Whisper's POV:

It has only been a few days since our return home. Dad and mom are with my siblings. Luckily, Thomas never hurt my sisters. Only me. I still haven't told Shade about that, though. I'm afraid about how he'd react. Especially since…since I'm…pregnant… I just found out this morning. That's the real reason I'm afraid. I know there's no real reason to fear my future mate, but I can't help feeling nervous.

Shade also has something on his mind. I can tell by his eyes, the way they seem to shift about, as if he's afraid of something. I can see a gray color in them. Something is upsetting Shade. Of that I'm sure. He won't tell me, though. He doesn't want to cry in front of me. He'll hold his feelings in until he bursts. That's just how he is. That doesn't matter to me, though. I love him no less than I did before. If anything, my love for Shade grows stronger with each passing day.

My mom and dad are still haunted by our capture. I keep telling them that it wasn't their fault. They couldn't have done anything to stop Thomas from capturing us. When they argue with that logic, I tell them how they saved us. That, even though we were captured, they came and got us. The outcome is all that matters. We are alive. That's what's important.

As it is, though, despite my logic, I am also haunted by my capture. I can't just ignore the fact that I was raped. I just can't. I spend the first few nights awake, too afraid to shut my eyes. However, on the fourth night, I decide I can stay awake no longer. I curl up on my nest beside Shade. After a moment's hesitation, I close my eyes and fall fast asleep.

I regret it almost immediately…

I find myself back in the tunnels. It's dark. The shadows are thick. I glance around, seeing no one. "Hello? Anybody there?" I call out, my voice shaking from fear.

"'ello, Whisper," a voice replies in a sinister tone. That voice sends chills down my spine. Thomas steps out of the shadows.

"Thomas, but you're…you're dead!" I gasp.

"Now, Whisper, is that any way ta greet me? Did ya tell 'im yet? Ya know, 'bout 'ow I got ya pregnant?" Thomas sneers.

"No…" I whimper, not understanding how he could know about that.

"Well, why don't I handle those future kits fer ya then!" Thomas growls. He raises a claw and brings it down onto my stomach.

"No! No!" I scream as the world fades to black.

I wake to someone shaking me. "Whisper! Whisper, wake up! You're having a nightmare!" Shade yells loud enough to penetrate my nightmare-filled haze.

"Shade? It…it wasn't just a dream…you know Thomas? Well, when he had me captive, after he chased you out, he…he…raped me…" I whimper, tears glistening in my eyes.

Shade's eyes widen in both shock and horror. "What?!"

"There's more. Shade, I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant with his kits," I look down after saying this last part.

Shade raises a paw to my chin and lifts my face up to look at him. I see only sadness in his piercing blue eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" Shade asks in a hurt tone.

"I…I wasn't sure how to. I was afraid about how you'd react…" I mumble.

"Oh, Whisper, I love you no matter what. These kits will be ours. I will be their father. I promise, I won't let anyone hurt you ever again." Shade's tone is sincere.

I smile at Shade, all my fears washing away. "Thank you, Shade. You're right. These kits will be ours. I love you, Shade," I capture Shade's lips in a kiss.

When we break away, Shade places a loving paw on my right cheek. "I love you, too. Now, let's get back to sleep. I am certain that you will have no more nightmares because of him," Shade speaks calmly, with a certainty that I admire.

"Okay, then. I haven't been sleeping well recently, after all," I reply. We both curl up beside each other. We are both asleep in minutes.

Shade's POV:

It is the next day after Whisper told me of her rape and pregnancy. I decided then to be with her every step of the way. As it is now, I can barely clear my head long enough to be of much use. I miss mom…so much. I haven't told Whisper, yet. I don't want to burden her with my pain. As it is, though, I won't be able to hide it for long.

I am sitting by the river, allowing myself to remember. I remember how mom took me in when everyone else shoved me aside. I remember how she loved me and cared for me in ways no one else could.

I jump at the feel of a paw on my shoulder. I glance to my right to see Whisper sitting there, looking worried. "Shade, what's wrong?" She asks.

"I…it's mom…she…she's dead…Thomas killed her…" I whimper, looking down.

I hear Whisper gasp. "Oh, Shade! I'm sorry to hear that!" She strokes my cheek, feeling the tears that have already begun to fall.

I look up at Whisper, more tears gathering in my eyes. My lip trembles. I throw my arms around Whisper as I begin sobbing out my grief. I hear Whisper speak words of comfort as I cry. I whimper and hiccup as I try to stop crying. Whisper strokes my back in an effort to soothe me. After a while, I manage to stop crying.

I pull away from Whisper. I sniffle and wipe the tears from my eyes. "Thank you, Whisper. I…I needed that…" I smile softly at Whisper.

"Shade, any time you want to talk about your mom, I'll be right here to listen," Whisper smiles back.

"Thank you. Let's…let's return home," I suggest.

"Alright," Whisper replies. Together, paw-in-paw, we return home.

Colby's POV:

It has been a couple of days since Jayden, Lacey, Kay, and I travelled with the others to the world above the ice. They're all good to us. My siblings have already begun to thrive. I, however, am another story. I miss mom a lot. My siblings do, too, of course, but they didn't know her as long. I want her back.

That is why I'm sitting outside right now. I need to think. I…I need to grieve…alone… I look down, wiping at my eyes when they begin to blur. I sniffle and look around. Since I am still near the cave, the others would most likely hear me cry. I get up from the ground and begin running. I hear a shout that sounds like Whisper's as I run off.

I keep running for quite a while. I glance behind me. That one time is all I need. I trip over a stone and, with a yelp, start tumbling down a rocky slope. I hit the bottom with a sharp cry.

I whimper while I try to get up. My body is bleeding from various cuts. My right ankle is throbbing. I grab ahold of my ankle instinctively, trying to stem the pain. That does little to help.

I whimper louder, before letting out a full-fledged cry. I begin sobbing from the pain. All the pain from my cuts and ankle intensifies, causing me to cry louder.

I feel arms wrap around me. I look to see both Shade and Whisper holding me. "It's okay, Colby. You'll be alright. We'll patch you up," Whisper speaks soothingly to me.

I whimper as I try to stop crying. After a while, I manage to succeed. I wipe the tears from my eyes, wincing from the pain of my scratches. "It hurts…" I moan.

"I know it does. Don't worry. We'll help you." Whisper smiles.

I nod my head. I bite back my whimpers as Whisper binds my injuries. Then, she embraces me again. "Why did you run away before?" Whisper asks.

"I…I didn't want you to see me cry. I…I was thinking about…about mom…" I explain, my voice choked by tears.

"Oh, Colby, I know you miss her. I understand," Whisper strokes my forehead.

"What's going to happen to us?" I ask, fear glistening in my eyes.

"Well, Shade and I were talking, and we want to adopt all four of you," Whisper speaks.

My eyes widen in shock. I look up at both Whisper and Shade. "R…really?" I ask.

"Yes, really. Colby, you and your siblings will be just fine," Whisper assures me.

I smile. "Thank you!" I go to hug Whisper only to cry out in pain. My scratches and ankle are killing me!

"Shhh. Don't move. I'll carry you home," Whisper soothes me. She picks me up and her and Shade bring me back home. We finally have a real family again. Nothing could be more perfect.