Chapter 9
Kate, Miranda, Lilly and Saphire approached a shining lake with the moon reflecting off of it. The moon illuminated the dew that wet Kate's pads. The trees surrounded the clearing. Kate sat down and like a human, supported her body, with her two front paws, and took one hind paw and dipped her toe into the water. Not cold, or hot, but cool. Refreshing. She was about to get in when she heard a... "Whoo hoo!" Miranda jumped, did a flip in the air and splashed in the water. Lilly laughed and walked into the water. Saphire sat at the edge, leaned down and began to lap the water. Miranda exploded from the water and began scrubbing her body. Lilly took some of the water, grabbed a pine cone from the shore and began to comb her fur. As well at the fur that drooped over her face. Kate laughed at the sight of two sensible female wolves, splashing about, trying to get ready for a mate. In spite of herself, Kate jumped into the water and began washing.

Seth made his way to the Alpha's den. Before entering, he called out to Liam for permission to enter. He'd rather not get smacked around by wolves he wasn't friends with. Liam ackknowledged him. Seth entered. He entered to see a pretty she wolf sitting besides of Griffin. "Hey Seth, do you know where Saphire went? I was looking forward to the first 30 minutes before the howl.... I could of gotten lucky..." "Poor Liam... Always looking for sex..." The she-wolf laughed. Liam shook his head and smiled. "I don't believe we've met!" the she-wolf said, getting up. Her brown fur matching her green eyes. "I'm Carey!" She said. Seth smiled. "I'm Seth!" "I take it you're Griffin's friend?" Seth nodded. "Well I hope we can be good friends..." Carey laughed. Seth turned to Liam. "Well, She may be with Kate. I'm sure that Kate would of met up with Lilly and Miranda." "Well knowing them, they are probably by the lake getting ready for the howl..." Griffin added. "Alright... I'll be right back." Liam said getting up. Griffin looked about before speaking. "Wait up Liam, we don't have anything to do right now... So we'll come along." Liam nodded and with that, the 4 headed to the lake.

"haha!" Lilly laughed as Miranda splashed water on her. Miranda's black fur was matted to her. She quickly hopped onto shore and shook off all the water. She walked to the side of the clearing and picked out a blue flower. She picked it up and placed it behind her ear. She smiled at the others and then began to lick herself. "Need some help Kate?" Saphire asked. Kate looked confused. "You haven't done anything since you got here. You want me to fix you up?" Kate looked down at her reflection in the lake for a moment before turning to Saphire. Kate nodded. Saphire laughed. Saphire began her work. She looked around the clearing for a moment. She found a beehive stuck to a tree on one end. She walked up to it, jabbed the end, and got some honey on her paw. She made sure not to rupture the hive, or she would be risking being injured. She approached Kate, being careful not to tread on the paw that she had dabbed honey on. She reached Kate. "Here. Lap some of this up." "What?" Kate asked confused. "Just do it." Saphire instructed. Kate did as she was told. She licked up the honey on Saphire's paw. "Now, cup your paws around your mouth and breathe, then smell your breath." Kate once again followed Saphire's instructions. Honey. Her breath smelled of honey. Kate smiled, excitedly, and then went to the lake. She looked at her relflection. She smiled. The water revealed 42 teeth, all shiny white. Kate laughed. "Thanks Saph!" kAte said turning to Saphire. "I'm not done though..." Saphire laughed. She grabbed a pinecone, waked over to the lake and gestured for Kate to follow.

Seth, Liam, Griffin and Carey approached the lake. "You're sure this is where she is?" Griffin nodded. "Well I certainly don't see any she-wolves-" Liam's voice trailer off when he saw Saphire walking towards them. She threw her hair around, like a whip, showing off to her mate. "Whoa..." Liam gasped. "Haha..." Seth laughed. Just then, Kate approached with Lilly and Miranda at each side. Kate's eyes lit upon seeing Seth. She ran up to him. They rubbed noses. "Hey... How have you been..." They whispered to each other. They looked up at each other and stared into each other's eyes. Then... they turned to their left and saw a very confused Liam, Saphire, Carey, Griffin, Miranda, and Lilly. "Oh... uh... We're just close friends... Yeah... We've been through alot..." Kate explained. "Riiiiight...." Liam said turning to the others. Kate sighed a very shallow and quick breath and rolled her eyes. She left Seth's side and rushed up to the others. Seth sighed. Kate paused upon hearing her boyfriend's distress. She slowly padded back to him. She didn't exchange any words. She just lip locked with him for a few seconds. Then both of them rushed back to the others.