"Matsi I want to be your mate but I'm not sure of a lot of things, I'm not worried about winter cause I'll make sure any pups I have survive no matter when they are born" Banshee said. Banshee stretched and looked at Matsi not worried if she was rushing things. After all he could just say no if he wasn't comfortable with it.

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“Really?” Matsi wagged his tail. “I want that, Banshee.” Matsi stood up, shaking the snow off his fur. He smiled at Banshee.

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"of course" Banshee replied. Banshee stood up smiling at Matsi. "well then let's make a little game out of this, if you wanna be a father as soon as possible you'll have to catch me" Banshee teased Matsi. Banshee grinned and ran towards the river but wasn't exactly trying to get away from Matsi. Banshee was in a happy and playful mood and kicked up snow as she jogged away from Matsi.

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Matsi smiled and chased Banshee towards the river.

At the Den
Dakota sat along the edge of the tree line. Something wasn’t right... he could feel it. He tried smelling but the wind made it hard to pick up any scent. He decided to rely on his sight.

He began walking along the the tree line until became to a matted patch of grass. He leaned down to sniff it and smelled a stranger wolf. Who would come this close to a pack? Confused, he turned and head back to the den. Suddenly, the wind shifted and he smelled the wolf. It was still here.

He lifted his muzzle and began sniffing. He walked towards the smell, but it began growing faint, so he started to run. Something about the smell was familiar, but it didn’t belong to any of these wolves... who is this? He was running frantically through the forest, until the smell disappeared. He stopped, Sara perked and looked around. Where did it go?

A different smell caught his attention, and he turned to see Matsi and Banshee running and laughing in a clearing. Defeated, Dakota returned to the densite to find Ahanu.

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Banshee slowed down a bit so Matsi could catch her. "this is so much fun" Banshee chuckled. "I can get a little childish some times are you sure you can handle me" Banshee teased.

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Matsi laughed and nuzzled Banshee,

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the Densite
Dakota found Ahanu by the waterfall with his pups. "Brother, I need to speak with you."

"Pups, go see your mother," Ahanu told his children.

"We should follow close behind, you shouldn't leave them on their own," Dakota told his brother in a serious tone. Ahanu was shaken by his brother's words, but they followed his pups.

"What's wrong?" Ahanu asked.

"Remember the dead pups?" Dakota said blankly. Ahanu nodded, not speaking. "A stranger wolf has been coming around, looks like just one, but I'm not sure who they are or what they want."

"Have you told Nanook?" Ahanu asked, watching his pups closely.

"No, I don't want to worry him for no reason. As far as I know, it could be a lone pup looking for help," Dakota explained.

"Or a viscous killer looking to make a meal out of us," Ahanu added. The wolves stayed silent as they reached the den.

((I just realized I totally forgot about that other pack I was playing. I'll figure out what to do with them later haha))

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"Well I guess I've been caught, so matsi what should we do about your prize?" Banshee teased playfully. Banshee smiled happier than she'd ever been before that.

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Matsi laughed, and brought Banshee into the forest and out of the clearing...

---------

At the Densite...

Dakota watched his nephews and niece run around the densite. They weren't much smaller than him when he started training, and it made Dakota feel he has to train them quickly. Once more snow comes, it'll be harder to run. Dakota turns to Ahanu. "I'm going to take them on a hunt."

"Dakota, Atlas' pups were much older when you started training them," Ahanu protested.

"But we weren't. They are stronger and bigger than Atlas' pups were when they were that age. If I start training them now, it'll make a world of a difference during the winter," Dakota explained. He never would of thought he'd revert to their old pack's traditions, but right now it's necessary.

Ahanu sighed. "Alright, but I plan on being actively involved in their training, unlike Nanook," Ahanu decided.

"Alright but don't get in my way, big brother. I run the show out there, understood?" Ahanu nods.

"Kids, come. We're starting your training early," Dakota announced. The three pups looked confused, but walked towards their uncle. "Let's go." Dakota turns and begins to lead them to the forest, Ahanu close behind.

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Banshee followed Matsi and gave him a soft nuzzle as they walked together. Banshee hoped Sol and Kato would be excited for her but she had noticed Katos odd behaviour and wondered if he was mentally well or not.

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After a while, Matsi emerged from the forest. He thought he'd be prancing around like a pup, but instead all he could think about was how nervous he was to be a father.

----------

Dakota walked until he came to a field. There were a couple deer around, but Dakota was focused on the fawn all by herself. "Ahanu, let's get the fawn," Dakota said. "Pups, stay here, stay hidden."

"I thought this was their training?" Ahanu asked, confused.

"It will be. Don't kill the deer."

Ahanu and Dakota advanced on the pack, and soon enough, they got the fawn.

Dakota dragged the struggling fawn back to the treeline to the pups. "Ready?" he asked, mouth full holding the fawn. The pups seemed afraid, disturbed. Their eyes were wide as the fawn squirmed and squealed in pain, blood soaking the snow. Dakota let the fawn go and she immediately ran. The pups hesitated, but ran after her.

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Banshee lagged behind a little but was still close to Matsi. Banshee was happy and excited for her pups. "Hey Matsi let's not tell Kato, he hasn't been himself for awhile, my mother has been constantly keeping an eye on him" Banshee said.

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“What’s going on with Kato?” Matsi asked, worried. Him and Banshee were family now, so Kato was like a brother to him.

—-

It took a while for the pups to even catch up to the fawn, but once they did, they did everything right. If they’re jaws were a little stronger they might have been able to kill it.

“Good job, guys,” Dakota congratulated. “Let’s eat then go home.”

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"We don't know he just isn't acting like himself. He could be sick or hurt, or his mind is just worn out" Banshee replied. "I don't know how he'd react to the news and I don't want him to react badly" Banshee says walking beside Matsi now.

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“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure he’s just adjusting to pack life,” Matsi told Banshee, nuzzling her. “I wonder what our pups are going to look like... they can’t come sooner.”

As they neared the densite, Matsi grew worried. “I’m going to go talk to my dad, I think it’s best if I go alone.” Matsi spotted his dad on the hill and approached him.

“Hey Dad,” Matsi greeted. Nanook could tell something was wrong. “There’s something I need to tell you...” Nanook waited silently. On the outside he appeared calm and stern, but his mind was racing as Matsi took forever to say what was on his mind. “Banshees pregnant.”

“Oh,” Nanook said, relieved. He had thought something horrible happened. “Well, that’s fine, it doesn’t really affect us.”

“I’m the father,” Matsi blurted out. Ears low and head lower.

Nanook’s head and ears perked up, then relaxed. “Well, congratulations Matsi. That’s exciting.”

Matsi I was confused. “I thought you’d be angry, having pips during the winter...”

“There’s a lot of us now, we don’t have to worry so much anymore. Your pups will survive I’ll make sure of it.” Memories flooded into Nanooks mind of his and Atlas’ first litter. Four of the tiniest pups he’d ever seen. They were beautiful, healthy, and yet the winter took them so quickly. Nanook shook his head, it will never happen again. There was only one able hunter then, now there’s 17 able bodies, not including Kais three pups who will be joining them soon.

Matsi smiles at his dad and left to tell Tamaska and Kai.

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Banshee looked to her mother and slowly approached her. Banshee wasn't one to get nervous but her mother could be terrifying sometimes and she hated to cause disappointment. "can I talk to you for a minute mum?" Banshee asked.

Sol looked up at Banshee and frowned seeing how nervous she was. Sol got to her paws and nuzzled her daughter. "what ever you've got to say I'm here to listen" Sol says.

Banshee led Sol away from Kato and stopped when she was at a comfortable distance. "I'm pregnant and Matsi is the farther" Banshee said and watched Sols reaction.

"I see well that was expected, not this soon but what's done is done" Sol said as her tail wagged. "don't make a habit of having winter babies" Sol warned.

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