Swiftcurrent Creek Danger in the fabric of this thing I made

@Zephyr
Forward dated to April 2

He had spent the morning hunting, hoping spring would provide something substantial to sustain his fast-growing family. He had stalked a herd of deer for a while but eventually gave up the endeavor when he found nothing weak enough for a single wolf to take down on his own, not even one as large as the alpha. Plus, he had started to fear he had been gone from the den too long. Between the three of them, the children were well-tended, but he still hated being gone for very long. He just could never completely assure himself that everyone was safe unless he could see his family with his own eyes. So he had settled for catching two quails he had been able to find flitting about in the trees near the creek. 

As he started to make his way back to the den, birds clasped between his powerful jaws as he moved, Kavik's mind drifted to Zephyr as it often did in the weeks since the arduous birth of his four children. Alessia had been a great mom even in the the few days after the birth when she was was clearly still exhausted and recovering. But he couldn't help but notice that she paid less attention to their youngest daughter than she did the rest of the pups. She tended to her needs, but Kavik could tell something was different about her relationship with the small pup. He could tell she felt guilty about the events surrounding Zephyr's birth, that she wasn't able to take care of her like she had the other three, but Kavik didn't think any less of her or consider it her fault; her labor had not been easy, and she had just been too exhausted. He didn't mind that he had to step in and help; it was his responsibility as their father. So instead of approaching the subject with her and risking upsetting her further, he had just tried to make sure Zephyr got plenty of attention from him. 

As he passed through the opening of the den, he stopped, eyes focusing on the tiny, wriggling form on the side of the cave opposite of the rest of the family. A quick glance to Alessia showed that she was fast asleep, which explained how his daughter had made it so far from the group. She was toddling around, trying to find her way back towards her mom and siblings, and Kavik dropped the birds and headed towards her as a small cry left her mouth. When he reached the pup, he slid down to the ground, surrounding her with his forelegs and offering a few comforting licks to her head and back. You're okay, he said softly, knowing she couldn't understand him yet, but hoping his voice would calm her fear.

Since opening his eyes for the first time, the sprite has learned many things about the world around him. Already the pale boy has categorized each entity and influence in his life — and he's decided that he Does Not Like the dark blob of warmth and food that sustains him. It's rather unfortunate, really. The other dark blob, the larger one that isn't around quite as often, is fairly alright — but that blob doesn't provide milk. The whole thing is terribly unfair, and he can't help feeling a little agitated by it. So naturally, he attempts to flee as soon as he gets the chance. He doesn't know where he's going, really; maybe to find dark blob #2, or that vaguely reddish blob that gives him so many unwanted baths. Anywhere but here.
He doesn't make it very far, unfortunately. An unexpected noise interrupts him, and he freezes in his tracks with a startled cry, head whipping clumsily around to fix on the source. To his relief, it's only dark blob #2. He goes still and limp when the blob approaches, whimpering quietly when warmth surrounds him and he feels a familiar tongue against his head and back. He curls against one of his father's forelegs at the sound of his voice, sighing and relaxing in a way he seldom can in his mother's embrace.

She calmed quickly enough, resting against his leg with a small sigh. He offered a few more hopefully comforting licks, unable to resist giving her affection. He already loved her more than he had ever loved anything in his whole life; it was a suffocating kind of love, one that he knew would make him do things he wouldn't do in any other circumstance. He felt that way about all four of them. Kavik didn't care, though, and he was glad to see that Zephyr's strength was increasing as the days passed. He offered one more lick before resting his head next to the tiny puppy, taking comfort in the feeling of her tiny chest moving with each of her breaths. He probably looked even more giant next his youngest daughter, even if she wasn't the smallest of the four of them. He released a contented sigh, happy to stay here as long as she was comfortable.

She eventually fell asleep, curled against him, and he soon joined her, content in the moment spent with his daughter.