Gabriel

The teeny, tiny pup was plopped in his den, tiny body coiled absently. He was upset, he hadn't been awake in time and his brothers and sisters got to go out with daddy while he was left alone. Not even his mama was around. Tears welled up in his two toned eyes but he stubbornly refused to let them fall. Sniffling pathetically in the corner. He had just been tired! They couldn't blame him for being tired could they? Was this his punishment? To be left without either of his parents? He sniffled again. he coiled around himself barely a scarce few pounds and tried to stifle his soft sobs. A small lizard scampered into the den and Gabriel glared at the thing, growling high pitched and feebly. The lizard promptly stuck his tongue out and continued on. "Oh! Whadda you know!" He pouted pouncing after the lizard to no avail. With a huff, he retreated back to his dark corner, his rump hitting the ground with a thump, his tail coiled around his body. He sniffled, a few stray tears lingering against his fur as irritation and jealousy took the place of sadness in the pit of his tummy. He didn't need them anyway!.

Erani

Nova had convinced her to allow him to take the pups out of the den for the first time. She had been completely unsure about it. A mother?s unease. But he?d soothed her into allowing him to take them. So they were out, except for Gabriel, who had been asleep. She had stepped out, taking time to herself, until her youngest son woke. She yawned and stretched out, trying to ignore the uneasy prickle in her skin. Her pups going out for the first time was tilting her world, and she scrabbled to keep hold. After a while, she popped up to her paws and started up the stone stairs with a sigh. She heard Gabriel?s voice and moved faster. Her child was crying. It was with a soft snarl that she entered the room and swept her gaze around to see what made him cry. There was nothing. The snarl died at once, and she padded to the small black male, nosing him to check for injuries. Nothing. So she gave the little male a loving lick on the face, cleaning the tears away. ?What is it, little love? Did you have a nightmare?? Her voice was soft, crooning, as she curled around him.

Gabriel

Gabriel whimpered, tail tucked rather pathetically between his legs, sniffling softly in the corner. His tiny shoulders trembled in their utter sorrow and he looked for all the world like a tiny broken toy. He didn't understand why they hadn't woken him up. he didn't understand why they left him behind. It broke his tiny heart, maybe they just didn't like him! Was it because he wasn't as pretty as his brothers and sisters? Was it because the only trait of his moms was his one blue eye! He whimpered. He heard the soft footfalls of his mother, and tensed at the snarl, was she mad at him for sleeping? He hadn't meant to sleep so late! Maybe he should apologize before she got any angrier! But the snarls ceased and suddenly her tongue was on his cheek and she was tugging him out of his corner, curling around his tiny body. For some reason this only made him cry harder. He buried his snout into the soft fur of her chest, wailing all of his sadness into her fur, he barely even heard her soft spoken words. he sniffled, attempting to regain some semblance of himself, but he refused to pull away from his mama's comforting warmth. "Why'd they leave without me mama? Why do they hate me?" His words came broken and garbled, chocked through his tears. He didn't understand why he was singled out, he just didn't understand! Hadn't mama gone with them? Hadn't she left him all alone too? Did that mean the rest of them were back? Would they see him crying? He sniffled one last time and forced his tears to stop, but he could not keep the sadness from his gaze, nor would be pull away from his mama's chest.

Erani

Erani?s heart wept for her younger son as he sobbed into her side, and she bathed him all over with kisses until the tears began to ease. His words made her chest hurt. ?Oh little one. They don?t hate you. They love you. They let you sleep. You seemed to be enjoying your dreams so much we didn?t want to wake you. So I went out and let you sleep. I?m so sorry, Gabriel.? She nuzzled him softly, sadness clenching her heart and twisting in her belly. Her little one thought he was hated. Her mind flickered to Neo, and her heart shuddered, and she reflexively curled tighter around her own son. She would bathe this boy in love. He would never be allowed to feel like Neo must have. ?Would you like to come out into the clearing? The sun?s still warm.?

Gabriel

His tears ceased there descent, his sniffling finally came to a halt. He didn't need his siblings, he didnt need his dad. he didn't mind being excluded from their day of fun. he let the bitter jealousy in his heart go. he didn't need it, he didn't want it. They could go on their adventures, they could go play in the grasses and the fields... he didn't need them. He relaxed folding into his moms embrace, a tiny black dot amongst a sea of white. he breathed her in like oxygen. He had his mommy. He didnt need the rest of them, her love was enough. He burrowed into her, pacified by his mama's words. Pacified, he accepted them, he wasn't jealous, nor was he angry, not anymore. "No mama... I don't wanna go with them. I would much rather stay here with you." His voice was calmer no, no heart-wrenching sobs, no heartache, just the gentle words as he recovered himself. He wasn't hated, he wasn't forgotten, he felt better, he let the happiness and warmth of his mothers embrace envelop him. Gabriel was at peace. "Could me and you go for a walk? Just the two of us? I love you mama, I miss you when you're not around... you will love me forever right? Cause I'll love you even after I grow up!" He licked her snout, soft pink tongue escaping him to bathe her, much happier, much more light hearted.

Erani

Erani bathed her younger son?s face and back, clearing away the tears as he finished his weeping. His next words made her heart both happy and sad at the same time. She wanted him to get out and about with his father and his siblings, at least until he was old and strong enough to go out by himself, but she couldn?t help but feel pleased that he wanted to stay with her. He asked a question, and she nodded, smiling. ?Of course we can, Gabriel.? She nuzzled into his round belly, licking softly. ?I love you too, Gabriel.? She smiled, and gazed into his mismatched eyes. ?I want you to know something. Even when I?m not around, I?m still with you, in your heart.? She nosed his tiny chest. ?Never forget this. And I will never stop loving you, not ever.? She nuzzled her son again, then rose to her paws. ?Come on. Lets go for that walk.?

Gabriel

Gabriel curled into his mothers embrace, allowing her to bathe and smoother him in love with little to no protest. He accepted his mama because she was his. His mama loved him and he knew that, and he loved her. Loved her more than he could ever hope to express! He dared anyone to question that... he didn't like rolling around in the dirt and getting all messy... it made him unclean, dirty, but he would do it if they questioned his love for his mama. Gabriel huffed. "Kay mama! Take me somewhere special! Somewhere that's just for me and you! Our spot!" Gabriel's smile would encompass his entire face, his short, stubby tail drifting back and forth as he struggled to maintain his excitement. All lingering traces of sadness and depression vanished from his visage, seemingly never there to begin with. She spoke to him and he would tilt his head in confusion. What did she mean? It didn't make any sense to the few week old pup. "Whatcha mean mama?" His question would come with child-like curiosity as he fell into step beside his mom.

Erani

Erani padded toward the ravine, ear cocked back to make sure he was close behind. He voiced his request, and she smiled. So she turned and made her way down a path that led up toward the top of the ravine. She paused at the top seeing if he?d make the climb. His question made her realize how it would sound. ?When you?re older, Little one, I?ll tell you.? Her voice was gentle as she watched him. She was an older wolf. Her likely hood of reaching a grand old age was unsure. She knew she had at least two more years. But beyond that? And there was always a chance for another Blackmoon wolf attack? She couldn?t evade Death forever. She had nearly died that night, when Guinevere had truly fallen ill. When Guinevere had lost trust in her. Those wolves had nearly been the end of her. Would have, if she hadn?t been so determined to get to Guinevere first. Sarak had been a lucky turn. He?d been young and inexperienced, and frightened. What would happen? When an experienced assassin came? Her eyes went to her youngest son. They wouldn?t get her children. They wouldn?t get her children.