Redtail Rise third,

a second! a boy! he too thought of their first litter, but considered their girl this time, and where she might have gone. had the world taken her or had she found a life somewhere else? all this mused over as he looked toward the darkness of the den and the warm maternal world beyond it.

the children whimpered and cried aloud, proof of their health.

because he did not expect more children, mountain boulder rose after a time and sniffed tentatively toward the mouth of the shelter, wondering if new snow wished for more food or to have their oldest daughters gather.