We can do anything

The last straw

Jack dragged his paws behind him. He'd been on patrol all night, looking forward to his bed. It's true it's draught and hard, but it's his. The only place his whole pack didn't bully and mock him.

It's nothing, he thought. Just walk right through.

If it really wasn't anything. But it's hard to put up with the slander and the indignation. Constant humiliation, without the possibility of going higher in the hiearchy.

His Alpha didn't like him very much. And beta Akim, he'd kill Jack if he could.

Alpha was a snow-white wolf with deadly blue eyes. The long fur and its enormous growth accentuated its majesty, but he was mean and a bad Alpha. He did not take part in the hunts, and he didn't consider others' hunger when eating. The lower-10 pack often starved nearly to death. And Akim?

A spotty, black and brown Beta decided things only in his favor. And, of course, he gave Jack a hard time, as well.

His mother listened to her leader's word, so she was not reluctant to hurt even her own family.

Only Jack's sister, River, the only one of several puppies, defended him. They've always stood together. It was amazing how much they understood each other... and that they did not turn against each other like others because of hunger and fear.

To his great surprise, however, there was no one in the clearing. He reached the bunk beds where the whole pack was thrust. They were whispering indignantly.

"Alpha?" Jack yelped to draw attention to himself. The alpha turned slowly with a growl and stuck his icy gaze into the young dog. He was approaching Jack, as his growl grew stronger. He's seen it now. Gnawed food leftovers were dumped in his place. He doesn't think... yes, that's right. He thinks he's the one who stole them. But how could he? He's been guarding the camp all night! He knows very well that this act is punishable by death...

Alpha raised his snout. "Let the traitor suffer." And he added darkly, "Kill him."

"No!" River shouted. She was trying to step up.

"I've been gone all night!"

"That's the law of the pack." He heard someone growl. Then they pounced on him.

He laid under a pile of paws and tails, writhing in pain as more and more fangs dug in his flesh. Alpha didn't even try to solve the mystery. It's impossible for Jack to steal anything! He could see Akim through the gap between the bodies. He smiled contentedly. When they made eye contact, he slowly rose from his seat and walked towards the attacking pack. He ran his tongue over his sharp teeth.

If the others don't kill me, he'll be happy to do it for them. He's the one who planted the food. Who wold be that STUPID so they display stolen food in their bed, in plain sight?!

He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Someone bit out a piece of meat out of there. He howled and turned around. Mom. MY MOM. It was dark in front of his eyes. This hurt even more than the shoulder.

I have to run. Now or never.

He kicked his back legs in the air and hit Alpha right in the mouth. He growled with pain and released his grip.

Jack ran off to the edge of camp. He turned around. No one was running after him. They were dealing with Alpha's injury. Blood welled out from his mouth and colored his white mane red. Alpha's fang was uprooted in an unnatural position.

Only one dog didn't attack Jack. River. He gave her a sad look and turned to the forest. He growled over his shoulder, but more to himself.

"One day I'll find you, Akim."