Wolves of the Falling Stars Book 4: The Return

Chapter 21

Stormy Sky's sessions with the two brothers had been ongoing for a little while now, and every day he felt like he was improving. He would demonstrate moves for his mother, and she would compliment him, while asking curiously where he had learned such moves. He would explain he had a lot of free time to himself, and she would say it must be his father's blood working through him. Their conversation was normally left at that.

Stormy Sky was coming closer and closer to successfully hunting. Just the other day, he had felt the fur of the rabbit chasing against his claws before it had just barely managed to escape. He was upset, but Black Berry and Rock Path assured him that it was a major improvement from when he had first started learning.

Once again, it was another sunny morning. It was Stormy Sky's off-day with the brother, so he lingered by himself outside of the den, impatiently waiting for his mother to return. While she could leave him alone longer, her meals were becoming more and more unsatisfying the older Stormy Sky got and grew. Some days he felt like eating an entire deer but his mother would only manage to scrap by with an injured bird she had just managed to catch.

While his mother hunted, Stormy Sky figured he could practice hunting as well. The days were becoming warmer and the prey more plentiful. Though he did not plan to linger far from the den, he used his nose to search for any nearby scents. When he picked up the whiff of a rabbit, he cautiously followed the scent into the trees, hoping he was not being led the wrong way.

As the grass became taller, Stormy Sky sunk down and cautiously walked. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed movement in the brush. Carefully, he pivoted his body and approached. He could see the outline of the rabbit in the grass. It was frozen in place besides the occasional twitch of its whiskers.

Taking a deep breath, Stormy Sky got into position and leapt, and he was surprised to somehow find the rabbit in his claws. In a panic, he sunk his claws into its sides to keep it from escaping and delivered a killing blow. It wasn't as clean of a kill as the brothers had demonstrated, but the rabbit went limp in his paws.

For a moment, Stormy Sky was stunned. Had he actually just caught that? But there lay a nice, plump rabbit in his paws. He was tempted to eat right there, but he wanted to share the catch with his mother.

He grabbed the rabbit in his jaws and ran back to the den. In the distance, he could see his mother returning. She appeared to be empty-handed, but Stormy Sky didn't care. He set the rabbit in the den and rushed toward his mother with excitement. She was looking down, but her eyes lit up at the sight of her son.

"I'm sorry, I didn't manage to--"

"Come see what I did! I have a surprise for you!" Stormy Sky explained.

"Okay," Gentle Breeze said. Quickly her frown was replaced by a smile, and she followed her son toward the den.

"Look! I caught a rabbit!" Stormy Sky explained. "We can share it."

For a moment, tears appeared to glisten in his mother's eyes. She looked up at him and tilted her head. "How did you do this?"

"I've been practicing, remember? Soon, I can do all the hunting, and then you don't have to anymore!"

Gentle Breeze smiled warmly at him. "Thank you. Let's eat, then."

It was the best rabbit Stormy Sky had ever eaten in his life.

The next day, while his mother went out and hunted, Stormy Sky rushed off to meet his Black Berry and Rock Path. He was the first to meet them in their normal spot and paced around impatiently. Finally, the brothers emerged from the bushes, and Stormy Sky excitedly rushed up to them.

"Guess what?! I caught a rabbit the other day! My mom and I ate it, and it was the best piece of prey I've ever had," Stormy Sky explained.

"Wow! You really are learning to be a wolf," Black Berry said. He was quick to praise Stormy Sky on his determination, and Rock Path, though usually a little more stern, seemed happy for the young wolf too.

"You have to keep teaching me so I can get better and better," Stormy Sky said. "And then I'll be able to hunt and fight and..." His voice trailed off. He realized with sadness that the better he got at living on his own, he would see Black Berry and Rock Path less and less, especially if he went to live off on in a pack. Though the two were slightly older than him, they were still his friends, and the only social interaction he got outside of his mother. He would be sad to leave that behind.

"Of course we'll keep teaching you what we can," Black Berry said. "Why don't we practice some more hunting moves since you're doing so well?"

Stormy Sky nodded, and for a while, he imitated the hunting strategies of the brothers and praised Rock Path when he caught a bird just before it took off from the ground again. Now that he was getting his older, his mother would leave him alone for longer, which allowed Stormy Sky more time to play with the brothers.

When they were finished practicing hunting, Rock Path was quick to suggest they leave, but Black Berry had other plans.

"Why don't we play for a few minutes?" he suggested. "Stormy Sky doesn't get to much at home."

Stormy Sky nodded his head vehemently, and after a little pushing, Rock Path gave him. The three of them wrestled for a little bit, and the sound of Stormy Sky's laughter filled the air. While the two brothers were becoming older than the day, Stormy Sky knew they still had some pup energy in them.

As their play came to an end and the three began to depart, Black Berry paused and pondered for a moment.

"You should come visit us at our home some time, Stormy Sky," he suggested.

"I don't know--" Rock Path was quickly cut off by Stormy Sky's response.

"I'd love to! It would be so cool meeting more wolves!"

"Good. Then maybe sometime soon," Black Berry suggested. "Good luck hunting, Stormy Sky. We'll see you soon."

Stormy Sky smiled and nodded before turning in the opposite direction. Life only seemed to be improving these days.