Swiftcurrent Creek luminescent

She spent most of her days following her acceptance into Swiftcurrent mostly resting and gorging on what food she could find in the territory, hoping her new pack mates didn't see the unbecoming gluttonous display – she hadn't realised just how hungry and tired she had actually been.

Winter had been kind to her, even as a wandering dispersal, but the renewed energy she felt from finally having a place to sleep comfortably and regular food (that wasn't just berries) had forced her to concede that maybe the life of a loner had quite a few more downsides than she had actually noticed.

Today, however – rested and re-energised – Pukei sought to map out more of the territory; if she was going to make a home of this place, she wanted to know every square inch of it! She was no scout, but figured the creek that cut through the area served as a handy starting point.

So she started from there, nose to the ground and following along the riverbank, taking in all the new scents of the land.

Arric was never far from his wifes beck and call. But he still did have other duties even if she was his first priority. Her and their little munchkins growing hearty in her womb.

It was with determination he walked the borders and the pack lands. Eyeing for any intruders. Keeping a weather eye that no threats loomed.

He smiled as he came across a new face. Lifted his head from scenting the earth.

Hello.

A friendly greeting followed the sound of pawsteps, and Pukei looked up to see a dark male approach, the silver ring around his eye immediately catching her attention. What an odd marking. It didn't detract from his features, however; if anything, it complemented them. First Akavir and now this guy – were all the men in Swiftcurrent so handsome? Pukei felt her heart flutter in girlish bashfulness as she nodded her head in response with a delighted wave of her tail.

"Hello! Very sorry if I intruded on anything, I've just been trying to acquaint myself with the territory!"

She was small like Arlette, but not as cream fur. But she did smell distinctly like herbs and grasses. He would have to mention it to Arlette she would probably like to talk shop.

You're good. I'm Arric. Have you found it to your liking?

He thought of the different places that he loved in the creek that Arlette loved.

My wife Arlette she tends a garden that way.

He pointed with his paw. Tapped his foot to the ground.

Theres a real nice bend in the river that way that makes for some excellent fishing

He introduced himself in the same way that Akavir had; even his name was similar. She gave an exuberant nod at his question, before following his gesture as he pointed in the direction of a garden. Her eyes lit up in recognition, recalling what Akavir had said about Arlette. "Oh! She's Swiftcurrent's healer, right? Akavir mentioned you guys only had one!"

He spoke then of fishing, and she swung her head in the direction the river headed, making a mental note. At least she could practice her fishing skills here. She turned back to Arric, ears falling back politely as she remembered another crucial detail. "Wait, your wife – so that means you're Swiftcurrent's Beta? Akavir didn't mention your name! It's great to finally meet you!"

She paused, then quickly added. "Oh, and congratulations on the pups! You guys must be so excited!" Pukei didn't hide the fact that she shared in their joy as her tail waved in circles behind her.

He nodded his head. That she is. And trust me when I say. Akavir and I were here without one for almost a year before she came. It was hell.

Arric chuckled and nodded. That I am. Nice to meet you. Yea i don't doubt it.

Akavir was gruff and quiet and often he didn't mention Arric by name. Not because he didn't want others to know his name, but rather he was so used to Arric he just didn't share it.

We are. I can't wait to meet the littles.

Almost a year! Pukei wanted to pry further into the details of what a pack did without a healer, knowing it was a struggle especially with what Akavir had said, that they were mostly comprised of hunters. She imagined it would have been rough going – maybe that was why the alpha had an assortment of scars. Briefly, she surveyed Arric out of curiosity, noting his own old scars and the similarly strange marking encircling his eye that she found her gaze drifting back to every so often.

The conversation then turned to a lighter topic that Pukei was all too eager to engage in. His reply made her giggle – what parent wouldn't be excited to meet their babies?

"Ooh! When do you think they'll arrive? How many, do you know? Are you hoping for more girls or boys?" The questions spilled from her mouth as she barraged him with questions, not stopping to let Arric respond nor take a breath. "Akavir mentioned they might be a pawful – y'think they'll take more after yourself or their mother? Imagine if you get triplets, or even quadruplets!"

Arric thought briefly of the scars he wore from their first time as a pack. The fight that ensued. He briefly glanced at both his shoulders. His long fur covering up the scars there. It had not been an easy fight. He was peppered with other small scars all throughout, but he was lucky enough to have a head of hair, so his fur kept them hidden pretty well, even in the summertime.

He chuckled. Any day now. I don't know how many, but I'd wager more than two. I don't care what their gender is. They can be both genders for all I care. Just as long as they are healthy and happy.

He chuckled. Well let's hope for everyone in this pack. They take after their mom and not me. MMkay.

I had to go digging. I didn't realize his scars were no longer listed. I fixed it. Sorry about that.

Oops! No worries <3 I'll edit my post, too!

Arric didn't seem to mind her endless questions, responding with a light-hearted chuckle. A smile spread across her own features approvingly. As long as they are healthy and happy. Well, she doubted the pups would be starved of love and happiness if their father was anything to go by, and surely with a healer as a mother they'd be in the best paws possible health-wise!

His next statement caused her to release a loud laugh before she quirked an eyebrow. "What?" she blurted out incredulously. "Was the proud Beta of Swiftcurrent a trouble-maker in his past life?" she teased.

Arric was an avid advocate for questions. How else were you supposed to learn? Could they be tiresome sure, but he didn't mind too much. And he would never quiet the voice of one so curious. That was a cruelty. 

Arric laughed outright then and nodded. I wouldn't say troublemaker exactly. But I sure didn't run from it. Didn't start it, but I sure finished any trouble.

A tilt of his head a proud cant of his ear. He wasn't ashamed ofhis past. It made him who he was, and he had never hurt anyone. Just your general roughness that came from growing up wild.

Arric's clarification caused another laugh from Pukei. So he had been a trouble-finisher. She wondered at his upbringing; if he was the responsible child of the litter who had to constantly break up fights, or if the pack he grew up in was just particularly rough.

But that was the past – either age, or having become Beta of a pack (as well as a husband and now father) had smoothed out his rough edges. "Well, I reckon it wouldn't be a bad thing if they take after you then," she said with a cheerful wink. "They may just grow up to be peacekeepers!"

However, if the future pups' version of trouble-making came in the form of harmless pranks, Pukei would be more than happy to help them develop their skills.

Arric had his fair few of fights. And he had certainly had his moments of bold and prideful mistakes. But he had lived and he couldn't fault himself for it. Being an only child did that to you though. You learned how to amuse yourself. 

Maybe not. Their mama might kill me though.

They  might with the mama they have. She is sweet as the day is long.

We can probably archive this soon! Trying to wrap up my older threads haha

It seemed like it would be a toss up on which personalities the children would have with such an even split – rough and tumble like their dad? Or sugary sweet like their mother? Of course, the rest of the Creeks' members would be there to help redirect the energy of any of the troublemakers and coax the shy ones into participating in pack life.

"Well no matter how they turn out, I'm always happy to lend a paw with pup-sitting duties!" Pukei declared with a determined nod, as if volunteering for a grim shift in the trenches of war. Perhaps she was.