Outlander Pack

Part 1~ Meet the pack

Somewhere deep in the Nevada desert, tucked away by a single oasis. The boiling white sun sat high in the sky, the hot burning sand baking beneath the heat. Black vultures circle around, surveying the sandy dunes beneath.

Two figures appeared at the top of a dune. A larger black and white she-dog and a white male. The she's white markings contrasted against her black body, making her look far more intimidating. Standing beside her, was the smaller white male sniffing the air around them.

"By the Gods Cloudjumper. We've been walking forever." The she whined. Pinning her ears and flicking her tail in frustration.

The male known as cloudjumper glanced towards his female counterpart. His gaze softening at her cry. He couldn't blame her, surviving out in this dry wasteland was hard enough. Add in the unbearable heat and the constant dry winds blowing across the dunes, it made living there a hell.

"I know Saturn, but we need to catch some prey for the pack. Alpha Minnow won't be happy if we come back with empty paws." Cloudjumper said. Giving the grumpy she a gentle nudge with his shoulder.

Saturn snarled at the mention of their alpha. She believed Minnow was just a stupid old dog with nothing to show. She hated Minnow with every fiber of her being. He was clueless when it came to running a proper pack.

Honestly, she knew she could be a far better alpha if only Minnow would open his eyes. She scoffed at Cloudjumper, raising her tail up in a dominant manner.

"Well I don't care what that old flee bag has to say. He's more likely to piss himself tring to stand up than he his to do anything important."

Cloudjumper winced at her tone, his eyes subtlety making a quick glance away before looking back at Saturn. He exhaled, taking a breath before speaking.

"Saturn. That's no way to speak about our alpha. As kappa of this pack I expect you to respect Minnow and his rules. You of all dogs should know better." Cloudjumper stood a bit taller, rasing his crown and tail to show his higher rank over the she. Cloudjumper was beta of the pack after all and Saturn had to respect that.

Saturn growled and rolled her eyes, Cloudjumper was no Beta. He was soft. A Beta should never be soft, they are the second in command. The second leader if the alpha were to die. However, Minnow saw something in the soft male and chose him over her.

Saturn lowered her gaze and dropped her head slightly. Showing Cloudjumper any sort of submission wasn't her cup of tea, but if it meant that the tattle tale would go blabbing back to Alpha, then she would humor him. She was already on thin ice with their alpha female, she didn't need Minnow in on it as well.

"Fine. I apologize. Now can we please hurry up? The sand is literally roasting my paws."

Cloudjumper chuckled and gently poked Saturn with his nose, trying his best to lighten the mood.

"Of course Saturn. Come on. I caught scent of a hare not far from here. If we move fast we can probably get back to the pack by sundown." Saturn rolled her eyes, but made sure to do it with her back turned towards the beta.

Sure she was confident in that she could take Cloudjumper in a fight, but that would anger the alphas and getting kicked out of the pack now wouldn't do her any favors.

"Well let's get a move on then. Won't do us any good just standing here blabbering." Saturn said already trotting away.

Cloudjumper chuckled, Saturn meant well, she just needed to learn how to adjust her attitude. Turning his crown he gazed up at the sun, squinting his eyes. It was already Sun High and they still hadn't caught anything.

He sighed, as long as they caught at least enough for the entire pack to share. He wouldn't get into to much trouble Minnow, or at least that's what he hoped. Cloudjumper shook his head clearing his mind, he needed to focus.

"Hay wait for me!" He called after the she-dog who was almost a hundred strides ahead of him.