Quiet barks and whispers echoed from the cave walls. Long tails swayed over four puppies. Three were normal sized, yet one was weak and yapping for it's mother.
"We can't keep him, Kiyan, he'll die before Cold Wind." A deep but gentle bark came from the front of the cave. A pair of dogs, almost identical in size whispered back and forth.
"What am I supposed to do, leave him out there," The female dog pointed to the outside of the den," He's my pup, Jalkin, I have to help him."
"He'll drink up all the milk and the other pups will starve and he will still be the weakest. Please, as my mate, I know you know this as well. If he dies, he will not have to suffer anymore, he will join the ranks of Moonpack, just as your sister did. Lokin will take care of him," He murmured into his mate's ear. Kiyan nodded briefly, then quietly walked to the back of the cave where her pups lay. She picked the tiniest one up by the scruff and padded out of the cave. Jalkin walked up to her, she set the pup down and shook her head.
"No, Jalkin, I must do this myself," She picked up the pup again and started walking towards the lake, a half a days journey away.
Soon she was at the Horse Place. She headed for the marshy areas, hoping something would find him and end it soon. She didn't want her son to suffer. She set him down, carefully. Smoothing his light brown fur, she licked him all over. He kneaded her stomach for milk, but she pushed him away. He whimpered, but was not strong enough to follow her. Slowly she padded away, not daring to look back.