For a moment, the room went still except for the tiny wet sounds coming from the basket. Ava stared at the newborns, waiting for her mind to catch up. They had all been pressed against Luna’s belly when she found them. Luna had cleaned them, warmed them, and let them feed. “What exactly do you mean when you say “strange”?” Ava asked.
Dr. Maren lifted one of the darker newborns with both gloved hands. The little body wriggled weakly, its thin tail twitching against her palm. “This one is much smaller than the two pale pups. The muzzle is different. The feet are different, too.” Ava swallowed. “Could it just be the father? Luna was a stray. I don’t know what kind of dog—”
“That can explain the color,” the vet said gently. “Sometimes size. But not this kind of difference.” Ava looked down at Luna. The dog had raised her head and was watching every movement with intense, tired eyes. When the newborn made a faint cry, Luna whimpered and tried to stand. Dr. Maren gave the baby back quickly. “That’s the oddest part,” she murmured. “Whatever they are, she’s treating them exactly like her own.” Ava felt the first cold twist of fear. “Could they be wolf pups?” Dr. Maren said, “No, definitely not.” But Ava couldn’t understand. If the vet was right, then someone—or something—had placed four newborn animals beside Luna in the middle of the night.