It was about midnight now and Lilly and I were inside our den, waiting for the Northern Lights to start. The snow had been coming down pretty good for the last couple hours and there was already about an inch of it outside. Dakota and Lupa wasted no time going out to play in it like they always loved to. Even Chase and Alexis were out there, having just as much fun.

Lilly and I were laying on the bed Dakota and I got earlier when we went into town, both of us covered by the blanket. She was cuddled as tight as possible to me to help stay warm, but was still shivering. "Lilly, if you want me to, I can build a fire so it'll be warmer…." I said, rubbing my hand up and down her back. She smiled and said "Won't it go out in the snow?"

I chuckled and said "Not all the way out there, but right at the entrance. That way the smoke doesn't build up in here." She nodded and said "Okay, that does sound good! I'm still really cold…." I kissed her cheek and said "Okay, Dakota and I'll go find some wood real quick. Just stay here and stay warm so you don't get sick, okay?" She smiled again and said "Okay….Be quick!"

I got up off the bed and wrapped the blanket all around her as she snuggled down into it before going outside to Dakota and Crystal. "Hey, buddy! Wanna help me with something?" I asked, smiling at them. He sat down and said "Sure, what is it!?"

"I need some help getting some firewood. Your mother's getting real cold, so I'm gonna make a fire to help warm her up. Don't need her getting sick while she's pregnant." I said. He quickly nodded and said "Yeah, I'll help you. Any idea where to look?" I looked around and said "If we can just find some broken branches and bark, that'll work perfect."

He nodded and we walked off to try and find some wood. We came across a small, dead looking tree on the hill going up to the campgrounds which looked like it'd burn for a few hours. "Hey, that's a good one! Help me break it down…." I said as we walked up to it. I started pulling on it while he pushed against it, trying to break if off near the ground.

After a few minutes of trying, it finally snapped apart, sending us falling down. It wasn't a bad fall since he simply got up and shook off, saying "Well, that worked! Think it'll be enough?" I nodded and said "Yeah, I think so. Doesn't need to go for too long." We started walking back to the den, which was only a few minutes away and he said "Well, I'm gonna go back to Crystal now."

"Alright, buddy. Thanks for the help!" I said, smiling. He was too and nodded before running back over to where Crystal and their pups were. I went inside the den after setting the small tree down outside to see Lilly still bundled up and shivering a little. "Hey, you're back already!" She said, smiling.

"Yeah, didn't take too long. Still cold, huh?" I asked, chuckling. She rolled her eyes and said "No, I'm perfectly warm and toasty here….What do you think!?" I smiled and started breaking the branches off the tree, putting them in a small pile right at the den's entrance. I walked over to the car and got a lighter before going back over and lighting the wood.

It took a few tries, but it finally got going, and pretty strong too! The heat immediately started radiating inside, quickly warming the den. Lilly started to feel it and pushed the blanket off, saying "Ah, much better! Much warmer!" I smiled and sat down next to her, slowly rubbing up and down her back, which made her purr.

"What time is it?" She asked, looking outside and up at the sky. I pulled my phone out and looked at the clock, saying "Almost 11:30 now. Shouldn't be too much longer…." She nodded and leaned against me, rubbing her head against my shoulder. "Good….I can't wait!" She said, closing her eyes to relax.

Lupa's POV

Shadow, Aatu, Fable and I were all laying in our den, waiting for the lights everyone was talking about to start. We were excited to see them, considering we never had before even though we've been here for two years! Fable and I were laying together near the front of the den while Shadow and Aatu were talking in the back. I was keeping an eye on them both in case one of them did something wrong and upset the other. Aatu was still kinda wary around him, and I really can't blame him after what Shadow did. They didn't sound like they were having any problems and I was getting bored just laying there, so I got up and walked out to go get a drink. Fable followed me and when we got a little ways away from the den, she asked "Mom, can I ask you something?"

"You just did…." I said, smiling. She sighed and rolled her eyes, saying "Anyway….When am I gonna come into heat again?" I shrugged and said "Probably not for a few months. Why do you ask?" She visibly blushed a little and said "When I do, can you guys keep Aatu off my back this time? I know he's only looking out for me, but I AM getting old enough to find a mate, right?"

"Yes, you're right. If you want us to, then we will. Sure you're ready for that, though?" I asked. She shrugged and said "I don't know, to be honest. Guess I'll have to find out when the time comes…." I smiled and said "If it's what you end up wanting, then your father and I'll be extremely happy for you! Maybe Aatu'll think about it, too….It's time he finds a nice girl."

"Maybe…..So, say when I DO come into heat again and find a guy….And we mate…." She said, blushing more, but also smiling. I giggled and said "Two options….One, you both love each other and can accept the possible outcome. Or two, you don't and possibly end up having to raise pups yourself. We'd be there of course, though."

"You and Dad wouldn't be mad if that happened?" She asked. I shook my head and said "No….Hell, your father and I only knew each other a few days when I got pregnant with you two. And we were less then a year old! You're over two now, so it's past time for that."

She nodded and said "What if I don't wanna have pups at all?" I smiled a little and said "Then that's your choice, honey. Not everyone has to, but they don't know what they're missing!" She giggled and said "Well, I need to think about it a while longer before I decide anything….I don't wanna get pregnant only to realize it's not what I want."

"That's a really good idea, honey. Take as long as you need to think it over and let us know what you've decided on. No matter what it is, we'll be happy and support you." I said, nuzzling her. She nuzzled me back and said "Thanks, Mom! I'm getting pretty tired now, so I'm gonna head back and get some sleep, okay?"

I nodded and said "Okay, goodnight then!" She turned around and walked off back to the den, leaving me by the water. I sighed and thought to myself "I sure as hell don't want her to have to raise pups by herself….I need to talk to Shadow about this."

As if he'd heard me, he suddenly walked up out of nowhere, saying "Hi, baby!" I jumped a little in shock and said "Jesus, you scared me!" He chuckled and said "Sorry….Whatcha thinking about?" I shrugged and said "Just something Fable and I talked about."

"Did it have to do with pups?" He asked, sitting down next to me. I looked up at him and said "Yeah, actually! How'd you know?" He smiled and said "Lucky guess….So, what's up?" I smiled a little and said "Fable seems to be thinking she needs to find out if she wants pups or not." He slowly nodded and said "And what'd you tell her?"

"That it's her choice if she does or not. You and I don't get to tell her if she can or not, it's her choice." I said. He smiled and said "I know it is….Aatu was asking me about almost the same thing, too." I giggled and said "And what'd he wanna know?"

"For one, how to even TALK to another girl…." He said, laughing. I was too and said "Aww….What else?" He smiled again and said "What I did to get you to love me…." He nuzzled me and I said "Easy, you said hi! After that, it all just kinda fell into place."

"It did, huh? Anything you'd change if you could?" He asked, looking into my eyes. I smiled and said "Not a thing….Everything happened how it did for a reason and I still wouldn't want to change anything." He kissed my nose and said "Me either….I love you, Lupa!"

I purred and returned it, saying "I love you too, Shadow!" Right then, we heard Aatu and Fable clear their throats behind us. We quickly turned around to see them sitting behind us, trying not to laugh at what they saw. "Having fun, you two?" Fable asked, giggling.

"Maybe….What're you two up to?" Shadow asked, smiling. Aatu was too and said "We're just wondering if you guys were gonna stay up any longer." Shadow and I nodded and I said "Okay, that's fine with us. Just be back soon, alright?"

"Okay, Mom. We won't be gone long!" Fable said as they walked off. I smiled and when they were out of sight, said "I'm glad they like to hang out together. Dakota and I could hardly spend a few minutes together before we wanted to kill each other!"

Shadow chuckled and said "Yep, same with Crystal and I….You feel like heading back to the den now, babe?" I nodded and said "Yeah, I kinda do. Feelin' kinda sleepy now…." We started walking back toward the den and I couldn't help but think about if the kids do find their mates sometime soon. Just as we got back, I asked "What do you think will happen if they find someone to love?"

We laid down together just inside and he said "One, probably pups….And two, they might find their own dens as well." I smiled and said "Yeah, good point. Then again….That just leaves us a LOT more time and privacy together….."

He chuckled and said "Now that you mention it….Think we could have a bit of fun tonight?" I giggled and said "Hmm….What should we do?" He quickly kissed nose before rolling over on his back, making me laugh. "Oh, so you wanna do that!? Could be kinda fun…." He smiled and his tail started wagging as I stood up and moved over him, kissing him as I did.

I pulled back after a couple minutes and moved down a little, smelling his musk as the tip of his wolfhood started to come out. I smiled up at him, saying "Mind if I start this time?" He smiled too and said "Not a bit…." I giggled and lightly rubbed my nose on his wolfhood, making him groan in pleasure. "Mmm, Lupa….You know exactly what I love, don't you?"

Lilly's POV

I must've dozed off for a little bit while we were waiting to see if those lights were gonna happen tonight. I slowly came back to reality and opened my eyes to see Cody putting a little more wood on the fire to keep it going. I smiled and sleepily said "Hey, babe….What time is it?"

He looked back at me and said "About 1:30. Kinda fell asleep, didn't you?" I giggled and said "I think so….Did I miss it?" He shook his head and said "No, it hasn't started yet. Might not tonight, I'm not sure…." I noticed he'd put the blanket back over me, so I pushed it off and got up to stretch.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. I gotta pee…." I said as I walked up to him. He smiled and said "Alright then. I'll be here…." I went out and off a little ways until I found a good spot and did what I needed. I stopped next to the lake for a drink on my way back, seeing Dakota and Crystal on the other side. They were just laying together and looked to be talking. I smiled to myself and walked back to the den where it was warmer.

I went back in and laid down next to Cody, who started slowly rubbing my back and making me purr. "That feels so good…." I said, laying my head down. I heard him chuckle and I said "If they don't start in the next hour, I'm going to bed. I'm getting tired…."

"Yeah, me too. I think Eve and Kevin already did." He said. I smiled and said "Actually, they're just trying to be quiet right now…."

"Ah….Well, either way…." He said, laughing. I cuddled against him and rest my head on his leg, letting out a soft, content sigh. I was starting to doze off again after a few minutes when I started to see green lights in my eyes. I didn't think anything of it until he said "Hey, it started! Come on, Lilly!" My eyes shot open to see green and blue-ish lights dancing around the sky.

We immediately got up and walked outside, sitting back down by the water. "Wow….This is amazing!" I said in awe. He nodded and said "I've never seen them this well before…." I leaned up against him and he put his arm around me, slowly rubbing my side as we watched the lights. I felt something stirring up inside me as we did and I knew I liked it!

After a few minutes, I heard Mom and Kevin come out, both of them panting a little and I could smell their scent of mating strong in the air. I smiled to myself and just kept watching, feeling so happy at the moment! Cody looked down at me and kissed me nose, whispering "I love you, Lilly…."

I purred and kissed him back, saying "I love you, too…." He gently pulled me a little closer, shifting around so his legs were on either side of me and put his arms around me again. I cuddled against him and laid my head on his arm, just loving the entire night.

About a half hour later, I was starting to fall asleep, and he noticed. "Hey, why don't we get some sleep before you pass out?" He asked, gently nudging me. I smiled and said "Yeah, that sounds pretty good…." He got up and we started walking back into the den, passing Mom and Kevin on our way.

"Goodnight, honey. I'm glad you guys got to see this…." She said, smiling at me. I nodded and said "So am I! Oh, and Mom? Next time you guys decided to come out right after mating, I suggest you clean yourself off….I don't know what you two were doing, but you've got sperm on your neck and chin."

She blushed madly and turned her head away as I started giggling. "Night, Mom….Night, Kevin…." I said as we walked inside. I laid down on the bed and he put the fire out before laying down with me. "Why'd you do that to them?" He asked, chuckling.

I giggled again and said "Hey, she's messed with me before….Felt it was time to get payback!" He sighed and said "Yeah, but still….How about we get some sleep now?" I nodded and laid my head down, saying "Good idea….Goodnight, babe!" He kissed me nose, making me purr and said "Night, love…." I laid my head down against his chest and closed my eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.

Dakota's POV

Crystal and I were laying on the lake shore, watching the Northern Lights as Dad called them up in the sky. She seemed to be really enjoying it, and I was too since it was pretty cool! We were cuddled together, just enjoying the night, even though it was getting pretty cold.

We'd been there for about an hour and a half so far and I knew she was starting to get tired and real cold, so I gently nudged her and said "Hey, how about we go back to the den now?" She smiled and nodded, saying "That sounds good. I'm freezing my tail off out here!" I chuckled and we got up, starting to walk the mile back to the dens.

She was huddled against me, trying to stay a bit warmer and I didn't mind. The last thing I needed was for her to get sick right now. So far from home and no way to treat her….We kept walking on, staying pretty quiet most of the way. When we got near the den, she suddenly said "I….I think I'm gonna sleep here…."

She suddenly dropped to the ground, her eyes closed and she wasn't shivering anymore. I panicked and put my ear to her chest, hearing her heartbeat still going. As quickly and carefully as I could, I lifted her up onto my back and hurried to the den, hoping Mom and Dad were awake so he could possibly help her.

When I got back, there was still a bit of the fire going, so I laid her down inside near it. Mom and Dad were asleep, but I knew I had to wake them, so I went over and shook Dad awake. "Dakota? What's wrong?" He sleepily asked, rubbing his eyes.

"I-It's Crystal! She collapsed on our way back!" I said, going back over to her with him. He kneeled down next to her, feeling her neck and said "Well, she's still breathing, so that's good….She's freezing cold, though!" I nodded and about then, Mom woke up and asked "What's going on?"

"Crystal seems to've gotten a bit of hypothermia…." Dad said, feeling her legs and paws. Mom got up and came over to us, saying "Hypothermia? Is it bad?" Dad shrugged and said "If she was out too long, yes. Her paws aren't frozen and there's no frostbite, so I think she'll be fine. Just needs to warm back up."

"Oh, thank god…." I said, breathing a sigh of relief. Dad smiled and said "Don't worry, buddy….Might wanna have Chase and Alexis come back for the night." I nodded and walked outside, letting out a short howl for them both to come back. They came walking in a few minutes later to see Crystal laying next to the fire.

"Guys, your mother has a bit of hypothermia right now….She'll be alright, but just help keep her warm, okay?" Dad asked. They both nodded and Alexis said "I'm getting tired now anyway." We laid down around Crystal, making sure to let as much body heat as we could radiate onto her. Alexis and Chase laid there head down and fell asleep after a couple minutes, but I was still to worried to sleep.

"Hey, Dakota…." Dad said as he and Mom got back in bed. I looked up at him and he said "She's going to be okay. Just let her rest and we'll see how she feels in the morning, okay? You need to sleep, buddy…." I weakly smiled and said "I know, Dad…."

"Alright then. Night, Dakota…." He said, laying down next to Mom. She smiled at me and said "Night, honey! We'll see you guys in the morning." I nodded and she cuddled up to Dad, closing her eyes and falling asleep a few minutes later along with him. I looked back at Crystal, who was shivering again, but not much because of the fire and us with her.

"Goodnight, love….I'll see you in the morning…." I said, gently kissing her cheek. She smiled a little in her sleep, which told me she really was going to be okay. I cuddled against her a little more, putting my foreleg over her and rubbing up and down her back. She softly purred a little and I smiled, laying my head down with hers and drifting off to sleep.

So, just tell me straight up if this was a good chapter or not. I feel that on a 1-10 scale, it was a 4...Not my best, but I'm sure I've done worse ones. Let me know what you all think, please! Later!