When the hunting party returned without her children Bug sighed. It was not the first time they had forgotten about their duties and indulged in games and walks. In addition to failing to do their work properly, their sudden disappearances worried her. Grumpy and lost in thought, she sat on the meadow in front of the nest. Workers passed by, returning from their tasks, while soldiers patrolled the territory.

Bug flinched when she felt someone's touch. Kindhearted gently tapped her shoulder with his nose, then started nuzzling into her scarlet mane. Her mood lightened in an instance, and she returned the affectionate gesture. 'Really, though, I need to reprimand them this time. They can't behave like that. I wasn't like that even when I first joined the swarm.'

Her mate seemed to sense her thoughts and began licking her muzzle. Bug's resolved started to crumble. 'He is always too soft with them,' giving up under Kindhearted's tender flirting, she sighed again.

When the queen's mood improved, she returned to watching the swarm's work. Most of the tasks for the night had been completed. With sunrise, only shepherds and soldiers guarding the nest remained outside. Kindhearted took this chance and started singing. The familiar song that she loved so much calmed her and distracted her from negative thoughts.

Finally, the wind brought a familiar scent. Bug could relax at last. A few minutes later, three young wolf ants appeared on the trail. Their eyes sparkled with excitement. Siblings rushed towards their parents, greeting them affectionately. Then, Storge and Rainstorm placed the two dried fruits they had been carrying in their mouths on the ground. With a proud look, they sat down waiting for praise.

'Really, what should I do with you,' thought Bug. It was impossible to be angry at these little rascals. No wonder, Kindhearted always let their tricks slide. Even now, instead of reprimanding his children for the failed work, he thanked them and ate the fruit with exaggerated happiness. The soldier wolf then carefully took another dried fruit in its teeth and offered it to its mate. Kindhearted was too sweet to be rejected, and he knew it.

Carrying one of the aphis cows, Spot returned from his shepherd's duty. Noticing three siblings, he approached them to greet them. He was calm, even a bit down during the night. Yet, the joy he radiated as soon as Storge returned to the nest was overwhelming. On the other hand, Storge returned the greeting halfheartedly. She was more focused on her parents. She just gave a single glance at her brothers, and they left, leading Kindhearted with them.

They made it seem like they wanted to check out the nearby area, but Bug could easily see through their little plan. Part of her was happy that the children were on such good terms with each other. She was glad, but sometimes they acted in ways she couldn't understand. Bug felt and used pheromone signals like the rest of the swarm, but from time to time, her children acted as if they were sharing words or signals that others did not hear. This was confusing and, what's more, there was no way for them to explain it. At first, Bug thought that maybe it was a feature shared by wolf ants, and she, as an originally human being, did not have it. Then, she noticed that the rest of the swarm hadn't received these signals either. This made the situation even more confusing, but at the same time it consoled her a little. At least she wasn't an exception.

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Storge nuzzled into her mother's mane, acting like a little cub even though she was almost an adult. Spot took this chance and rushed inside the nest to bring the aphis cow back to the herd room. Only when they were alone did Storge look into her mother’s eyes. The question she asked was one that Bug had already received before. The one, she always felt her heart pounding and heavy to answer.

Cubs.

When will she have new cubs? When do the younger siblings appear? When will the swarm see new members?

Like always, the only thing Bug could do was to shake her head. Disappointment and incomprehension were written all over her daughter's muzzle. If she could shout, she would - "Why?"

As the current queen, Bug knew all the arguments well. The swarm needs cubs to grow and live. The current workers and soldiers will grow old, and a new generation is necessary to ensure the survival of the swarm. It is her duty not only to lead her subjects, but also to bring new ones into the world. But all the arguments of the wolf ants' reasons could not change her mind. She had already crossed the line once. Blinded by her own happiness, she gave birth to her and Kindhearted's children. And now, only two years after their birth, Storge's human form was already that of a teenage girl, around fourteen years old. Even without considering the inability to speak, this was reason enough not to make the same mistake twice.

'I'm sorry, but I can't. Even if the swarm decides to have another queen, I will not have the right to oppose.' Looking at her daughter, Bug hoped that her feelings and thoughts could reach Storge. However, she couldn't qualm the young she-wolf's frustration. Just like any teenage girl, Storge rushed away from her mother. Though Bug was sure that the topic of their argument could hardly be applied to the human world. Bug sighed, watching, as her daughter hurried past Spot, who had come back to the meadow.

The wolf ant seemed to be also confused by Storge's bursting emotions. He glanced at the queen, then turned again towards the nest. Spot followed Storge closely. 'Oh, I see now' - Bug couldn't hold back a smile while watching the young wolves dive inside the den. 'Spot will be a good mate, but he will have to wait longer. She is too young.'

Whether noticing Storge's leave or simply ending his short attempt at patrol, Kindhearted approached his mate. Usually calming, his presence prompted another stinging guilt within Bug. He had the right to have more cubs, but never pressured her. Was he being considerate because of her human background or worried about the slow growth of children (from a wolf ant's perspective), it didn't matter. This was a rare case where Kindheart's gentle consideration was painful.

Bug leaned on her mate's shoulder. Whatever her decision was, one thing she was sure of: Kindhearted would always be by her side. 'And whatever decision Storge makes in the future, I will not oppose it. But no matter how disappointed others may be, there will be no more cubs for me. I would rather feel guilty towards the swarm than bring more children to suffering due to my selfish decision.'