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Annabella was asleep in her warm bed at home when a loud crash of lightening woke her in the middle of the night. She sat up opening her green eyes wide with fright and looked at the bedroom window seeing the rain pour against the glass. She gave a deep sigh as she tried to calm herself.

"Bell you have to calm down it is just little bit of lightening you silly girl," she told herself with a half laugh.

Scanning her bedroom she looked over to the larger bed where her two younger sisters and younger brother, Phay, Phoebe, and Phillip slept soundly cuddled together. Their black little ears flicked as they slept with the occasional smile. The larger bed was hers at a point but after the triplets were born she offered it to them since they were inseparable. Bella was in charge of caring for them growing up while her father was working at the woodshop and mother was in town running her errands. They were her little shadows during the day helping her with chores. Their laughter and cute faces made her smile. They brought such happiness to the family.

The slender black wolf got to her feet and walked over to the three pups and pulled the large woven blanket over them and tip toed her way out of the bedroom and left the door cracked just a bit to let the hall light in for them. Dressed in her night gown the wolfess looked down the hall to her older siblings' room. A room she once shared with her fraternal twin brothers Alistor and Asher. Surely the two boys were out cold since nothing could wake them. Her father had such a hard time getting the two up for their morning chores and ready for work. But if not for their mother's amazing cooking those two could "sleep for a year" as her father would tease them.

Cautiously she pushed the door open and peeked in to see her brothers asleep in their respective beds. A dusted outline of where her bed once lay was in the center of the room that now had a desk and two chairs in its place.

"Ali. Ash. Are you asleep?" she asked softly standing in the door way.

With no response from the sleeping boys she closed the door and proceeded to door nearest the stairwell. The floor creaked as took a step onto a loose floor board and her ears perked up wondering if she woken anyone up. Seeing the coast clear she clutched onto the door handle and pushed it open.

Sharing a large bed of their own her twin older sister, Selene and Sara lay facing the opposite of each other snoring. This made Bella snicker a bit, hearing her two older sisters because they had sworn to everyone that they didn't. She looked to see that the girls' nightgowns were laid on the bed's end table and blushed under her soft furred cheeks. Unlike herself and her other sibling these two slept in the nude. Seeing that no one else was up and not wanting to wake anyone because of her fear of the storm, Bella decided it would be best to head downstairs and get a drink of water.

Getting down stairs would be much easier to travel down as opposed to worrying about stepping on a loose floor board and letting that creaking sound travel through and wake her family. All she had to do was sit sideways on the arm rail, keep balance and go for a slide. The polished finish on the wood gave a much smoother ride and no worry for splinters, thanks to her father's wood work and attention to detail. Walking through the front hall of their house and over into the kitchen Bella grabbed a cup from the shelf above the sink and pumped the crank for water and filled her glass. The drink helped settle her nerves as she looked out the window into the back yard. The laundry line stretched across the area and the family garden rest in back getting a good feeding from the rain. She smiled thinking off all the produce that would be ready for picking soon due to the nightly rains lately.

But Bella's pleasant thought was interrupted when lightening cracked across the sky and thunder boomed making the house quiver. She whimpered aloud almost dropped her cup but it was caught by a large paw, her fathers. He took her forearm gently and with a hearty laugh he smiled down at his frightened daughter and hugged her with his big arms.

"It's alright Bell, Papa's here," he said as her small head pressed into his chest, more like the upper part of his abs seeing as he was much bigger then she was.

"Did the storm wake you?" he questioned walking her to the living room by the fireplace and sat with her on the couch.

She felt safer now that her father was there to comfort her. "Yes Papa. But everyone else is asleep."

A sigh of relief escaped her as her father's large paws pulled her close and let her rest upon his chest. The glow of the fire illuminated the room just enough to cast a great shadow over the stair well and the two. To the back side of the house was her parents' room, it had a clear view of the kitchen and partial of the living room just enough to see who was going or coming up the stairs and the front door. Her father carefully planned out the home before he and her mother even had pups of their own. He was very protective of his family and was always seen as a strong male in their eyes and the eyes of other in their village.

"The rains should stop by morning this time of year. This is just the tail end of it," he said taking a look over his shoulder to his bedroom where his beautiful wife lay asleep.

But he knew that she would notice he wasn't there and wake soon. "Bella, why don't you try to get some rest? There are still many hours until morning and a young wolfess as yourself needs all the beauty sleep she can get."

Nudging her father for his incentive remarks and the grin, Bell rose to her feet and kissed her father's cheek good night. He walked with her too the stairs and watched her go up and then headed back to bed.

Bella went back to sleep for the night and tried her best to let go of her fear and soon found herself dreaming sweet dreams. That is until the morning rooster crowed. After the morning routine of getting her younger siblings washed up and clothed for the day, having morning breakfast and cleaning the morning dishes, it was time for her daily chores. Bella thought herself lucky, being the one member of the family who got to work at home and stay with the triplets. Her father, Alistor and Asher were off to work at the woodshop in the heart of town while her older sisters headed to the seamstress's workhouse and her mother ran her morning errands.

"Bella! Bella! Can we go play at the fountains?" three little voice begged her in unison while little black paws tugged at her dress.

"In a little while you three we have to finish our chores, now go off and get the eggs Phay. Phoebe I need you to get me the basket for laundry. And Phillip, my little man," she teased her brother pinching his cheek, "I need you to check the garden and see how our vegetables are doing."

The three didn't hesitate and ran off to do as they were told. Walking out into the backyard, Bella looked over the fence and across the pathway to her neighbors and waved good morning.

"Good Morning Bella, How's Luna treating you this fine day?" An elderly wolf shouted across the way to her. He was a nice old wolf who lived with his wife and two sons.

"I'm well Mister Issire. Thank you!" she shouted back as he sat in a rocker. His two sons came rushing out and told their dad good bye but seeing Bella outside stopped and howled over to her.

"Hey Bella!" one said to her wearing a pair of black pants and a white shirt with a black vest and a smock with the insignia of her father's shop on it.

"Morning Byron," she said heading over to start pulling the laundry from the line as her little sister came over with the basket her little tail wagging behind her.

Byron smiled to her and nodded his head politely a deep rouge of blush coming up through his white furred cheeks. He had always had a crush on Bella but never had the courage to tell her. He took a job in her father's shop thinking it would allow him more time to see her and get to know her more through her family and maybe one day have the courage to ask her father for her hand. He was a shy wolf with a good heart and a great craftsman, so her father tells her.

"Lovely day isn't it Miss Bella," the other said dressed in knight's armor and a deep royal blue cape.

"You have a good day and be safe now," he said giving a salute to her and pulled his brother along. The two would be perfectly identical if not for the one in armor had a grey patch on his right eye.

"I will Benson, may Luna watch over you!" she added watching as the two walked off.

The Issire brothers were another pair well known in town. Mister Issire had served for the king in the first Great War and now retired his son Benson, or Benny for many in the village who knew him, wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and protect the kingdom and his village. Benny was the opposite of his brother, he was outspoken and forward and very brave. He was well known in the village for his more recent victory at a battle just outside the Southern side of the kingdom, not too far from their village. Their village didn't have many soldiers to offer in that battle but they held through and fought back the enemy. The king had given him a royal crest and honored him as an elite knight for bravery and perseverance. Bella's father would have been proud to have one of the boys marry his daughter. But Benson already has his sight on Bella's older sister, Selene who was four years his senior but her father was more than obliged. The two of them were to be wed that coming autumn and the village was looking forward to it. The king himself even said he would honor the occasion with his presence.

Thinking about this made Bella more aware that she one day would have to wed and devote herself to a husband. It was something that came up often in their home, her mother and father stressed that she wouldn't be young for long and that a girl at her age was ripe for the picking. But Bella loved her simple life and loved helping her family and taking care of her younger siblings. But she knew that those little pups would grow up soon and be her age. She would have to pick a husband soon. Or be given to one.

Bella knew that her father favored Benson because he was kind and a good worker and had a good name. And seeing that Mister Issire and her father were old friends she wasn't surprised. Her father too fought in the Great War but was younger than their elderly neighbor. Her father served in war young being the only son from his parents and at that time all able wolves were needed. Lucky for him and few others they came home with their victory.

Snapping the clamps carefully off the line to free the clothing Bella looked down to see if her sister was ready with the basket. Her younger sister panted softly having run back into the yard with the basket that was almost too big for her little arm to get around. "Thanks Phoebe," she said to her sister her now stood beside her jumping eagerly for her to finish. Bella and Phoebe made their way down the long line that stretched across the yard, with the smaller girl catching the clothes as older tossed them to her gently.

"Bella look!" Phillip yelled out running to her with a plump red tomato in his paws holding it up to her.

"Tomatoes are ready! But the lettuce still looks small and I had to scare the rabbits away again, they are trying to get the carrots," he said with a proud growl.

She bent down and took the tomato inspecting it and headed to the garden patch with them. "Sounds like things are alright then. We can pick the tomatoes when we get back. Is Phay alright? She should be done getting those eggs." Bella said looking around and took a little run to the chicken coop only to see her little sister carefully creeping and getting the eggs from the nests.

She was just about done but Phillip shouted "Phay! Hurry up!" This startled her making her drop the ones in her little paws and startled the hens, who started to squawk and chased her out the coop.

Phay shrieked aloud and behind Bella who was now running towards the coop to close the door and not the hens out. They flapped their wings and jumped about as if to shoo Bella away but she grabbed a pawful of corn and seeds and tossed it into the coop calming the birds down.

Phay who now stood in tears and crying out of freight clung to her sister's leg, let out long wails of sorrow.

"Oh Phay it's alright. Calm down honey, they're not chasing you anymore," she cooed kneeling down to hug her sister. Phoebe was laughing but quickly stopped when Bella shot her a glare and pointed a finger at Phillip beckoning him to come to her.

"Now Phillip is there something you would like to say to your sister," she said with a stern look at him.

"I'm sorry," he said with a misty eyed face. Phay sniffled and turned to the three and wiped her eyes. Seeing the two makeup and Phay calmed down and after taking the eggs inside, they four were off into the center court of the village. Bella didn't like scolding the triplets but she did teach them to apologize and makeup with words rather than fighting. They were lovable little pups and rarely ever got into squabbles.

Walking into the village square was always a refreshing site. The beautiful fountains that sat in the insides of the three circles that sat in the square always attracted the towns-furs and visitors. It was also a great place to go and relax after a day at the market. Her father's shop wasn't too far and if you went to center on the square and looked up the road to the royal city you would see the kingdoms huge arches in the distance and get a good look at the horizon of the backside of the castle.

It always cheered Bella up to see the castle and to know that the guards were always close by and ready for anything. The castle was beautiful; Bella had only seen it a few times after going with her older sisters to deliver uniform dresses for the King's servants. The sun was just past its highest in the sky on this slightly cloudy day. With the rains passed you wouldn't know there was just a storm except for a few puddles here and there.

The triplets were splashing about the three fountains and looked at the figures. One was a tribute to the Moon Goddess, Luna, a beautiful wolfess dressed in a beautiful gown her head down in prayer with the moon resting in her paws, the other was a knight standing proud and strong with his sword pointed out over the village towards the southern lands, a sign of hope and declaration of protection to the villages; And the third statue King Marius, the founding king and the great, great, great grandfather of the new King who won the Great War. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Each of the surrounding villages of the kingdom had these fountains at their heart and each one just as astounding and awe inspiring as the last.

Phay, Phillip and Phoebe ran up to Bella with big bright smiles and perked little ears, a sign that they were about to ask their big sister for something.

"Umm ... Big Sis," Phay said tiddling her little digits, "May we please," Phillip said jumping up and down excitedly, "Have coins to make a wish," Phoebe said, "Please," they three shouted in unison, holding each other's paws and circling her skipping until she reached into her coin pouch and produced three silver coins for the three and watched them run off.

"What are you going to wish for," she said to them standing at the center of the fountain and turned to look at each of them. "One, Two Three," they counted off and tossed their coins into the clear water at the same time. "We wish our big sister would live forever and ever because she is the best!" they shouted out and laughed running to her and each jumped on either an arm or leg hugging her.

"Oh you three," she blushed as villagers watched with big smiles and cheers and applause at the sweet and loving gesture of her siblings. "I love you guys," she said hugging them.

A few moments later Bella heard a familiar heartwarming voice, "Annabella my dear would you do your mother a favor and run these groceries to the house for me," her mother said walking up to her children and sat her big sacks down.

The triplets pounced on their mother forcing her to sit at the side of a fountain and hug each of them and give kisses.

"Certainly Mother," Bella said with a smile. She picked up the sacks and realized how heavy they were. "Mother these are much too heavy for you to be carrying all day. Why didn't you send for me?" Bella said chiding her mother.

"Hush Bella I'm still as strong as I was when I was young now. Don't let the age fool you I'm as strong as an ox," her mother replied.

In truth Bella's mother was always a strong woman. She didn't show signs of muscularity but she was a well-toned lean wolfess. Due to her daily dancing and errands, Bella's mother was getting enough exercise in her legs to support the weight of her husband, who was a large and muscular wolf.

"Yes Mother," Bella said shyly with flattened ears on her head as her mother danced and played with the triplets. "Shall I take these three little monster with me?" she asked pulling the sacks over her shoulder.

"No dear, they may stay they can be my little helpers. Mommy needs loud cheerful voices when she sings and needs jumpy little ones to follow when she dances. Who can do that for me," she said softly padding a digit to their little noses. The three let our elated cheers volunteering to help their mother.

It was just about time for the street musicians and her mother to prepare for the afternoon's show. Her mother was a songstress who performed for the village and once for the King during his coronation ceremony. She had the most beautiful voice, many say, in the entire kingdom and was an equally gorgeous dancer. These dances and songs had been passed from generation to generation in her mother's bloodline and known throughout the kingdom.

"See you when you get home," Bella sounded off waving goodbye to her mother as she headed for her father's work shop.

The large cow bell rang as Bella pushed the large door open with her hip and set the heavy sacks on floor.

"Papa!" Bella's voice rang through the loud hammering and sawing while the four males worked on various pieces of furniture and large pieces of even bigger works.

Alistor stood across from Byron and nudged him alerting him to her entrance. In mid swing of his hammer as soon as his eyes locked with Bella's the white furred wolf slammed down on Alistor's paw.

"OOOWwwuch!" he howled and snatched the hammer from Byron who hung his head in embarrassment with his thick tail between his legs.

"Al I'm sorry! I .. I didn't mean," he stammered as the black wolfess rushed to her brother to inspect his paw but was brushed off being too proud to admit he was hurt.

"Ali are you alright?" she whimpered seeing the cringing look on her twin brother's face. He nodded with a wince and went to go wrap his paw.

"Who's the sissy," Asher asked with a chuckle having seen the events take place. He gave a hard slap to Byron's back looking at him and pushed him up over to Bella.

"I swear I didn't mean to," Byron cried out again. In comparison, Alistor and Asher were much bigger in mass compared to Byron who stood an average height wolf standing at 5 foot 8 inches while her brothers towered him with their 6 foot 4 inches. He was a bit afraid that Alistor would clock his head off but so glad that he didn't.

Bella blushed deeply seeing that Asher was obviously pushing Byron towards her for the obvious reasons of courtship.

"Byron calm down, he knows it was an accident," she said gently touching his bicep in an effort to calm him down.

But this only made him go from afraid to nervous as underneath that white fur his cheeks reddened and he averted his eyes from her gaze.

"I umm ... Umm. I ... Thanks Annabella," he said to her softly. She moved to follow his gaze which made him turnabout as the two were now in a tango of his nervousness and her trying to get him to look at her. The white wolf went around the work table and stood looking across at Bella while she sighed obviously saw his avoidance as a sign to stop.

"So how are you today Byron," she asked with a smile. Now although she wasn't one for marriage just yet, Bella did like Byron they did play as children growing up. And it was adorable how shy he was.

"I'm fine. I umm, I like your umm ... fur. It's really umm ... black and umm ... beautiful," he said panicking for words. It was funny how he stumbled about; she could tell he was nervous.

"Why thank you Byron, and you umm have very nice white fur. It's clean and handsome," she teased. That made him smile a bit more as this was one of the few conversations they'd had in a long time. But this was different, he didn't usually say too much. But his compliment was nice.

"Annabella I umm, I wanted to ask you. Would you umm ..." he paused looking into her green eyes and blushed even more and walked around to bow to her and extended his paw courteously. "Would you do me the honor of umm ... that is if you wanted, umm would you do me the honor of allowing me to court you on the night of the full moon?" the wolf asked with the most confidence that Bella has ever seen in his eyes.

"I'd love you to Byron," she said taking his paw and curtseyed to him politely. Finally he's summoned the courage to ask her on an actual date.

Byron stood in shock for a moment. Then once he recognized what she said his tail began to wag and he kissed her paw. But those cheeks stayed red when he came up and looked at her again. "Alright umm I'll see you then Bella."

Bella's heart pounded in her chest as she knew what she had done. But how could she refuse. He was a dear friend and their families knew each other. So what better could she ask for? A part of her was in disbelief of what took place but if she had to personally choose any wolf from her village to court her, it would be Byron. But she wasn't too sure of how things would play. After all they were childhood friends, it was a bit strange. With blushing cheeks and a skip she walked past her brothers and went out back to find her father.

Alistor watched with an irritated growl after hearing his sister's reply. Asher was wrapping his brother's injured paw but after hearing his growl his nudged Alistor's shoulder.

"Hey, this probably won't go over well anyway, so let it be," Asher said as Bella walked passed them and winked at her in approval.

"Dad's already approved of him. What are you going to do about it brother?" Asher asked Alistor.

"He's doesn't have the pride you know. I mean the only reason Pa said it was alright was because he's Mister Issire's son," Alistor said obviously disapproving on Byron.

Byron over heard the two and sighed. That confidence he had built up to tell her now washed away. The four of them all grew up and Alistor didn't much care of Benson's infatuation with his sister. But it was to be expected since he was very protective of her. Asher on the other hand didn't care as long as his sister was happy, and he thought Benny would be perfect for her.

Bella hearing the murmuring of words had just turned out to hear the tail end of that conversation and felt her heart sink a bit. Turning around she saw a sad Byron toiling away and looked at her brother Alistor who turned from her half mad and not expecting his sister to hear his thoughts. Asher looked at his sister and gave an apologetic eye towards her. Asher was always the middle one with the three of them; always the comforter as their mother would say.

Taking a deep breath the wolfess headed into the back yard towards the thudding hammering sound of her father at work.

"Papa, I'll be headed home in a bit, I just wanted to see how things were," she said with a look of sadness on her face. He stood aligning pieces together and still hammering away but once he saw that look on her face he stopped and put his tools down.

"Things are fine sweetheart but I see something is troubling you," he addressed her lifting her chin up to look at him.

"Byron just asked me if he court me this coming full moon," she started. With a grin her father had picked up her small frame and sat her on his work bench.

"And my dear? What was your answer?" he asked with hopeful eyes. "I said yes," she told him still with a sad face and a less then happy sigh.

"Well you have my blessing." Her father said proudly but seeing the distress still on her face, he questioned her.

"Bella, I know you do not wish to marry now but this is something every young female must do. Don't you want pups of your own one day and a house like your Mother's," he asked her not understanding her troubles.

"Father, I ..." she started and looked up to him seeing that longing look in his eyes hoping for her to comply. And not wanting to disappoint him she swallowed her troubles smiled to him. "I'm just nervous. I ... I've been hoping for Byron to ask me for a long time now and now that he's asked me," she was finishing but cut off by lack of air due to her head now being against her father's chest.

"Bella my sweet, that is normal but no need to worry now. Byron is a fine boy and will be a great husband. He's good with his paws and has a good head on his shoulders." He assured her but soon felt her paws scratching his sides and released her. He was elated to hear that his daughter was ready to seek a husband and ever joyed that Byron may be the one for her.

"Yes Papa. I'm sure he will be," she said as her feet hit the ground and hugged his neck.

After her far wells Bella headed home to start supper as the sun was near setting. Dinner was just about done when her mother and younger sisters and brother came home, followed by her older sisters. Bella's mother must have obviously heard the events that took place that afternoon because she came in and rushed hugging her daughter tightly and praised her for the coming courting of Byron.

"Oh Bella I'm so excited. Your first candidate for mateship!" Bella blushed deeply as Phay and Phoebe helped her set the table with their mother following reminiscing about how her father courted her when they met and all the more it made Bella want the stories to stop. But she didn't mind, it was the same way for older sister Selene and Benson.

Her father Alistor and Asher came in as the dishes were laid out and the family was ready for the night's meal. Looking across the table their father stood and joined paws with the family.

"Luna, the Devine Mother may we ask that your eternal light shine on our family and bless us each coming day. We pray that you bless our village and kingdom with bountiful harvests and love. And lastly, to keep our enemies at bay in your casted shadow; blessed thee Luna," he finished and the family echoed, "Blessed thee Luna," in unison.

Sitting at the table together and discussing their day was one of the happier calmer parts of the days their family shared and had together between long days or work. The triplets would sing as Alistor and Asher fought over remaining meat at the table while their mother and Selene would talk of the coming wedding and Sara and Bella passed around the food. It was a warming sight to see this large family eat and share together.

"So, Annabella. Tell us, are you excited about your date with Byron this coming moon?" Sara asked aloud turning the families' attention to her.

"I, well, I'm happy yes," Bella answered sipping from her glass. "He seems well and fit for a wolf his age," she said not looking them in the eye.

"Oh, come now Bella. He's a stud like his brother," Selene giggled.

But her comment wasn't so well received got a disgusted "Eww," from her younger siblings.

"Is he going to kiss you Bella," Phillip asked his sister munching on a roll. And that was when Alistor growled and slammed his fist upon the table.

The room fell silent as Bella looked over to her brother.

"Is there something you'd like to add Alistor," their father said in a monotone voice; which only meant that he was disappointed in his son's reaction.

Alistor growl grew soft as he tried to calm himself. "Yes actually. Why does Bella have to be courted now? Why not in the coming spring after the winter has passed," he said trying to make it seem as if he were more concerned with the time of year rather than Byron.

Asher put a paw to his brother's shoulder. "I think what Al means is. Why not wait until after the winter solstice, and for the new spring year. It is a better season and they will have more time to spend together in much more pleasing scenery," Asher said with a smile to everyone.

But it only made Alistor more upset as the thought crossed his mind. He stood up about to let the family know more on his thoughts but their father stood and pointed out to the back door. Alistor then headed outside for a more private talk with his father.

"He wasn't this upset when Benson asked my hand," Selena said with a jealous huff.

Sara then growled, "Well I was."

Asher looked to Bella and sighed as the two looked at each other with hurt eyes seeing their twin so upset. "I know," Asher said softly, their eyes exchanging a private conversation.

Their mother broke the awkwardness by saying what was on everyone's mind. "There will also be one in the set who disapproves. Your bonds are strong and having that threatened always sets a fire."

Dinner finished soon after with Sara and Selene taking their nightly chore of cleaning up after dinner while Bella got the triplets ready for bed. Asher headed outside to aid their father in calming his Alistor

"Give him time to adjust. He's just scared of the change is all," Bella's mother said stepping into her bedroom. She walked over to the triplets and gave them kisses goodnight.

"Sara behaved the same way, I remember," the wolfess said sitting near the window looking out into the yard at the three males arguing.

Her mother came over with a brush from her dresser and began to softly groom her daughters head fur. "It's just the way things are with siblings. He's happy for you but there is always a strain on the heart knowing one day your sister or brother is going to leave home. One day you will be mated and have pups of your own Bella. Alistor is just taking a hard time grasping it. He will be fine," her mother said taking long strokes through her daughter's long thick locks.

"Mother, do you think Byron is the one for me?" she asked shyly. She felt her mother hesitate in mid brush and her ears flattened. "I just ... I don't know if I'm ready for this," she whimpered.

"Annabella, you listen to me. When the alpha for you comes, there will be no doubt in your heart. But you will never know if you don't allow anyone to court you. If Byron is not the one your father and I will think no less of you. We just want you to be happy," her mother said with a kiss to her daughter's head and hugged her.

Bella gave a sigh of relief as she brought her arms around her mother's. "Thanks Mom," she said nuzzling her mother's cheek. "Now get some rest, you've had a long day," her said leaving the room. Looking out the window Bella could see that her father and Asher had calmed down Alistor and had headed inside. After putting her hair into a braid the wolfess lay down in bed and looked out her window at the waxing moon with a sigh.

"Luna watch over me."