Swiftcurrent Creek snips and snails

A screechy, indignant sound drew Bazi's head towards the mouth of the den. She could vaguely make Tuwawi out in the gloom, dozing but fully aware of the children around her, as if true sleep had ceased to exist the moment two had become six. The Beta knew the pups' names by now, but couldn't match one to the small, bright-red tot that turned out to be the source of the commotion. Jökull? Maera? Whoever it was, she wasn't happy about Tuwawi's need for a moment's rest between feeds.

Bazi turned her body and scooted on her belly a few inches past the threshhold. "Buu," she repeated at Maera's turned back, hoping to distract the girl enough for her mother to grab some well-deserved shut-eye.