Steele was woken up by a lick on his nose. He opened his eyes and was met with the sight of Tuulikki's blue eyes, nearly a mirrored version of his own.
"Good morning!" Tuulikki said brightly. Steele grunted lightly as he stood up and gave his body a shake. He quickly glanced around the clearing and noticed that the rest of the pack members were still asleep. His head titled slightly in confusion.
"What the…" Steele grumbled lowly. Tuulikki playfully head butted his side with a soft yip.
"I know it's early, but sometimes like to go for swims in the morning before a patrol and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me," Tuulikki offered while her tail wagged swiftly from side to side. Steele raised a brow and looked her curiously as he considered the offer. Soon he found that he couldn't help but smile and he nodded once in agreement.
"Alright," Steele replied with a chuckle. Tuulikki yipped softly once again and displayed how pleased she was with his answer.
"Excellent! Let's go!" Tuulikki said before she quickly dashed off. Steele widened his eyes momentarily in surprise then grinned widely and ran after her. From across the clearing, Castoph lifted his head and glared after Steele as he disappeared.
"Enjoy it while you can, Steele. You won't be the favorite for long," Castoph said bitterly with a low growl. He got up and shook off his fur then nudged Beku's side. Beku grunted and lifted his head.
"What do you want, Castoph? It's too early for you to be messing with me," Beku said with an annoyed tone as he draped a paw over his face. Castoph lowered his ears apologetically.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need your help. It might help me get Steele out of the alpha's good favor," Castoph said lowly. Beku flicked his ears with interest and looked intently at Castoph before he stood up.
"How's that?" Beku said, a little less annoyed and more intrigued. Castoph grinned lightly.
"We'll, he and Tuulikki went off alone together not long ago. If we could find a way to have the alpha see them without them knowing that they are being watched, he may see something he doesn't like. I'm certain that they are just behaving while he's around," Castoph explained. Beku raised a brow and grunted lightly.
"You honestly think that would work?" Beku asked. Castoph grunted lightly and cast his gaze downward.
"Well… I don't know. I thought it was worth a try," Castoph mumbled quietly. Beku groaned in slight frustration.
"Whatever. I'll go talk to the alpha and try to come up with something I guess. When I motion to you, walk over," Beku said before he walked over to Altair's den. Once at the entrance, he sat down and barked lightly. Altair woke up then walked over to Beku.
"What is it Beku?" Altair asked calmly. Beku dipped his head with respect.
"Sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if we could start the patrol early today. After all, our pack has a new member and the patrol may take a little longer. Plus we will probably want to be sure he knows the borders well too," Beku said. Altair flicked his tail thoughtfully as he considered before he finally nodded.
"Very well. Would you mind fetching Steele and asking him to see me? I'd like for him to be at my side as second in command for the patrol," Altair said. Beku turned and subtly motioned for Castoph to come over. Castoph nodded once then walked over.
"Steele isn't here, Altair," Castoph said softly. Altair grunted lightly.
"Where is he then?" Altair asked firmly. Castoph glanced around casually.
"I think I may have seen him leave with Tuulikki earlier this morning," Castoph replied. Altair flicked his ears slightly at the news.
"Did they tell either of you they were leaving?" Altair asked. Beku and Castoph both shook their heads. A very low growl rumbled softly in Altair's throat for a moment, but he was soon silent and lifted his head to scent the air. Once he found Steele and Tuulikki's scents, he began to walk.
At the river, Steele and Tuulikki were enjoying their swim. Tuulikki giggled and tugged gently at Steele's ear as she gracefully swam past him.
"Come on Steele! You're such a slow swimmer!" Tuulikki teased. Steele growled playfully and swam after her then pulled her under. Just as the two went under the surface, Altair and the others appeared. Castoph growled lightly.
"He's going to drown her!" Castoph exclaimed before he quickly ran then leapt into the water. Altair and Beku ran over to the water's edge. Bubbles came up to the surface then the water settled. Soon, Steele came up to the surface holding Tuulikki by the scruff. Shortly after, Castoph came above the surface gasping for air. Steele quickly swam to the shore then laid Tuulikki down. Castoph was out of the water shortly after and sat down still panting slightly. Steele shot him a fierce glare and bared his teeth.
"Are you insane?! You nearly drown her! If you hadn't leapt on top of her and made her take in that water, she'd be fine right now!" Steele growled. Castoph growled and bristled slightly despite his wet fur.
"You were the one who was trying to drown her!" Castoph retorted angrily. Steele grunted and raised his brows in dismay.
"Why would I want to drown her?! We were playing, you idiot!" Steele shouted. Altair growled loudly in frustration and used his flank to push both of them into the water.
"Both of you shut up! My sister needs help, not arguing!" Altair growled angrily. He turned to Tuulikki, but was surprised to see Beku already helping her. He had gently turned her over so her chest was facing upwards. He then placed his paws on her chest then pressed down a few times successively. He repeated the procedure until Tuulikki finally stirred and opened her eyes. She rolled over onto her stomach and gasped for air then coughed up some water. Beku smiled lightly then turned to the others.
"She's going to be alright," Beku said happily. Tuulikki nudged his hind leg with her nose and Beku turned back his attention to her.
"Th-thank you," Tuulikki said quietly before she laid her head down and closed her eyes. Beku pressed his nose softly against her muzzle in response. He looked back up as the rest of the pack walked over. Altair smiled lightly at Beku.
"Thank you, Beku. Can you help Tuulikki back to the clearing? Once you get there, take her to my den and watch over her so she can rest," Altair said. Beku nodded once then nudged Tuulikki's shoulder gently. Her eyes fluttered open and she lifted her head. Beku gently helped her up and the two headed back. Once they were out of earshot, Altair faced Castoph and Steele with a glare.
"What is wrong with you two? Explain yourselves. Now," Altair demanded, his annoyance clear. Both Castoph and Steele lowered their heads and were quiet for a moment. Finally, Castoph broke the silence.
"When we got to the river, all I saw was Steele taking her under. I overreacted and didn't realize it until it was too late. I'm sorry Altair," Castoph said quietly. Altair grunted lightly then looked at Steele expectantly. Steele sighed lightly.
"I'm also sorry for not telling someone before Tuulikki and I left. If I had told someone we were going, this probably wouldn't have happened," Steele said. Altair nodded then sat down with a soft sigh.
"Listen you two. Something like this better not happen again, understood? Now since Beku and Tuulikki and headed back to the clearing, it's just down to the three of us to do the patrol. Let's go," Altair said before he stood up and began walking towards the nearest border. Both Castoph and Steele nodded followed after.