she thought with a giggle of glee at the curse), he wasn't even that nice to them!

So why would he want to bring even more pups into the pack?

Wicker had shared the news with them earlier that morning. He was heading out to far-away lands to meet a new pup who would join the pack. "We need lots of strong pups grow up and become great hunters for the pack," He said.

"I'm already the strongest," Ash whined. 

"No way, you're weak as a worm! I'm the strongest," Ghost shot back, curling her lip like she'd seen the adults do when they fight over food.

"All right, all right," Wicker laughed, nudging both pups with his nose. "You're both very strong. But wouldn't you like a new friend?"

That piqued their interest. Besides them, Hemlock was the only other pup, but he didn't like the rough games that the sisters did. All the other pups were older and they shooed Ghost and Ash away when they brought them bones and tried to pounce on their tails.

After Wicker left to bring back their new denmate, Ghost couldn't get the new pup off of her mind. She tried to ask Ash what she thought their new friend would be like while they kicked a pebble back and forth, but Ash seemed to already be losing interest. Ghost eventually resigned herself to daydreaming by herself while Ash napped off the excitement of the morning.

The sun was low in the sky when an unfamiliar scent drifted through the den. Ghost snapped to attention and scampered to the edge of the pup's den to peer out at the visitor. The new pup's eyes caught Ghost's attention first, as blue as ice and as piercing as thorns. Ghost ducked out of sight again and ran straight into her sister.

"Ouch!" Ash squeaked. She bared her teeth at Ghost in annoyance before shoving past to get a look for herself. "Is the new pup here?"

"What does she look like?" Hemlock whispered as he crept from the shadows to stand at Ash's shoulder. Ghost frowned in frustration that her spot had become so crowded all of a sudden. Before she could voice her feelings, however, her mother intercepted.

"Come on, back inside. Give her time on her own to adjust," Clover cooed as she swept the pups deeper into the den. The three of them whispered amongst themselves deeper inside the cave, sharing their excitement and worry alike.

Clover turned back to the entrance of the den to greet Wicker and the new pup. As they exchanged introductions, Ghost studied their new denmate. She was nervous at first, but brightened up with a simple nod from Wicker. 

"What's her name? What did she say?" Hemlock whispered.

"I think her name is Fox," Ghost replied.

"Fox? She kinda looks like one. Are you sure she's really a wolf?"

"Of course she is, dummy! Wicker wouldn't let a real fox into the pack!"

"Shh! She's coming over!"

Ghost startled when she realized Ash was right, Fox was bounding towards the trio. "Hi, I'm Fox! What are your names?" She beamed. The genuine excitement was infectios--Ghost heard her heartbeat echo in her ears.

"Ash." After a silence, Ghost felt Ash's shoulder bump hers. 

"I'm Ghost," she added in a voice that was much less sure. 

"She's not normally this shy. I think you scare her."

"She does not!" Ghost bristled. "Hemlock's the one who's scared!" She whipped around to look at him and he met her with a displeased frown.

Clover, as per usual, was way ahead of the pups and their antics. "Be nice, now," she chimed in as she padded over. "Meeting new wolves can be scary sometimes. Nothing helps ease the nerves like a good bite of beaver though, hmm?" Ghost felt Ash leap forwards next to her and she jumped at the chance to race her sister to their meal. Not even a new denmate could get in the way of their rivalry. Hemlock followed closely, snapping his teeth playfully at their heels.

However, it was not Ash or Hemlock who Ghost had to compete with, but Fox. A streak of red flashed past the two, her head tucked down like she was preparing to bust through the cave walls. Ghost yelped in surprise, taken back for only a moment before she redoubled her racing efforts. "I win!" Fox declared as she pounced on the beaver November had been dragging into the center of the cave.

"Woah!" November gasped and jumped out of the way as Fox's pursuers all threw themselves at her in one big dogpile. Ghost couldn't help but laugh as she collapsed into the whirlwind of teeth and fur, nipping at any stray paws or ears she could reach. She could already tell that Fox was going to fit in perfectly--they'd be the best of friends.