The rain pitter-patters outside. A cold draft blows into the den, stirring our outer coats. Hunter lays close to the den entrance, and on either side of them is Fern, the other beta, and Julian the coyote, his head draped dramatically over Hunter’s haunch. Fern is curled up into a tight fuzzy ball. They’re all cuddling close together. The wind is picking up.
I am towards the center of the den. Curled up next to me is Tori, beside her Sonny. I nuzzle into Bardou and Chara’s thick fur. Their breath is steady and it is a warm, welcome break from the howling wind. The rain pelts down harder and Hunter is stirred, she and the others up front retreat back towards us. The littlest wolves Fog and Caprine are lost in the tight compact, overwhelmed with warm fur. I curl my tail around Levi’s throat and as thunder rolls, I hear whimpers. “Don’t be scared.” I whine softly. A chilly breeze sweeps over us. Ronnie and Ark push themselves close together and shiver. None are shivering harder than Casey, whose thin fur coat can’t protect against these icy winds. They tremble, but Sophia and Alisa are already offering their warmth. Francis lets out a snore.
“Close together, my pack.” I whisper. The rain is turning to a lullaby. The wind hisses in the trees, but we aren’t scared. The den sings with warmth, the heat trapped in our fur. Our eyes close and shield against it, but as the wind winds down we find ourselves calmer than ever. We will fall off to sleep snuggled together, surrounded by the beating of each other’s canine hearts. Here, now, everything is perfect, and there is only here and now and the warmth and the rain. It is a night for good sleep. Sleep well, my pack.
