Swiftcurrent Creek Tooth and claw

Long shadows stretched to signal the ending of another day. The sunset in the distance was fiery and stretched in blazing orange across the sky, fading to blue in the distance.

Nicodem was drawn to the heavens. He carried a prized deer antler in his teeth. The surefooted pace he had set for himself allowed him to cross the pack and find shade near the base of a tree. The borders were not far from that place. He didn't fear the edge of the pack. Instinct told him to remain close to his home.

On his belly, Nico began to gnaw at the antler. His eyes returned to the skies above his head.

Border patrol found Arric at the 3dge amd then he came across the little ones Nicodem. He stopped patrolling and headed towards him a small smile on his face. 

Heyo Nico. He called out. 

Wondering if he would receive him as mae did, he was with the little snots all the time. And he loved them well. But they may not feel the same.

He watched with blue eyes as the boy gnawed the antler. Neàr the borderw but not enough he was worried.

Uncle Arric appeared, calling out to the young wolf.

Nicodem lifted his head from his prize, ears perking tall on his head. When he was certain that it was only Arric and that the man did not want to take his antler, the boy's tail began to thump against the dirt.

Whatever issues Mae had with their caretaker had not met her brother's ears. Nico did not carry animosty toward any of the residents of the creek. He was much too young to feel such emotions. They had all tended to the children as they grew. Arric was just another friendly face.

As far as Arric was aware none of the pups, except maybe Jakub had any problem with him. Mae was actually often his shadow. So it was with delight he came across Nico and smiled for the youth.

He approached slower than he normally would, because he didn't want the boy to think he was after that antler, besides he had his own back at his own den that he chewed on and a giant bone. Speaking of which, his mouth watered a little at the thought. He'd have to remember to dig that out a little today.

Whatchu doing? Wanna do some fishing?

The pups were not yet old enough to hunt completely and fishing he felt was alittle easier at the moment to get them too. And it was hot enough that if they decided to play in the water rather than fish, it wasn't a big deal.

Arric was good at filling the children's days with activities. Most nights, the dark trio would fall into dreams and sleep heavily until they were woken. This was a benefit to playing hard. In addition to these restful nights, Nicodem had found that his young body had already started to grow. He was more gangly than he had been. His fur stood at odd directions upon his shoulders. It would not be long before Arric could take them all hunting for prey that ran instead of swam.

Fishing would be good. Fishing would cool their bodies and would give them a fine feast. Nico had grown attached to the waters and the prey that swam within it.

The dark young wolf waved his tail and waited for Arric to lead them.

A smile lit up the blue of his eyes and he nodded. Great. Grab your antler so your brother and sister don't get it. And lets go.

The river broadened in front of them as they walked towards it. The blue if it sparkling against the bright sunlight. Shadows of the bodies in the water. 

Arric motined at a small bendy tree. You can put your antler right there then follow me in.

Arric stepped into the water mindful not to go too far for the pups body it would come up to his little knees maybe. The cool water a nice feeling on overheated skin.

Good thought, Arric.

Nicodem clutched his antler in his teeth and turned to follow after the man who charted their course. He kept up as best as he could, trotting on shorter legs to maintain Arric's speed. It wasn't long before the waters spread out, glinting in the light of the sun.

Placing his antler gingerly near the base of the tree, Nicodem turned and hurried back to the edge of the water. His eyes were bright and sharp. He watched the dark man's confident posture and shuffled his paws so that he could mimic it.

Nico was the quiet puppy of the three. Mae was the loud and rambunctious and Jakub, well he was a thinker, deep.

Alright Nico, come on in. Don't go past me though okay?

Once the boy was settled. He'd shift and nod towards the water. See the fish in there? They darted along the  bottom of the river bed. Random colors and sizes. The blue of the river inviting and the coolness of it on their limbs a welcome reprieve.