With trembling hands, I released Leo and Oscar from their carrying sling. They tumbled onto the stone altar, tiny paws scrabbling for purchase before they found their balance and leaped down to join the puppy convergence. Elijah greeted them with enthusiastic headbutts, and soon all three were tumbling in a play-fight that had the adult wolves chuckling with recognition.
"The First calls to their kin," Velma intoned, her mask-like birthmark glowing brighter than I'd ever seen it. "The children answer. The old ways return."
The ceremonial clearing transformed from solemn ritual site to supernatural playground as dignified representatives looked on with varying degrees of amusement and bewilderment. The human delegation appeared particularly stunned, their careful diplomatic masks slipping
