Two more nights passed up on the cliff side. The dark shadows of the trees were falling away as the sun slowly rises into the sky. Golden rays of light broke through the clouds on the horizon and spilled bursts of warmth on the waking wolves.

Rose and her pups stirred. Melody blinked her eyes against the bright sun. Isaac yawned. Archie and Alusia shifted nervously away from each other with heat in their cheeks, eyes downcast.

Rascal and Misty had been curled protectively around their pups. Little noises emitted from their throats. Cute snores.

Rascal smiled. He gave each pup a lick on the forehead in birth order. At his touch, Clover squirmed and drew a paw over her face. She snorted, opening her eyes with a smile toward her father.

Rascal felt his heart melt. He drew her closer between his front paws. She rolled over on her back and gently swatted at his muzzle. The tiny she-pup certainly is stronger than she was over a month ago. She is able to keep up with her brothers now. Her small heart was growing every day.

Whenever Rascal thought about those first difficult moments after she was born, it made him want to give her anything and guard her with his life. He was protective of his pups, especially her.

Clover will be in for a treat when she's older and wants to explore. Rascal hardly lets her out of his sight. With Misty as her mother, nobody would dare touch her. And her brothers threaten anyone that hurts her feelings and forces them to apologize to her.

Clover's entire family was overly protective of her.

Storm, Ash, and River think very highly of their sister. They treat her as kind as possible and always make sure to include her in all of their games and activities.

Clover has grown closer with Ripple, already making Rascal a nervous father. Ripple was shy and quiet. He never said much, but he was always cheery toward Clover. The two became best friends quickly. But her brothers always had a suspicious eye on Ripple.

"Good morning," Rascal pushed his snout against his daughter's.

The she-pup let out an enormous yawn followed by a quick stretch. Her eyes glowed with joy, but still held the look of sleep.

Clover turned and looked toward the sunrise. Its golden light dancing over her pelt. In the distance, the trees rose and fell like tidal waves at sun high. The different shades of green blended and mushed together perfectly. The sharp glint of the moving, swollen river flashed between the strong branches in a smooth motion.

"When will I be allowed to go out in the forest and explore?" The pup asked with question on her face.

Rascal stifled a sigh. Too soon.

He nudged her with his head. "Someday when you're older, after your mother and I have taught you enough about defending and hunting."

Clover let out a dramatic groan. "But that is ages away! What if I brought Storm, Ash, and River with me?"

"I'm afraid you're all too small to be out on your own. Honestly, the whole flood situation was too dangerous for you and your brothers." Rascal shook his head.

"If it weren't for us, Mama would've have drowned." She shot back indignantly.

Rascal knew she was right. But he almost lost his mate and pups. He couldn't bear the thought.

"Still," Clover went on. "You treat me like I'm a helpless bug that might get stepped on."

"As your father, it's my responsibility to make sure you're safe and sound until you're old enough to take care of yourself. Same goes for your mother. She and I are supposed to work together to raise you and your brothers."

"That sounds boring."

Rascal smiled at her reply. "Not exactly."

Clover huffed. She bounced up on her paws and craned her neck to see as far as possible. "Twilight isn't from around here, right?"

Rascal nodded.

"Why does she sound so different? I always thought her voice was strange. Ripple's too," she looked at her father. "I thought all wolves sound the same."

Rascal shook his head. "I did too until I was old enough to understand that not every wolf is the same. Sure, we all have similar traits that define us as wolves, but we all have something special about each of us," He flicked his tail toward Tyrant. "He is a naturally born leader. Bold, considerate, doing what's best for his Pack. But he also has faults that make him weak."

Clover tilted her head. "Like what?"

Rascal felt an ache in his heart, remembering Tyrant's past mistake. Copper's death had left a heavy weight of guilt and regret on the alpha's shoulders. The one thing in his life that he'll never be able to shake off like raindrops.

Rascal hesitated, unsure of what to tell his daughter. "W-well, Tyrant usually keeps his emotions to himself," He decided. "He's not so easily read."

Clover looked at Misty, who was nudging her sons to wake up. "What about Mama? What are her strengths and weaknesses?"

Rascal felt his heart warm as sweet memories flooded his mind. He glanced back at his mate. She caught his eye with a knowing glint. A smirk pulling at her lips. She knew he was talking about her.

"Your mother is very determined, fierce, protective, and hot-headed."

At those words, Misty snorted.

"But, she's full of heart. And plenty of love. There's nothing she wouldn't do for you. Misty is one special she-wolf. I haven't met any other like her."

Misty rolled her eyes and came over to give her mate a loving lick on the cheek. She and Rascal rubbed noses.

"Ew!" Storm and River squeezed their eyes shut at the sight of their parents.

"Love! Blegh!" Ash wrinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue.

Clover pretended to gag.

"That's gross!" River squeaked.

"You won't think so one day when you're older," Misty had a sing-song tone to her. "You'll each meet your special someone. I never thought I would find mine." She rested her head under Rascal's chin.

"Stop with the public affection," Storm cringed. "It's making me queasy."

Rascal chuckled and backed away from Misty. The mother bent down and drew her tongue over the pups' tiny heads.

"I'm clean! I'm clean!" Ash waved his paws to keep his mother away.

"No, you're not. You have leaves in your fur, sleepyhead." Clover picked an oak leaf out of her brother's bright pelt.

"Hey! Let's wrestle!" River crouched down. Before anyone could stop him, he jumped on Storm and tugged at one of his ears.

Storm growled. "Quit that! I wasn't ready!"

Ash joined in beside River and sat on Storm. The dark gray pup let out a puff as River jumped on him.

"You two together are heavier than a full-grown bear." Storm replied breathlessly.

Ash grabbed the other ear and pulled. Storm hissed, writhing under the weight of his brothers.

"Get off!" He sat upright, tossing Ash and River. They rolled away and giggled.

Rascal shook his head. "What are we gonna do with those two?"

"Which two?" Misty asked, amused.

Rascal nudged her. "You know which ones I'm talking about." He nodded at Ash and River. "They're bound to cause endless trouble."

"They get that from you." Misty teased.

"Me? Psh, no way!" Rascal looked Misty up and down. "You're all kinds of trouble rolled into one."

Misty shoved his muzzle away. "Haha, very funny."

Clover joined in with her brothers. She pounced on Ash, knocking him sideways. A triumphant grin spread over her face.

"That one will be exactly like you. I just know it." Rascal marveled.

"Obviously," Misty replied, matter-of-fact. "Someone in this family better have my strong values."

Ella trotted over, back from collecting herbs. She sat beside her brother and smiled at the pups. "I still can't believe how fast they're growing."

Misty nodded. "Neither can we."

"I never thought Clover would be as strong as she is now." Ella side-glanced at Rascal.

He held back a growl, knowing the meaning beneath the words.

Who cares about a stupid dream? Clover beat all odds, and now she's healthy and happy.

"She takes after her mother. Obviously, she won't give up." He glared icicles at Ella.

Misty didn't hear. She went over to intercept a brewing fight between Storm and Ash.

Rascal turned on his sister. "I don't want to hear any more about that dream. Clover is special, and you're trying to downgrade her."

Ella shook her head, face showing frustration. "I'm not. Storm, Ash, and River have been healthy since they were born. What if that sickness comes back and Clover is weak again?"

Rascal bristled. He struggled to keep his voice low. "That has all passed. Are you jealous, Ella? Are you trying to make things even more difficult?"

"N-no!" She protested. Her eyes widened in shock. "Why would you even think that?"

He put it bluntly. "Because I have a family, and you don't."

Ella gasped. Tears glittered in her eyes. She looked angry, yet hurt at the same time.

"H-how cou-ld you..." Ella's lip trembled. She backed away, shaking her head. "I've tried to warn you about my dream, what I think it means. I was only preparing you." A single tear slipped out. "Why would you say that to me?"

Head down, she ran out of the temporary camp, away from everyone.

Rascal flattened his ears. He regretted his words. He knew Ella was touchy about the whole family subject. There's no way she would be forgiving him anytime soon. Not after that.

Yet at the same time, he couldn't help but feel protective towards Clover.

Nobody says such terrible things about my daughter...

Finally! Another update! I'm getting more of my groove back and know what I want to happen!

I felt so bad for Ella, but at the same time, I understand Rascal's point of view as a father that's had to watch his daughter fight to live.

Rascal and Ella aren't on good terms, who knows if they'll ever be as close as they used to be?

And what do you guys think of the pups? Who's your favorite?

Another chapter coming soon!

-15thSoccerGirl