“Fas! Get back here! It’s cold!”

“Oh calm yourself! It’s the pups I tell you! They’re not even here yet and they’re ALREADY driving you crazy!”

Shakira rolled her cerulean eyes, and slowly padded toward her mate. She nuzzled his warm, white fur. “I love you Fasione.. I really, truly do..”

The male wolf “grinned”, and nuzzled her back. "I’m glad we’ll be together forever Shakria..’

But that never happens, does it?

Shakira lay in her cave inside the valley in which she and her last remaining pup, Gypsy, called home. She sniffed, and let loose a mournful howl. Gypsy stirred, but Shakria quickly quieted him. She curled her head around her child, and slowly drifted to sleep.