The Three Nights Chapter Three

Instructions

THREE Bumblebee Meadow ShadePack “Tell me more about Mom.” urged Ignus. “Please.” Leaf shook his head. “Please? She never knew me, and I should know.” Ignus whined. His deep brown eyes were speckled with sadness and anger. “Fine,” growled Leaf. “But just this once.” Leaf had had a milky white pelt with brown patches. His bright blue eyes resembled more of a pool of tears ever since Potentia died. He cleared his throat and began: “Potentia was a great wolf. Powerful, strong. Always loving. Since I was but five years old, only just joining the Great Hunt, when I fell in love with her. “Her fur was a shining gray, her eyes a bright lilac. I gave her a deer, and she gave me her trust. Soon we were mated under a crescent moon. One day, she was expected to have five kits.” Leaf took a deep breath. Ignus could feel the tears burning in his father’s eyes. “Then a great grizzly bear struck. We all had to fight to drive it back, regardless of health or status. Many were wounded, but Potentia had the worst of it. Four of her pup’s died before they were born, and Potentia’s health was fading quickly. “She gave birth to you, then died.” Leaf turned and curled up. “I’m sorry, Ignus. That story is too harsh for a wolf of four years.” “I don’t mind!” squeaked Ignus. “I like learning about Mom! Tell me more.” “Ignus, please. Leave. I need rest.” Leaf said, exasperated. Ignus found himself shoved from the den. I just wanted to know about her. He thought sadly. Suddenly, a big brown fur ball zoomed across the long plain. “Bumblebee!” cried Ignus. “What’s going on?” He and Bumblebee had been friends for as long as he could remember. But lately, he… Well, he might, erm, kinda sorta like her. “Ignus, hi!” Bumblebee’s gold eyes turned bright. “Wanna come with me?” Ignus’s heart caught in his throat. “Sure!” he croaked. Bumblebee gave him a wry grin. “I know just the place…” “Alpha Caligo, we’re going hunting!” she shouted as she bounded into the forest. “Where are we going?” Ignus asked. Bumblebee said nothing. A large patch of purple butterflies swarmed around the two adolescent wolves. Bumblebee turned into a sharp green hedge and slid under it. Ignus watched helplessly as the green flora covered up his friend. Then he burst through, mostly to prove he wasn’t chicken. Of course, he also couldn’t let Bumblebee go off without him. Spitting out sharp thorns, he said, “Bumblebee, where are we?” Bumblebee grinned at him. “Welcome to Bumblebee Meadow.” *** Green fields stretched out for miles. Flowers of every color grew. Butterflies circled around the hills. “Um, here we are.” Bumblebee faltered. Ignus’s heart beat a little faster. She’s cute when she falters like that. “Wow.” whispered Ignus. Their eyes met. Bumblebee blushed. “I like it. Did you find all this?” “Yeah.” Bumblebee said. There was a moment of awkward silence. “Hey… do you remember when we were little, and we'd chase butterflies?” Ignus squeaked. Wow, that’s dumb. Ignus berated himself. “Yeah.” said Bumblebee, looking away. “You wanna catch one?” Bumblebee grasped his paw. Her paw was soft and warm to the touch. A little tingle ran down his spine. “I haven’t done that since I was a whelp,” she remarked wistfully. “C’mon!” Before Ignus could interject, Bumblebee grabbed his paw and sprinted toward a large cluster of butterflies. The storm of butterflies parted, and the two juvenile wolves found themselves in a lavender whirlwind. Ignus gave an embarrassed half-smile. Bumblebee laughed. Then the storm parted. Above them stood a large black bear- the same one that killed Potentia only a few years ago.