Howling Stars - Book One: Forgiven (DISCONTINUED)

<> Chapter Three <>

        It was time for the Tracking Trial. Pepper was ready, and knew exactly what to do. Not only that, but Swiftfall and Dusk wouldn't be expecting what she had planned, which was a surprise to everyone except herself and the Ancestors of the Starryfall.
        "You will find Dusk before Highest Sun, while he stalks in the shadows. If you fail.... we both know what happens. But I trust that this eventful day will be a reminder to do better, if you do fail." Swiftfall spoke in a knowing tone before leaping into the shadows.
        Pepper knew exactly where she was, but Swiftfall wasn't who she was tasked to find. Lets hurry now... don't dawdle, Pepper, She told herself. It would finally be time for the wings to have a use.
        With a surge of confidence thanks to the ancestors, she raised her wings, tucked her tail and held herself close to the ground for a good start. Pepper then struck the air with her wings during a massive leap, sending Pepper soaring into the sky.
        It took Pepper a little to get the hang of hovering, but using the ancestors' memories, it was easier than trying to learn from a bird. She glided along the tops of the trees, listening intently while scanning below for any tracks or signs a wolf had been there.
        As if Pepper was blessed, (Which, she pretty much was to still be alive and not part of the Pack of Falling Moon's devious plots,) she immediately spotted a puddle of mud with paw tracks. alongside a shadowy tail passing along on the edges of nearby trees.
        With a swift dive, she plummeted towards the pawprints, throwing her wings out once she was close enough for a smooth landing, and looked around.
        Better keep quiet. Tracking actually feels as if it's hunting, and it technically is. Which means I really should stay quiet, Pepper continued to think as she sniffed around, catching Dusk's scent easily. it was rather distinct, and of alder bark.
        Several cracked twigs and a scent of Dusk told her that he went that way, as the scent was more stale around the mud, as was the mud already less watery and more squishy, meaning it was at least an hour old.
        Pepper followed the scent further, looking for sticks, twigs, and leaves that reeked of alder bark. It wouldn't give her any issues, as alder trees were on the other side of the forest near the hollow, and haven't spread to anywhere close to where Pepper was. 
        The trail ended by a giant hollowed tree trunk, that was tipped to its side, enough for a wolf to leap into and hide. Which left only one place for Dusk to hide: in the hollowed tree. With a giant leap, Pepper soared into the tree trunk, collapsing and tumbling down the steep slide, and ramming into Dusk.
        Dusk quickly shoved Pepper off. "Well I guess I earned that after jumping into a place too high for a pup to leap." He joked. "You did find me though, so that earns you as an excellent tracker." He leapt out of the hollow, and Pepper followed using her wings.
        "Apparently you're better than we hoped, seeing as you failed at things a month-old pup could do." Swiftfall's voice made Pepper yelp, as she didn't expect the alpha to blow her cover that quick, as Pepper just barely found Dusk.
        "Not only that... you used your wings, when you could hardly use them a day ago.. but nevermind that. It is my duty as Alpha, to tell you who you will be placed under before the rest of your pack. That way you won't act like a deer staring at a beast's eyes." Swiftfall guided Dusk and Pepper out of the forest back to the hollow, talking to Pepper on the way.
        "You will be placed under Lark. He's a formidable hunter, and a skilled scout. His scouting being better, he will train you to track any intruder on our territory." Swiftfall said as they were only a few tree-branches away from the hollow.

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        Swiftfall didn't lie about who she would be placed under. When the time came for Pepper's ceremony, it was the most nerve-wrecking feeling Pepper ever felt.
        "Wolves under the Sun that Soars, Pack of Howling Hollow," Swiftfall spoke, gathering the wolves around, using the way alphas addressed their pack during daylight.
        "This pup has pleased not only my beta and I, but the Ancestors of the Starryfall as well. And so in turn, the ancestors have granted me the power to speak whom will mentor this special one." The alpha continued with the traditional ceremony.
        Then Swiftfall spoke of who Pepper would be placed under. "Lark, you are a skilled scout. You are tasked with training this pup to follow to greatness, do you accept?"
        The clearing in the hollow seemed quiet for a long time, before Lark finally spoke. "I accept. Many treat this pup as an evil thing, but I believe otherwise, and so I will train this pup the best I can." Pepper was surprised that Lark didn't decline, as many probably thought he would.
        "With that, Pepper, daughter of Ruby and Arrow, will be trained under Lark, son of Meadow and Crow." The male shook his head briefly, as if still upset about his parents' death. Although there was no tears, so it signaled that he still stood strong.
        One thing that Pepper knew, is that she had a long life ahead of her.... and the Pack of Falling Moon wouldn't be able to ruin it.