Wonderful picture of Jumper above is by StarWolfLegacy who is an amazing artist! Go check out her art book!

It's been two weeks since Misty's terrible fall. She was healing well, but the only thing that still hurt was her right foreleg. She was thankful the pups were okay. What would she do if something happened to them?

Blossom told her it was all right to take a calm walk through the woods. And she was glad to get out and stretch her sore body.

She met her cousin on the way out. He looked like he was just returning.

"Hey Misty."

"Hi, Isaac." She winced when her injured leg brushed the ground.

Isaac's expression tightened in worry. "Are you sure you should be out?"

Misty nodded. "Blossom said it was okay. And I was looking forward to feeling the forest breeze."

"May I join you?"

"Of course." She smiled, happy to have Isaac coming along.

They padded along a worn down path made by their Packmates. Hard compacted dirt under their paws. Bare branches cut across the sky. Gray clouds moving quickly.

Misty couldn't swallow the worry at the back of her mind. "I-Isaac?"

"Yeah?"

"What's it like? Having pups of your own?"

He was silent before replying. "A lot of work, that's for sure. Blossom and I don't get time to ourselves anymore."

Misty felt her heart thump quicker.

"But," Isaac continued. "You never know the fierce protection until you have pups that are so tiny and defenseless. You just want to hold on to them, and want to take away their pain or fear. So small and innocent." He looked at Misty with a twinkle in his eye. "It's an amazing experience. Raising your pups with the one you love most. Blossom is a wonderful mother, and she is so patient and motherly."

"How did you know what to do?"

"It's just an instinct that kicks in as soon as they're born. Well, Blossom's kicked in a lot faster than mine. But that's how mothers are."

Misty pondered these things quietly. How could you just "know" what to do?

Isaac must've read the expression on her face. "You and Rascal will know automatically. You'll understand when your pups are born."

Misty just couldn't process these words.

I guess I'll know as soon as they're born. She thought in acceptance.

"So," Isaac changed the subject. "Do you two have any names picked out?"

Misty had forgotten about names. "Actually, we haven't picked names yet."

Isaac nodded in understanding. "That's okay. Blossom and I didn't choose names until they were born."

Misty felt guilty for not having her own offspring's names yet. "Oh, I just feel bad." Her eyes were stinging with tears.

Oh great. More random emotions.

Isaac glanced at her once and nuzzled her cheek. "It's okay."

"I don't understand why these annoying feelings keep popping up." She sniffled.

"Blossom had the same problem. It's normal." Isaac shrugged, trying to make her feel better.

"Ugh I hate it," Misty growled.

Isaac looked straight ahead. "I couldn't imagine carrying pups."

Misty snorted. "Well, it's just great." Note the sarcasm.

Isaac wasn't bothered by her response. He suddenly stopped and twitched his ears.

"What is it?" Misty questioned, almost in a snappy tone.

Isaac tried to zero in on the sound. A twig snapped and Misty could hear it too.

The cousins pressed their pelts together, staying as close as possible.

A blueish shape slammed Isaac away from Misty, to the ground.

"Isaac!" Misty tried to rush to Isaac, but a yellow wolf planted herself in front of Misty, eyes glowing with a hunger for a fight.

Another wolf jumped out and rushed over to where Bruno was pinning Isaac.

Star, the yellow she-wolf, snarled and flicked her tail for Diablo to trade places with her. The huge icy-eyed wolf smiled an evil smile as he looked at Misty.

Isaac couldn't get out of Bruno's strong grip. Star growled beside them with white fangs baring.

Misty limped away as fast as she could, but Diablo blocked her path. She turned another way, still, the black wolf was too fast for her in her injured state.

She wouldn't let them know how scared she was. "Move aside, you nutty squirrel!"

Diablo threw his head back and laughed. A dry, crackly laugh. Misty tried to suppress the shiver running down her spine.

Misty set her jaw tightly. "I said, move aside you stupid dog!" At that smart remark, a paw smacked across her face. She was certain a red paw mark was visible on her face.

Diablo stepped forward and whispered. "Play nice, dear. You don't know what I'm capable of." His breath against Misty's ear made her flinch.

"Get away from m-me," Misty demanded in a shaky voice. "Y-you'll regret this."

"I won't regret anything, my dear." He snarled softly. Emphasis on "my".

Isaac growled from where he was trapped. "You stay back! You sick moron!"

Diablo's eyes didn't leave Misty as he replied. "You better shut your muzzle. Otherwise, there'll be issues."

Star laughed coldly. She glared at Misty and Isaac in turn. "Obey him. He's one of the most respected wolves in our Pack."

Isaac looked extremely angry. His ears were flat and back, brown eyes piercing straight into Diablo's very soul.

Diablo took a step towards Misty. She stepped back. With every stride he took, she took one back. The movements repeated until Diablo had Misty cornered against some large boulders.

She whimpered, feeling her rear bump the rocky surface. Her heart sank as she saw the alarming look on Diablo's face.

"You know," He barked smoothly as he approached. "You're not that bad looking. Beautiful." His muzzle twisted into a sick grin.

Misty could hear her heart thudding in her ears. She mustered up all her courage.

"Maybe it's because I had good looking parents." She snapped. "You look like a cross between a vulture, and an ugly rat."

Whoa did I just compliment my parents?

She shook the thought off quickly.

"One of us should look good," Diablo whispered.

Misty swallowed.

"I think I should claim you as my own." He murmured in a low voice.

He stepped closer to her, she shoved him back.

"Don't!" Isaac screamed under Bruno and Star. "She's already expecting pups!"

Diablo's eyes widened. Then relaxed to his normal eerie look. "That's not a problem." He nuzzled Misty's cheek. "Not a problem at all."

He rubbed noses with her. Her final attempt, she snapped her jaws at his nose, catching it in her fangs and causing blood to pour out. Diablo groaned and snapped his eerie eyes on the she-wolf. Misty stiffened, fear dragging her down. She closed her eyes and felt tears bubbling up. She was helpless.

A growl and a heavy thud alerted Misty. She snapped open her eyes. Rascal was standing over Diablo. His fur was bristling, ears up and alert. His lips were pulled back to reveal a vicious snarl.

"What was that all about?" He asked in a deathly whisper. Misty had never heard him sound so cold before.

Diablo's face twisted into surprise. "I have no idea—"

Rascal cut him off with a strong, sharp blow to his shoulder. The Red Fang wolf cried in pain.

"Now you listen to me!" Rascal snarled. "If I ever see you touch my mate again, you'll wish you were never born!"

Rascal launched at Diablo. He dug his fangs in the soft flesh of the back of Diablo's neck. He then kicked him in the stomach. The blue-eyed wolf dropped to his knees, the air being knocked out of his body.

Star growled and charged for Rascal. He flicked her aside and pinned her to the ground, furiously tearing at her yellow fur.

Diablo was back up. He and Rascal reared to meet each other. They were a flurry of flying paws and splatters of blood.

Isaac used the moment to fling Bruno off him and tackle him to the ground.

Rascal wrapped his paws around Diablo's head and tossed him down. Then he grabbed one of his front paws, pressed the blue-eyed wolf down with his own forepaws, and tugged backward with all his might.

Diablo screamed and wiggled desperately. Rascal twisted harder. A sickening craaack gave Misty a shudder. The shoulder bone was broken, yet Rascal continued to inflict pain.

Misty couldn't help feeling proud and afraid.

Rascal finally released Diablo. The wolf stumbled to find his footing and howled with agony. Blood was pouring down his shoulder, the bone jutting out for everyone to see.

"I never want to see your face again, you perverted wolf!" Rascal spat, shoving Diablo to the ground again.

The Red Fang wolf whimpered and crawled away until Star and Bruno came to carry him back to their home.

Rascal was panting heavily. A scratch crossing his cheek. Misty limped to her mate and embraced him gratefully.

"Did he do anything else? Are you okay?" Rascal demanded with wide dark green eyes.

"I'm fine," Misty replied in a reassuring tone.

Isaac padded up to them. He had a gash along his left front leg.

"I tried to stop them...." He trailed off guiltily.

Rascal shook his head. "It's okay, Isaac. Bruno is too strong. And he had the help of Star. You did what you could."

The dark gray wolf's eyes brightened in relief.

Misty grimaced in pain as a sharp feeling coursed through her side.

Rascal instantly jumped up. "What is it?"

"Just an uncomfortable feeling." Misty sighed as it went away. "Let's just return home."

Isaac and Rascal each walked on a side of her the whole way. Eyes and ears sharp in case any more Red Fang wolves were hiding in the shadows.

Misty silently cursed herself for letting a rat like Diablo get to her.

No matter. Next time I see him, I won't be so slow to attack.

She risked a glance at her angry mate. His face was hard with fury planted deep inside. Misty noticed the way his paws were clenched.

"R-Rascal?" Her voice came out as a squeak.

He looked at her, cold stone in his eyes. But she wasn't afraid of him.

"I'm okay." She soothed reassuringly. "I promise." Attempting to smooth things down, she added. "If he really wanted me, he'd have to get around my ferocity."

Rascal smiled weakly, his face falling in the previous state. Misty decided to leave him alone. It wouldn't do any good to keep pestering him.

Instead, she turned to Isaac.
"You okay?"

The dark gray wolf nodded. "Yeah. Just disappointed in myself. I should've been able to take Bruno and Star down easily."

"Bruno is too strong. He's clearly one of the most skilled wolves of Red Fang Pack." Misty knew how strong the blue-gray wolf was.

Isaac merely grunted and didn't talk the rest of the way home. Misty felt this awkward silence rise between the three of them. She tried to ignore it, but it kept popping up in the back of her mind.

They entered camp and parted ways. Misty, who is allowed to sleep in her own den, followed Rascal to their place. Misty settled on the warm pelt, but she still felt cold.

"What is wrong with him?!" Rascal whispered to himself in the far corner, back facing Misty.

The white wolf swallowed, gathering her courage before speaking.

"He is just a twisted soul. He's not worth my anger. Or yours."

Rascal growled deeply, the fur on his shoulders lifting. His whole posture was tense.

"Look," Misty stood up. She narrowed her green eyes at her mate. "It's in the past. I'm fine! That's all that matters." She padded up to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I just want my Rascal back. Not this angry, furious shell."

She felt him relax. A few more deep breaths, then he turned around and smiled at her.

"I'm sorry, Misty. I let my anger take over." He rubbed noses with her. "I just wanted to protect you and the pups."

Misty melted in his gesture. "I understand."

Rascal's eyes softened to his usual self. Misty was glad to see him calm down.

"So," Misty eased on the pelt. "We haven't discussed names yet." She added with a gesture to her belly.

Rascal's face brightened. "Of course! Let's do that now." He began pacing, deeply lost in thought.

"For females, I like Autumn and Snowflake." Rascal glanced at Misty. "How about you?"

"Andromeda and Pearl. Names after things that shine." Misty stated matter-of-factly. "How about males?"

"Well, I love the name Storm. He could be big and strong, just like me." Rascal puffed out his chest. Misty chuckled at that. "Coal is another name I like."

Misty nodded at the suggestions. "Hurricane is a nice name." Her memory flew back to when she was gazing at the stars with Isaac and Jumper. They talked about what they would name their pups. And Jumper suggested Hurricane.

"Yeah, that's a cool one." Rascal pondered it.

Misty sighed, feeling excited about the coming of her offspring.

"When do you think they will come?" Rascal asked with a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

"Two months," Misty replied with a shy smile.

Rascal slumped over. "Ugh, I don't think I can wait that long."

"You'll just have to." Misty reminded her mate.

"Oh well." Rascal yawned and lay down beside his mate. "It will be worth it in the end."

Word count: 2,243

Hello everyone! Merry Christmas Eve! I decided to go ahead and publish this chapter since I may not get another chance for a while. I don't think I'll get to publish another part until Saturday. I'll be pretty busy the rest of the week :/ anywho, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fun Fact: I hadn't intended for the first book to be as long as it is. I just kept thinking of things to add and made some tweaks ;)

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl