Hunters - Book One, A Pack's Farewell

Chapter Two

When I awoke I was in a forest but my Pack was not around me. Instead, I was in a shimmery forest with ghost wolves around me.

Curiously, I tried to approach one of the ghosts but they just turned tail and ran from me.

Confused, I looked down at my pelt. I was covered in blood and scars, plus I  was much, much bigger.

"A time of blood will come.." the ghost wolves were back again and circling me.

"War upon Packs.."

"One wolf will rise above.."

"..stop the war.."

The ghostly-whispering ended suddenly and black encircled me once more and I blinked open my eyes.

No wolf was awake yet but Redmoon. She was staring into the distance, as if another wolf were there.

I slowly got up and weaved my way through the sleeping pack and up to Redmoon.

"Hello." I dipped my head politely. Redmoon didn't answer for a few moments, then she did.

"Hello, Windedpup, why are you up this early?" Redmoon looked down at me.

I shrugged, "I had an odd dream, and couldn't fall asleep again." Now I knew I hadn't even tried to fall asleep, but I also knew that if I tried, I wouldn't be able to.

To my luck, Redmoon didn't question me anymore. She just sighed, then nodded. "I like you, Windedpup, you're unique."

It was rare being complimented by the Alpha, it made me feel nice. I dipped my head. "Thank you."

Redmoon bounded off into the cold morning forest. I turned and layed down next to Kestrelfang and stared up at the large cedar tree.

The evergreen tree flowed gracefully in the cold breeze. Windedpup felt as it was whispering. Ssss ssss.

I closed my eyes. Not to sleep but to listen to the forest as it woke up. I strained my ears and found the chitters of little creatures in the undergrowth.

I then rested my head down on Kestrelfang's paws and quickly fell asleep to the soft sounds of the forest..

Morning. I woke to a bright light shining down onto me. Kestrelfang had gone, so had most of the Pack, I noticed when I opened my eyes.

I assumed they were out hunting. My father, a warrior, would most likely guard the hunters.

Sunclaw was just awaking from her sleep, she got up and came over to me. "Hello!" she greeted.

"Hi," I responded, still focused on my dream. Although Sunclaw was one of my greatest friends, I had decided not to tell her about my dream.

"Where do you think we're heading now?" asked Sunclaw. I just shrugged. Today would lead to more adventures of finding their new home.

"Today will lead us further and further from our pack- I mean, The Pack of Fallen Leaves." I cursed to myself, remembering that The Pack of Fallen Leaves was not my Pack anymore.

Sunclaw nodded understandingly and stared silently into the deep forest.

Then, Kestrelfang and his patrol came. Kestrelfang instantly came to me and nuzzled me.

"Good morning." he whispered. "Morning" I responded.

Then Redmoon let out a large growl. The rest of the wolves woke up. "You may all eat, then we will leave straight away."

I looked toward the prey, it was a deer. Nobody touched it until Redmoon came through and bit into it.

Once she finished her share, she called the Lead Hunter, Quietstep and Healer, Briarwing to eat.

After that, the Hunters and Warriors ate their share. Then Sunclaw, then me, then Thunderbreeze, the Omega.

I always wondered why the Omegas always get the worst meal out of the pack, after all, they take care of the pups, which must not be the easiest job.

The whole Pack, on Redmoon's command, buried the bones and remains of the deer.

I shoved a large bone in the hole that was dug with my nose. Thunderbreeze put the dirt back over the hole and then we all waited for Redmoon's command to find our new home.

Redmoon was speaking with Dustedrise and Quietstep for a while until they decided that our territory would start at the stream.

"Our territory starts at the stream, then we will use the cave that isn't far from here as our home." Redmoon growled, she walked on and the Pack followed.

Kestrelfang walked next to me. "Hello, Windedpup." he said.

"Hi, I have a question," I responded.

"Ask away"

"Why do the Omegas get the worst piece of prey?" I questioned.

"Because that's the way it's always been. Ever since the first Alpha, Leafmoon, and it would be rude to his name to discontinue that practice." Kestrelfang explained.

That doesn't seem fair! I thought, but I just nodded and we kept on walking silently.

It wasnt long until we found the cave Redmoon was speaking about. When we did, only Redmoon, Dustedrise and Tintedshadow went in at first to check if the cave belonged to anyone.

It was a long moment of silence as the scanned the cave. Then Redmoon came out of the cave.

"Its safe." she muttered and the rest of the Pack cluttered in. I looked around. The cave was dark but in the center of the cave was a huge hole leading to the outside.

Beneath the hole was a large rock. Redmoon hopped up onto it and let out a large howl. I had to close my ears as the howl echoed through the cave.

"We have arrived and now it is time for a ceremony." Redmoon growled loudly once everyone had quieted down.

"Would Dustedrise please step forward?" Dustedrise arose from the crowd of now murmuring wolves.

"It is my honor as Pack Alpha to announce that Dustedrise is to become second Alpha and aid me to lead this Pack." Redmoon announced, every wolf had instantly hushed down while Redmoon spoke the traditional words.

"Dustedrise, do you accept to become Alpha of.." Redmoon paused for a second, I questioned what she was thinking about.

"The Pack of the Rising Sky and lead alongside me until your very last breath?" Redmoon went on.

Dustedrise took a very deep breath in and replied 'I do'

"Then I present to you your new name. You are no longer Dustedrise, you are Dustedmoon. Accept your Alpha name and carry it through your life and let it bring you courage and leadership to lead this Pack long after me." Redmoon dipped her head to Dustedmoon and he jumped on the boulder.

"Thank you, Redmoon, and I vow to lead The Pack of the Rising Sky for as long as I live." Dustedmoon finished.