The den was warm, comfortable, and silent as the sun rose gently into the sky. Pink and orange streaks decorated the still-grey horizon as a small, wiggly creature rolled back and forth on its back. Finally unable to hold still any longer, the wolf-pup gave a tug at her mother’s ear.

“Mama, I want to go play!” whined Aoi, her dark teal coat covered in the fine dust she picked up from her restlessness. “Please, please, please?” she begged.

Not quite awake, Leila sneezed, making Aoi jump back with a tiny yelp. “Oh, sorry, dear,” apologized the beautiful black furred wolf, as she slowly opened her eyes. “It’s too early to go out. Stay inside,” murmured Aoi’s mother.

“But…but…,” started the young pup, pawing at her mother. The nudges didn’t work, however, and Leila fell back into a sound sleep.

“Fine,” pouted Aoi stubbornly, turning around and fluffing up her tail at her snoring mother and father. “I’ll just go by myself!” Taking a few steps out side, the daring girl was suddenly pounced and clung to by a pure black fluff ball.

“Aoi! Where are you going? You’re leaving? Mom and Dad will be mad! Don’t leave me!” cried out a smaller, but just as awake pup all in one breath. He looked at his sister, who was underneath him and quite mad. “Oops, sorry,” he said, carefully moving off of her.

“Ciar, what are you doing out here? Go back inside! Don’t you dare wake up Mama and Papa!” scolded Ciar’s eldest sister, as she got shakily to her paws.

“Nu-uh, if you’re going, I want to come,” whined the only boy of Leila and Wyn’s litter. He nipped at his sister’s ear, and nodded firmly.

“Ok, fine, fine. But don’t wake up Mama or Papa!”

Quietly, the two siblings snuck further outside of their den, looking in amazement as a new day began.