What a rude awakening.

Laurel woke with a paw pressed to her throat, however briefly, but before she could snap at whichever sibling it was it was gone. Up and over. The large pup laid there for a moment, putting the pieces together slowly.

Mom was asleep.

She was awake.

Immediately the silvery pup rose, slowly, ever so slowly, picking her way away from the sickly runt and her mother, moving at a snails pace while watching the breathing piles of fur until she was sure her pawsteps wouldn't wake anyone.

And then she walked right into Magnolia's ass with a quiet oof. Quietly snapping her teeth in the offending pup's direction, as if she wasn't the one that did it in the first place, before taking the opportunity.

To bolt.

Right into the outside, away from the safety of the den.

The moon was a bright red, but as far as she was aware that was normal!