Love and Happiness Found

Chapter 1 - Extended Hunting Trip

Stinky, Claudette and Runt had finally hit their growth spurts, and it wasn't long before the three of them went from little pups to fine adults; Stinky and Claudette both grew into strong alphas, and Runt became a clever, tree-climbing omega.

But even with great progress can come horrible ends; shortly after the three pups became adults, Kate, Lilly, Humphrey and Garth's parents had unfortunately died, but they kicked the bucket in the best way possible: old age. All the wolves knew that they were in a better place now, but with them gone, it was Kate and Humphrey's turn to take full responsibility of leading the pack.

But even for Kate and Humphrey, it was a little too much, so when need be, Lilly and Garth immediately took charge to help since Stinky wasn't a fully-fledged leader yet. And Stinky was still learning a lot about what it means to be a true leader from his mother.

Stinky and Kate would spend much of their time together in the woods, where they hunted caribou, and Kate taught many more important requirements an alpha wolf needs; for example, great hunting experience, knowing what to be weary of in case of predators, outstanding athletic moves, etc. And Kate and Stinky really enjoyed their time together too; Stinky honestly couldn't have asked for a better mother…but it was not to last.

The pack was starting to run low on food again, so it was time for the best alphas to go out on a hunting trip again, but the caribou were farther from home than usual, and that meant it would be a long hunting trip for the alphas, including Kate and Garth; though, they said their goodbyes to their loved ones and friends before they left.

Humphrey, his matured children, Lilly and Marcel and Paddy were all gathered outside the den, the one Winston passed down to Kate and Humphrey before he died, as they all said goodbye to Kate and Garth.

"So, you promise to bring back the biggest caribou for Papa?" Humphrey asked his mate with a smirk.

"Yes, I promise. Only the best for my mate," Kate replied in a chuckle, and she and Humphrey rubbed noses.

"Um, ew," Claudette sneered as she and her brothers were all disgusted with their parents' public affection, but when she looked away, she couldn't help but gasp in delight when she saw her big and hunky Fleet.

Yes, it wasn't too long ago that Fleet and Claudette finally confessed their feelings for each other, and they had been quite the little couple ever since. Just the sight of seeing Fleet going off on a hunt, let alone at all, made Claudette's heart flutter, and she quickly snuck away from everyone to go give her, hopefully, future mate a goodbye nuzzle.

But Claudette wasn't as sneaky as she thought, for Marcel and Paddy was able to soon spot her wondering off to her lover, and the birds alerted her parents.

"Ook-lay at your aughter-day," Marcel began while tapping Kate and Humphrey's shoulders and interrupted their nuzzling.

"Yes, I say—that she's growing up," Paddy added with a grin, and just as he said that, they watched Claudette and Fleet have an inaudible conversation, and then they rubbed noses with compassion.

"Not my little girl," Humphrey sighed sadly.

"Humphrey, she and Fleet have been together for months now. Why are you all of the sudden complaining about your daughter falling in love?" Kate asked with a chuckle, "besides, I think it's sweet…but it's also kind of sad that she can't go with Fleet on the trip."

"Now that I think about it, I'm glad she's not a fully-fledged alpha and can't go on the hunting trip," Humphrey pointed out under his breath.

"Humphrey!" Kate snapped.

"What?" Humphrey asked as his mate glared at him, "look Kate, I'm glad that Claudette's happy, but…"

"But…" Kate, Marcel and Paddy all urged.

"But I'm just not sure if I'm ready to let her go."

"How do you think my dad felt when I became your mate, Humphrey?" Kate asked softly, and then she gently nuzzled her head under his, "he loved me and wanted to protect me with all his heart, just like you, but that's just what dads do, they worry too much about their daughters. But here I am; he realized that if I was happy—and I am—he could be happy too. You're a great mate and father, Humphrey, and I love you for that."

"I love you too, Kate," Humphrey stated softly while nuzzling back.

Meanwhile, Garth and Lilly were saying their goodbyes…but it was a little difficult for them.

"You sure you're going to be ok out there?" Lilly asked sheepishly.

"Of course I am; there's no reason to worry," Garth replied sincerely while nuzzling his head against Lilly's, but she wasn't returning the nuzzle, and that confused her mate.

"You ok, Lilly?"

"I…I…no, I'm not."

"What's wrong?" Garth asked with worry as he looked right into his mate's beautiful violet eyes.

"I just…always keep seeing how happy Kate and Humphrey are together, and…it makes me wonder…why we're not like that."

"What? Are you saying you're not happy with me?"

"No, of course I am!" Lilly quickly protested, "I love you very much, Garth…but…"

"But…" her mate pressed on.

"I want to show you that I love you even more."

"W-what you do you mean?"

…

"I want to have pups with you, Garth," Lilly replied softly, and she stared back into her mate's eyes with seriousness.

"Y…y-you're serious?" Garth asked with shock.

"Oh, I-I understand if you don't want to start a family with me! I'm so sorry I asked!" Lilly stuttered with embarrassment while shrinking down into a ball, "I-I just thought you'd be happy."

"No, I'm not happy," Garth stated firmly, and Lilly thought she was going to cry…but that's when Garth smiled brightly.

"I'm thrilled!"

Lilly felt her heart lift when Garth said that, and they both immediately nuzzled again with more compassion.

"I've always wanted to start a family with you Lilly, but I was waiting for the right moment," Garth added gently.

"So…does that mean we can get started on that family when you get back?" Lilly asked in a slight seductive voice, and Garth was taken by surprise a little, as he pulled his head back and nervously chuckled. But he soon took a deep breath in, and smiled sweetly at his mate.

"Yes, we can. I love you, Lilly."

"I love you too, Garth."

…

"UGH, HOW MUCH MUSH DO WE NEED?!"

Everyone was startled when Runt suddenly shouted out in disgust at all the mushy love he and his brother had to witness.

"C'mon, Stinky, let's go somewhere WITHOUT any lovey-dovey wolves," Runt growled, and his brother soon followed him.

"Can you believe them? They seriously need ta get a cave," Runt started dryly.

"I don't know, Runt; we're almost near that age too," Stinky protested.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we'll soon probably understand the one thing many adults go through."

"And what's that?"

"Love."

"Ew, not you too, Stinky!" Runt sneered, and then he suddenly ran off without waiting for Stinky.

"Runt, wait!" Stinky called out for his little brother, but he never stopped, and he could catch up with him any day, but if there's anything Kate taught him, it's the maturity of an alpha, and that meant giving space to those who needed it, and Runt seemed like he definitely needed it.

"Hmmm…maybe one day he'll understand," Stinky sighed, but he knew he couldn't completely blame Runt since he would never know the responsibilities of an alpha. That, and Stinky also remembered that he would have to choose a mate to help him lead the pack himself…and he was NOT ready for that; which is why he wants to understand how his parents make it look so easy sooner than later.

And soon, it was time for the alpha team to leave, and the omegas and lesser alphas all wished them luck, but Runt was never there to say goodbye to his mom or uncle, not that it would have made a difference; they are going to come back anyway, so what's the point?

And as always, whenever Runt was mad or depressed, he would climb the tallest pine tree he could find to blow off steam with the sweet smell of pine and the gentle sway of the treetops in the breeze; that always seemed to work whenever he was down.

But as he lay comfortably up in the tree, his eyes blinked open when he swore he heard a twig snap; he then leaned over to look down and fine none other than Lilly pacing back and forth by the trunk of the tree he was in, and knowing his aunt, she was usually pretty low on self esteem, so he decided he would help her.

Runt carefully started to make his way down the tree by every branch, but it wasn't until he accidentally knocked a pine cone from its place, and it hit Lilly on the head, making her look up in confusion.

"Hey, Aunt Lilly!" Runt called with a smile.

"Oh…h-h, Runt," Lilly said with worry, and when her nephew landed in front of her, he was confused to see a scared look in her eyes.

"You ok, Aunt Lilly?" Runt asked with concern.

"Y-yeah, no, I'm fine, Runt, I-I just…i-it's grown up stuff, y-you wouldn't understand," Lilly protested while shaking her head.

"Why not?"

"Because it doesn't concern you. Ok? This is just between Garth and I."

"Well…ok, I guess…sorry I couldn't help," Runt sighed and started to walk off.

"No, it's not your fault, Runt," Lilly quickly added, making her nephew stop in his tracks, and she sighed while sulking her head.

"I'm out here because I'm scared, and I'm scared because…Garth and I are going to have pups."

…

"Really? Wow, that's actually pretty cool! Congrats, Aunt Lilly!" Runt cheered, and Lilly smiled.

"Do you know when the pups will be here?"

"Oh, well, um…we haven't exactly, um…ahem…'done the deed' just yet," Lilly replied with embarrassment and cleared her throat, "we're going to wait until he gets back from the hunting trip."

"Oh…well…again, congrats. And might I suggest a name for one of your sons? How does Runt sound?" Runt joked, and Lilly giggled.

"I'll think about it, and thank you for listening, Runt; you're the sweetest nephew ever."

Later that night, after Runt returned to the den, and he had ate what little meat food they had left for dinner and had gone to sleep…one certain wolf couldn't bring herself to sleep.

Claudette had been pacing outside the den for about an hour now, as a lingering feeling of dread kept her awake, and she kept staring at the full moon in hopes that it would calm her down…but it didn't.

And Claudette wouldn't be alone for long.

"What's got your tail in a bunch?"

Claudette nearly jumped when she heard her father's voice, and it startled her since she never expected him to wake up, or for anyone to wake up, for that matter.

"N-nothing…" Claudette lied, and her father could see right through her, as he stared at her with a cocked eyebrow.

"Ok, ok…I feel like something bad is going to happen to the alphas on their hunt."

"Ow is it that you can't spend too much time away fwom youw wittwe Fweet?" Humphrey mocked in baby talk.

"Dad, stop!" Claudette growled, "why does it matter to you so much that Fleet and I are together, anyway?"

"Because you're my daughter, and it's my job as a dad to be over protective."

"Well, then I hope you get fired."

"Oh, c'mon, Claudette," Humphrey began while sitting close to his daughter, "look, I'm sorry, but just know that I really do care about you, and…as long as you're happy…I guess I'm happy too."

"Really? So, you'll stop bugging me about Fleet?" Claudette asked with excitement.

"I'll try my best," Humphrey chuckled, but he then remembered something, "so, you're out here, in the middle of the night…because you think something bad is gonna happen to the alphas?"

"Yeah, I just…I don't know what it is, but I can't sleep," Claudette replied with worry, "don't you feel it too?"

"No, I don't know what you're feelin', Pup," Humphrey joked while rubbing Claudette's mane with a paw and ruffling it, but then he turned and headed back into the den, "c'mon, let's get back ta bed; you keep stayin' up this late, you'll never be able to keep up with your alpha duties."

But as relieved as she felt after a heart-felt talk with her father, and as tired as she finally realized she was, Claudette STILL couldn't shake that feeling of dread that something bad was going to happen to the alphas on their trip…she wouldn't know what to do if she ever lost her beloved Fleet.

First of all, yes, I ship Fleet and Claudette AND Humphrey and Lilly, so for those who ship them too...I have found my family. And second, ya might wanna grab some tissues and prepare for some VERY likely sad parts in future chapters.

Until the next chapter, I'm TRikiD, bye-bye!