"sounds like a plan but I may have to leave sooner than I thought, if you and Banshee could tell that I'm not well it won't be long before the rest of them notice" Kato says. Kato got to his feet and sighed. "what would you say to Banshee if she asks about my disappearance?" Kato asks.

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"sounds like a plan but I may have to leave sooner than I thought, if you and Banshee could tell that I'm not well it won't be long before the rest of them notice" Kato says. Kato got to his feet and sighed. "what would you say to Banshee if she asks about my disappearance?" Kato asks.

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“Well I’m not going to lie. But I don’t want her to risk her life or the pup’s trying to find you. I think I’ll just tell her that you’re sick and you’re leaving until you get better. I think if I don’t tell her that I’ve been in contact with you she’ll be upset if she finds out so I’ll tell her that I’m looking out for you.” Matsi felt worried and unsure, but he hoped this was the right decision.

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Kato nodded and smiled. "as much as she cares for me she wouldn't risk the health of her children, I think she knows when I've made up my mind she can't change it anyway but you tell her what ever you feel is best I'll leave it up to you" Kato said. "Alright let's head back to the den before they wonder what we've been doing besides I'd hate to keep you from Banshee" Kato chuckles softly.

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Matsi laughed and began heading back to the densite. As the pack came in to view, he paused. He felt the gentle winter wind blowing in his thick fur, the cold snow against his paws, and for the first time in a long time, he felt safe in the cold.

He watched his pack as they mingled amongst each other, the pups played and the adults laughed. His siblings relaxed, rolling and jumping in the snow, his nephews and niece wrestled. Everyone was happy, they felt safe together.

For the first winter in a long time, Matsi felt like he was living rather than merely surviving.

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Banshee was curled up next to her mother and had decided to ignore her mother's various attempts to groom her. Banshee sat up watching Matsi and Kato return, Banshee wagged her tail slightly and watched Matsi.

Kato wondered off to find a quiet place to rest away from the others, Kato looked restless and worried but seemed to feel more comfortable alone.

Sol watched her son walk off to be alone but she didn't follow him. Sol knew he wasn't himself so she let him be. Sol was bothered by her sons expression but knew what ever was wrong it was up to him to tell her if he wanted. Sols attention returned to Matsi and Banshee.

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Matsi saw Banshee and Sol and went to lay down with them. He didn’t say anything, just gave Banshee a smile.

—

Nomad was laying near the hill with Catori when he saw Matsi laying with Banshee. “What’s up with that?” He asked his sister. Catori growled a quiet growl, as she had been trying to sleep. She opened one eye and looked at the two wolves Nomad was looking at.

“Banshees pregnant,” Catori mumbled, closing her eyes again.

“Pregnant? From who?” Nomad asked, clearly surprised.

“Matsi, dumbass.”

“Since when?!”

“I don’t know. But they left together and came back together all cuddly.” Catori was annoyed with her brother, who cares if Matsi and Banshee have pups?

“Does dad know?” Nomad was on his feet now, looking at his pack mates frantically.

“Probably. Relax.”

Nomad was standing, watching Matsi cuddling with Banshee. He then looked at Kai, who was scolding Ahanu for roughhousing with their pups. Then he saw his parents, watching proudly as their youngest litter played. Suddenly, Nomad knew why he felt the way he did, where was his mate? Winter was here, and in the spring he’d have no little pups to care for. His ears flattened and his tail drooped.

Catori could see Nomad’s sadness. She looked around at all the couples and knew immediately why Nomads mood has sank. “Nomad, since when do you care about settling down?” Catori asked, finally sitting up. Nomad said nothing. “You’re Nomad. You sit around harassing us, flirting with any female passerby who happens to come near the territory. Why are you suddenly so concerned about starting a family? You probably just want it because you’re seeing it a lot lately.” Catori was licking her paw as she said this.

Nomad listened to his sister as he watched his brother grooming his new mate. He didn’t know why, but he felt like starting a family was the next step for him.

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Banshee nuzzled him gently as he joined them and let him groom her. Banshee watched Sol walk off towards Nomad and Catori. Banshee assumed Sol was just going to ask them some thing so she decided to pay more attention Matsi.

Sol had seen Nomad get upset and figured it had something to do with Banshee. "Hey Nomad, everything ok?" Sol asked. Sol nodded in greeting to Catori but didn't say anything to her and spoke quietly so she didn't disturb Catori.

Kato watched the pack go about their business and thought about leaving the pack and how he'd leave with out being caught.

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Nomad was surprised Sol had come to see him. “Oh, ya I’m alright,” he answered, lifting his head high and laughing it off. His tail wagged slightly and he smiled. “I’m just tired is all.”

“Tired? You don’t do anything,” Catori mumbled, keeping her eyes closed as her thick fur soaked in the sun.

“So, are you excited to be a grandma?” Nomad asked, cheerfully.

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"Well I'm proud but my feeling are all mixed up, it's going to be hard but a pack has to start some where, at least they aren't alone if they were on their own the litter wouldn't survive long at all, are you worried that you need to get a mate?" Sol asks. "Don't worry you might just find a mate this season, lone wolves will seek out shelter where ever they can, even if it means joining a pack just be patient" Sol replies.

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Nomad laughed. “A mate? No way, I don’t settle down. Besides, parenthood isn’t my thing.” Nomad sat and began grooming his paw.

Catori could sense the worry in Sol’s voice. “Nanook seems fine with winter pups. He seems to have a lot of faith in all the pups surviving the winter.” Catori said nothing else, but she watched Sol.

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"your father is older than me so I'll trust in what he has to say but sometimes it's down to luck, there's a lot of things that can go wrong with a first litter as well" Sol says. Sol looked at Nomad and sighed. "don't be embarrassed around me I'm only 2 years older than you I'm not some old she wolf that's out of touch with how the young ones feel because it's been centuries since she was their age" Sol laughed softly.

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“Well I don’t need someone else in my life in order to be happy. I’m doing just fine without striving to be a parent or a mate,” Nomad said calmly.

Catori rolled her eyes at this but ignored him. “Well, we’ll do what we can to make sure those pups survive. I won’t come home from a hunt until I have something to feed them, that’s for sure,” Catori said to Sol.

“Oh how noble of you, since when?” Nomad said sarcastically. “Since I’ve known you you’ve been all about herself and no one else.”

“I’m the best hunter Atlas has given birth to. You think I got there because I don’t care about our pack?” Catori snapped. Nomad said nothing.

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A lone charcoal-colored male trotted through dewy ferns. He shook some droplets from his black nose and glanced around. Timber wasn't sure where he was, but he hoped it was unclaimed territory so he wouldn't have to fight anyone. He weaved through the ferns and past a bramble thicket. He then froze, one front paw off the ground in mid-step. His clever yellow eyes had seen a flicker of movement towards his right shoulder. What was it? His nose confirmed a hare. With a flick of his tail, he lowered himself towards the ground to stalk the creature. With a great pounce, he extended his jaws to cut his prey's life short, sitting up with satisfaction from his kill. Dinner is served, I suppose.

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"Thank you Catori, I'm greatful that you will do what you can to help" Sol said softly. Sols eyes shifted to Nomad, "What ever you say, just remember what I've said, well I better leave you two alone, rest well Catori and Nomad try not to stress you'll be fine" Sol said.

Kato decided now was the time to slip away from the pack. Kato headed for the river dragging his paws through the snow. Kato paid little attention to the world around him as he approached the river, Katos head hung low to avoid using too much energy.

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