Life In Jasper Park

Chapter Four: Kate's Birthday

As the sun rose over the den of Kate and Humphrey, the family rose to greet the day. Not just any day, mind you... it was Kate's birthday. The wolves did not have clocks and calenders, but they had their own ways of measuring the passing of the years.

"Happy birthday, hon." Humphrey nuzzled his mate.

"Thanks, darling." Kate nuzzled back.

"Happy birthday, mom!" Jasper and Justine chorused.

"Thanks, kids." Kate smiled.

After breakfast, they were joined at the den by Winston, Eve, Lilly, Garth, Rosie and Wayne.

"Happy birthday, auntie Kate!" Rosie cheered.

"Many happy returns." Wayne grinned.

The family each presented their presents for Kate in turn. They were mostly simple things, like flowers and shiny stones, but Kate valued them regardless.

"I got you a very special present, sister-in-law." Garth chuckled. "Today, I will be performing double-duty on Alpha patrol, so you can relax and spend time with the family."

Jasper started snickering.

"What's so funny?" Justine asked.

"Uncle Garth said 'double doody'!" Jasper guffawed.

"Ugh, grow up!" Justine groaned.

"Are you sure?" Kate asked. "That's a lot of work to take on..."

"Easy, sis." Lilly playfully nudged her. "This is your special day. Cut loose, and relax!"

"Well, when you put it like that." Kate smiled. "By the way, Humphrey, where's your gift?"

"Oh, I've got a gift." Humphrey smiled cryptically. "But it's coming a little later. You'll just have to be patient."

"I trust it's not anything inappropriate?" Eve glared. "You know how I feel about such things."

"Yeah, sure." Humphrey smiled weakly. "It's totally on the up-and-up, I promise."

"Fair enough." Eve smiled sweetly, as she and Winston made to leave. "Have fun on your special day, Kate, darling!"

"I will, mom." Kate smiled.

After her parents and Garth had left, Humphrey turned to his mate.

"So, what would you like to do, hon?" Humphrey smiled. "You name it."

"There is something I've been wanting to do for a while now..." Kate mused.

A short while late, Humphrey, Kate and the pups were sliding down the forest in a half-log.

"WOO-HOO!" Kate cheered. "Oh, I've missed this!"

"Watch out for that rock!" Justine cried out.

Kate leaned the log to the side, dodging the rock.

"Relax, Jussy." Humphrey smiled. "Your mom's the best logsledder around. And why not? After all, I did teach her everything she knows."

"Yeah, chill, sis!" Jasper chuckled. "This is awesome!"

After their wild ride, Kate and Humphrey went to the fields and played with their children, engaging in faux hunting and pouncing.

"Gotcha!" Kate smirked, as she pinned Jasper for the third time. Adding insult to injury, she gave him a quick lick on the nose.

"Mooooom!" Jasper whined. "I'm not a baby anymore!"

"You'll always be my little baby." Kate teased.

Justine let out a loud snort.

"I heard that, 'Jussy'." Jasper pouted.

Justine bristled. She didn't let anyone but her parents call her "Jussy".

"What are you gonna do about it, momma's boy?" She taunted.

Jasper leapt to his paws, ready to confront his sister.

"Come on, kids, don't fight." Humphrey said as he stepped between them. "Not on mom's birthday."

Jasper and Justine glared at each other for a moment, then sighed heavily.

"Fine." Jasper groaned. "No fighting."

"Not today." Justine added. "Sorry, mom."

"That's okay, darlings." Kate replied. "Now, let's get back to the fun!"

At the end of the afternoon, the family returned to their den for dinner. As dusk fell, Lilly arrived, offering to style Kate's fur.

"You're going to look incredible." Lilly cooed, as she ran a pinecone through Kate's fur. "Just right for when... never mind."

"Never mind what?" Kate asked.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Lilly grinned.

"What's going on?" Kate demanded.

Humphrey suddenly stepped forward, taking note of the darkening sky.

"Okay, time for my gift." Humphrey smiled. "Come with me, m'lady."

"Well, it's about time." Kate said in a mock-angry tone.

By then, night had fallen. Followed by Lilly and the pups, Humphrey led Kate to Howling Rock, which was devoid of any other wolves.

"Ta-daa!" Humphrey declared.

"Where is everyone?" Kate asked.

"I called in a few favors." Humphrey grinned. "Everybody agreed to leave Howling Rock for just you and me tonight, for as long as you want. What do you say? The two of us, howling together, just like the old days?"

"Oh, Humphrey." Kate started tearing up. Ever since the pups had arrived, their howling opportunities had been few and far between, not to mention the merging of the packs had meant less available spots in which to howl. "This is the best gift ever."

"Shall we?" Humphrey pointed to the top of the rock.

"We shall." Kate chuckled.

Once they reached the top, the couple began to howl. They were in perfect synch, as always. Kate cast her mind back to the first time they had howled together, how magical it was. With a smile, she noted how nothing had changed.

"I love you, Humphrey." Kate nuzzled against her mate.

"I love you too, Kate." Humphrey whispered as he nuzzled back.

The touching moment was observed by Lilly and the pups.

"Oh, how romantic!" Justine cooed.

"Ugh, gross." Jasper gagged.

Humphrey and Kate, bathed in the light of the full moon, howled together once more. It was definitely one of Kate's best birthdays, one she would not soon forget.

To Be Continued...

(Alpha and Omega and all associated characters are the property of Lionsgate Entertainment.)