Vaike

         The small pup was nearly indistinguishable from the leaf-covered floor of the thicket as she slunk along under the trees. She tried hard to keep her tail from waggling as she neared her prey, but the other young wolf's head shot up and periscoped around, eyes narrowed in suspicion. The mottled she-pup froze, one paw in the air and waited for her packmate to calm down and go back to whatever it was older wolves did before inching just a bit closer and springing right on top of them! A whirling ball of fur and puppy teeth ensued, both wolves laughing uproariously once the victim had realized that it was just a zealous young packmate.
          "Did you see me, did you see me? I did it! I got you!" The little mottled and now very mussed up pup crowed proudly.
          "Well I would've seen you if you didn't look like a rambunctious little pile of leaves," Celbrimm grumbled with half a smirk, swiping a paw playfully over the pup's ears.

—

          Vaike gave her fur a couple quick licks before standing up and stepping out of the den. She blinked in the sunlight as her eyes adjusted, and to her surprise she was greeted with the sight of her parents and her mother's hunting party. The mottled golden wolf swallowed hard, trying to keep from looking nervous in front of the group. Celwynn was there after all, and Vaike did not want the big gray she-wolf to see any signs of weakness. Breaking her from her wary assessment of the team was a gentle nudge from Iaus.
          "You'll do great. Don't worry so much."
          "Thanks. I hope so."
          Then Vonnegaine stepped up to bump her daughter's forehead with her own, scrunching her nose in a smile as she murmered, "they'll love you. Now, come on, we've got hunting to do."
          Vonnegaine turned to give a nod to Celwynn and then follow her as she made her way up and out of the hollow. Vaike shook herself and began to trot after them, Domhara and Erinne flanking her and offering their own encouragement as they went. Vaike was still nervous, but as Erinne told stories of her own disastrous and successful first hunts she knew she would be in good paws.

—

          Vaike sat outside the herbalist's den, her eyes darting back and forth between all of the puppies playing around the hollow. She had taken up the job of pupsitter fairly soon after she had tried to become part of the hunting team, and though she had been a bit disappointed that it hadn't worked out with them this job was very rewarding. As she watched a young pup bounce through the glade she smiled and thought of all the relaxing, fun days like this she had been able to have. Another couple of pups came running toward her and jumped all over her as if she was some rock or something. The mottled golden wolf shook her head and glanced back at them with one eyebrow raised as they played.
          "You've done a pretty good job with all of these little creatures. They actually listen to you which is something I can never quite accomplish," a voice sounded before Vaike saw the golden fur of Narquelion the old herbalist.
          "Ah, you know. We're just a couple of wolves who didn't make the hunting cut but still got the long end of the stick," Vaike responded good-humoredly with a grin as the pups continued to climb on her and then overtake Narquelion as well.

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[Starting 254]