All three cubs survived the trip to the nest. All three turned out to be strong and healthy, to Bug's relief. "Just like their father," thought Bug, making herself comfortable in the queen's room. For the next few weeks, she didn't leave the nest, caring for the newborns. The swarm provided all the food she needed, and when Kindhearted wasn't hunting, he stayed by her side, helping to look after the cubs.

A week after their birth, the pups opened their eyes. They turned out to be gold-colored, just like those of any wolf ant. They grew so fast that it was hard to believe that she actually carried all three of them inside herself. Two of her three children turned out to be boys. She named them Rainstorm and Hailstone, after the harsh weather that greeted their arrival into the world. As for the girl, Bug gave her the most sacred treasure she had - her late mother's name, Storge.

After six weeks, they started playing fighting. Bug was worried at first; she thought they might hurt each other, but soon she calmed down. Their bites were gentle and controlled, and the game was just a game. Getting enough food and love, they didn't compete and got along well.

The swarm, on the other hand, was concerned. It took Bug some time to understand why. She remembered her experience in "kindergarten" and observed the cubs of the previous queen. Compared to them, her children grew much slower. She was not sure if the reason was her human origin or because it was her first children. But Kindhearted remained calm and loving, and that comforted her too. 'They can take all the time they need", thought Bug, putting her children to sleep.'

In the blink of an eye, spring turned into early summer. The sun warmed the forest. Birds and animals that had migrated south for winter returned. There was a lot of work to be done in the nest. Some rooms and tunnels needed to be fixed; aphis cows woke up and required attention too. The swarm returned to busy days. Every day, Bug gave tasks and received reports. Slowly, she adapted to her new role and responsibilities, both as a mother and as the new queen.

With the weather getting warmer, Bug finally decided to check on what had been troubling her for a while. While the cubs were asleep, she changed into her human form. Unlike her expectations, it wasn't long or difficult; in fact, she turned at the first attempt. Bug sighed. She did not miss her human appearance, yet it was still good to know that she could return to being human at any time. Motherhood changed her body in an expected way, her hair grew longer, and her wrist still felt stiff to move, but she was still a human being. A rustling sound made her turn around. The cubs were awake and stared at her. Thinking that her unfamiliar form was scaring them, Bug considered turning back into a wolf ant. But instead, they got excited, trying to climb on her knees and rubbing against her affectionately, reminding her of kittens. She hugged and caressed them, using this opportunity to tell her children how much she loved them.

Three months after their birth, the cubs stepped out of the nest for the first time. They were so close to their mother that it was difficult for Bug to move, as they were getting underfoot. When she reached the exit, all three of them froze and whimpered. Kindhearted was waiting outside. He coughed, gently calling out to his children. Bug licked the closest pup, calming them down. Storge was the first to master up courage. With her tiny paws, she took a few cautious steps forward. Kindhearted coughed again and Storge ran straight to her father. Her brothers followed her example.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Accompanied by their parents and watched over by the rest of the swarm, they took a first walk around the hill. All the small things that adults took for granted were miracles for pups. They sniffed and bit the grass, touching the pebbles along the way and following any small insects they encountered. Their sincere curiosity filled Bug's heart with tenderness and warmth. 'I wonder, did my mother felt the same way? Would she be happy for me? Would she be happy to meet her grandchildren? I’m sure she would. I was different from others, too, but she gave me her whole heart. And how can you not love them? They are so adorable.' Rainstorm hurried towards his mother, proudly carrying his first catch - a grasshopper. As soon as he put the insect down on the ground, it leaped into the grass. Bug thanked him and licked his confused muzzle, distracting from the loss of his gift.

The cubs were still not interested in solid food, despite Clear-Eyed's efforts to feed them. Their curiosity about other creatures was still naive and pure. Hailstone began to yawn, so Bug decided it was time to return to the nest. They had more than enough impressions from their first walk. She gently picked up her nodding son by the scruff of his neck, and the others followed their mother back to their den.

The next day, they were more confident and brave. The outside world turned out to be a far more interesting place than the "kindergarten" or even the entire nest. Even the area around the hill looked like a vast sea of unknown to them. While her brothers sniffed the trails that the workers were taking to and outside of the nest, Storge looked up at the rocky trees on the top of the hill. Bug noticed how sparked her daughter's eyes. Step by step, the cub started to climb up the hill. 'It must look like a mountain to her,' chuckled Bug, watching his daughter's burning determination to reach the peak. Spot, the cub they saved in autumn, followed Storge, watching over her. Compared to last year, he grew in size, but still shared the youngling's enthusiasm for play and exploration. 'Even if he is a bit older, Spot will be a great friend and playing partner for my children. They will never feel lonely or be ridiculed.'

Bug smiled and lay down when Hailstone approached her. Her younger son started to nuzzle into her scarlet mane, demanding attention. She glanced at the older one - Rainstorm was determined to fix yesterday's injustice and catch the arrogant grasshopper once and for all. Kindhearted followed his son closely. Everyone was watched and guarded. Relaxed, Bug returned her attention to Hailstone, gently pushed him on his back and tickled his tender paw pads. He giggled under her tongue. He giggled under her tongue. Bug never saw the Tower or heard the scholars' rumored beautiful anthems praising the heavens. For her, her child's laughter sounded like the best music in the world, no scholar could even hope to create.