by Robin Roseau
"It's hard to tell," Elisabeth said. "What if she's not really cut out for it?"
"We'll get all our kids ready for college," Francesca said. "Maybe she'll go in a different direction, but we won't let this program hurt her long term career chances."
"Then yes," Elisabeth replied. "I want Monique in the program."
"Do we need to free up more funds from the council?" I asked.
Elisabeth smiled. "This will be part of the money to be spent training enforcers. They didn't tell us how much to spend. Some of the council members won't like this, but the ones who count will be fine."
"This sounds good," Lara said.
"I have one more question," I said. They all looked at me. "Is this a little predatory? She's only twelve."
"No," said Elisabeth. "I started training to be an enforcer from the day I was born. So did Lara."
"We won't strong-arm anyone," Lara said. "I am more worried about parents using this program to maneuver their kids closer to the pack power base when the child isn't really interested in becoming an enforcer."
"Let the older kids interview prospective students," Angel said. "Sometimes it's harder to fool other kids than it is to fool adults."
"I have a pretty stringent interview process for my students," I pointed out. "Elisabeth can have an equally stringent process." I paused. "And ultimately, if we take some kids who don't become an enforcer, is that a real problem?"
"No," Lara said immediately.
And just like that, a new focus was born, and what might turn out to be a long-term solution to a chronic pack problem.
Elisabeth looked pleased.
"We still have a problem for the next six years," Elisabeth said. "But Michaela, thank you. This should help."
* * * *
The resort we used on Madeline Island consisted of a central lodge and a number of cabins. The cabins were of various configurations. Lara and I had a larger cabin with two bedrooms and a lovely living room. This gave us, along with the babies, one room, and a second room for Elisabeth. Before going to bed, two more enforcers would move into the living room, keeping watch for the night.
The resort staff checked us in, but as we had in the past, the staff got the entire duration of our visit off; we were assured no staff would be on site, and we had relative privacy. The pack would prepare our own meals and clean up after ourselves.
I woke at three, my internal alarm easily getting me up, and collected first Rebecca and settled her in on Lara's left side, then pulled Celeste from her crib and snuggled her in on the right. Lara looked up at me and smiled. "Thank you," she said.
I sat down on the bed watching the three most important girls in my life. Lara was such a beautiful mother. It was amazing to see my strong mate being so incredibly gentle with our babies. I curled up on the bed and snuggled against all of them, cuddling against Lara and Celeste, with one hand draped around to hold Rebecca on the other side.
Lara gazed at the two babies with a beatific smile. She looked over to me and said quietly, "Thank you, honey."
"For fetching the babies?"
"For being here with me," she said. "For being part of this. I wouldn't have these two without you. I wouldn't have wanted to do this alone, and I can't imagine anyone who would be a better mother than you."
I closed my eyes, feeling guilty, but I pressed it aside.
"I love you so much, Lara, and I love Rebecca and Celeste so much, too." I gazed down at Celeste, sucking away at her late-night meal.
Rebecca finished first. She always did. Celeste was growing faster, but they were both very healthy.
"It looks like Rebecca is done first," I said.
"Shocking, isn't it?" Lara said.
I sat up, collected Rebecca, and laid her over my shoulder, patting her back gently. She gurgled happily then offered a healthy burp and gurgled again. Still holding her, I settled back down next to Lara, cuddling with my baby. She settled in right away.
When Celeste was done, Lara burped her, and then the four of us cuddled for a while.
"Lara," I said. "If something happened to me, they'd be okay, wouldn't they?"
Lara narrowed her eyes at me. "Nothing is going to happen to you."
"The world is a dangerous place for a fox," I said. "I have never met an old fox. Never."
"Please don't talk like this," Lara said. "Honey, please."
"They'd be okay, wouldn't they? You'd have lots of help."
"Michaela," she said. "Nothing is going to happen to you. You are going to live to a ripe old age, right alongside me."
I looked into Lara's eyes. "I need to know. Would they be okay?"
"No," Lara said. "They would not be okay. And neither would I. So nothing is allowed to happen to you. Do you understand me?"
I lifted my gaze to the ceiling then finally said, "I'm just being silly. You're right. I'm the safest fox that has ever lived. Thank you, Lara."
We cuddled for a little longer. I checked two pair of diapers, finding them both dry for a change. Carefully I climbed out of bed. Rebecca had fallen asleep, and I returned her to her crib. Celeste was sleepy but not quite asleep yet. I took her from Lara, walked her around the room for a few minutes, then settled her into her crib as well.
Lara was asleep by the time I climbed back into bed with her.
The babies got their morning feeding. Lara was in the shower when there was a knock at the door. Answering it, I found Lily and Catherine there.
"Good morning, girls," I said. "Were we expecting you?"
"Baby sitting service!" Lily said cheerfully. "Where are the little darlings?"
"That's not necessary," I said. "You guys are up here to have fun."
"We'll watch them until after breakfast," Catherine said. "Have they eaten?"
"Yes, and you missed the diaper change," I said. "Good timing."
"Bummer," Lily said. "I was looking forward to changing diapers." She sighed dramatically. "Don't worry, Michaela, we won't teach them any dirty limericks."
"Lara and I wanted to be the ones to give them their first exposure to snow, girls."
"We'll stay right here with them," Lily said, gesturing to the living room. "Come on, hand them over."
I laughed then stepped aside. The two filed into the room, each scooping up a baby. They had both babysat for us before, and they knew everything they needed to do.
Lara and I had a pleasant breakfast but hurried back to our cabin. When we got there, we found a party. Monique had joined her sister, and she was locked in conversation with Angel. Scarlett had joined Catherine and Lily, playing with Celeste and Rebecca. As soon as we stepped in, Scarlett looked up. "Would you make them wolves, Michaela?"
I smiled. "In a few minutes. We're going to take them out in the snow."
"Yes!" Scarlett said. "I brought my camera, but I want to go out as a wolf. Do you think I could?"
"Yes, Scarlett," Lara said. "Who else?"
All five girls wanted to play as wolves. "If that's too many, I can wait," Angel offered. "I don't know if I'm on duty today."
"There's a duty roster," Elisabeth said. "It's pinned up on the back of the door." She pointed to the exterior door.
Angel got up to peruse the schedule. "I'm on nights all week?"
"It sucks to be the low enforcer," Elisabeth said. "You'll be on days next week. Make sure you get some sleep today so you won't fall asleep tonight."
"Alpha," Angel asked. "Were you going to post a schedule of the activities?"
"Yes, Alpha," I added. "I would love to see a schedule, too."
Lara laughed. "I can't post a full schedule because it will be weather dependent. But I'll put something up after lunch. This morning we're playing outside in the snow. After lunch we're getting cross-country snow skiing lessons, and there is fishing before dinner. There will be a run on pack lands after dinner, then we return here for a bonfire."
"Is that the fishing contest?" Lily asked.
"The fox is running the fishing contest," La
ra said.
All the eyes turned to me. I stared at Lara then said, "I will determine rules after further discussions with Lara," I said. I needed to get a more complete view of the schedule.
Lara grinned at me. "Daytime activities will include skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, and maybe snowball fights."
Everyone chuckled at that.
"We'll have running, games and bonfires in the evenings," she continued. "Angel, did you prepare a game?"
"Scarlett and I made one together," she said.
"Then you may pick which evening you wish to share it."
"Today will be an introduction to ice fishing," I said. "After that, we will have a minor contest each day and a grand overall winner to be declared during the New Years Eve celebration. There will be prizes for most game fish caught and biggest game fish caught. There will also be a booby prize for worst thing caught."
"So if I hook Monique?" asked Lily. "Would I win?"
"Hey!" her sister said.
"No," I said quickly. "It must be caught from the water, and pushing her in first doesn't count either."
Monique stuck her tongue out at Lily.
"Is that part of the enforcer sign language, Elisabeth?" I asked.
"No," said Elisabeth. "That particular gesture goes back much further."
"All right," I said. "Are we ready to go play? Give me Celeste, please." I began stepping out of my clothes, laying them neatly on the sofa then accepted Celeste from Lily. I sat down on the floor, the baby cradled on my chest, and looked into her eyes. "Are you ready for something new, my little love?" I asked her.
I reached inside her, found her wolf, and pulled her with me into an instant shift.
"Oh, she's so cute," Lily said. "I don't know if I'll ever get tired of seeing them like this."
Wolf pup and Mommy Fox stared into each others' eyes. Lily reached down to take the pup from me, but she scampered away.
I shifted back to human. "She'll let you hold her later," I said. "Rebecca now, please."
Catherine gave me Rebecca. I pulled her to wolf, and she immediately went chasing after her sister. I shifted back to human, laughing, and pulled my clothes back on. "Girls," I said. "Let's go outside."
They didn't really understand words, of course, but they recognized my tone. I pulled on my winter clothes and stepped to the door, Lara following, and immediately there were two wolf pups waiting for us to open the door.
"Shift and join us," Lara said to the teenagers.
I opened the door, and two small wolf pups poked their noses outside and froze. They hadn't ever seen snow.
I bent down and scooped up Rebecca then turned to Elisabeth and handed her a squirming pup. Lara grabbed Celeste, and we all stepped outside. I heard a yip as I was about to close the door, so I held it for Angel and Scarlett, already in fur.
"If you can't get the door open," I said to the other girls, "howl and someone will come open it for you." Doors that belonged to pack had handles a wolf could open, but the resort wasn't quite as accommodating.
Lara and Elisabeth carried the babies down the steps. Then they set the girls down slowly. Neither pup knew what to make of the snow. Rebecca began whining, trying to pull her feet away. Celeste jumped at Lara, trying to get picked up again.
I walked a few feet away and sat down in the snow. "Girls," I said. "Come here."
Celeste didn't stop jumping at Lara. Rebecca turned to face me but whined.
"Come on, baby," I said, holding out my hands. "Come to Mommy Fox."
Rebecca took a tentative step, sinking into the snow. She jumped back, bumping into Elisabeth's legs.
Scarlett and Angel were hanging back, watching from the steps, but then jumped down and ran over. They each flopped down in the snow, one on either side of the path between the babies and me.
Rebecca looked over at Angel, saw her tail waving back and forth, and immediately pounced on it. Celeste was immediately distracted from jumping at Lara, saw her sister gnawing at Angel's tail, and decided that looked like fun. She jumped on her sister.
"Celeste," I said in a firm voice. "Come to Mommy Fox. Now!"
Both girls froze. Celeste turned to me and began plowing through the snow to me. She crawled into my lap with her ears back and tail down. I picked her up and looked into her face, then kissed her nose and set her back down in my lap. She licked my hand.
Celeste jumping on her had distracted Rebecca from Angel's tail. Seeing her sister get a kiss, she wanted one too. She bounced over to me, leaping nearly straight up with each step, trying to avoid the snow. Angel and Scarlett both chuffed their amusement. Lara was beaming broadly at our little girls.
Finally Rebecca was close enough and she made one final bounce, landing on my feet, and then she crawled into my lap next to her sister, looking up into my face. I picked her up and gave her a quick kiss.
Then I picked up some of the snow and said, "Girls, this is snow. It's fun to play in. And you can eat it." I took a bite of the snow, then offered it to the girls. They each took a bite, but then reared back. They hadn't expected a cold bite of snow. Both of them lapped at their mouths. Then Celeste leaned forward and took another bite.
"Angel and Scarlett, do you want to play in the snow?"
They both chuffed and immediately climbed to their feet. Scarlett threw herself at Angel, and the two of them began chasing each other around, biting at the snow, throwing a lot of it around, and occasionally tackling each other, rolling over and over in the soft snow. I turned the babies around to watch them. When Angel ran past, Scarlett on her heals, Celeste leaped from my lap, chasing after Scarlett.
"You have a tail, Scarlett," Lara said immediately.
Scarlett looked over her shoulder and saw Celeste gamely chasing after her. Scarlett slowed down and let the wolf pup catch her. Celeste made a pounce for Scarlett's tail, but Scarlett spun around, grabbed the squirming pup, and rolled over with her, shielding her inside her legs, coming to a rest with Celeste perched across her chest.
Angel ran to me and bowed to Rebecca, then turned and flicked a tail at her. Rebecca leapt from my lap, and Angel kept her busy, pulling her tail to safety only at the last moment.
Soon the four of them were taking turns chasing each other.
I heard a camera clicking. When I looked up, Francesca was taking photos, a smile plastered on her face.
There was a howl from our cabin. Lara chuckled, and Elisabeth ran up the stairs to let the rest of the girls out. They stepped outside and all chuffed happily as Celeste and Rebecca both stalked Scarlett, burrowing through the snow rather than jumping over it. Scarlett feigned indifference, and we all watched as the two pups launched themselves at her at the same time.
We watched as all five teenagers played in the snow with the two little pups. The games had been going on for a while when Scarlett let the two pups catch her again, rolling onto her back with both pups on her chest. She looked at the pups for a moment, then growled at Angel, who was just about to leap at her. Scarlett gently rolled over, dislodging both pups, then grabbed Rebecca by the scruff and carried her to me, setting her in my lap. I immediately pulled the baby into my arms, finding that she was trembling.
"Game over!" I said immediately. "Angel, give Celeste to Lara. Let's go warm these two up."
* * * *
One of the advantages of being the alpha pair is a ready abundance of open arms happy to babysit. Thus, after the babies had lunch, Lara and I took everyone cross-country skiing. About half the wolves already knew how as I had taught them over the last two years. Newcomers to the experience were my newest students and their families. Lara had rented equipment from Benny for everyone who didn't have any, which we would keep until it was time to leave.
We skied for a couple of hours, then declared a break. There were pups to be fed. Then Lara had a surprise for me.
I actually didn't choose to ice fish very often. I enjoyed fishing far more in the summer when I could bob around in my kayak, but I had done my share of
sustenance fishing over the years, summer and winter. I, of course, had my own equipment, as did several other pack members; Lara bought enough equipment for everyone. We drove into Bayfield for bait and to pick up fishing licenses for those few who didn't have them.
Wisconsin Fish and Game should have been paying me a sales commission with all the fishing licenses I had made people buy.
But the surprise came in the form of ice fishing houses.
Lara bought outright two icehouses and rented four more. She'd had them pulled to one of my favorite winter fishing spots, and they were arranged in a semi-circle, waiting for us. The ice was already plenty thick for driving on, but there hadn't been all that much snow, so we were able to drive across the frozen water to the icehouses. Lara made me close my eyes during the drive.
I laughed when I saw the icehouses.
Everyone climbed out of the cars and we huddled together while I described the rules to the fishing contest. Once that was settled, I got a raise of hands for who already knew how to fish. We offered place in the icehouses or outside, and those who knew how to fish started boring holes through the ice.
I taught the basics to everyone else.
I didn't do any fishing that day myself, instead opting to work my way from group to group, offering advice or simply talking to people. Lara caught up with me during one of my circuits and pulled me into a hug. "I am so proud of you, Little Fox."
We caught fish. None of them were huge, but we had enough to supplement dinner tonight.
Partway through fishing, Angel and Scarlett disappeared. I didn't notice when they left, but I was standing outside when Elisabeth drove back up. She had driven them back to the resort. "Angel is going to sleep," she explained. "Scarlett is going to rest with her but join us for dinner."
We had a good time.
* * * *
Lara came out of our bedroom pushing a cradle. I was sitting on the sofa cuddling with a sleeping Celeste. I stared into her face; she was so beautiful. I whispered to my baby, "I will make you safe, Celeste. Mommy Fox will make you safe, honey."