"But i dont WANT a destined mate!" Shadow Sight complained to his mentor, Frozen Stream. He had just gotten back from training and introduced to the new pup of the pack, a female brought in from who knows where. She seemed nice enough, but now that Frozen Stream had told him away from the rest of the pack that she was his destined mate, Shadow Sight had some issues.
"Too bad, pup. We do as the leader commands, and she has commanded that you and the new pup be bonded upon your warrior ceremonies." Frozen Stream growled, not giving Shadow Sight a chance to argue, he went on; "besides, whats the matter with having a beautiful female as your mate? Unless you prefer males..."
Shadow Sight shook his head, his lip curled in frustration at being told who to mate with, though there wasnt anything wrong with wanting a male mate, he wasnt ready for any type of mating.
"Then its settled. You and Summer Wind will be mated. I suggest you get to know her, you may end up liking her." Frozen Stream huffed as he turned to padd off, his tail wagging in the air.
Grumbling his frustration, but admitting his mentor could have a few good points, Shadow Sight trod gloomily toward his new asigned mate.
Moons had passed and, as promised, he had grown to love his asigned mate. They were never far from each other, often times hunting and playing together. One day, the leader, Flame's Shadow, called a meeting. With a regal dip of her head, she announced that it was time for the ceremonies to begin. Shadow Sight was made a hunter, while his mate was made a pupsitter. Overjoyed, he ran to her, and they spent a long evening hunting and enjoying their new status.
Before more than a few sunrises passed, it was obvious that his mate was expecting his pups, and his joy couldnt be more complete. When the early birth started, he was numb with shock and terror. Two of the pups clearly had something... different about them. They struggled to breath through their too flat faces, their eyes bulged and their tongues were too long for their muzzles. A shudder rippled through the hunter as Shadow Sight grieved with his loving mate. He knew these pups would not grow up. In a moment of desperation, he turned and ran from the den, ran from the pack, and out of their lands, to the sacred Grove. Returning home, he gently placed the still writhing body of a spirit jelly beside each of the afflicted pups, watching as the long limbs curled around each pup, slowly entangling into their fur, soaking into their very essence. Before very many breaths passed, the pups looked as they did before, but their breathing was stronger, even if it still rasped. Relief washed over Shadow Sight. Yes, his pups would never grow up, but at least now, they would never die.
Hunter 
Hunter