Blacktail Deer Plateau Beyond the veil

Kisu had risen early, something he always did. He gave Pied a gentle lick before leaving, doing his best not to wake the sleeping mother-to-be. It seemed to him that she hadn't been sleeping well lately. The male headed out the den with excitement, deciding to find some new spring flowers to bring to his mate.

While walking, Kisu thought impatiently that he wish the pups were here. He pictured females, he pictured males; every marking that would come from himself and Pied were mixed and matched, until he settled on a large litter of rust, grey, and the stark white his wife's fur held. All of them had indigo eyes like the small piece of Pied's orb. Smiling to himself, he continued his search for Pied's gift.

Soon, he happened upon white flowers that seemed to have been dipped in a pink. The sun had risen by now, Kisu taking his time and enjoying the scenery. He snatched a few up, and turned himself to gaily trot back to the den.

A howl cut into the air, and his stomach dropped. He froze in place, eyes focused in the direction of he and Pied's den, as if he had focused hard enough that he would see what was going on. Not a moment later, he darted forward, the taste of flowers leaking into his mouth and a look of desperation in his eyes.

When he arrived, the grey wolf saw the a black she-wolf waiting outside of the den. He moved forward slowly, as if he were walking around land mines. He looked at her with a dreaded curiosity as he lowered himself into the den, completely missing the fact that his young lay next to the female.

His mouth parted, the pale flowers dropping into a pool of blood. "No..." he whispered. Kisu moved forward, ignoring Peregrine, and gasping quietly when he saw Pied's lifeless eyes. He nudged his nose into the side of her face anyway. Then, Kisu did so again. A whimper rose in his throat. Burying his black nose into her throat, golden eyes shut tightly. Kisu lifted his muzzle and howled a song of primal love and sorrow.

A few beats later, he opened his eyes and panicked, looking around rapidly. He jumped up and ran out of the den, only slightly relieved when he saw the two pups, tiny as could be. He ran over to them, nudging them to see if they were alive. "We need to bring them to Hawkeye..." Kisu said quietly, voice grave. He picked up the white one in his mouth, hoping that either the female or Peregrine would follow with the other close behind.