Coriander bounded back into the hollow, the calendula flowers grasped firmly within her jaws. Most of the dogs had returned, ready for the morning meal. She spotted Ranger near the middle, playing with Picasso and Geneva's pups, Desmond and Kye.

"What took you so long?" Picasso asked as she trotted in. "I thought you said you wouldn't be long."

Coriander dropped the flowers. "Some Night Pack mutts wanted to cause trouble. I took care of them."

Picasso looked skeptical, but he said, "Don't agitate Night Pack. We almost had a skirmish a couple weeks ago. We don't need any trouble, especially with pups in the pack."

"They don't scare me," Coriander snorted. "Night Pack is just a bunch of bullies. I stayed on my side of the border."

Picasso sighed. "All right. Just keep it that way."

"Of course." Coriander flicked her tail at Picasso and picked up her herbs again. She'd always liked the Bearded Collie; he'd been a friend of her father's. She poked her head into the healer's den, calling out, "Grace?"

The Corgi looked up from some herbs she was sorting. "Oh, hello, Coriander," she woofed, but her eyes lit up when she saw the orange flowers in her mouth. "Calendula! Where did you find it?"

"By the Night Pack border," Coriander answered, placing the herbs at Grace's paws. "I heard you saying that you needed some."

Grace looked somewhat surprised. "Well, thank you very much," she said gratefully. "That saves me a trip to Night Pack!" She tipped her head. "Do you want to know what it's used for?"

Coriander opened her mouth to reply, but just then Gabriel let out a howl announcing the meal. The two she-dogs quickly exited the healer's den and joined the others, who were sitting and attentively looking at Gabriel and Remiel.

After the alpha finished the blessing, Coriander took her share and joined with Sadie, Gideon, and Ranger once again. This time, however, they were joined by Feather and Torn, two Aidis that were mates and Gideon's fellow defenders.

"The fox scent was really strong on the border today," Feather remarked. The territory east of Wind Pack was not occupied by dogs, but instead by what seemed to be a tribe of foxes. There had never been much communication between the packs and the foxes, due to a language difference, but they had managed to maintain a mostly stable peace. "It was hard to tell," she continued, "since the wind was blowing towards us, but I think they might have even gone over."

"Great," Torn growled. "First Night Pack and now foxes. What next, Earth Pack?"

"Don't jinx it." Gideon shook his head. "At least the prey is still running well."

"Too well, apparently," Sadie barked, "if everyone wants to come over and take it!"

The next day, Coriander was sent to hunt for the evening meal rather than the morning. Joined by Harbor, they were about to head out when Gideon ran over to join them.

"Speedwell told me to join you," he informed them. "Just in case those foxes cause any trouble. I'll refresh the border markings too."

The three set out across the meadow, heading towards the east border. They kept their ears pricked and nostrils flared for any sign of prey or predator.

Scenting rabbit, Coriander dropped into a crouch and crept into the tall grass. Harbor noticed and began to circle around. The rabbits were nibbling on some patches of clovers and did not notice the impending danger.

Coriander sprang forward from the grass and lunged for the rabbits. Harbor ran from the other side and grabbed one of them, shaking it until its neck snapped. Coriander got one of her own and dispatched it. Before they could catch any others, however, they had bolted away with a flash of their white tails.

"Good work!" Gideon called from the border where he was marking the trees.

"Thanks!" Harbor called back, beginning to dig a hole where they could bury their prey and come back for it later. The two hunters were about to move on when Gideon suddenly gave a strangled cry.

Coriander whirled around to see Gideon staggering away from a fallen log. Harbor's eyes widened. "Snake!" she barked.

The reptile's hiss reached Coriander's ears, and she saw it coiled beneath the log, ready to strike again.

Gideon was breathing hard and favoring his right foreleg. "Don't attack it," he choked out. "Leave it be."

Coriander ran over to him. Two holes marked his leg, oozing blood, and it was beginning to swell. "Harbor, get Grace, quick!" she barked urgently.

Harbor hesitated for a moment, then tore off in the direction of the hollow.

Gideon continued to slowly back away from the snake. Drool dripped from the corners of his mouth and he seemed to be losing sense. His face had also begun to swell. They hadn't gone far before he collapsed.

Coriander could only sit and stare as Gideon lay there, writhing in pain. She wished there was something she could do, but she'd never seen a dog bit by a snake before. Most of the snakes in the meadow were garter snakes; shy and harmless.

It felt like hours that she sat there, helpless to do anything. Finally, she turned to see Grace and Harbor running up, herbs clamped tightly in Grace's jaws.

"Do something, quick!" Coriander yelped, moving out of the healer's way.

Grace sniffed Gideon's wound and looked him over quickly before stepping back and shaking her head. "There's nothing I can do," she murmured. "The poison's gone too far."

Coriander stared at her. "That can't be!" she growled. "You have to be able to help him!"

"I can't." Grace looked back at her dejectedly. "The poison's in his blood. There's nothing I can do about it."

"No..." Coriander felt her heart drop into her paws. What were they going to tell Sadie?

Harbor went back to the hollow again and returned with Lightning and Alabretta to help carry back Gideon's body. The sad party of dogs returned to the hollow to exclamations of grief and shock from their packmates.

Sadie let out a wail and ran forward, sinking down beside the limp body of her mate. Gideon's closest friends came closer as well, but nobody dared to disturb the grieving she-dog.

"What's wrong?"

Coriander froze as she heard Ranger's voice. He was padding toward them, his head cocked curiously.

She hurried forward and blocked his way; he didn't need to see his mother like this. "Not now, Ranger," she muttered in his ear.

"What not now?" Ranger asked indignantly. "What's the matter? What's wrong with Mama?" As he struggled to weave around Coriander, he suddenly caught sight of Gideon and stopped. "What's wrong with Dad?"

Coriander didn't answer and continued to nudge him away. How was she supposed to explain death to a two-month-old pup? "You need to stay in the healer's den for a little while," she woofed, pushing him in the direction of the den.

Ranger continued to ask questions and tried to wriggle past her. "Why is Dad lying down? Is he asleep? Why is he sleeping in the middle of the hollow?"

Coriander took a deep breath. "Ranger, listen. Your dad was bitten by a snake."

Ranger blinked up at her with innocent brown eyes. "Is he hurt? Mississippi says snakes are nasty."

"No, Ranger. He's... he's dead."

"Dead? You mean like prey? But dogs can't die!"

Coriander gritted her teeth. "Yes, they can. He's gone."

"But why? Dad's strong--he can't die!"

Before Coriander could respond, she felt a presence behind her and turned to see Sadie. "Thank you, Coriander," she said softly, her voice only wavering slightly. "I'll take it from here."

Coriander backed away silently, having no idea what to say. She trailed over to Gideon's body, where the other dogs were still paying their respects.

"He was a loyal packmate and a dear friend," Gabriel murmured. "He will be sorely missed."

Coriander sighed and briefly touched her nose to Gideon's neck in a sign of respectful farewell. She could just overhear Sadie's soft explanations to Ranger's confused, frantic questions. She shook her head sadly and walked away to her corner of the hollow. No pup should have to grow up without a parent.

What is this? A chapter? Amazing, I know. :P Pff, well, I personally don't think my writing was very good in this chapter, so any constructive criticism is very much appreciated! Well, that's all I have to say, so thanks for reading and don't forget to vote and comment!