Hidden Secrets Book One

The Arrival

Snow danced down as the first patrols headed out, the sun hidden behind clouds. Cold, bitter winds bit the dogs, and more dogs felt the urge to stay in their cozy warm dens.
"Those pups are due anytime now" the medicine pressed his paws on her belly, "you need to stay in camp for now". "Stay in camp?" Coyote gaped at him, "but my pack needs my help! I can't just sit around!". "It's to risky!" the medicine dog explained, "you could have them on patrol and I wouldn't be there to help you". Coyote grunted, "I still feel I'm just another elder to take care of". "Your no elder! Plus, your helping the pack by giving birth to the next generation" the medicine dog's woof was gently, "soon you'll be back up!". Coyote sighed, "may I go?". "Of course! But no going out of camp!" the medicine dog warned.
The moon shone barely as a few clouds passed it, grey clouds forming far away. "Let's go" Alpha ordered, letting the dogs rush pass him. "Hey you gonna be ok here?" Alpha came up to his deputy. "Yeah, don't worry about me" Coyote stared glumly at her paws, "go ahead". "Right" Alpha rushed to catch up with his pack, meeting them at the edge of the pine trees.
Waterfall scanned the clearing as Rushing Water came in, not finding what she was looking for. Alpha declared Bonding time, then took his place next to her. "Where's Coyote?" Waterfall turned to Alpha. "At camp" Alpha answered. "Why?" Waterfall inquired. "You'll see" Alpha laughed amusingly. Waterfall shook her head, frustrated.
Coyote pawed miserably at the moss she lay on, itching to be out in the forest. Standing up glumly, Coyote supposed it wouldn't hurt her to eat dinner. But ironically enough eating dinner did hurt her, tight stomach pains gripped her. Screaming in pain Coyote stumbled back, the dogs staying in camp poked their heads out to see what the drama was. Soon the dogs crowded around her, trying to help. The medicine dog raced out pushing away dogs, cursing under his breath as dogs blocked him. "MOVE YOU IDIOTS!" the medicine ordered, the dogs backed away. "Come on Coyote get up, come on!" the Medicine dog pushed helplessly at the screaming Coyote.
"Therefore our pack is doing good" Waterfall finished impatiently, wanting to know about Coyote. "Good to hear every pack is having a good Winter" Alpha nodded, "we are doing wonderful too, with a exciting event happening soon". "Now if there are no questions or comments my pack will be going" Alpha stood up. "I have a question" Waterfall barked curtly, "what's this exciting event?".
The medicine dog managed to get Coyote in the nursery, now rushing to get herbs and supplies. "Ok bite this stick whenever pain comes, it helps" the medicine dog instructed, "you're having puppies". Coyote did a painful smile, picking up the stick in her jaws. A cruel pain jolted through Coyote, she chewed into the stick. "First puppy is coming" the medicine dog informed. The puppy slid out, it was a golden retriever male with brown eyes. "Good job, it's a brown eyed male" the medicine told Coyote, who smiled weakly. "Second puppy coming" he nodded, Coyote gripped the stick. The second puppy slid out, looking just like his brother. "Another brown eyed male" the medicine dog broke open their breathing sacks. "Half way there, third one coming" he checked on Coyote who was sweating heavily. The third puppy slid out, it was a brown pup with icy blue eyes. "Icy blue eyed female" the medicine dog smiled, "looks like you". Coyote breathed deeply, grinning in pain. "The last one is here" the medicine woofed as the last one slid out, it looked like it's sister, "this one also looks like you". Coyote smiled knowing it was all done.
"Nunu" Alpha smiled. "Nunu?" Waterfall stared quizzically. "Nunu business" Alpha laughed. Waterfall rolled her eyes at his humor, "but really". "I'm afraid it's not set in place" Alpha nodded to her, "I could tell you but be lying cause it may not happen, and I wouldn't won't to lie to you". Waterfall sighed, and cursed under her breath. "My pack will be going now" Alpha padded off the rock, bowing respectably to the other leaders. The way back was stormy, full blast now flittering down. The bitter winds slamming against the traveling dogs. "Keep up now, the sooner we arrive at camp the better" Alpha instructed. After a freezing journey back, the dogs made it back to camp.
"What will you name them?" the medicine dog asked. "The puppy will be Fire, his brother is Flame, the third one will be Ice" Coyote decided. "And the last one?" the medicine dog questioned. "Her name will be Dune" Coyote smiled...