Misty looked down at her three precious sons. Nothing but pure love in her eyes. The red one let out a whimper and fought his brothers to suckle.

"Easy now," Misty cooed and nudged him to an open spot. "There's enough for all of you."

She noted how healthy they looked. Big and strong. Just like their father.

Everyone came home from the battle, badly hurt and frustrated, to have their spirits lifted at the birth of Rascal and Misty's pups. The little ones were born just before dawn, the start of a brand new day. Ella came in to see them, looking very excited to see them at last.

No one else was permitted in, except for Blossom to check up on Misty. The entire Pack congratulated Rascal outside. His chest was puffed out. Ears perked, eyes gleaming. He was very proud.

Yet they weren't in the clear. The little she-pup spent the day in Blossom's den. Moondancer reported that she was underweight and most likely won't make it.

Misty constantly worried about her little daughter. She wanted desperately to see her. But she also needed to keep her three strong ones healthy.

Blossom and Moondancer know what they're doing.

She couldn't believe those words, no matter how hard she tried.

She was waiting for Rascal to come back so they could name them.

"Mind if I come in?" Tyrant asked.

"I don't mind."

The alpha's powerful form filled the den. His eyes fell on the three little bundles nestling against Misty's belly.

Tyrant broadly smiled. "They're beautiful Misty. Flame Woods Pack is blessed with them."

"I feel complete." Misty nuzzled each pup in turn.

Tyrant's eyes flickered with something like regret. But it was gone as fast as it come.

"Have you named them yet?"

"Not yet. When Rascal comes back we'll choose names then."

Tyrant was silent for a while, keeping his eyes locked on the three future warriors. A small, sad smile lifted his lips.

"You and Rascal will be good parents," he paused on his way out, looking over his shoulder. "I know you will."

Misty was left alone once more with her puppies. She yawned, realizing how exhausted she was.

Just when she was about to put her head down and sleep, Rascal came in. The biggest smile plastered on his face. He nuzzled Misty then gave his sons each a gentle lick on their tiny heads.

"It's about time we name them," Misty let out another yawn.

"Yeah, Tyrant said you were waiting on me." Her mate sat down, unable to peel his eyes away from his pups.

"What should this one be called?" Misty asked, laying her tail over the dark gray pup, seeing that his paws and ear-tips were black.

Rascal's eyes brightened. "I like Storm."

Misty smiled. "I do too. Storm it is. And
this one?" She gestured to the red pup.

Rascal's face drooped, a look saying this one looked familiar.

"Looks like my father," he replied in a strained voice.

Misty remembered her mate's father was killed. But no one knew by what. Someone mentioned a bear possibly.

She looked at Rascal with a sad smile. "You can name him whatever you like."

Rascal looked thoughtfully at his son. The pup squirmed and kicked in his sleep, accidentally hitting Storm.

"Ash," Rascal finally decided. "Fiery and strong."

"Perfect."

Misty stared at the blue-gray pup with twinkly eyes.  "I'll name this one River."

Rascal's face softened at that. He gazed over his sleeping sons with nothing but love.

"They're asleep now. Blossom says we can go see our daughter, but I wanted to wait for you."

Misty nodded, anxiety speeding up her heart. She nestled the pups together and quietly slipped away, padding out with Rascal at her side.

She abruptly stopped and glanced at Rascal. "You're sure it's okay to go in?"

Her mate offered a reassuring smile. "She needs her mother. Let's be brave," he put his paw overs hers. "For her."

Misty took a deep breath, gathering the courage to walk inside. She didn't see anything at first, her eyes adjusting to the dark.

Finally, she could see Blossom sitting beside a tiny body. The smallest Misty's ever seen. A white she-pup, her ribs poking out, her little chest gasping for a breath.

Misty inhaled sharply, tears pricking her eyes. Rascal brushed his pelt against hers, unshed tears glimmering in his eyes too.

Misty took a shaky step forward. Blossom looked up grimly, shaking her head.

"I don't know what else to do,"

Misty drowned out the healer's voice. She looked at her daughter, feeling her heart squeeze, her stomach churning.

The feeble pup twitched and coughed in her sleep.

"Oh Rascal..." Misty whispered, fighting back her tears. "Our precious baby..."

She moved beside her daughter and tried to get her to suckle. The pup's open mouth wouldn't latch on, too weak to wake up and eat.

"Oh no...oh no," Misty tried coaxing her pup to nurse. "Please little one..."

Misty looked at Blossom, fear swimming in her eyes. "T-there has to be something you can do."

Blossom's ears flattened. "You can take her back to your den and try to feed her, but I don't think she'll make it."

Misty let out a choked sob, cuddling her daughter to her chest. She felt her heart splitting down the middle.

Blossom backed toward the exit. "I'll let you two have a moment with her."

After the healer left, Misty quietly stared at the white pup, lip trembling.

"Misty—" Rascal started.

She interrupted him with hysterical cries of despair. Her entire body was shaking madly, so hard her teeth were chattering.

Rascal approached his mate with sad eyes. "We'll pull through Misty. You're the strongest wolf I've—"

"Don't try and flatter me with your compliments," she snapped. "I'm not in the mood for it,"

Rascal flinched back, obviously hurt, but Misty didn't notice.

"Our life is just a puddle of disappointments. What's the point in going on when everyone around me has either betrayed me or is dead?" Misty wailed, her eyes red.

"We'll manage," Rascal whispered. "We just have to be brave,"

Misty sniffled and looked at her daughter. "I have a name for her,"

Rascal sat beside his mate. "What is it?"

Misty stroked her pup's tiny body softly. "Clover. Our lucky clover,"

Rascal nodded. "Perfect. Our lucky Clover."

"She'll be strong," Misty swallowed and stared at Clover. She also knew it was a name Jumper had picked long ago.

Rascal grabbed Misty's paw and squeezed. "Storm, Ash, River, and Clover. I love it,"

Misty smiled through tears.

YAY!!! The pups are named!!!

Storm,
Ash,
River,
Clover!!!

I'm so excited to start having their personalities come through!

Which name do you like best?

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl