The rival pack

A cold morning settles over the forest as sunlight filters through the pine trees surrounding a hidden wolf den. Inside, four tiny wolf pups tumble over one another, playfully wrestling, chasing tails, and occasionally curling up beside each other before bouncing back into another game. Outside the den, the forest is calm… until a distant howl echoes through the trees. Then another. The playful pups freeze for a brief moment before looking toward the entrance of the den, their ears twitching. Far beyond the trees, unseen figures move silently through the forest. A rival wolf pack has crossed into the territory.