As dawn broke over the mountains, Dee slipped to the east from the Col to the Mile-High Woods. The area was becoming familiar to her as she spent most of her days patrolling and watching prey. It wasn't often that her hunts were successful, but she would practice and try anyway. Today would not be a day for hunting though. Instead, the mute wound her way through the thick trunks toward the location where Halo and Mort had set up their home to raise their pups. Prior to their birth, she had helped Halo transplant the garden beds up to this area so that she would have something to do with the pups over the winter.

Winterizing gardens was difficult from what Halo had described so Dee figured she would go up there to help for a day or two. Wanting to get an early start, she arrived at the edge of the rope they had set up for the pups just after the sun peeked over the nearby ridge. It was still rather quiet from what she could hear. Not wanting to disturb sleepy pups, Dee slipped under the rope and made her way to the garden beds. Gathering the tools she needed, she began working.

Ever the curious pup, Wylan was up early and out the door the moment their dad slipped out for his morning patrols. While he would love to go with him, and had hoped to catch him on the way out the door, when he nosed past the door he realised his dad was already gone. His big legs just moved too quickly!

He sighed, and looked around himself. It was still very early in the morning, and he didn’t want to disturb his mum. So what could he do to entertain himself? Just as he was wondering that, his eyes landed on a tawny wolf he had seen around before. He approached in happy, hop-steps. “Hello, good morning!” He said pleasantly. His Grandpa was always after him to use his manners. “What are you doing?” He asked in curiosity.


"Speech"