Laska's arrival to Saku's clan was the fresh breath for the clan after the entire family had spent months together in isolation from outer world. This also meant that some other wolves were going to show up and become the members of the clan. In fact, a week after that happened, two wolves showed up and this just sparkled their hopes that they'd have a new pack like before.

Yet, Hunter, as the beta male of the pack, was still anxious about Laska. She was so appealing to him, yet he lacked that courage to ask her out. If an another male would do such thing before him and take Laska away, this was going to be something he would regret it badly for years to come. Something had to be done.

"Hunter, haven't you asked her out already?" Saku had asked him as he had returned from the morning hunt, bringing the dead doe with the help of the new wolves who had joined not long ago. Hunter lowered his ears down, sighing embarrassingly as he admitted: "I want to do it, Saku… but I'm just too nervous to do so! Every time I look in her eyes, as if my legs just turn too soft and as if I'm going to collapse! This is insane!"

"You know what is insane? That you might be letting a great opportunity slip away from you, Hunter!" Tala, who had waited for her mate to return, noticed how he was still struggling to ask her out. He looked at his sister, not sure what to tell her but this: "I don't know… I do like her, but I would look like as I were a coward to ask her like this."

"Hunter, listen to me, you are not a coward if you ask her. Remember how I struggled at first to ask Tala out for the first time? You just have to do it, don't back down!" Saku reminded him on something so Hunter would also recall how he encouraged him to ask Tala out, which made her smile nostalgically as she remembered that day… but the night was not to remember though…

He looked at his sister and his friend, and then he looked at where Laska was sitting and observing the nature being colored in yellow and brown because of fall. No other male in the clan was this close to ask her out and he knew what was his job… "Alright, wish me luck! I'm going to do it! I'm going to ask Laska out!"

"See, that's the spirit!" Tala cheerfully told him because she knew that Hunter had the courage, but always had some excuse because he had never dated someone. "Good luck!" Saku wished him as the young adult black wolf moved from their conversation and progressed towards Laska's location.

For a moment, he considered stopping for a bit and also backing down, but since he made his decision, it was just unwise from him to quit right here. He glanced at Saku and Tala one last time before he finally focused on Laska in front of him and even so, he announced himself: "Laska? Laska, hey!"

He got her attention and her crystal blue eyes and seeing who was coming towards her, Laska had that warm and flirty smile when Hunter was just few meters away: "Hey there, Hunter. What brings you in here?" Since she didn't mind if someone came to her, she was fine with it that he sat down next to her to observe the nature in front of themselves.

"Well, I was wondering how you are doing?" He started it pretty casual, for which he'd received his answer: "I'm doing pretty good, just enjoying the sight of the nature! You?" Hunter was a bit focused on the fall colors out there, but he remained focused on her to say: "Me? Well… I'm okay! Just being amazed by the nature like… you."

This last word he said made her feel like as if Hunter were here for some other reason and she looked him to make sure if she was right. In fact, Hunter went on to say it: "Laska, look, it's been weeks since we've met and I've been thinking about this for a long time…" He stopped when she gazed straight into his eyes and her eyes reflected the sunshine.

"Yes?" She said this in a sweet and warm voice as if she were expecting something from him right now. Hunter, while losing his ability to speak at the moment, thought deep inside his head: "Hunter, say something! Why are you going silent?! You've been waiting for this for a long time, so don't back down now!"

"Well… I… Uh…" Hunter got his ability to speak back, but it was mostly of him shaking anxiously before he managed to form a sentence, albeit rather wonkily: "I was wondering… if… you would like… to… you know… go to the lake… with me…?" Now he had said this and he just felt so embarrassed as if he wanted to run away as far as he could...

Only… "Go to the lake, with you? You mean, you and I to go out?" Laska raised his eyebrow, and in her eyes, she seemed like as if she were remembering something from her past. But seeing how Hunter was asking her out, albeit nervously, she thought about it for a few moments, wondering whether to say "yes" or "no".

And as she was making her choice, Hunter looked down in the cold ground below their paws and apologized: "Look… uh, I'm sorry if I made this awkward for you… I'm just gonna go and…" But he was interrupted and he was glad that happened because he heard Laska saying: "Hunter, I thought if it. I'd actually like to go out with you!"

"R-really?!" Hunter was indeed surprised by Laska's answer and when she had come closer to him to press her head against his throat, she said it with her sweet voice: "Really… really." He could not believe that it went that smooth and the warmth was all over underneath his eyes as he couldn't believe that she said "yes"!

"Okay! When would you want to go?" Hunter hoped that it was tonight the good night for them to go outside, but Laska had other thoughts: "I was thinking, the full moon will be any night soon so maybe we can go then? It will be a beautiful ambient on a lake with the moonshine shimmering on the surface!" The way she said this made him imagine the upcoming date with her already!

"Then it's a deal!" Hunter happily said this and Laska smiled with her flirty look at him because both of them had their date settled on a full moon! Seeing how his sister was looking at him, he told Laska: "Excuse me for a moment." To which she did not mind as he headed to his sister and Saku.

"Well… how did it go?" Tala asked, wanting to know if it was worth it and Hunter's neutral look shifted into a joyful one when he answered: "Laska and I are going on a date on a full moon, which is in a few nights!" Saku and Tala were eager to hear these news when it came to them, seeing how right they were about this all along.

"What did I tell you, brother? If you didn't listen to us, you'd have let the great opportunity slip away!" Tala nuzzled her younger brother upon finding out that he was going on a date with Laska! Saku congratulated him on the success, remembering that he also had contributed into this: "And I told you not to back down, Hunter! Just like you encouraged me to ask Tala out that time, I'm returning you a favor now!"

"Thank you! Thank you!" Hunter blushed upon receiving all the praise from them both, as he was rather fond of being modest in receiving the attention. He noticed how none of the young ones were around, most likely they were hunting, rather independently this time around. Hunter had asked: "You'll tell them about this when they're back, right?"

"We will. They are going to be thrilled to find out!" Tala knew that her brother was talking about their pups, Aniu and the triplets. Hunter gazed behind him and noticed how Laska was still there, sitting and smiling at him, inviting him to come back and enjoy the beautiful fall day, the colorful nature and the crystal clear sky… just like her eyes. "Well, I'm getting back to her!"

For the next few days, Hunter was making sure that his first date with Laska would be a success. While he honestly had no gifts to offer her as the fall had eradicated the last of flowers of this year, he had to rely on his good looks, which Tala was helping him by grooming him and making sure his fur would be as smooth as silk.

"Well… I can't believe that this is it!" Hunter was ready on the sunset of the third night. He was eagerly awaiting for Laska to show up all while Saku, Tala and pups were slightly behind. Aniu stepped forward and remembered what Hunter had told her that time so she reminded him: "Uncle Hunter, remember when we talked about you having someone in your life? I think this could… mean that I was right, no?"

Even he remembered that well and he gazed at his niece to make sure about that: "You were right all along, Aniu!" Saku II, Taku and Nita looked at Aniu just to show their interest and amusement regarding Aniu's talk with her uncle… and then, soft as wind, sweet as honey, warm as spring sun, the voice echoed fron Hunter's behind: "My eyes can't believe that you're looking more handsome!"

And he gazed at Laska, who looked exceptionally pretty with her snow white groomed fur and eyes as if they were more crystal. Even the moonlight had reflected from her white fur, leaving him all in awe as he observed her from her ears to toes, just to say: "Neither can mine when I see how beautiful you're, Laska!"

That was when she giggled in here shyly due to the compliment and then her saying: "Stop it, you!" The young ones laughed in this amusement, seeing them both as a great couple. Saku walked up to them, saying: "I wish you two a wonderful date and may your relationship work. Whether you'll kick it off well or not at the start, we still have hopes for you."

"Many appreciated, Saku." Laska looked him with her crystal blue eyes and she admired his emerald green eyes, considering the fact that green eyed wolves were nearly impossible to find. Tala, coming closer, looked at her brother and then at his friend, speaking: "And may you two be safe out there! Good luck to you both."

It was either for them to wait until others were going to come and congratulate them, but it was simply cut when Hunter raised his paw to ask: "Shall we?" And she could not decline his offer when he placed her paw on his to say: "I'm all yours, handsome." Thus, their date to the great lake had begun, starting with the descend down the mountain into the taigas.

Watching them leave, Nita moved close to the edge to ask her adoptive parents: "Saku, Tala… Would it be okay at least if I were to ask them about their date like tomorrow morning?" This was a reasonable question she had to ask due to her sometimes giving the decisions a bit too fast. "When they get their rest and meal, then we'll all listen to their experiences, Nita!" Fair enough, as the date was just started.

After descending off the sharp rocks and avoiding to trip on the tough roots of the trees scattered in the forest, Hunter and Laska had finally made it to the great lake as the environment was getting more and more clear around them until they could have seen the moon's reflection on the great lake out there.

Laska sighed on that sight, leaning her head on his shoulder. She felt that love for nature she always had in her life and so she asked him: "Hunter, have you seen something like this in someone's company like me?" Truth to be said, Hunter and Laska had never talked about them being in relationships, while it was evident that Hunter had never been in one.

"No, not really. If you mean a date… then you might be surprised that I had never dated anyone in my life." He admitted, knowing that the honesty and truth were much more paying off in these situations. Laska gazed at him as if she could not believe that she was on a date with someone who never dated anyone. She actually liked that.

"How about we have our date around the lake and talk something about our pasts?" Hunter had a suggestion. Since the lake was large enough, a tour around the lake would take some time. Laska saw this as a great opportunity to bond with him and her nodding into his shoulder was pretty much enough.

"Well, you do know how Tala and I are siblings, how we met Saku, even if it went sour… and then how we're now like the best friends and are always around one another." Hunter reminded her this while being amused by that for some reasons. "By far the best thing all three of us had done was when we took the triplets under our care… it is a shame that their parents, Faro and Sami… were very nice and now, they're gone…"

Laska felt the grief and sorrow of his fallen friends as the two were now walking by the southern shore of the great lake. She had whispered to them: "I know… I feel bad for Saku II, Taku and Nita for being orphaned that young. I do find it admirable from you that you decided to adopt them rather than leave them behind."

"I know. Switching topics, now it is your turn to tell me more about yourself!" Hunter had suggested her this and while that look in Laska's eyes had returned when she had been asked out by Hunter days ago, she mustered courage to begin with simple: "I told you that I was born in the litter of Arctic wolves, how my parents saw me as a great wolf in the future, although I tend to avoid that kind of attention to be honest.

Modesty was perfectly describing her in here and Hunter, after stopping a while to look at his reflection in the water, told her: "And don't forget what kind of poet you are, Laska!"Now there was something coming that he was not expecting: "Hunter, out of the three, you're the only male who deeply understands what I love in my life."

"Yes, yes, I do... Wait a minute, what do you mean by 'three'?" Hunter had stopped in his tracks as he was puzzled by this information coming. Laska finally revealed the reason of her strange looks in her eyes: "Hunter, you're actually the third male I'm dating… and the only one so far who seems to care for me."

He did not see it coming when he'd heard that she was dating two others and so he had to sit down for a few minutes as she started narrating: "Well, do you wonder what was the business with the two others? Well, it all begun when I had moved to a wolf clan after answering the Cal of Nature. Even then others found me attractive…

...like my first date, which was lasting for a few weeks because I've found out that he was using me for an attention. Our relationship ended soon and then, I ended up dating another male, for whom I thought he'd care at least. But it turns out that he was using me just to get back on his date once! Can you believe it?!" She was done with a bit abrasive tone.

"Wow… I don't know what to say but… I'm sorry to hear that, Laska." Hunter felt how she was mad at these two for being used rather than being loved by someone. She moved on to stroke his chin with her tail when she let him know: "But you're different. You don't seek attention nor payback, but rather care for what I like at this point!"

The two leaves had fallen off the tree and had landed on the lake surface, as if that fall had symbolized something. She even explained to him: "And if it happened that both of us date one another, I'd be feeling terrible if I were looking like as if I'm using you just because of my past troubles… I was afraid that your family will start to hate me!"

"Laska! Laska, relax! Just don't think how you were used twice back then. The third is a charm and remember who's your third!" Hunter said this, as if he knew that reliving a bad past was not worth it. She smiled at this and was ready to carry on with their date, stroll around the lake. She asked him: "Thank you, Hunter. I will have in mind that you're my third lucky charm."

"Or even better, you can view me as your lucky third charm if our relationship does grow serious soon!" Hunter said it and out of the third charm topic, he stroked her chin with his tail, which had earned them some giggles and laughs as the two had started chasing one another around the lake for their first date.

Nonetheless, Laska and Hunter's first date was a solid one. Not only that he had learned more about her past, but it was evident that their relationship was pushing towards somewhere. With the first snow coming, it would soon indicate the first year for the pups, more wolves coming to live under the reign of Saku and Tala and of course, Hunter gaining Laska's heart as the time went on.

"Mama, I can't believe that uncle Hunter is doing that well with Laska! Do you think something will be between them soon?" Aniu asked her mother Tala as the mother and daughter had used this dusk one gloomy fall evening to take a stroll around the forest that was now being covered in thick layers of fresh snow.

"Neither could I, my dear Aniu, but in the end, it was about time your uncle had found someone!" Tala replied to her daughter with smile as this was going to mean that there were the other means of extending the pack rather than just inviting them in. Tala further commented: "Say, what do you think of Laska? Are you two getting along?"

The expression on young Aniu's face indicated that she was fond of her uncle's partner and so she said: "She's pretty fun, mama. Not to mention, she's taught me some hunting tricks in case I go on to have a great hunting day! Though there are some times when she talks about nature deeply, which I can't really understand."

She raised her eyebrow when she heard Laska saying something about the night ambient in the snowy taigas. Tala didn't understand that one either, but she just shrugged it off by saying: "Does it matter? Even if Hunter doesn't understand it quite well, at least he's with someone he likes… or dare I say… loves?" This made both mother and daughter giggle when Tala said "love" in here.

With their giggles silencing, Aniu stopped for a bit. While she enjoyed having a conversation with her mother about the recent events, there was something she had been feeling for the last week and it was in her dreams, her thoughts… everywhere and thus, she asked her mother: "Mama, do you know, by any chances, anything about The Call of Nature?"

This was when Tala stopped briefly, but not in shock. She knew that this was coming and because Aniu was going to turn one year at the passing of years and thus, with her agility, leadership skills, strength and wisdom… she was going to be the one who would start the life independently and they could not prevent it, not in any was possible.

Tala turned around to look into her daughter's eyes and remaining calm, she had her asked: "Aniu, you've never met your grandparents, neither from my side nor from your father's side, am I right?" Never in her life had she seen them, yet there were few occasions when she and Saku had mentioned them… but where were they anyhow?

"No, mama, why?" Aniu asked, fearing that she was going to receive a pretty dark and grim answer. It wasn't. But it wasn't the happiest one either: "Well, Aniu… when a wolf grows to the age of one, it is his or her time to carry on with the life, but no longer under someone's paws. That means that once you turn the age of one, you choose whether you'd want to live independently."

"You mean… when I turn the age of one and from then on, I am going to live by myself?" Aniu was puzzled by that, as by no means possible she'd ever imagine that happening as she had the parents who gave her the love and care she needed. Tala just answered: "That is what The Call of Nature is, sweetheart. Whatever choice you make, remember, I'll be there for you!"

"But what if I decide to leave and live on my own? I mean no offense to Saku, Taku and Nita, but I am your only pup in the litter!" She was unsurefor a bit, wondering how her parents would react to her departure. Yet, Tala remained calm in this situation and she had an answer that'd compensate her sorrows.

"Aniu, as much as we, and Hunter and Laska, to have you stay here, you answer that Call on your own." Tala said this calmly to her, albeit she knew what kind of emotional rush would come to her on that day. "A wolf who is strong, leadership like, wise and a capable hunter, once is independent, adapts to the nature very soon and well."

This didn't cross Aniu's mind at first, but she decided to go with it. Moreover, she had one other question: "Does this mean that Taku will stay the longest then? We all know how his growing up was." She got this correct and even if Taku was now meeting up with the standards of the others, there was still more to be done.

"Yes, unless his siblings decide to stay longer because of him. That was something I've done, I've waited until Hunter was one year old so we could go together before our first and only separation." Tala recalled that day and she was wondering whether the scenario was going to repeat with Aniu and her adopted siblings or not.

At this point, Aniu had many questions to ask, but if anything, she decided to keep them wisely for herself as she knew that she could now use all the time she had before answering her Call of Nature. Now the darkness had completely fallen and the stars have showered the night sky. Tala beckoned her: "Come on, we should go back and get some rest. A great hunt awaits us tomorrow!"

"You're right, mama. That will keep my mind away from the future events coming." Aniu yawned and followed her mother up to their cave. Never she'd thought that she should answer her Call of Nature nor Tala wanted the time to fly by and take her only biological pup away. Both were going to cherish their moments while they still had them, with one another!

The time was passing and on the final day of the year, Aniu and her adoptive siblings turned one year old and all four of them faced the choice about their Calls of Nature. In fact, they all appeared to be united about their choice. While Aniu was reluctant at first, she was encouraged when her adoptive siblings decided to start their lives anew, but by leaving this clan one by one.

Of course, Aniu, being the strongest and most capable of them four, was bound to leave her parents' pack first and the Call of Nature was so strong that she could do nothing else but finally embrace it. When it happened, no longer than just few weeks when she had turned the age of one. This was going to be the emotional farewell for the family. The fated day for young Aniu was here.

The clan had gathered around, mainly the family and close ones, to bid to the only pup of alpha couple the farewell and it was Saku who had to wrestle his emotions as he was preparing for his daughter's farewell. In the midst of his emotions, as he was nuzzling her, he whispered: "I can't believe how the time flies… it was like yesterday when you were a small puppy, Aniu!"

"It does feel like it was yesterday, papa." Aniu softly whispered and there she could notice the tear coming from Saku's eye, which she licked off so she could preserve her father's pride. She looked at her adoptive siblings, mother, uncle and Laska, even the others in the pack, before facing her father again: "I am ready to answer my Call!"

As Tala was trying to stay calm about this, which she was doing somehow well, she came to nuzzle her daughter and tell her: "We know you are, sweetheart. You're answering it soon enough and that's what makes us being proud at you!" Had she delayed her answer further, it could have caused the turmoil and make this farewell harder than it already was.

"Aniu, seeing you grow up into a wolf you are today, I can say that your parents and I have done a good work! And Laska too, even if she's come to us few months ago." Hunter told his niece and glanced at his partner mischievously, which made her giggle when she heard him say things like these. Laska focused her look on Aniu and spoke: "Aniu, this is your chance today. Like I've done it in your age, now it is your decision."

"Thank you, Laska." Aniu appreciated the compliment coming from her, noticing how she and her uncle had bonded closer over the time passing. Now Saku II, Taku and Nita came, ready to bid their adoptive sister a proper farewell: "Aniu, you've been a sister to us that resembled a shining beacon in our darkness after our loss. We'll miss you having around."

She felt touched by how her adoptive siblings, despite the different bloodline, had a fine respect for her. She answered with: "You really didn't have to. It was me who I should be honored that I had some siblings to grow up with at least! Now that I'm answering my Call, I won't forget you that easily. Without you I'd have felt lonely!"

If anything, to have them around was a true joy because if it had been otherwise,maybe these three would have not been this respectful towards her? Who knew, since their Call of Nature was coming, but it was their decision that they'd stay longer with her parents until they were ready to go at once. She faced her eldest adoptive brother: "Saku, maybe one day when you go live on your own… you might be the leader of your own pack!"

"Really? I mean, it does sound like so, but at the same time…" Saku II was surprised that his leadership skills, which he'd never taken seriously, had lots of potential in the future and not to mention how the others gave him that look to reconsider that idea and thus he changed his opinion: "...at the same time, I can't deny that idea. You're right, Aniu, maybe I will!"

It was just a little bit of support from them to choose wisely. And for Taku, he had commented this: "Aniu, when I move on myself and I become a successful hunter someday, I'll always remember how you helped me out when we were growing up!" Thus he nuzzled her to show his gratitude for helping him overcome his disabilities.

"It's an honor, Taku… and your siblings could have helped up at least." Aniu looked at him in the eyes when it was evident that Saku II and Nita shouldn't have badmouthed their brother, making them look down in an embarrassment, but not for long when Aniu looked at Nita: "...but this is all in the past now. As for you, Nita…"

She raised her look at Aniu when she had to share this away: "If we were to meet again in the future, maybe the two of us will have our males together thanks to our looks!" This was something that made her parents and uncle feel amused by the way of her thinking and even Nita blushed slightly on that thought, whispering to her: "M...maybe!"

And with her having said everything to her adoptive siblings, her body was telling them to come to her and give one last nuzzle each, which they'd done. All while the memories of them playing, growing up, hunting and many other important things in their lives flashed in front of their eyes… something to remember them for.

Now it came to her uncle and Laska, to former whom she spoke: "Uncle Hunter… if it weren't for you, I don't think my growing up would ever be fun nor would I have ever had that kind of strength I have from you and shared with mama." Hunter knew that the same strength he had was the one passed from his parents and to Tala, years ago.

Having her nuzzle him by his chest and him lean his chin on her head, he tried to stay calm about this as he told her: "Don't mention it, my niece. I'd not miss your and their growing up for anything else in the world. One day our ways will cross, remember that!" And she was going to remember it, making that sure to happen.

Thus, she had turned her look to Laska again, to say: "Laska… I know that I cannot take it back, but if anything, I'd love to meet your and uncle Hunter's puppies one day." And she was not saying this foolishly, because Laska's white belly became furless and swollen over the past few weeks. She was bearing Hunter's puppies.

When it came to nuzzle her, she replied, starting with: "Aniu, my niece, don't look at your departure as something you'll regret. Yes, you may not see our puppies coming to the world yet, but as your uncle said, our paths will cross one day and then you will meet your cousins!" She could just imagine how her cousins were going to look like.

Parting from her aunt, Aniu gazed at her parents for the last time and leaving the best for last, she decided to share one last moment with her mother by feeling the soft fur of the wolf who'd given her all the love she needed and she had whispered: "Mama, no matter where I go out there… I'll always remember the love you've given to me, the wisdom and looks I inherited from you… I love you, mama."

"I love you too, my Aniu… your first steps in new life will be hard, but with your dedication, you'll overcome your fears and obstacles soon." Tala whispered to her daughter these sweet and wise words as the two females parted and it was on Aniu to bid the last farewell to her father, who was willingly going to let her go now.

"Papa, you've given me the courage, which I'll bear with myself when I leave… I love you." Aniu shared this last and significant nuzzle with her father whom she was fond of the most. Saku let the tear flow down his cheek, yet his voice was calm: "I love you too, my daughter. With the courage from me, I know that nothing will stand in your way out there in the world!"

Thus the daughter and father had parted, leaving Aniu to observe each of them one last time before he life was going to take her deep in the woods, mountains and rivers of Alaska. There was one last thing her father had told her and it was: "Just remember one thing in your life: Goodbyes are not forever." Simple, but memorable and dedicated words passed to her.

Standing at the entrance of the den, where she had a good view on all of them, Aniu raised her head towards the clear winter sky and let the powerful howl come out of her, echoing in the mountains and valleys everywhere possible. Saku, Tala, Hunter, Laska, Saku II, Taku and Nita, along with the rest of the clan, raised their heads to howl in dedication to Aniu leaving the pack and set off on her journey, answering her Call of Nature at last.

Thus Aniu, the daughter of Saku and Tala, had departed from her family and relatives, setting off on a journey that was going to lead her westwards like her family. The snow, the wind, the rivers, the trees, the mountains, the hills… these were the things and obstacles that Aniu had to overcome in order to reach the place her heart was saying where to go. It did not matter how long it was going to be, she had the whole life in front of her.

And so did her family and relatives. Their story and journeys were for now over and they had settled the path for the maternal side of the Alaskan's hero, coming from the deep in the wildlands in Alaska. Now it was all on paternal side of the Alaskan's hero to settle the path and their story was different, very different than maternal's side...