Episode 4

"Do you know of a female who hunts in the Pine Forest?" Zoren asked Sheriff Arlon.

"Actually, this matter is taboo among bears," Arlon replied, but his expression darkened.

"What do you mean? I heard from my men it was a woman with a crossbow who killed the hunters," the Alpha pressed.

"Are you sure? The shadow huntress came down from the forest to take on the trespassing hunters? She must have been concerned about the bears," the sheriff mused aloud, without realizing it.

"So she exists, she is the bears' protector, and she's called the shadow huntress, interesting," the Alpha joked.

The two entered the storeroom, and Zoren had no further opportunity to question the lovestruck bear. His sweet little one was still too young to mate, but he was already brimming with passion. Sophia caught sight of the bear, ran over, and threw herself into his arms.

"You're getting heavy, my little bear; it's a good sign," he said, holding her by the back, supporting her as she clung to his waist with her legs.

"Thanks, my big bear, my birthday is next month, I'll be sixteen and come of age. Will you come to my party?" the young girl asked with a childlike face, braided hair, and an innocent gaze.

"I haven't heard of this party, they invite the sheriff and forget the Alpha, very nice," Zoren said, feeling jealous.

"Calm down, Alpha Zoren, your mate is on her way, then it'll be your turn," the cheeky girl remarked.

"You know so much about mates, Miss Know-It-All, now turned seer. Get down, and start separating the milk for the children." He was harsh, but she didn’t mind; she was used to it.

"That's very good, Alpha; I'll separate it right away. Excuse me," she gave a kiss on the sheriff's cheek and bounced away.

"See that?" Zoren looked at the sheriff, "you might need a bib there, or your drool will wet your clothes."

The sheriff smiled and gave a gentle punch to the Alpha's arm.

"Let's go, we've got more boxes to fetch," the big bear said, walking away.

"No need, those left, I'll take to Uchoa; I heard Blanca is about to give birth," informed the Alpha.

"That's very good since they had to stop fishing because of the hunters, and as Uchoa is awake when he should be hibernating, he's not in the best of moods," informed the sheriff.

"Do you think he knows the huntress? She should be the one with the spoils. We're practically getting paid for the job that she did." Zoren baited, but Arlon was a natural fisherman and didn't bite.

"You can try, but I'll tell you this, those two have been looking after that girl since she was six and don't let any wolf near her," the sheriff warned as a friend, but it set off an alarm in Zoren's mind.

"But she's a wolf, ought to be among her own, in a pack," grumbled the Alpha.

"That's not my concern, better you talk to him directly, maybe he'll trust you. I'm off to prepare a report with what you've told me and will call for a professional to check the site," he said, putting on his wool hat with ear flaps and walked away.

Zairon reflected on what Arlon said about the huntress. Found at six, Demetrio's sister disappeared at six—could they be the same person? And if so, how did they not know of her, being so close and with someone known, who knew we were searching? He'd get there as fast as possible, three hours' run in the snow, but would go by vehicle to bring the boxes, maybe find the hunters' car along the way.

He spoke with the guards watching the depot, saying he'd take some boxes. He went to his house and got his snow vehicle, went back to the depot and loaded the boxes of milk, plus some chocolates, cookies, and instant coffee, arranged it on the vehicle, covered it with the waterproof tarp, and set off.

Before leaving the pack, he stopped by his Beta Rick's house, informed him of his destination, asked him to watch over the pack in his absence, and then headed toward the cliffs near the conifer forest. It took an hour longer than expected, and upon arrival, he heard the female bear's cries.

He ran from the vehicle, knowing Uchoa would be panicked, at a loss on what to do. He pounded on the door, another cry was heard. He entered without permission and went straight to the cabin sink to wash his hands. He rushed to the bedroom, and Blanca was in pain, face wet with sweat, an expression of anguish.

"Zoren..."

"Get out of the way, big bear, let me handle this," he pushed Uchoa aside and first felt the belly with his hands, checking if the cubs were properly aligned. It was a tangle of limbs, but one was positioned.

"When you feel the pain, push like you want to go to the bathroom," he finished just in time for her eyes to widen, and the pain hit.

"Ahhh," she screamed.

"Push, Blanca, after the first one comes, the rest will follow."

After three more contractions, the first was born, a healthy boy resembling his father, although bears are a mystery, born tiny and hairless. The contractions paused while the father cleaned and wrapped his offspring, Zoren felt the swollen belly, another cub was ready.

"Get ready to push, Blanca."

"But, alreeeady...."

As the contraction came and she pushed, the baby came. Another boy who wailed more than anything, unlike his brother, who only gave a little cry.

"Ahhhhhh"

Finally, the third was born, a girl, and at that moment the living room door opened, and the most delicious aroma in the world entered the bear cabin, it was the biggest surprise of their lives, he just never imagined who it could be.

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