Another year passed by easily. The wolf pup brothers became the full guardians that they needed to be. They hunted for the family, protected the family, and always relaxed in Jenna's presence. They even seemed to relax in the ice daughter's presence, too. It was as though they knew that these two were a part of Jack. That they were special. All of the forest animals in the region knew who Jack was by now. It was luck that Jack found the two pups when he did. Fur traders had happened by the den less than an hour after he had found them. He saved their lives.

They were wary with the other family members, but they were tolerable. They did help hunt down rabbits and other animals easily to get them into Jack's range. They were, actually, his wolves now. He didn't plan on them to become imprinted to him, but it was inevitable. He decided to show that the two wolves were special. That they were protected. He made a trip to the jeweler's shop.

"Uncle Jack!" Jenna's daughter waved. She was carefully sorting through some small gems that just arrived. He nodded to her and looked around.

"Hello, Marla. Is your Master in?" he asked casually.

"No. He had to go to the smithy for more metal," she said. "Can I help you?"

"I need two pendants made," he said with a smile. "With these."

"Oh!" she gasped at the two ice diamonds he placed on the counter. "For what?"

"The wolf brothers," he smiled. "I think it's time that they received proper collars to show that they are not fully wild. They do help me hunt, you know."

"Yes," she nodded. "What main collar base?"

"I was thinking a form of opposite color furs. Black for the white wolf and vice versa. It would help the collars stand out more. The gems in them could become reflective. If a hunter tries to attack them, they could shift for various lights to disorient the attacker."

"That would be a bit pretty for jewelry," she beamed.

"You could try the same thing with regular diamonds. You know that the diamonds I provide are very special," he reminded her. She found a small bag of the diamonds he provided, and he warned her of how special they were. She could only agree with him.

"Um…did you see Mother today?" she asked, as she took the gems to place in a small bag.

"I did. She was working with Kaitlin earlier today. They may need to get more mushrooms. It's a rather popular demand now," Jack nodded. "Did you plan to continue to apprentice elsewhere?"

"I could, but I want to help Mother. Maybe in another four years. Right now, I'm happy to be here," she beamed. He chuckled and gave her a small fur as a gift. She giggled with childish delight, as she took it to snuggle into. She would ensure that the gems were given to Master Dulfilo. He focused on where Jenna was and went to her. She had just carved up some rabbit meat to feed the wolves with.

"Jenna?" he asked, as he put his arms around her. "What are you doing?"

"Hmm? Oh. I was feeding the wolves," she chuckled. "How are you today?"

"Not too bad. Did you need more mushrooms?" he asked.

"I have a fairly good supply right now. Um…there was something I wanted to tell you, actually," she said. She was clearly quite nervous about it. He looked at her with a smile.

"I'm right here. What is it?"

"I haven't been with Clifton for a few weeks. He's been so busy with the smithy," she sighed. "Well…I think I'm getting the signs that I'm pregnant…"

"What…?" he blinked at her.

"I don't know for sure. It could be false. I just…keep finding myself going for more sweets. I always seemed to do that at the start of each one."

"You can't possibly…"

"If I throw up tomorrow morning, then I'll know for sure," she smiled.

"But…it would be mine and yours! I mean…" he winced.

"All of my children should have been yours, anyways," she said softly.

"Jenna…if you are pregnant…I mean…well…" he stammered.

"If I don't throw up tomorrow, then we will know it's false. I know my body, Jack. It's how I am. What are you so worried about?"

"My child with you…it could kill you…"

"We don't know that."

"All this time nothing happened. You birthed a female for me to follow. Yes, if we have a baby, I will do everything I can to protect it. It would just…sort of make no sense as to how…"

"Jack," she said with a stern touch. "What did I just say?"

"If you throw up, then you will know."

"That's right. Until then, I will play it off that I'm not. I had a couple odd cases with Clifton in the spring, too, remember?"

"That you did."

"So, don't worry. I'll be fine," she smiled. "I'm feeding the wolves now. I do need more rabbits, though. I may need a few more sheep. I need to slaughter a couple that are nearing their time. I have to kill them before their meat spoils."

"I'll see what I can do," he muttered and kissed her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him hold her. She knew he was very afraid now. I'm not supposed to be pregnant. But, that's if I get sick. For now, I will continue my normal routine. She knew all too well that Jack would be watching her every move. He was going to play as the over-protective father. At least until the morning.

Even the wolves seemed to sense that something was going on, but they showed indecision. In the end, they seemed to take on Jack's approach. They kept a form of protective vigilance around her. It was what they tended to do, anyways. She didn't say anything to Clifton or the others. There was no need to announce anything. Jack would see how she was in the morning. As much as he wanted her to have his child, he knew it would be too good to be true.