Akua trotted back into camp. Aruna got up from where she had been dozing and trotted over. She took one look at him and said “I want to know the story.”
“What story??” He feigned innocence. She laughed. “After all this time, little brother, you think you can lie to me? You met someone. I’m guessing it was a she-wolf, and I’m guessing….” She waggled her eyebrows at him.
“Nuh-uh! And I’m not your little brother!”
“We’ll circle back to her.” More eyebrow waggling. “And, yes you are! I was firstborn. Juna was second, Vesperi was third, you were fourth, and…Ezume was fifth.” She closed her eyes, remembering her tiny litter-sister who had never been strong enough. Oh, how she wished she could bring her back.
“So, there. I am OLDER than you.”
He huffed a laugh and turned towards the smell of deer. “Let’s eat.”