Golden Glade Halfway Through

Shalon as per usual could be found by her rock, she was in a lounging mood today. She hadn't been in a particularily good mood for the last few weeks. She was excited for the pups to come, especially Aspen's. She was still unsure of Heartha, she was a kind girl, however the despair from Aspen was still fresh in Shalon's mind. Shalon held nothing against the girl, from what she gathered it was probably an accident, but still it had hurt Aspen so deeply.

Before she could think herself to cruel, Alder's scent arrived before the man himself did. Looking his way with a small smile she waited for him to approach her, and listened to his words with care. A party? She thought. "I'll see you there Alder." She smiled even brighter, before realising that she now had to find presents! Shalon grumbled a little, she was terrible at gift giving. With a sigh she set herself to the task. What to get? What to get?

She headed toward the stream, it was getting more and more cold as the days passed by. She no longer took morning baths, instead she merely stayed for a drink. As she dipped her head to quench her thirst, Shalon peered toward the bottom of the river. At the bottom she could see the stones, the water rushing over them and yet they remained firm and in place. She thought for a moment, closing her eyes and sighing she lept into the water. A small yelp signifying how cold the water had become. Reaching her head to to bottom of the bed, she picked up a rock, and quickly excited the river. Placeing the rock on the grass she nodded to herself. It was perfectly smooth, with cascading waves of colours rippling through the stone. It was a mixture of brown grey and black stone. Perfect. This would be her gift for Aspen. The rock of their pack, she was firm and cool, letting life pass over her without the slightest of flinch. Aspen was Shalon's rock. She was rather proud of this gift, and hoped Aspen would like it.

With on hurdle out of the way, Shalon moved onto the next mother of their pack. The Den Mother. What did she want? If anything? Shalon was very well aquainted with Heartha, and so wasn't sure what her likes and dislikes were. She thought for a moment remembering the rituals her mother once told her of. In her mothers pack the alpha females were given herbs and pendants to help with the birth from the subordinate females, and the subordinate males would help the alpha male construct the whelping den. This gave Shalon an idea, even though she knew little about herbs, she did know of one. One that could help with anxiety and relaxation. She had seen lavender growing near the border and sandalwood growing near the entrance of the mountain. She realised she only had 30 minutes to travel to both places and make it back to the meadow. With the rock firmly in her jaws she ran toward the border, and then toward the main den. She was running out of room in her maw though, and didn't want everything to be all slimy. She had 15 minutes! With a small garballed sigh, with a small shrug. Hopefully they wouldn't be to bad.

She arrived before the guests of honour. Thank god! And she went looking for a place to hide, she couldn't see anyone else so she assumed they were either hiding or on their way. She had just found a place to hide when she heard Alder and his horribly loud foot steps, with a small shake of her head, Shalon was sure the two pregnant females would knew that something was up. When Alder spoke of the empty clearing she emerged from her spot calmly, laughing slightly at Alder's excitement, and leaving her presents hidden until it was time for them to be given.  "Congratulations Aspen, Heartha." She smiled at them both, glad to celebrate the additions to the pack.