Ankyra Sound VIII. Standing in the back door crying, now you're going to need a friend.

The gray she-wolf redirected her question toward the palest among the group. Before Sugar could make any further inquiries, the agouti stranger announced his departure, mentioning a missing friend as he stiffly swiveled and left. Sugar frowned after him, though she didn't judge him for his hasty exit. In fact, she commiserated with his search.

There was no time to think about that now. Sugar's attention returned to Raleska, who lay motionless on the damp ground. "We need to keep her and the babies warm," she said quietly, black eyes roving over the white male's face. He hadn't introduced himself as Raleska's mate or the father of the pups, though clearly they knew one another. She would try to obtain more information from him later, sort out Rusalka's location.

Exchanging another look with the ringleader, Sugar dropped into a sit and scooted closer to Raleska, curling her small, warm body around the prostrate woman's. She slung her chin over the slope of her back and flank, affording her a view of the newborns. Her lips twitched into a faint smile at the sight, which immediately reminded her of Bat's litter.

All her weariness quickly caught up to her, despite the situation and the strangers surrounding her. Her eyelids drooped and soon Sugar slept. She didn't move at all, snuggled tightly against Raleska, and did not stir for hours. When she eventually did wake to find their patient had survived despite the odds, it would be as surprising as it was gratifying to the young medic.