Two months had passed since Aleu and Steele began life in their new home. Since Aleu had found out she was expecting pups, Steele had insisted she take it easy and let him take care of her while she rested and prepared. Steele had managed the hunting himself and with spring nearing, there was enough prey for them to keep fed. Steele had just returned from a hunt with large hare for Aleu. He began to slow when he got closer to the cave. Today, something was different. Aleu usually came out to greet him, but she wasn't waiting today. He placed the hare down then scented the air curiously. All he could smell at first was Aleu's scent, but then he picked up four new scents. He smiled softly and walked over to the entrance of the cave.
"Aleu? Did the pups arrive?" Steele asked quietly into the darkness. From the back of the cave, Aleu's sleepy voice was barely audible.
"Yes Steele. They are beautiful. Come in and see them," Aleu said softly. Steele walked to the back of the cave and saw Aleu lying down. At her stomach four small pups were resting. One pup had Aleu's facial markings, but Steele's fur colors. Another was the opposite and had Steele's facial markings, including a thin line black fur around the eyes, but the main fur color was light brown just like Aleu's. Another had fur that was a dark brown color, almost like chocolate, that looked like a combination of Aleu's and Steele's fur colors with Steele's facial markings and the same line of black fur around the eyes as the other pup, but a bit more bold. The last pup stood out a bit from the group. Though it had Aleu's markings, its fur was a light red, vermilion color, almost like a cross between Aleu's light brown fur and Jenna's dark red fur. Pride surged through Steele as he looked at each pup.
"What are their genders? What order were they born in?" Steele asked eagerly. Aleu gently pressed her nose against one pup after another as she answered.
"The black one is a male, he was born first. The light brown one is a female. She was born second born. The dark brown one is another male. He was born third. And this small light red one is another female. She was born last," Aleu said with a soft smile. Steele nodded and turned his attention to the pups again and sighed happily.
"You're right, Aleu. They are beautiful," Steele said in agreement. Aleu nodded and her expression brightened a bit.
"I have some names in mind for them. Would you like to hear them?" Aleu asked excitedly. Steele chuckled softly and sat down then looked at the pups once more before he looked back at Aleu with a nod. Aleu giggled happily.
"For the two females, I was thinking of Heather for the light red one and Freya for the light brown one. As far as the males go, I was thinking of Teagan for the dark brown one and Coal for the black one," Aleu said as she cast a loving look at the pups. Steele smiled brightly.
"Those names are wonderful and definitely seem to suit them," Steele said with a warm smile. Aleu wagged her tail happily.
"I'm glad you like them. Oh and Steele, I have something to ask," Aleu prompted. Steele flicked his ears curiously and tilted his head slightly as he looked at Aleu.
"Yes?" Steele asked. Aleu glanced at the pups for a moment as they woke up and began to nurse before she looked back up at Steele.
"After they open their eyes and can walk well on their own, would it be alright if we took them to visit my parents?" Aleu asked gently. Steele smiled softly and nodded.
"That's fine by me, Aleu," Steele said reassuringly. Aleu wagged her tail happily and licked Steele's cheek. Steele happily returned the gesture then turned his attention toward the entrance of the cave.
"I can bring in the food for you. I caught a hare for you," Steele said. Aleu licked her licks hungrily and nodded.
"That sounds wonderful," Aleu said. Steele nodded then went out and brought the hare inside then placed it in front of Aleu. As Aleu began to eat, Steele sat down and watched over his new family with wave after wave of happiness and pride rushing over him. Once Aleu was finished, Steele took the remains out and away from the cave before he buried them and returned again. By the time he got back, Aleu and the pups were asleep. He smiled softly and lay down beside Aleu and soon he too was asleep.