Notes:
Sorry that this chapter isn't quite as long as the last ones, but I felt like ending the chapter there.
Shadow in the Forest- Thank you, and thanks for favoring my story. Wolves are one of my favorite animals, too! I have some characters in mind, but I do think I might need more Darkseekers, so you can send me some if you want.
Birdflame- lol, totally
If you're a Warriors fan, you might enjoy my other story Fox's Blood.
Ch. 4
~River~
She walked back to the nursery carrying a squirrel, so deep in thought she almost bumped into Flower on the way in. Flower looked curiously at the young wolf before shaking her head. "She obviously hasn't been eating enough, but other than that and her nerves she seems to be alright. I had her chew on some mint leaves to calm her and gave her a couple poppy seeds to help her sleep. Give her that squirrel when she wakes, but what she needs right now is some rest." River nodded, dropping the squirrel and sitting down. Flower cast one last glance at Ritco and left the den. River watched her leave, then looked down at the sleeping pup. She watched the gentle rise and fall of her small side and listened to her steady breathing. I hope she wasn't abandoned. Who could abandon a pup? I would never do that, especially not to my own. Wait, will I have pups?
She liked the idea and continued thinking about it. Yes, I think I could be a good mother. I would teach them right from wrong, what some wolves fail to do. I would teach them to track and hunt and… hmm, maybe their father would want to do that. But maybe that depends on who the father would be. Who would he be? Let's see, who would be a good father… well, Birch might- her thought stopped abruptly and she shook her head. What am I thinking? He's my best friend! Thinking about having a family with him is weird, not to mention wrong! That's it, River, no more thoughts about pups for you she silently decided. River suddenly felt a presence beside her. She whipped her head around and saw Ridge standing just inside the nursery, watching the black pup.
He then moved his hetero blue and brown gaze to her, and she held back a shiver. "I came to speak with her." River straightened in her seated position. "Well, obviously you can't" she responded in a firm tone. "As you can see, she is getting some much needed sleep." The Beta male came to stand beside River, looking at Ritco once again. River tensed, rose to her paws and stood above the sleeping pup. "Flower said that she must rest." Ridge pinned his ears back in annoyance for just half a heartbeat. "Then I will wait" he said evenly as he sat down in front of the pup's nest. River slowly relaxed and sat back down in her original spot beside Ridge.
They sat there in silence, Ridge staring at the wall, seeming lost in thought, while River would occasionally fidget uncomfortably. It went on like this for what felt like moons as the sun slowly descended in the sky, the Beta only having to shift once to remain comfortable. River spent most of the time watching Ritco but would sometimes glance at Ridge, wondering how he could sit still for so long. Flower had entered the nursery to see if Ritco was awake yet. When she saw Ridge, she simply looked at the pup from the entry way of the den. Ridge never turned his head to Flower like River did, though she knew that he had heard the she-wolf enter. Flower then cast a worried glance at River and the Beta's back before quietly leaving.
River almost sighed in relief when she saw Ritco begin to stir. Ridge also noticed and he watched the pup with hard, unreadable eyes. Ritco lifted her head. "Oh. Hello, River" she said drowsily. River gave Ritco a small smile, suddenly wishing that the pup hadn't woken up. Now Ridge will see no reason to wait any longer to speak to her.
~Ritco~
Ritco yawned, turning her head. When her eyes focused, she held back a small gasp as she noticed a large, brown male sitting right beside her nest, staring at her. I get the feeling he's not the friendly type she thought to herself as she sat up with wide eyes."Ritco," River began hesitantly, "this is Ridge, the Beta male of our pack. He just wants to talk to you for a little bit." Talk? He looks as if he wants to rip my head off! But the pup gave a silent nod. "Good." Ritco flinched at his deep, steady tone. River looked uncertainly at the Beta male. "I thinks it's best if I stay here with her." Ridge looked at the young she-wolf, his strange eyes glinting slightly. "Why do you say that?" he asked roughly. River smiled kindly at the Beta, but Ritco could see the on-edge look in her eyes. "Because you might seem a little… intimidating to a pup" she answered with a laugh in her voice. Ritco hoped that Ridge couldn't read River's eyes as well. The male stared at her, as if trying to decide whether or not to believe her words. River continued. "She knows I won't hurt her, and having a wolf she trusts stay here might give her the courage to answer your questions." Ritco watched River hold her smile, obviously trying her best to convince him. Ridge watched her a moment longer. "I'd rather speak alone with her… but I suppose you're right. You may stay." Ritco sighed inwardly. She didn't think she would even be able to breath in this wolf's presence without River by her side.
"Now." he said, looking back down at Ritco. She gulped and straightened in her seat. He seemed to loom over her like ominous storm clouds, his voice the threatening thunder, his eyes the flashing lightning. She could've sworn there was a growl in his voice as he said, "Let's begin."