Aleu, Niju and The Clan
Spring in the Newlands
The beginning of spring a few weeks later saw the caribou herd return to the valley, and with them came the clan. The wolves and the caribou were engaged in an ancient dance together, with the caribou as the leading partner Wherever they went the wolves would soon follow.
Everyone had been anxiously waiting for the nomadic humans with their strange domestic reindeer herds to leave the valley as Aleu had foreseen. Even Aleu had begun to privately doubt herself, after seeing their smoke on the horizon day after day. It came as nothing but a relief when she heard Kavik announce the news from Quisp's scouting post- the wild caribou herd was spotted headed into the valley again.
Niju had been discussing the location of a possible moose carcass he'd overheard ravens nattering about with Dengi and Anaru when he heard Aleu calling out to him. Climbing the closest peak that could provide him a view, he looked disbelievingly into the valley and saw that it was clear save for the faint dots at the bottom of his line of sight. He could plainly see that the caribou were on the move just as Aleu said.
Thus, the time had finally come to leave the mountains.
Niju called to rally the clan and they quickly assembled, with Aleu arriving first and joining him on the ledge. She hadn't formally announced the pregnancy but her soft belly was showing just a tad fuller these days. He hadn't told anyone either; only Aleu, Artok and himself knew for sure and he liked it that way. He'd always hated meddlesome gossip, the distasteful questions Qillaq attempted to ask him about his time spent with Aleu were already bad enough as it was. Speaking of… He spotted Qillaq and Oki coming through the tree line. Good, everyone was here- well almost. Artok hadn't left his den in days, but they'd figure that out later he supposed.
Aleu found herself at a loss of words with the notion of going back to their rightful home, but knew she must announce their intentions nonetheless.
"Brothers and sisters!" She had started, but her voice hadn't quite carried over the general clamor. 'Brother and sisters' wasn't really her style, but rather a relic from Nava's old habits.
"Everyone!" She tried again, louder and more forceful as she found her true voice. This time heads turned and ears pointed forward. The resulting silence was only broken when Nuk loudly crunched on a bit of bone he'd carried with him, earning him a harsh glare from Niju.
Aleu ignored all of it while she struggled to form what she was actually going to say now that everyone's attention was solely on her. She wondered if she'd ever get used to that.
"I'm sure you're all aware that the caribou are returning to the valley." No one actually answered her and Aleu just stared into the expectant eyes of her fellow clan members for a few awkward moments.
"We will be returning with them, now that the humans have left our lands." Niju supplied.
"Yes, let's go home!" Aleu now sounded every bit the leader the grand design planned for her to be.
Her exclamation was met by loud cheers and yips from everyone, and Aleu felt confident she'd done right. Seeing her clan rejoice brought her the greatest joy as everyone quickly turned to head into the lush valley where spring was already in full bloom. Leaving Aleu and Niju alone on their slightly elevated perch.
Aleu didn't really have a plan for what to do with Artok, who had only taken a turn for the worse and was refusing what little food he was taking from Sumac for the past week. She didn't tell Niju where she was going as she dashed downhill, following the trail of prints to Artok's den. Glancing inside she found no trace of the elder save for a few scraps of old frozen meat.
Upon discovering his relatively recent tracks leading from the den, she'd thought he'd gone for a morning stroll. She followed his tracks down to an abrupt edge with a clear view of the valley below and it was there Artok lay. She knew before she even reached him that he was already gone.
Approaching his body, she watched as the wind caressed his fur and blew through hers. It was a strange feeling to see his once mirthful form now stiff and unmoving. Artok had done what Nava, Siluk ,Ulva and countless others had done before; what Aleu herself knew she was destined to do someday be it near or far.
The four of them had left behind her and Niju, so in a way they lived on. What would she leave behind? What would her legacy be? The life inside her stirred, and reminded her. A legacy that would be passed down for generations, even after all of them were gone. It was a tremendous responsibility she thought, yet strangely she felt no weight from it.
She turned to find Niju standing behind her, for some reason she was very aware of the fact that a year ago he would've probably liked nothing better than to send her over the edge of this. Now times were clearly very different she mused, observing how Niju looked from Artok's stiff form to Aleu's warm body brimming with life beyond just her own. She wondered if this was how her father saw her mother at times, with that look in his eyes. She didn't know what it was, but it put her mind at ease.
"Don't be sad for him, it is just the way." He murmured.
She was not sad. She knew he had made his peace, and would watch the clan as they grew and changed through the years. He may not have the otherworldly spiritual presence of Nava, but she knew he'd be there for his clan. Aleu wondered if they'd meet again someday.
A howl broke the silence of their reverie and their heads snapped towards the source. More and more voices quickly joined as the clan raised their voice in song. They signaled their return to the homelands. Aleu and Niju joined in brief chorus before making their way down the mountainside. Once everyone returned to the valley the singing continued.
Unseen from the underbrush a small tawny mouse watched and grinned to himself as his ears were filled with melodic howls. Looking to the sky the small mouse spirit joined in the clan's merriment, which carried on well into the night.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Upon their return from the mountains, Aleu finally told Quisp who told Sura who then told her mate Ikun and once Ikun knew… The whole pack knew about Aleu's impending litter. Much to the annoyance of Niju, buthe knew it wasn't as if it could remain unnoticed Aleu was now undeniably pregnant, as she'd grown much rounder and fuller in the past week. Of course he thought it was great news, but he'd preferred not being pestered and questioned daily about it.
He grumbled to himself as he returned to their old shared den only to find Aleu in tears.
"Aleu what-" He grimaced as her body was wracked with a sob.
"These pups are never going to know their grandparents. My papa…He'll never know them!" She cried out.
He hadn't been prepared for that. He thought of his mother, and how she would've loved to be a grandmother to his pups. How she would've smiled at the thought of it! He didn't taint the strangely happy moment with thoughts of his father.
Aleu took his silence as carelessness and wept harder. Niju stood awkwardly in the entrance unsure of what to say or do with himself.
"We can name one in your father's honor if you'd like." He clumsily offered.
Suddenly the crying stopped and Aleu looked up at him. The azure gems he was so taken with what seemed like many moon phases ago were still misty with fresh tears. "I'd like that very much Niju, but I'd prefer to leave all that behind me."
Now she wasn't making any sense whatsoever to him. He made no attempt to hide his scrutiny. "You'd what?"
"Balto was a hero to dogs and he was a legend in Nome. It is the name of an exceptionally brave dog who was my beloved papa, but it would not be fitting for a wolf son of mine. My children will be wild; in ways my father never was. I couldn't bear to give them a name that would tie them to a life they'll never know."
Aleu seemed much calmer now as she rolled over onto her back, her paw idly brushing her belly.
"I suppose that's for the best then." He was mostly zoned out at this point. She'd said "son" and that was all he could think about, a young male with his blood may one day roam these lands. Aniu help them all.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
It wasn't long before the caribou were on the move again, meaning that the clan would have to travel greater distances to hunt for them now as the herd traveled south towards their calving grounds. However, this time the clan was strong enough to
Though the clan's current upwind position made tracking the herd more difficult, the young she-wolf Sarnai and her keen eyesight were able to make out their faint silhouettes against the horizon- nearly imperceptible at their distance.
"Wow, good eyes Sarnai!" Dengi praised while he stood with her atop the cliffs above the plains of the valley.
While looking away Dengi missed the way Sarnai hid her face from him, shy creature that she was Sarnai found herself embarrassed and deeply flattered.
"Ooh uhm, thanks... Do you think they're headed towards the same calving grounds as last year?"
Kavik chimed in from behind the two, startling Sarnai slightly with his sudden presence.
"Yep, no doubt about it! Just think, this year we might actually be able to catch some now that our leaders are commanding hunts again!"
"It's been quite some time since we feasted on fresh caribou calf, hasn't it?" Dengi answered.
"I don't remember the last time we've had a band of hunters brave or skilled enough to attempt it. In fact, I'm not sure if either of you were even born the last time we did!" Kavik grinned as he exchanged looks between Dengi and Sarnai, who in turn shared an awkward glance between themselves.
"Well uh-, I suppose I should go tell Niju the herd is on the move towards the calving grounds." Dengi raised his voice to the heavens and called out to Niju from across the cliffs.
As soon as Niju heard of the happenings on the plains, he instinctively called out to Aleu from his lookout atop the rocky crag. Niju was especially partial to the cliffs once they'd returned from the mountains as he liked to be ever aware of his surroundings. It was the best place to ensure the clan's safety in the event of approaching danger or rivals, and reminded him of all the days he spent watching over the clan in the old lands. Before her.
Upon hearing his call Aleu came as soon as she could manage. 'Manage' was about the best she could do at this point. Though Sura assured her that she was only at the midpoint in her pregnancy, she looked and felt nearly full-term. Aleu could only attribute this phenomenon to an abundance of good caribou and her relative small size. She cursed her roundedness and shortness of breath as she struggled to meet Niju atop the precipice's jagged surface. At least everything wasn't covered with snow and ice anymore, making her awkward climbing a bit less precarious.
"I was coming down in a moment, I didn't expect you to come up here." Niju just looked stunned and slightly impressed at Aleu managing to join him so quickly, but chastised her nonetheless.
Aleu quickly gathered her breath and attempted her best prideful stance.
"Why not? I'm perfectly capable of it." Her protruding stomach caused her to feel somewhat off balance. Feigning confidence, she glared at him nonetheless.
"I was thinking of leading a hunt with Anaru and Dengi at dawn. The calving season is upon us." He stated as if it were a simple fact, and she had no say in the matter.
"Didn't we bring down a cow just last week or so?" She arched a brow at him.
"Well yes, but you need fresh meat and blood."
"I don't need that much of it, and what I need I can get myself." She scoffed, but gave him a smile. Aleu knew he was trying so hard to take care of her and the clan. But to her surprise, his resolve didn't soften.
"Aleu, I think it may be time for you to step down from hunts for a while, the rest of the clan and I will take care of it." Niju still spoke as if it were a simple command.
"What?" Genuine shock with an undercurrent of anger. As if she would just serenely submit to him, as if that had ever been in her nature. He honestly should've known better.
Niju nearly flinched at her sudden change of tone. This clearly wasn't going to be an easy conversation, and evidently not going the way he'd hoped.
"You can't just order me around like that! I'm pregnant, not dying. I can do this just fine." Aleu snorted slightly and twitched her ears towards him.
"I'm trying to protect you and our...pups" He tested the word, still not entirely used to saying it.
"I don't need your protection, Niju." Aleu glowered at the large male.
"Don't be foolish, of course you do. That's my place in this clan."
She could only roll her eyes. There he went with the whole 'place' talk again. Could've been the hormones, but spirits be damned she wanted to shake him sometimes.
"In all honesty-" He seemed to lose his nerve as he winced, and Aleu knew whatever he was about to say was really going to piss her off, for Niju never winced or stuttered at anyone, ever.
He had to start again once he found his resolve. "In all honesty you've gotten a bit…Ungainly."
"I've. Gotten. What." Aleu seethed between gritted fangs.
"Once the pups are born and weaned, you can resume as you were, but this is the way it's always been done." He stated his usual gravelly pragmatic tone.
She closed the gap between them, baring her teeth as her nose smushed up against his. Perhaps calling his pregnant mate out on her roundedness was a bit of a mistake, but he thought it necessary for the sake and safety of everyone involved- even if she tore him to shreds for it.
"You hold the future of our clan, and I- I couldn't bear to let anything happen to you. Consider this," He trailed off but even his uncharacteristic sentimentality couldn't placate her completely.
"Ooh, you…" Aleu narrowed her eyes at the blatantly obtuse wonder that was her mate.
He had his heart in the right place, but terrible execution per the usual, and it didn't help that she was feeling self conscious at her larger state. Right as he might've been about the traditions of the clan, and how she was decidedly lacking in athletic finesse these days, she'd rather chew her own tail off than acquiesce in verbal agreement to him right now.
Niju's smug silence, as if expecting her to resign to his will, didn't help her mood one bit either. Instead, as a response she just shook her head, narrowed her eyes into slits and promptly showed him her backside, making sure her tail made good contact with his face before descending from the ledge in a huff.
Later that day, Aleu found comfort in pouting with the older females sunning their coats in the spring meadow greenery.
While they also commented on how big she'd gotten so quickly, it bothered her much less to hear it from them. They also didn't seek to give her unsolicited advice for how she should handle herself. Quisp and Sura had both had whelped pups in the past, and Aleu knew they spoke from experience, whereas Niju spoke mostly out of fear and silly superstition.
"This is going to be a big litter, I'm sure of it. You look nearly full term already." Quisp smiled and gestured towards Aleu's bulging middle as she laboriously settled herself into the soft grass.
"Well maybe it's not the number of pups, it could also be the size of 'em." Sura gave pause for a large yawn. "Niju's quite a lot of wolf, if ya know what I mean."
Quisp nodded and stretched out. "Mmm, well that could also explain it."
Aleu could feel her face growing hot at that statement, especially as both females turned their eyes towards her- their implications clear.
"Although he's a combative, tactless bully in my opinion, we're pleased you've at least told him where to apply it. He's turning out the be a better leader than any of us could've imagined and I'm sure most of it is your doing, Aleu." Sura continued, thankfully saving Aleu from further comment at their earlier statements.
"Well to be fair, he wasn't always a bully. Remember how he was before Nava's son died? Times were so different then, back when Anaru was just a pup …" Quisp seemed to smile at the memory of her young son and the other young males.
"Barely. Oh well, I still think he's tactless. No offense or anything." Sura shook her head and turned to face Aleu, hoping her rather liberal opinion sharing wasn't totally out of bounds with their clan leader.
Aleu just snorted a dry laugh through her nose and folded her paws over.
"Yeah, tell me about it. He called me fat earlier."
"He what? Oh no, he didn't-" Opinions aside, Sura still managed to be in clear disbelief at Niju's utter lack of diplomacy.
"Well he actually said 'ungainly' but I know what he meant. He wants me to take a break from any hunts and let him and everyone else handle it. He claims it's always been that way."
"Well, he isn't entirely wrong. He just couldn't have put it any worse than that." Sura assuaged, and Aleu couldn't decide to be relived or upset at Sura's confirmation of the old ways.
"When a female starts getting too big to hunt that means it's time to find a den. You've found a den right?" Quisp turned towards Aleu expectantly.
"You mean the one I share with Niju?"
"No no, the one you plan to have your pups in. You see, whelping is a very sacred time in which only you and you new pups will be present." Quisp spoke as if it were all very routine and Aleu had even the slightest idea of what was going to happen within the next few weeks.
Aleu hadn't given the actual event much thought until now, and it frightened her. She knew it was obviously going to happen, but she hadn't thought about when or where. The birth was getting closer and closer everyday, and now the novel revelation that she would do it in total solitude made her even more uneasy.
"I'll be alone?" She tried no to let her voice break to much, she was supposed to be a leader after all.
"You're not alone, not with all of us here to guide you and the spirits to watch over you." It seemed Quisp picked up on her apprehension regardless of how Aleu tried to hide it.
"Really, don't worry. You'll know what to do, you just will- it won't feel strange to be alone. I thought the same thing, but when it happened it just felt…right, trust me." Sura sat up and regarded Aleu seriously, with soft eyes and a warm expression as she spoke.
As Aleu dozed in the grass, she couldn't help but ponder how following Sura's advice on doing what 'felt right" is what got her into this situation in the first place.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Days later Aleu couldn't ignore the pull of her instincts any longer. It was as if something in her mood had shifted and Aleu suddenly felt a little braver and less alone as she began to seek out a den. She'd never really searched for a den on her own before, she'd always had them provided for her one way or another. But she knew this task that was hers and hers alone.
Aleu found herself drawn in the direction of the forest, of course she couldn't explain why but she sensed something was pulling her towards it. She gradually made her way through the lush greenery and the fresh spring bloom that carpeted the plains, admiring the beauty as she went on her way. Upon reaching the edge of the meadow where the gentle rolling hills of grass and blossoms met with larger boulders and trees, she stopped for a moment to drink from a stream that ran through the splendor. Noting that perhaps Niju wasn't entirely wrong to say she was a bit lacking in stamina given her current condition.
Licking the water free of her muzzle she could've sworn she heard a raven calling out from the treetops above her. When she turned her gaze upwards she found no trace of it, but something else caught her eye. A beautiful patch of white blossoms stood out in the grass, the stark contrast just enough to make them extraordinary against the greenery.
Aleu lifted her eyes to follow the patchy trail of vibrant white flowers and it was then she found it.
At the edge of where the meadow met the forest there was a place where the boulders in the ground gave way and there was a clear path dug underneath them. Perhaps it was an old abandoned den from a clan that used to roam these lands, now long forgotten. Upon further inspection she found it was perfect, the soft earth beneath the stone yielded a dark and well excavated den, easily roomy enough to fit her with plenty to spare. Smiling to herself in the dim earthy light that filtered in from the afternoon as she dug her paws deep into the earth underneath her, Aleu decided this would be the place. This would be where she would whelp her pups.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Weeks Later
Aleu in the Welping Den
Things were heating up quickly now that the brief spring had given way to the beginning of summer, only adding to Aleu's misery. The sun beating down on her thick fur made every trip out of the den's cool shade a chore. Though she rarely strayed far from the den, even traveling to the nearby stream to drink was almost unbearable. The heat was only part of the problem, there was also her size, which by this point was nothing short of astounding.
She had never been a prideful creature but this was truly pushing it- she thought to herself as she shifted her weight attempting to find a comfortable position befitting her massive girth.
The pups tumbled about inside, distorting the taught skin of her belly further and she glared down at her expansive midsection. Exasperating as it was Aleu was glad feel the movement, she knew her pups were alive and healthy. Her once small and discreet teats had become engorged and very prominent in the last few weeks and now she rather resembled an overstuffed mail bag, reflecting her general mood these last few days. Swollen, sore and tired.
It was just as well that she wasn't leading hunts anymore, she hardly had the energy for it these days. Instead she received tantalizing fresh-kill scraps from Niju every afternoon. Today- like every other day for the past week, he dipped his head as he crouched inside and greeted her with his usual pleasantries. Well, as pleasant as Niju got.
He'd never been much of a talker, but he tried his best to keep her occupied, maybe even tell a funny story involving Sumac or Yak. However, today she found that she didn't feel like talking, or even eating.
"What do you mean you aren't hungry?" Niju wasn't misplaced with his concerns, for her appetite had been nothing short of voracious for the past week. He pushed the scraps toward her.
"I mean I don't want to eat those. Or anything really." Wincing through another twinge in her stomach, she'd been getting a few of those strange cramps lately. "I'm just not hungry today for some reason."
"Are you feeling alright?" He was apprehensive, clearly having heard the pain in her voice.
"I guess so. I'm just- ooh." She looked up to meet his eyes as the pain laced through her, the sudden understanding hitting them simultaneously.
Aleu's eyes grew wide and panicked as she held his stare. "Niju, I think it's my time."
"That it is." He solemnly nodded. "I'll be-" Ducking his head he began to turn towards the entrance.
"Please don't leave me. I know I need to do this alone but I'm just so…" Aleu's voice faltered into a small fragile tone. "I'm so afraid."
Her eyes pleaded with his, her azure blues so full of pain and obvious fear. It hurt him to see her like this, so unsure of herself. She knew he couldn't but begged him to stay nonetheless.
"I'm not going anywhere, you have my word, Aleu. I'll be keeping watch right outside." Niju came back to nuzzle and press his nose against hers. Of course he was just as afraid as she was if not more, though he'd never let on. She knew how much he feared losing her.
"Ooo-okay." She breathed through another deep pain within her, noting how much quicker they were coming now.
"You're going to be fine." He seemed to have found his resolve enough to give her a rare smile.
"How do you know?" She cursed the falter in her voice.
"I know because-" he exhaled heavily and finally turned from her. "Because you're stronger and braver than I'll ever be."
And then it was just her and her pain, alone in the den.
But it didn't matter, because Niju believed in her- and she'd grown to trust in his word and his ability to see her through the darkest times. As her instincts took over, being alone suddenly felt like the most natural thing in the world to her. Of course, she was worried, for any number of things could go wrong- but thankfully laying on her side and bearing down through the contractions took most of her concentration.
After an hour Aleu found herself crying out in pain, the burning sensation nearly too much for her to take. Something was stretching her and she felt certain she would break from within, combust from all the pain radiating through her.
Nonetheless, after a particularly hefty push there was suddenly a little wriggling sac at her tail. Though she'd never been taught, somehow she just knew she needed to tear through it and meet her pup. She then ran her tongue over its wet little body over and over again until she heard a sharp cry.
It was a boy, with a dusty coat like that of her father's. She had a son.
"Hi there, I've been waiting to meet you." She gave him another lick and he whimpered loudly at his mother's warmth.
Another hour later she felt that stretching pain again, she swore it felt worse this time around. And when she looked down she could clearly see why, for this pup was much larger than their brother. Upon tearing open the membrane Aleu found she had another boy, this one with Niju's dark coat and impressive size.
Barely able to recover, she cried out in pain once again as another large pup was delivered mere moments later. This one nudged and bullied his way to her teats, whining loudly as he ran into his brothers. Aleu had to gently guide him to his own space at her side.
She found herself thankful for the muffling effect the soft earth and stone had on her unbidden howls of pain. The arrival of her first few pups reassured her that this was all natural, although the pain was still excruciating at times.
Her next pup was a girl, delivered after a much longer rest. And then another boy right after her, just a shade lighter than his sister. She shuffled the two wiggling mewling pups to her teats after cleaning them and taking care of the afterbirth, just like the previous three.
After delivering a large sized girl, Aleu had a total of six pups just like her mother before her. Six was a good number. She had no idea what time of day it was, but the contractions seemed to settle down. Aleu tried her best not to worry about her lack of experience, content to just sit and nurse her tiny whelps. Nevertheless, after a brief respite the harsh contractions returned, signaling to her body that her little family was not yet complete.
And so it went on, Aleu tried her best to relax and let her instincts take over. The next two pups were boys, both of a healthy size and good strong cries. She could make out the sounds of insects between her own panting gasps and the whimpering cries of her pups, and deemed that it must be some time of night. Her body rested a for a few hours more before a rough contraction hit and she wailed through a few more pushes. Another little female was born, and though this one hardly cried, Aleu could tell she was in good health as she was nudged into position with her siblings.
Aleu was now feeling very tired, but just couldn't bring herself to tear her eyes away from her pups to sleep for even a moment. She was so preoccupied with her new family that she hardly gave notice to the astounding number of pups until the last one was born.
Just before dawn broke while her nine pups were suckling at her side, she felt a searing pain and the urge to push again. In disbelief she craned her neck back just in time to break the little sac open and meet her last pup. A tiny husky girl, for she looked even more of a husky than Aleu herself.
Finally, the pain subsided until Aleu was left with little more than a dull ache and a very, very full heart. Her side teamed with life as ten little wriggling noses and tails blindly stumbled around, bumping into each other and piling on top of each other in order to nurse.
Ten pups. Her and Niju had ten pups. Holy spirits.
Niju had been keeping watch outside just as he promised he would, all day and all night. At a few points he could hear Aleu cry out in pain and it was harder than he would ever admit to not immediately rush to her side. But, he knew there was nothing he could do- after all it was partially his fault this was happening to her in the first place. When the cries finally grew silent by the light of day, he mustered all his courage and stepped into the den.
As he ducked his head to enter, Niju failed to notice the snowy owl and raven perched high above him in the pines. They sat silently, just as they had throughout the entire night. However, they were not alone in their silent vigil. The small tawny mouse Niju inadvertently almost stepped on outside of the den's entrance also might've looked strangely familiar to him, if this had been a normal morning and he'd had his wits about him. Muru, Aniu and Nava watched in soundless reverence as Niju disappeared between the stones to meet his new family.
Aleu knew it was daybreak when Niju stepped into the den, the scent of fresh dew and morning mist heavy on his coat as he brushed against her. He nuzzled into her neck, overjoyed at her resilience after a very long labor.
"Hello, Niju." Aleu breathed a gentle sigh into his touch.
Little did she know just how much she sounded like her own mother in that moment. She was exhausted but happier than she could ever remember being at any point in her young life. Aleu beamed up at Niju as he drew to her side, eagerly observing the little lives they'd made together.
"There's so many." He swallowed and his eyes went wide as he took in the sheer number of them, his face a mix of disbelief, pride and fear.
"Mmm, six boys and four girls." Aleu gave a faint nod, her brows still bunched in disbelief as well.
"Ten. Ten pups. We have ten pups." Niju repeated incredulously under his breath, careful to contain his emotions lest he disturb their nursing little ones.
Niju was a male of mostly actions and few words, but Aleu could hear Niju's unspoken sentiments just by looking at his face. His love for her was clear as day when he turned his gaze back to her. His eyes held that ageless love that she knew burned within him, the entire reason he was by her side. She looked back at him as if he'd already said it aloud, as if the deep affection he held for her could ever be put into simple words. Their matched gaze was interrupted by the loud whimpering of the pups, suddenly dividing their attention.
"I can only hope they grow as strong and stubborn as their mother." Niju couldn't help but eye the big dark coated male who was currently climbing over two of his siblings to suckle and causing the ruckus.
"Well, with you to guide them, I'm sure they will." She smiled back at him.
The world was a strange place, it seemed such a short time ago that they were set to destroy each other over a battle of morals. And now here she was, having just birthed a new generation that would be a beautiful mix of the two. She dreamed they would grow to be strong and passionate like their father mixed with her own generous compassion and willfulness.
She was raised a dog, but was born to be a wolf, and what a wolf she had grown to be. She had become a wolf leader, taken a proud wolf mate and now produced a new generation of wolf pups. A generation who would know nothing of the world she left behind, save for the stories she would share. Stories of her father and her mother, stories of her proud heritage. They would never know shame the way she had, this much she promised them.
The future was uncertain; as was the nature of the life she'd chosen. Aleu didn't know if all her pups would survive the fight for life as a 'wild animal' and reach adulthood. Nevertheless, this small moment belonged just to her and her family.
Aleu couldn't help but grin as she exchanged glances between her mate and her new family for she knew one thing for certain. This was where she belonged in the grand design, as a part of the never ending journey of her heritage.
This was her place.
End
[A/N: Wow. That's it folks. I started this little story in 2011 and now in 2018 it has finally reached it's conclusion. That was one hell of a long ride, and I can't thank everyone enough for all their kind words and comments to keep me going throughout the years. I grew so much as a writer and a person while making this, and this story will always have a special place in my heart. I'm kinda sad to be finished with it. In the meantime, my DA has the grown versions of their pups for those who want to see them and more Aleu/Niju stuff. I don't use my account much for my writing anymore, but maybe someday I'll make a little epilogue to go with it or something. Until our next adventure, many thanks!~]