Page 32 of Pack: Posy 3

Run or play in the yard?Sid pranced in a circle with excitement.

We'll stay in the yard since it's dark,Quartz decreed, and no one argued with him.

Granite sidled up next to me and put his snout in my ear.

My love, you know how play tag?he whispered.

Yes,I whispered back.

Good. You it!he shrieked, then took off.

That not fair!I pouted.I too slow. I never catch any of you.

You can do it, my darling, my shy Sid encouraged me.Just try.

Stirred by mischief, I sprung forward and surprised him. Ialmostcaught his tail before he dodged away with a joyful yip.

That started a chase that led all over the yard and to the treeline and back to the porch. The other wolves joined in, and I finally managed to tag Garnet. I knew he let me, and I was fine with that. I couldn't compete with any of them physically, and Garnet could only stand to watch them tease me so long before he intervened.

Just like Mason with Posy, I thought to myself with a secret smile.

The game grew more intense now that I wasn't it, and I laughed and howled as my wolves contorted and dodged and leaped over each other. When Granite was tagged, he came for me, but I dove between Sid's front legs and kept going, emerging from under his tail, and ran for the driveway.

Ash had left his SUV parked there instead of in the garage, and I knew I could fit under it. I wasalmostpositive that Granite, who was nearly four times my size, couldn't - and I was right.

While I snickered at him from under the vehicle, he ran around and around it while whining that I was cheating.

I am not, I told him.I take advantage of my size and outwit you.

I could tip this over if I want to,he taunted.Come out or I will!

Don't hurt Ashy's toy!Sid called, making me grin.

Yeah, don't hurt Ashy's toy!I told Granite.Better hope you no get a scratch on it already!

Aw, you no fun, Lark.

From my spot on the ground, I saw Topaz's paws sneaking up behind Granite and had to hold back my giggles so he wouldn't suspect anything. Right as Granite dropped his front half down and stuck his head under the bumper, Topaz grabbed his tail and tugged it.

As Granite yelped and whirled on his brother, I slipped out the other side and ran to find another hiding spot.

Here, little mate, Quartz murmured.

I raced up to where he sat on the grass, and he raised one paw. I slipped in under him and squiggled around to face forward as he lowered his foot. Careful to keep my nose down, I peered through his chest hair to watch Granite chase Topaz. He managed to tackle him when Topaz began to wheeze with laughter.

You it!Granite shouted, then went back to Ash's SUV.It okay, Lark.Paz it now. Come out, my love.

When I didn't respond, he dropped down to check under the vehicle.

Hey! She gone!he shouted.

See if you can find her, Gran, Garnet told him, then linked me to stay still.None of the pups saw where you went. See how long you can fool them.

Hide and Seek!Sid screeched, and Topaz spun in frenzied circles.

That wasn't an easy game for wolves to play since we couldn't turn our keen noses off. Right now, though, Quartz's scent was covering my own; as long as we didn't move, none of them could sniff me out.

The three pups put their noses to the ground, but I'd run all over the place in the last hour. My scent was everywhere, from the yard to the treeline to the driveway.

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