Fredrik and his family arrived shortly after Jake and Blake left. Fron, as usual, was bouncing around and sticking his nose into anything that peeked his interest.
Fredrik and Anika came over and stood by us.
We exchanged proper greetings and pleasentries for a while, but then it was time for business.
"What do you need."
"I need you and your family to watch over Jasmin for a while," i pointed my nose at the injured wolf in the corner."
"I dont need babysitters, sir."Said Jasmin.
I ignored her.
Upon seeing the gash on Jasmins side, Anika gasped and ran to Jasmins side, she then began to fuss over her like the mother she was.
"I assume then that you and Ronna are going off to complete the mating ritual?"
The mating ritual was what binded two wolves, in love, together forever. It was a three step process and Ronna and I had already completed the first two steps.
"Yes, but Jasmin is too hurt to move now. She already hurt herself badly by not seeking help right away. So she has to stay here, but since were leaving..."
"I get it, you also think that my family will have a positive effect on her. Maybe bring her out of her shell."
"Exactly, your one of my best friends Fredrik, im not sure what id do without you."
He smiled. "Suffer probably."
I laughed.
"You better see the shaman before you go, she'll tell you if you two are ready for this."
"We will, ill have Lerbo take over your responsibillities while your here."
"If you want, its really not a big deal, i can still over see the new wolves."
"Yeah, but i need to reward you, and Lerbo can work harder."
We both laughed.
From over in the corner Anika said, "Well if you two want to go, we can take care of things from here."
"Thank you for this."
"Anytime Keirrn, my husband and i are your friends."
I nodded, "Come on Ronna lets go."
And we padded out of the room.


After about half an hour Ronna and I reached the cave of the Shaman.
Her dwellings were in the very back of the caves and were special, just for her.
Ronna touched my shoulder with her nose and smiled.
"Are you excited?" she asked.
"Yes," I said as i nuzzeled her head, "but also a little worried. If she should say that we arent ready then we will have to wait some more."
She rubbed her back on the underside of my chin, flicking her tail at my nose.
"Have faith, my love," she said, "Nothing could make me love you less."
I smiled and drew her near so that our bodies were pressed up next to each other.
"And I, will love you with all my being, forever."
With that I kissed her, putting all the love and adoration I felt for her into that one kiss, making it so that it was if our souls were combined.
We broke from the kiss, and rubbed down each others bodies.
"Come on," I said, "lets go see what the shaman has to say."
And we entered the dark crevice that led to her cave.


As we entered I got my first look at the shaman since my mother had died almost 2 years ago, I had been a adolesent then and she had scared me.
She looked up at us from over a small green fire.
"I was expecting you a little earlier," she said in a strangely soothing voice."
She was supposed to be older than any other wolf alive, but she didnt look any older that Ronna or myself. Her fur was a grayish-cream that seemed to shimer from behind the smoke created by the strange fire.
"We were held up a bit by a little problem with a young wolf."
"So I heard," she looked at Ronna, "So your here for the final stage of the mating ritual, are you sure you are ready for this, girl."
"Im positive."
"Fine I will see if you are ready, follow."
She turned and walked off into another room that was screened of by a hanging curtain.
Ronna jumped up and trotted after her.
I stared after them for a little bit then padded over to the fire and sat down. I stared down into its strange green depths and started to stress out a little.
Was I really ready for the final stage. Its not that i didnt love Ronna, God knows I do, but the final step in the mating ritual often resulted in pups and im not sure my life is a good place for pups.
I mean in the past few days ive had to deal with crisis after crisis and i knew it was driving me nuts.
Would a pup fit into that hectic scedule?
And what if i shoukd be challenged and lose what would happen to Ronna and the pup.
Maybe I should tell Ronna i wasnt ready.
"Wait," i thought to myself, "think a little harder. Fredrik wouldnt let anything happen to my beloved.
I smiled, but as that thought went through my head, Kane and his crones walked in through the crevice that acted as a doorway.
"Keirrn, I heard you were here."
I growled, "what do you want Kane, you have no right to inturupt us."
"But you will be leaving soon and i want to get this out of the way." he smirked.
"Fine, why are you here."
"I came about that favor i requested, I heard you have a young wolf named Jasmin in your cave. Id like you to release her too me."
"Youve got to be kidding me why would i do that?"
"Because she is my daughter."
I gapped at him.
"No way."
"Wether you believe it or not that is the truth."
I pulled myself together.
"No, she was attcked and shes not leaving the cave until we catch the guy responsible."
He growled and turned away, trying to compose himself.
From over his shoulder he said, "as soon as you get the guy i want you to turn her over to me."
"If she want to go with you then that will be fine."
He glared, then left signaling the cronies to follow.
I moved back over to my spot by the fire once more.
I hope if i decide to have pups i dont end up a father like that crazed ass.
Maybe my life was too much even with Fredriks and others help, to raise pups.
Damn it were the hell were all these doubts coming from. I was pack leader my word is law, i could provide all the protection anyone ever wanted.
The fire flickered and i glanced at it suspiciously and moved away from it.
"Very good keirrn, you spotted my trick," said the shaman as she and Ronna emerged from the side room.
"That was your test," she said, "to conquer doubt and choose love. The fire was a tool to cause doubt."
She looked at it and like that it went out and the room went dark.
I blinked a bit then relized that the room had begun to produce faint blue glow.
"Your mate is also ready, in three days time you should consumate the realationship, for then she will be in full heat."
Ronna came over and gave me a quick kiss.
"I have a question?" she said.
"Yes child, what is it?"
She blushed, "well i was wondering if i had to be in heat to mate?"
The shaman looked at her and smiled, "for the first time and for pups yes, otherwise no."
"Thank you."
"We will get out of your way now," i said, "come on Ronna."
I allowed Ronna to exit the cave first, always the gentleman.
I called back over shoulder, "thank you shaman."
As i left alls i could see was the shine of her eyes over the glow of the dying embers.