Heaving sides came into the clearing of the beautiful coastline, lapping waves lingering at her feet. Around her gathered nine pups - all filled with joy and happiness as they wrestled with one another on the warm, sandy shores of what she liked to call heaven. Or at least as close as she would get with all these duties and responsibilities to uphold and problems to respond to. It gave her purpose though, and it gave her something to do during the day other than hunt for the children. It was quite a job for her - seeing as three of the pups were of the deceased elderly beta. And, of course, the males could not provide milk.
She heard something rustling around in the bushes, and quietly she stalked off to see what is was. "Come with me, children," she said quietly, and they all sensed a seriousness about her and followed easily behind her in a line. Something was up, and Nala was determined to find out what that something was - she needed to know if it was a threat or if it was an ally.
Once inside the cave, Nala felt bad for intruding. There were eight little puppies there - just one less than what she had to take care of. "Look, it's puppies like us!" said Camena, rushing forward to where her mother stood. "Let's go play with them!" said Ochladenie. "No, Ochladenie. You may not go play with them. They are too young. They are a few weeks younger than you," said Nala in a scolding tone.
"I am sorry for interrupting, Gem," she said softly. "Is there any way I can help you?" she asked, wagging her tail slightly.