Milky Way rested across some tree roots, her eyes gazing over the carved valley of camp. She smiled at the wolves that bounded around, most curling up in the sun on some stones. She noticed a small group of wolves that resided at the edge of the camp. Her eyebrow perked at them, her eyes trailing their forms.

One was slender and black, a few blue-ish grey stripes on their coat. Their face was round and their eyes were a bright green. Another had longer white and red, sleek fur. Their paws were small and face round. The smallest was dark brown with long fur, their eyes a golden red color. 

Milky Way smiled at them, watching as they communed. She hopped over to them, her pace slowing as the smallest gazed at her. "Hello, everyone..." she said, giving a soft smile. The one with bright green eyes gazed at her, their ear twitching. "Who are you...?" the red and white one spoke, her voice quiet and soft. "Milky Way... I'm sorry if I disturbed you... I just wanted to see what you were doing..." Milky Way said, smiling gently at them.

The darker wolf looked away, resting his head on his paws. "I'm sorry for him..." the red and white one spoke, smiling at Milky Way. "I'm Red Wood... This is Ant Puddle..." she paused, glancing at the smallest of the three. "And that is Shade Stripe..." she said, gazing at the dark wolf. "Wow... Hello there..." Milky Way said, smiling at the three. "Shade Stripe isn't from this pack... Best to keep talk of him to a minimum." Ant Puddle spoke, tilting her head at Milky Way. She nodded, sitting next to them. "Mind if I join the huddle?" she asked, watching as Red Wood smiled. "Not a bit," she spoke, rubbing her tail against Milky Ways' flank.

Milky Way chatted with the three, learning a few facts of them and even gaining insight on the untalkative Shade Stripe. "So, he really got his throat ripped up?" she asked, tilting her head. Red Wood nodded, looking at the male. His green eyes were resting on the cream and brown female. "By?" she asked, ear twitching. "We don't know. Shade never told us." Ant Puddle said, resting her head on Shade Stripes' back.

"Hey! What is he doing here?!" A voice snarled, charging over to the four. Milky Way looked over, seeing a stocky, honey golden wolf with an angular face and large paws. The beta, Honey Road. He growled at Shade Stripe, watching as his fur bristled in annoyance. Ant Puddle fell back as the male stood, his tail flicking at the other male. Red Wood stood between them, gazing up at the beta. "Please, Honey Road, don't say anything... He's just a friend..." she breathed, gazing up at the amber eyes of the male.

"Friend or not, he is from another pack." Honey Road growled, leaning over the salutary wolf. "You know the rules, Red Wood. No outsiders are allowed in pack territory, or in pack life unless the alpha says so." he snarled. Shade Stripe lifted his head, his large scars on his neck showing through his short fur. He glared at the large male, his ears up in annoyance and bravery.

"What about the alpha's pup?" Milky Way spoke up, watching the betas' ear twitch to her voice. "Excuse me?" he grumbled, turning his head to face her. "I'm Milky Way. Rivers' pup," she said, her face calm. As he gazed at her his face slowly turned from anger to confusion, and then to fear. The similarities were noticeable and were scattered throughout her. "Miss, I never..." he spoke, his voice trailing off. "Shade Stripe can enter the territory. Only if I or Red Wood are here, as we are the eldest of the four you're currently talking down to, Honey Road..." she spat, her eyes glaring slightly.

"I... I deeply apologize, ma'am..." Honey Road whimpered, ducking his head into that of a bow. "... I forgive you... But if you speak of this encounter, I'll have your head... Understood...?" she warned, raising her eyebrow at the male. He nodded, bounding away quickly. Milky Way watched him till he vanished beyond her view, her ear twitching to his steps. She looked over at the three, the two girls stared in awe with Shade Stripe simply gave a silent thank and laid back down, his head, again, facing away.

"We didn't know you were her daughter!" Red Wood yelped, smiling at the cream colored female. "You never saw my entrance...? Or the announcement...?" Milky Way asked, tilting her head. "I did!" Ant Puddle jumped. "I saw your trial announcement! But I never thought you were her pup!" she smiled, nuzzling her chest fur. Red Wood sat next to her, licking her shoulder gently. "That's amazing..." she breathed, smiling at the small female. "Isn't it, Shade Stripe...?" she said, looking at the black male.

He stayed quiet, looking over at them. His eyes looked at the happy smile of Red Wood, then to the calm, anxious face of Milky Way. His tail twitched, resting against her paws in approval before turning away again. Milky Way smiled, watching as the long and thin tail curled once more around the stretched legs of the dark wolf.

Milky Way stayed with the three, eventually turning into two as Ant Puddle had to leave. Red Wood spoke of some of Shade Stripes' adventures, watching as he smiled slightly from the boasting and compliments he got. Milky Way laid against the male, her head nestled into his side as she listened, smiling at Red Wood. "He has had many adventures." Red Wood laughed, smiling at the two. "Indeed!" Milky Way giggled, smiling at her.

Shade Stripe stood, slowly. He gazed at the two, nodding quietly at Red Wood. Milky Way tilted her head, looking up at him. "What does he mean? With the nod?" she asked, seeing Red Wood walk to him. "He has to go home... To his pack..." she spoke, resting her tail over and around his flank. He leaned against her, walking with her. Milky Way followed, pressing against him to hide him from view.

Milky Way walked with the two towards the edge of the territory, sitting by a tree silently. Red Wood pressed her forehead against Shade Stripes', and smiled. Shade Stripe rested his tail around her paws, then fled, his dark pelt disappearing into the bushes and logs. Red Wood bounded to Milky Way, resting against the tree she sat next to you. "C'mon. Let's go." she said, smiling at the cream colored female. Milky Way nodded, smiling back.

The two made it back to the center camp, bidding each other a good night and taking off to their own hallows. Milky Way curled up in the mossy bed, gazing up at the red sky. She imagined the valleys and mountains, running under the stars. She purred at the thoughts, nestling into her fluff. It wasn't long before she drifted off, her mind bringing images of the blue and purple sky.