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At the clearing by the river lay the rest of the pack. Zeal and Therin, the alpha pair, napped side by side on the soft grass beneath an elderly cedar. Shlotska lay several feet away near the river. His bulky black body was warmed by the sunlight, but Kaylai’s splashes kept him cool. She played as close to her older brother as he would allow. The water was cold to her paws, but it was fresh and clean. She dipped her nose down into the current.
"Shlotska," she said as she surfaced her muzzle, "you should come in. The water’s so cold, it feels amazing! This is the way to beat the heat."
The black wolf lay where he was, opening one golden eye just enough to give her a ‘forget it’ glare.
She drooped her tail, but didn’t let it get to her. That was Shlotska for you. Kaylai looked around the wood for a moment, but saw nothing. She looked down at her legs, being slapped softly by the river. It glistened, as if inviting her to take a lap, so she did. She let her tongue hang in the crystalline waters for a moment before bringing any up to drink. It had a very pure taste this summer.
"Kaylai, stop teasing the fish," Shlotska warned his sister, "the Gerpinger might get you. We can’t have that, now can we?"
The young wolf shivered, but shook her head, "That’s just a tale used to scare pups! You can’t use it on me anymore."
Shlotska’s eyes glistened with a mischievous shine, "Kaylai, all I’m asking is that you be cautious. You never know. Many stories hold some truth. Maybe the Gerpinger won’t get you, but there are other creatures that live in the deeper bends of the river."
Kaylai shook off her brothers words like they were nothing more than raindrops. She was almost a full grown wolf, after all. She could take care of herself. To prove it to Shlotska, she ran to where her paws no longer felt the pebbles of the riverbed and then swam about in the current, which was notably stronger.
Her ears lay down against her head, "See? No trouble."
When she looked over her shoulder, her brother had disappeared from his comfortable spot on the shore. She glanced around, seeing no sign of him. Seconds passed like minutes, and she felt a sudden discomfort. Where had he run off to? Had he sensed danger?
Kaylai felt her gut wrench. She looked into the rushing blue water beneath her. A shadow far in the depths caught her eye. Fish? She thought, no, Shlotska!
She felt a hint of pride, feeling sure she had recognized the shadow. It swam closer to the surface where she hung loose in the water, clinging to a worn old rock with her claws. She watched it, trying to calm her nerves down. As it got closer, her stomach wrenched again. She realized something just now–it wasn’t a wolf’s shadow. The she-wolf felt the river’s current pushing at her young body. If she let go, she’d have a chance at getting away from the creature, but she could very well be carried away if the current became any stronger down-river. Her body had begun to grow weary. In a deep desperation and moment of fright, her claws tried to grip tighter, but slipped from the crevices of the rock. Kaylai was tossed suddenly beneath the waves. She struggled, appearing again above the harsh surface. Her paws lashed out for the safety of the shore. She made a slight headway towards her desperate destination, but could feel the current growing stronger and stronger against her tired body. She had almost forgotten about the lurking shadow. That is, until it appeared directly underneath her. She felt something take a vigorous hold on her back paws, and she was rendered helpless. The entire scene was over in an instant. She felt her body land on solid ground. Dripping wet, her fur showed her body’s shivering. She didn’t even think to open her eyes. Her legs were as good as numb, and her tongue lolled out of her mouth in stark exhaustion.
Something was still present beside her. She could hear it breathing, and felt something stroke her fur. Her body stiffened immediately at the touch, but she made no move to defend herself. The thing drew itself closer to her limp body, continuing to smooth her fur. The breaths were suddenly soft in her ear.
"Hey," the breaths whispered, "Kaylai. I didn’t mean to scare you. You ok? Kaylai."

The voice brought a sweep of relief. Still trembling from the adrenaline, Kaylai mustered up enough strength to look over her shoulder. Her heavy panting stopped.
She looked directly into two soft golden eyes. It was a human. A human male, yes, but no stranger.
"Shlotska..." Kaylai muttered, "You make a funny looking human."
Shlotska smiled. He took a great amount of pride in his youngest sister. He figured she was right, he probably did make a funny looking human. Deep golden eyes and soft but still masculine features were part of what made Shlotska such a distinct wolf. He had a handsome face as a wolf and to most others, as a human too. He was undoubtedly strong, but gentle and noble in nature. He had a steady mind, too, and the makings of an excellent alpha.
Kaylai closed her eyes a moment, then looked back at her brother. This time he lay down beside her, his wet black fur against her streaks of red. He lay his head on her shoulder, letting sunlight warm them.
"Do you still think those waters are safe?" he asked quietly, "The current is too strong for a young wolf to take on."
Kaylai lifter her muzzle again and gave him a kiss on the nose, "I know, I know...that’s why I have my brother, right?"
Shlotska just smiled. Nothing was more important to a wolf than family. Any self-respecting wolf would willingly fight and die for any member of the pack. It was unwritten law.
The bushes on the other side of the clearing rustled. Shlotska turned his head quickly to watch the approaching creatures come into the clearing. The black wolf sensed no danger. It was only Rozielh and Calpura.