“Shade and Sweet water to you Moonshade, Strongbow. Already hit the patch this night I see?”

Clearbrook giggled as Strongbow blushed and Moonshade gave her a ‘you know it’ grin and led him away before he could become to embarrassed. She watched them go for a moment then made her way to the thicket. It wasn’t the largest dreamberry patch the Wolfriders knew of but it was the favorite place for the old Storyteller. Clearbrook was almost old enough to be considered an elder, in fact she was the eldest female in the tribe next to Trueflight, but Longreach was her age twice over. She respected him emencly, and was honored when he asked her for advice. She had a feeling that was what he needed now. She stopped and looked around. She spotted his burnt orange hood, a unique addition to his tunic that he almost never wore down. She often wondered how he could wear such a thing covering his ears all the time. It would drive her mad. She walked over to him and noticed that Woodhue was with him. She smiled at her lovemate. They had been treeing together for quite some time now, and she never got tired of seeing him. Lately though, there was a stirring deep inside of her when she looked at him. Like a child excited to see her mother after a long hunt. He was Longreach’s brother, but she did not expect to see him here.

“Hello Lovemate, Longreach.” She nodded to each in turn. “I am sorry I’m late. Joyleaf and I started talking and you know how she gets.”

She giggled as she sat down.Longreach met her eyes with his infanent patience. He never seemed to get mad, no matter what. He always looked on the bright side of things. Longreach looked at his brother and said;

“Woodhue, if you don’t mind, I need to talk to your Lovemate alone.”

             Woodhue nodded and stood up. He caressed Clearbrook’s hair as he walked by. There was that excitement again.

              Longreach sat quietly until his brother was out of direct hearing range then looked at Clearbrook with his all knowing eyes.

“Clearbrook, you are wise beyond your years. You have helped me to see things in another point of view when I see only from one side of the tree. I need your help with a decision I need to make.” 

He stood up and stepped to a bush full of ripe berries. He carefully plucked one and offered it to her. She took it and placed it on her tongue. The first rush of juice was her favorite and she loved to savor it. She did so as he explained.

“Bearclaw has asked me to do something for him. His requests are never easy, and I’m not sure what to do. He told me to make up my mind soon. It involves the humans, and I am not supposed to tell anyone.”

He looked at her seriously now. This surprised her. Longreach was never the serious one when it came to most things, always being laid back, letting things happen as they will, trying not to get into the middle of things. But he always respected his chief, and he had been through four already. She nodded at him.

“Alright Longreach. I will tell no one what goes on here tonight.” She stood up and went to him. “Now tell me what it is you need from me.”

             He plucked another berry; this time put it in his mouth. He closed his eyes, then asked her;

“I was asked to track the humans. I would be away from the tribe for at least a moon, living near the human camp. Learning from them, about them. Mostly about the human chief. Bearclaw has asked me to do this because I am the only other one to remember what they are capable of. He wants to know how they have changed, yet he has promised Joyleaf he wouldn’t go near them unless it was an emergency.”

           He Looked up at the moons and shook his head, a slight smile on his lips.

“Brownberry will not be happy if I do this. She and Joyleaf feel the same way about the humans. ‘Let them be’ she says. ‘Leave them alone and they will leave us alone.’ But she doesn’t remember them like I do. What should I do? I don’t want to go near the humans. I hate them a much as everyone else does, but I do not want to let Bearclaw down.”

              He met Clearbrook’s eyes again. They were pleading for her help, yet he was standing in his ever calm way, fingering the leaves of the dreamberry bush. She hadn’t noticed that her eyes had gotten wide until he laughed at her. He caught her off guard with this news. She lowered her eyebrows and crossed her arms, thinking to herself.

‘Now I know why he didn’t bring this up to Strongbow. It’s against they way to deal with humans. He would not have agreed to this. And neither would Woodhue.’

             She thought to herself for long moments. Longreach let her, not interrupting her. He put himself to work picking berries that he would dry and store for later use. Finally she said something.

“I think you should fallow your gut Longreach. It’s been a long time since the humans were around and it would be good to know what the they were up to, and to know their language, but I don’t like the idea of having to deal with them at all. If Bearclaw wants you to do this, I think you should fallow your gut. Do what you think is better for the tribe.”

She left it at that. This was his decision not hers, all he wanted was her advise and that’s what he got. He nodded and went back to picking. Clearbrook took that as her queue to leave. She turned and headed back to the Holt.

She took the long way, around the perimeter of the Holt, and in from the back of the father tree. Her den was near the entrance in the front. She made her way to it, hoping Woodhue would be there. She waved at Joyleaf and Moonshade who were sitting in front of Rainsong’s den tree to the right, then climbed into her den.

“Ahh, Lovemate, lets… Gasp!”

               She was looking into his eyes, Deeper then ever before. The brownness of them surrounded her and drew out a part of her that she had never shared nor given freely. The excitement in her stomach grew to overwhelm her and she felt faint. Her whole body felt like it was glowing with the heat of the sun and she wanted to be with him like her life depended on it. Reality blurred and she saw him for who he was. She saw his soul, and she knew he could see hers as well.   

**SUR!**

Woodhue went back to the holt leaving Clearbrook and Longreach alone to talk. He decided to go straight to their den, he was tired, and he had been tired all the time lately. He even had gone to Rain to see if everything was all right and Rain just told him he needed to take it easy. But take what easy? There had been no real excitement as of late. The humans kept to them selves, staying near their clearing, and there hadn’t been any hunting accidents or anything, he just felt tired, like he was…well…he couldn’t explain it. He had given up trying to explain it and just took a lot of wolf naps with Nestrobber when he wasn’t hunting or doing his duties. He reached the den and climbed in. He tried to make himself comfortable, but he couldn’t find a good spot. He finally just settled onto the pilled up furs and lay there letting his mind wander.

He thought about hunting, hunting with Clearbrook. He thought about that long silver hair and matching eyes that sparkled like the stars…. He thought about the last time they joined and how it felt like something big was about to happen, but didn’t, leaving him feeling like part of him was missing. Since then he had been a little grumpy. He tried not to show it. He didn’t want to hurt Clearbrook, didn’t want her to think he was unhappy with her. Far from it, he was happier then he had ever been, but something was missing, and it made him tired. He closed his eyes. He didn’t fall asleep. That feeling was coming over him again, like something big was going to happen. He started to grumble to himself.

“Puckernuts, What am I waiting for?”

             Just then he heard rustling outside of his den. He opened his eyes just as Clearbrook’s silver head popped through the den opening. She said, “Ahh, Lovemate, lets… Gasp!”

He heard his soulname and all of sudden he wasn’t tired anymore, like someone had thrown cold water in his face. He was lying down but he felt like he was falling. He threw his arms out to catch himself, but couldn’t tear his eyes away from hers. They were more silver then he had ever seen. Shining like the moons. His body yearned for her. His groin pulled at his breaches, he had to have her. What was this? A name, a name was repeating itself over and over in his mind but he couldn’t hear it. What was it? His soul reached for it like a hand for a butterfly. He found himself falling into her, or was she falling into him. They were in each other’s arms. Touching each other in places never touched before. Was this real? Was he dreaming? He could feel her, but it was like he was feeling it through her. They were one, in body and soul. They exploded together, like so many times before yet with more power. Then he caught the name, 

**Wyiss**

Sparks erupted inside her when he touched her. She felt like he was swimming inside her soul. Like they would never separate, and she didn’t want to. They joined and it was like the whole world was gone. She could hear nor feel anything but him. Her soul howled with joy for this moment, and when the moment exploded, it was like she was floating down to the ground, like a leaf in the wind. They lay together until the shadows made new pictures on the walls of their den, just holding each other. Quietly rejoicing in their newfound whole-ness.

Finally, she looked at him, and placed her hand on her tummy.

“Sur.” She whispered, “A new life grows within me.”

            Tears built up in her eyes as he laid his hand on hers. He kissed her forehead and said.

“Wyiss, I am so happy. I will always be here for you. Can I call you Lifemate.”

            Clearbrook hugged him fiercely. Tears fell down her face and she agreed to be his Lifemate. With that, he sat up and started to dress.

“Where are you going?” she sounded a little disappointed.

“I’m gonna go hunting. All of a sudden I have all of this energy.” He turned to look at her. “Besides, I want to start taking care of you, and get some food in your stomach.”

             He nuzzled her ear, smoothed back her messed hair, and left the den. Clearbrook flopped back down in the furs and started kicking her feet and laughing. She was so happy. She had to tell someone. She sat back up and called to all of the girls in the tribe.

**Joyleaf, Moonshade, Brownberry, Trueflight, Rainsong, Foxfur, Eyeshigh, Rillfisher!! I have news.**

She quickly got dressed and headed out of her den. She reached the ground and Moonshade and Joyleaf were there. The rest were coming from their various duties. Brownberry had clay all over her hands. Trueflight lay her arrows down and walked over. Foxfur, Eyeshigh and Rillfisher all came from the stream. And Rainsong came from her father’s den inside the father tree. Joyleaf looked at her curiously and said.

“What is it Clearbrook? You sounded so excited.”

             Clearbrook looked at her with a large grin that was not common for her, and grabbed Joyleaf’s hands and started dancing in a circle.

**I recognized Woodhue. We will be having a cub in just two turns of the seasons!**

             Then she grabbed Moonshade and Brownberry and danced with them in a circle as Joyleaf clapped her hands. The others did a group gasp and started clapping with her.

Bearclaw and Longreach appeared from the tree line and saw the women clapping. They walked over to inquire.

“What’s going on here?”

          He said all in charge like with a smile on his face.

“Have the women folk finaly decided to take over the tribe?”

              Joyleaf looked at her Lifemate with a practiced look of patience and annoyance.

“Beloved. Woodhue and Clearbrook have recognized.”

          She walked over to him and put her arm around his.

“Won’t it be wonderful to have a new cub running around the Holt?”

             She ran her finger down the front of his tunic as she smiled up at him. Bearclaw knew that look too. He picked up Joyleaf and threw her over his shoulder.

“Oh! Beloved!” she sqeeled.

            Bearclaw laughed and headed for their den.

“Congratulations Clearbrook. We will have a howl tonight to celebrate. Right now I have official chief duties to look to.”

              With that he disappeared into the Father tree with Joyleaf. Clearbrook couldn’t help but laugh as well. Then Woodhue was back with a couple of ravvits across his lap.

“Clearbrook?”

           He looked at Clearbrook as he and Nestrobber rode into the circle. All of the gathered women surrounded him and patted him on the back, congratulating him. He blushed as he caught site of his brother standing there with a smirk on his face.

Two seasons flew by. Clearbrooks belly grew, as did her appetite. In the last eight moons Moonshade had had to make her three new tunics her belly grew so quickly. And Woodhue had a hard time keeping her fed. But the day came when Clearbrook felt her first pang. She was helping Moonshade clean a freshly skinned hide when she gasped.

“Gasp! Oh my.”

             She dropped the scrapping stone she had and grabbed at her belly.Moonshade looked over at her and realized what was happening. She called to Rain and he came to Moonshade’s clearing. He laid his hand on Clearbrook’s belly himself and smiled in his enigmatic way saying nothing but “It is time.” He led the way back to the Father tree. Moonshade helped her to lay in a mossy spot near the entrance and to remove her tunic, then sent Rillfisher to fetch some water. Woodhue came racing from the forest with Strongbow at his side.

“Clearbrook are you alright?”

               He jumped from Nestrobber to land neatly by her side. He knelt by her and took her hand. The next few hours were painful for Clearbrook. Rain was getting worried, and that didn’t make Woodhue too happy. Rain looked at his chief.

“We should move her inside.”

             That was all he said, and Woodhue barked at him.

“What is wrong with her? Why is she in so much pain?”

             Rain just looked at him and said.

“The baby is a fighter. She does not want to come out quietly.”

                    Joyleaf and Rillfisher helped Clearbrook into the father tree. The closest den was Foxfurs, so they laid her there. Another contraction hit and Clearbrook almost fainted. Rain finally said.

”You must push now. Come I will help you. Joyleaf, please get me something to wrap the cub in. Rillfisher, hold her hand.”

              Then he sent to Bearclaw.

**Do not let Woodhue in here. Not until I am finished.**

              Clearbrook started pushing. She knew it would be painful, but she had never seen a mother go threw this much. She was worried. But she did what Rain told her to do. She took Rillfisher’s hand, bit into the leather strap Joyleaf had handed her and pushed. She thought her lower half was being ripped apart. Then Rain used his magic and the pain lessoned.

“Oh no.” Rain whispered. “The baby is coming out backwards. Rillfisher, do not let her go.”

              Clearbrook didn’t know what that meant, but from the sound of his voice…. She pushed again, saw Rain consentrating, felt Rillfisher behind her, and blacked out.

Rillfisher felt Clearbrook’s hand go limp and squealed. Rain could feel a life fading but couldn’t tell if it was Clearbrook or the child. He quickly put his hand inside her, grabbed the baby’s feet, and pulled as gently as he could. The baby came out, but wasn’t breathing, and Clearbrook was bleeding. He could only take care of one at a time. He called to the eldest female.

**Trueflight, get in here!**

              Trueflight heard his urgent call and ran inside. Everyone looked up in surprise when she did. Woodhue could feel something was wrong and started after her. But Bearclaw stopped him.

“You have to stay out here lad. You will only get in the way.”

            Woodhue struggled for a moment and Bearclaw threatened to have Treestump and Strongbow hold him down. Woodhue just growled at his chief.

“You would only get in the way.” Bearclaw said again. “Just wait.”

                 Joyleaf and the others started to get worried.

‘I hope she is alright’ she thought to herself.

                Woodhue started pacing like a crazed wolf. Bearclaw was blocking the entrance so he couldn’t get in. What was going on in there? He tried to send to Clearbrook but found nothing from her but fuzzyness. He was worried.

Rain handed Trueflight the baby.

**She isn’t breathing, rub her back until she starts again. I must stop the bleeding or Clearbrook will die.**

He turned to Clearbrook and his magic started to flow. He wasn’t the strongest healer the Wolfriders ever had, but he was competent. The blood slowed, then stopped. Clearbrook was still out cold but would live. He turned to Trueflight and the baby. She still wasn’t breathing. Rain took her in his arms and, though he was exhausted, let his magic flow again. He focused on the blood flowing, the heart beating, and the baby took a sharp breath. The baby as breathing. He handed her back to Trueflight and she wrapped her in soft leather. Trueflight looked at Rain and nodded. He had done his best. Both lived.

Rain sent to Bearclaw that Clearbrook had past out but was fine, and that Woodhue could come in now. Bearclaw let Woodhue past, and he went straight for Clearbrook. When he saw her he saw the blood.

“What happened in here?!”

                He went to her side and felt her face. Her skin was cool and wet; her hair was matted and shine less. He looked at Rain, and saw the baby in the other Elders arms. Trueflight handed the cub to Woodhue and left the den. Rillfisher fallowed, then Rain started out. Woodhue stopped him.

“Rain, will she be alright?”

             Rain nodded,

 “She is unconscious, but she will be fine.”

          He turned and let the father be alone with baby and mother.

**Wyiss?** He sent to her. **She’s beautiful, please wake up. Wake Up!**

The force of his thoughts on hers, the fullness of his need for her, brought her to the surface. She had sunk into darkness to flee the pain. She could still feel pain, but it was bearable.

**Sur. I am here. I am so tired.**

              Her head moved, and he pushed her hair from her face. He held the child, so small. Her head had a glimmer of silver, but her eyes were closed like her mothers were now. Both slept. He lay down next to Clearbrook, put the cub between them, and fell asleep. When he woke, Clearbrook was feeding the cub. He realized they had stayed in Foxfur's den all night.

“I hope Foxfur doesn’t mind we stayed here.”

            He looked at the cub latched to her mother’s breast, brown eyes, and smiled.

“Foxfur came in to get a few things. She didn’t mind, She denned with Bearclaw and Joyleaf last night.”

The next few days were a blur for both mother and father, feedings, no sleep, lots of visitors. Four nights later, Clearbrook woke, feeling like something was wrong. She looked at the hammock that the baby slept in and there was no movement. She rushed to the cub and pulled her out of the hammock. She was so cold.

**RAIN! Come Quick!!**

             Clearbrook started crying and clutched the cub close to her chest. Woodhue woke up at the sound of Clerbrook’s sobs.

“What is it Lifemate? What’s wrong?”

              He saw the bundle in her arms and reached for it. Clearbrook wouldn’t let him near her. Rain came through the entrance with a worried look on his face.

“What’s wrong Clearbrook? Are you all right?”

          He to spotted the bundle.

“Let me see the cub Clearbrook.”

        Clearbrook looked at him with a tear-streaked face.

**She’s gone. Rain, My cub’s soul isn’t here. I send and I send. She doesn’t answer.**

              She handed the cub to Rain, and collapsed into Woodhue's arms. It hit him then what was happening. Holding Clearbrook, he looked from the cub to Rain and back again. Then he buried his face into Clearbrook’s hair. That night, they held a howl for the cub. It was only four nights ago they howled for her entrance into the tribe, now it was for her leaving it. Clearbrook and Woodhue weren’t themselves after that. They avoided each other, sleeping apart and not talking. The tribe didn’t know what to do. Clearbrook stayed with Trueflight while Woodhue stayed in his den. Finally the tribe had had enough of watching the two suffer apart. Bearclaw held a council and ordered them to stay in their den together,

“You two need to talk. The now of wolf thought will never give you peace if you don’t. You are not allowed out of there until you have come to terms with this. It was a horrible thing to happen to you. But life ends. It is the way.”

Bearclaw stood there as Woodhue jumped up and started to say something back to him. He was shaking all over. He wanted to throw something at him, to punch him, but all he could do was bite his lip. His head fell and so did a tear. Clearbrook took his hand. He looked into her clear, silver eyes and started sobbing. She held him for a moment, then led him to their den. They stayed in there for days. The others brought them food and water, until finally, Woodhue emerged and called Nestrobber. He disappeared into the woods, and came back with food taking it straight into the den. Later, Clearbrook emerged, and went to Bearclaw,

“We are ready to live in the now again.”

         That was all she said to him. Bearclaw nodded, and Clearbrook walked away. From then on, things went back to normal. Or, mostly normal.