This night, for the first time during winter, it snowed. It lasted only a couple of hours, but it was enough to cover the ground with a thin white layer. Like enchanted, Bug walked around the forest watching her large paws leave footprints with claw marks in the snow. Kindhearted followed her, enjoying her reactions more than making his own footprints. Suddenly, the wolf pushed a tree trunk. A branch hanging above Bug trembled from the impact, causing the accumulated snow to fall onto her back. Her flinching and shaking off the falling snow made Kindhearted laugh. He ran, and Bug chased the jokester after him.

Recently, they played a lot. As winter came, the soil became hard, so all work on tunnels stopped. Aphis cows went into hibernation. Nectar they accumulated, as well as other food storage, wolves made, including roots, fruits, and fermented meat, would help them survive until spring. Bug wasn't fond of the taste of meat that was stored in the nest, covered with the leaves of Upside-down trees and soil. She preferred the fresh one. She joined hunters often, accompanied by Kindhearted. Now, as the workers had fewer tasks, they would mostly hunt. And on the coldest nights, the swarm was reluctant to leave their warm nest at all.

The freezing weather forced Bug to stay in her wolf form for days and nights. It had been weeks since she last changed back into human. She had no warm clothes, and although the rooms were warmer than outside, she felt more comfortable sleeping curled up, wearing a thick fur. Kindhearted slept beside her, putting his head on her shoulder or back. His presence not only warmed her but also comforted her.

On the warmer nights, the swarm would gather near the nest and sing. During autumn, the wolf ants were busy preparing for winter. Now, with more free time, they not only laze around in comfortable resting rooms but also entertain themselves by playing and singing. The first time, Kindhearted raised his head and started to howl. Bug flinched in surprise. Wondering whether it's a signal or message, she listened carefully to the howling. The other members of the swarm picked up the song. It sounded lighthearted and cheerful, as if welcoming spring, which was still months away in reality. But when they were alone in the woods, resting after a hunt, Kindhearted's howl sounded different. She could feel the tenderness and love behind it. 'So they sing. And this one is a song just for me.' The thought of a huge soldier wolf singing a serenade amused her. She liked the song, so after it was finished, Bug affectionately nuzzled into Kindhearted's mane.

Tired of playing chase and run, the pair headed towards the nest. It was still dark, even though she could feel the morning had arrived. They passed a frozen creek. The stork hopper left for the south in search of a warmer place. Honey squirrels waited for the daytime in hollows in trees, before visiting one of their hidden stashes. The forest doesn't feel empty, though. Bug noticed the footprints in the fresh snow, left by a badger. And some birds from the north migrated here, picking up dried berries and pecking at the grains of yellow wild crops. Their chirping reminded Bug of the time when she lived in the North. A few pleasant memories were lost in the sea of constant pressure and bullying. Now, after weeks of living like a wolf, those days seemed like a dream.

Bug lowered her head to the ground and breathed out. Warm air melted the snow, revealing dark soil beneath. Kindhearted sniffed a tiny puddle of water. Her actions puzzled the wolf. She couldn't explain herself, even if the both of them could talk. Suddenly, she felt confused and scared. Was she regretting what she had done? Or was she afraid of being forced back into the human world? The uneasiness she felt lately made her constantly check the nest's exits and desire to stay by Kindhearted’s side all the time.

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Guessing led to no result. If the answers were so easy to find, she would have done so days ago. Kindhearted coughed, calling his mate. His sincere care and worry made Bug feel safe. She licked his muzzle, reliving him from anxiety. They continued on their way. The first sunlight started to warm up the frozen forest. With not a single cloud in the sky, this was probably the only snowfall for a while. 'It's good we went for a walk,' thought Bug, enjoying the crunch of the snow beneath her paws.

When the pair returned to their home hill, they were greeted by the whole swarm. The presence of everyone was already threatening enough, but the Pushing Queen led them. They both froze for a moment, but unlike Bug Kindhearted understood what was going to happen. Slowly, step by step, he moved to the side. The queen stepped forward. Peacefulness was gone in an instant. With her mandibles ready to strike, the queen hissed. Bug instantly felt the wave of pheromones. The time for "poking" warnings was over. Now, the main female felt a threat from the former newcomer. Bug noticed Blizzard watching the scene from the front lines. He was the queen's mate - recently, the pair took strolls alone and played a lot. Just like she did with Kindhearted.

The realization struck Bug. All the cubs in the nest were produced by Pushing Queen. All other females were workers and didn't receive romantic attention from male soldiers. But she changed and accepted Kindhearted's courting. Her actions challenged the queen's authority. Now, the present queen is determined to chase away the threat.

Bug moved towards the queen, revealing her mandibles and hissing. She faced the sudden opponent with determination. Leaving was no longer an option. Throwing away her life in the village was incomparably easier. Right now, the place she looked forward to returning from the hunts and walks was the nest. Just the thought of being left alone, with nothing and nowhere to go, strengthened Bug's resolve to stand her ground firmly. Aside from playing and hunting, she had never fought before in wolf form, but if there was no other choice, she was ready to fight.

The distance between them grew shorter with every step. Bug felt as if the whole place was covered in two clouds of pheromones that they produced. Concentrating on her opponent, she almost flinched when Kindhearted approached her. The wolf stood behind her, but she still could feel its presence, and it gave her new strength. A swarm began to make its decision. One by one, the wolf ants chose a side and headed towards the female they had chosen. The queen's hiss became weaker until it stopped. She received her share of followers, soldiers, and workers alike, but they were still a minority.

The tension finally lifted. Bug hid her mandibles and nuzzled into Kindhearted’s neck. She was more thrilled about winning the opportunity to stay than achieving a powerful position. There were many things she needed to learn and improve in order to lead the swarm, but for now, Bug wanted to appreciate the moment she had won over the trust and acceptance of so many wolf ants. A few workers went into the nest and returned with sleeping aphid cows, which were needed for a new colony. Several others brought stored pieces of meat. The preparations were completed in a flash. Blizzard and others bid farewell to those who remained with Bug and headed east to warmer areas.

And thus, Pushing Queen was removed from her throne, and with a smaller portion of the swarm, she left to establish a new nest.