"Diana… where are you sweetie… Dian- DIANA!" I lay there on the ground, as May spoke to me, I couldn't hear what she was saying anymore, everything hurt and I could barely breath. I quickly drifted into unconsciousness. I dreamed of my mother. She sat curled up in the nook of the crescent moon and was saying something to me that I couldn't make out. Then the moon started to disappear off the horizon. I called out "MOM! No don't take her… don't take her from me…" My eyes flew open, to May's face crinkled with concern. "Diana, it's just a nightmare. You are ok, you are safe." She gave me a comforting smile, "How on earth did you manage to get yourself into such a scrape! Did you fall out of that tree again?" I looked up at the tall majestic giant swaying in the wind above me as she hugged me, "Well you are ok now, you know that?" I leaned into the hug. 

We walked back to the camp in silence. When we got there, a bunch of young pups came running out to greet us. "Di- Di", they called in their high pitched voices. One not as experienced as I might have thought they were adorable and harmless, I knew though that they were little demons. I loved those little demons though, so when they pounced on me I went along with it and rolled all over the ground. I was dirty and sweaty by the time one spotted an unusual bug and they all went off to look at it. I walked down to the river, smiling when I spotted Beth. She was one of my favorite people, and my absolute favorite pup. She was much gentler though than the others and very quiet, which made it hard for her to connect with the rest of them. Most of them were in their eat, attack, repeat phase. 

I sat down by her. She was drawing a butterfly in the mud with a pointed stick. It was incredibly detailed and I wish it could have been preserved forever, that the river wouldn't wash it away. It was Beth who erased it first though, embarrassed to have been caught drawing. "It's ok you know," I sighed "You know I love your drawings". She didn't say anything just sat with her gaze cast to the ground. I leaned back and wiggled my feet. She looked at me when I nudged her with one foot and I smiled at her. "Hey, you don't have to be ashamed of your drawings, especially not with me." She smiled at me before looking away, but I could tell she was still upset. "What's wrong Bee? Do I need to go tackle any pups?" She shook her head hard. "N-no," she stuttered "I'm fine!" She makes me really sad, when she won't stand up for herself, or even ask for help. I wish I knew how to help her, but I decided to leave it to rest. We sat by the river for a while in silence before it was time for dinner. 

I walked up to the fire where Sage and May were cooking food. The pups were running around, generally not helping, and Beth was sitting in a corner. "When will everyone get back?" I asked Sage. She didn't look up but answered, "Soon I'm sure. I hope they bring something big, we're running low on supplies." On cue I heard the pups start shouting and I turned to see the rest of my pack, with Alpha at the front. I started to smile, but stopped at Alpha's solemn face. "Again?" May said. "Yes. There was practically nothing." Alpha said, speaking with more emotion than she usually let show. "We can't find anything with all the humans hunting to hang those damned heads on their ugly mantles" Holly cried, stepping up next to Alpha. Alpha shot her a stern glance, "I don't like her phrasing, but she is right. The humans didn't used to hunt this much, and especially this deep into the forest. If this keeps up we won't have anything to eat. All we can find are small animals, but they are also few and far between." She looked over at the pups as they played blissfully unaware of the dire situation. "We need to be able to feed them. I'm worried we might have to go into a human settlement if we want to find anything to eat." Sage spoke up, "It's too dangerous, you know this! We are not welcome in human territory." "We have no choice." Alpha said. "Let's worry about this away from the little ones," May said "We'll figure it out after dinner." 

It was dark and I sat staring up at the stars. The moon was bright. It would be full soon, and usually everyone would be celebrating it's arrival. No one was quite in that mood though, and there was no way we would be able to have a feast like we usually would. I was worried for what might happen to our pack. The adults were all tired. I wished everything were easier for us. I felt so frustrated at being unable to help. I knew there would be a time when they needed my help, and I was fully prepared to step up when the opportunity came.