Forest's Journey

Chapter 13

Before they knew it, it was already afternoon, and they decided to take a break. They had recruited five wolves in the morning and progress was great. Forest took two pieces of prey to the largel oak tree, where they had agreed to eat together. Rose was already there, and Forest took a moment to admire her beauty. Her silver pelt glinted in the sunlight, and her sparkling blue eyes gleamed like gems. His pelt felt warm again and his heart was beating so loudly that Forest was surprised Rose didn't hear it.

"Stop hiding behind that bush, I know you're there!" Rose called.

She probably thinks I'm weird now, Forest thought as he padded towards her.

"Hi." he greeted awkwardly.

"You seem quite awkward and shy for an Alpha that was just campaigning hard for wolves to join your pack." Rose teased.

"Well...um...that's because...uh...I...like you." Forest confessed.

I handled that amazingly, he thought to himself sarcastically.

Rose looked up from her prey, looking rather surprised.

"I like you too." Rose replied.

Forest's heart leapt like a squirrel.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah, as a friend and Alpha." Rose responded.

Forest knew from the storm of emotions in Rose's eyes that she wasn't telling the entire truth, but nonetheless his heart dropped slightly. He had hoped Rose would confess her love and agree to be his mate today, but he knew he wasn't being realistic. Maybe this isn't how relationships work, Forest reasoned, I was too childish to think that it would be this easy. Anyhow, I'll wait for however long for Rose to be ready.

"I like you as a friend too. You're a great friend." said Forest.

The rest of their conversation was a lot easier, as they moved away from the topic of love and started talking about what they wanted the pack to look like. Forest found that Rose's image of the pack was actually quite similar to his. She'll make a great Alpha female if she agrees, he thought, we'll work very well together.

Dusk came all too soon, and as it got dark they headed back to camp.

"It was a lovely chat today. We should do it often." recommended Rose.

"Great idea. Same time, same place every day if we have time?" suggested Forest.

Over the next week, Forest and Rose recruited around 4-6 wolves every day. They were making good progress, as they had either recruited or dismissed all the wolves on their territory. However, what was worrying was that they hadn't found a Theta yet.

"Don't worry about finding a Theta. Most of the wolves who have knowledge of herbs are in the patch of land beyond the East River. Even if we can't find one, we can get a Theta from another pack to teach two of our wolves all the herbs." assured Rose one morning.

"You're right, and plus we don't have to form our pack that soon." agreed Forest.

"I'm always right.

Forest looked Rose fondly in the eyes. Another knot of anxiety sprang up in his belly. What if Rose didn't agree to be his Alpha female when it came the time to form his pack? He pushed those worries away. Finding a Theta was more important. He would deal with his personal problems later. Soon, they reached the East River and crossed it.

"So where do we look?" Forest asked.

"My family always used to go to this she-wolf called Feather for help when we were sick or injured. I know where her den is. We should find her. Perhaps she will join our pack." suggested Rose.

She gestured for Forest to follow her, and soon they saw three wolves waiting anxiously outside a large den.

"Are you looking for Feather?" one of the wolves asked.

"Yes, we are." replied Rose.

"She's doing a healer assessment for her son, our littermate, who has been training to be a healer. She might not be available for quite some time." informed another wolf.

"We didn't actually come here because we got injured or sick, but because we wanted to recruit your mother to our pack." said Forest.

"A pack, can we join as well?" the wolves asked excitedly.

"Of course! What are your names, by the way?" inquired Forest.

"I'm Flutter."

"I'm Ferret."

"And I'm Pear."

"Nice to meet you all, Flutter, Ferret and Pear! Welcome to the pack!" said Rose.

They made small talk for some time before Feather and her son emerged from the den.

"Pigeon, did you pass?" Ferret asked excitedly.

"Yes!" the wolf replied.

The littermates gathered around him to celebrate, and Forest wished that his littermates were around to congratulate him on his mission too. They all have their own missions, the same one as yours, Forest reminded himself, maybe you'll be able to see them one day and you can congratulate each other.

"Hello, Feather." greeted Rose.

"Hi, what do you need help with?" asked Rose.

"I was wondering if you and your son Pigeon could join our pack. We need someone with knowledge of herbs to be our Theta, the healer." inquired Rose.

"Ferret, Pear and I have already joined. Please join, guys, it's a great opportunity." pleaded Flutter.

"I will join." promised Pigeon.

"And so will I. I became a healer to help sick wolves. It doesn't matter who I heal, loners or pack wolves." added Feather.

"Great! Thank you so much, Feather and Pigeon. We're very, very thankful." said Forest.

"When you're ready, follow us to our camp." instructed Rose.

The wolves helped Feather carry some herbs, and they made their way back to camp. They settled Feather and Pigeon down in a more shaded part of camp so their herbs wouldn't dry up.