Our land – Offspring.
Prologue.
Cries of pain echoed through the large, gloomy cave. The grey female wolf was lying on her side, her eyes closed, sweat on her nose as the pain shot through her body.
"It's almost time," another female wolf said. Her red eyes glowed in the dark of the cave, and there was a twisted grin on her face.
The grey wolf lifted her head from the ground.
"Can't you get help?" she asked out of her breath. "what if something is wrong with my cubs?"
"Do you want your brother's pack to find out about us?" the brown wolf snapped. "You foolish wolf. You don't understand anything."
"I'm not a fool…." The grey wolf whispered, but the other one interrupted her.
"Just push, you pathetic little pup!"
The grey wolf was silent and obeyed. She let the pain flow through her body freely, and concentrated on her duty. Within an hour, it was over and she could rest, curled protectively around three newborn cubs. She stared at them lovingly with half open eyes.
"They are so beautiful," she whispered weakly.
"Let's just hope they are useful as well," The brown wolf said, looking down upon the new mother and her offspring from the high rock she was sitting on. "We have to begin their training as soon as we can."
"But they're just babies," The mother wolf protested. "They can't even walk yet."
"Silence!" The brown wolf snapped. "I know what is best for them, I am their big sister and my father told me everything I need to know."
"Carlotta…." The mother tried to pretest again, but she was silenced by a growl. Carlotta had stood up on her rock and showed her sharp, white teeth. Her red eyes flashed with anger.
"Don't talk back to me, Shani," she threatened. "Remember, I can do this just as well without you. Just take care of your cubs like I told you to. I will handle the rest."
"And what of the herd?" Shani asked. "What will happen to them?"
Carlotta giggled. "Oh, we've got some plans for them… me and daddy."