Swiftcurrent Creek Generation I

She felt proud of the children who nursed quietly at her side, and of her brother who had sacrificed his own free will to become her constant escort, and source of food. She opened her mouth to speak to him, but through the tangled roots of the tamarack trees she saw movement and she stiffened for a moment.

She sniffed, and felt herself bristle for a moment. Had Arlette come to uproot them? She regarded the woman warily for a moment, as her maternal instincts put her into a defensive mode. They were, after all, embedded in a nest of strangers and the pups were at their most vulnerable. 

But it was in goodwill that the beta had come- bearing offerings of herbs, it seemed. She trusted that Etienne would recognize them, if she did not- but when they were named, she realized that she was being gifted with herbs to aid her comfort. 

She did not move from her nest, where she kept the children safe and warm. She couldn’t see Arlette well from her position, but she called out with a voice that was warm and appreciative.

T’ank you, Arlette. De children an’ myself, we be doin’ fine. If you come by in a couple days, I would be ‘appy to show dem to you. The first few hours would be critical, the first few days a steep learning curve- but once she felt certain there were no immediate concerns, she felt she might welcome Arlette as their first visitor.