Blinded

5

The seasons passed five times since the wolves made a deal with the foxes. The two siblings had stuck to the agreement with the wolves and the wolves stuck to theirs. The prey was thriving and the two siblings were enjoying a well-earned day near the waterfall where a neutral boundary with the wolves was shared.

"Life is odd with them here isn't it sister?" Oli asked as he cleaned his fur. "Hmm..., yes it's odd with the wolves here now but it'll make our lives a bit more interesting." Kate said as she stretched herself out in the sunlight. "I wonder how they are getting on." Oli said before joining his sister in the sunlight. The two siblings enjoyed the afternoon sun unaware of the eyes of a wolf watching them.

"They truly are fascinating to you, aren't they Alex?" Weaver asked watching as the large greyish-brown wolf turned to look at him. "Of course, they're a species of rarity and to meet two that are close to one another, who aren't exactly fearful of us is nice." Alex said and Weaver shook his head with a smile. "Only you could marvel at a pair of foxes." Weaver said turning away with Alex right on his heels. "Well, they are quite marvelous but anyway enough about them how is everyone settling?" Alex asked.

"Everyone's settling fine. We've got cabins for everyone set up. Now, all we need is a gathering hall and we'll be all set." Weaver said as he pushed past a thorny bush. "That's good. We'll be set for the winters once we get a gathering hall built." Alex said following his beta paw steps before the two of them reached a tree stump. "Yeah, it'll be nice to have a place to eat with everyone in our human form." Weaver replied as his bones gave out a sharp snap and crack as his form grew upright and stood on two legs rather than four. Alex followed suit and the two grabbed for their respective leather satchels that held a cloth shirt along with a pair of trousers.

Once dressed the two men walked into a clearing where cabins had been constructed and where a large new building was being built, the gathering hall, the final piece that the pack needed to truly be called a pack. A place where meetings would take place, where marriages or just casual dinners could be held. A place where all would gather.

"After the Hall is finished, we can finally announce that we are officially a pack. Our numbers are high enough and we have our own territory as well." Weaver said with a smile on his face, a smile that faltered when he saw his alphas face. It was not smiling but rather serious. "What's wrong?" Weaver asked and Alex said, "We'll have to host a Gathering. As you know that means all major packs, along with minor packs in our vicinity, will be here." He said in a serious tone. "Yeah but I don't see a problem with that." Weaver said and watched as his alpha looked towards the border and understanding dawned upon him. "The foxes will need to be warned. Unfortunately, wolves from other packs do not have to abide by the same rules we do." Alex said with a sigh and Weaver nodded. "Should I send Alina to send a message to them? Saying that we wish to meet them on neutral ground." Weaver asked and Alex nodded without saying anything. Weaver nodded back and went to find Alina, a bird shifter that had joined their pack on the third season that they had settled here. Many other shifters, mostly wolves but a few that were another species, had also joined as the seasons passed.

Alex watched as Weaver ran off and he sighed hoping that the fox siblings would understand that they meant well but others of their species might cause them harm if they were to be spotted, especially to the blind one. "You seem bothered Alex." The voice of an elderly woman startled Alex from his thoughts. He turned to look behind him and saw a woman with graying hair, who had a hunch and walked with a carved cane. "Elder Nora, it's nice to see you out and about." He said brushing off his startlement from earlier. Nora nodded before saying, "You seem bothered by something as of late." Alex sighed and nodded before explaining the situation to his elder. "It would seem that I should go and talk to these two young foxes. I haven't met with those of my species for a very long time." Nora said and Alex was taken aback by her words. Nora took note of his surprise and said, "Yes I am a fox shifter. I know how to hide my scent better than anyone here. I shift when I am alone." She gave no further information and Alex did not inquire for more. "Only if you are comfortable leaving. I'll still be sending Alina." Alex said and Nora smiled, nodded her head, and walked into the woods. Alex watched as her figure merged with the shadows and looked away when she had completely disappeared. "Elder Nora sure is odd." A voice said and Alex nodded recognizing it as Alina. "Alina, did Weaver tell you what to do?" Alex asked as he turned to face the sparrow. She nodded with excitement before saying, "Yes, but I'd thought I'd see you before I left." Alex nodded and gave her a smile. "Thank you and could you keep an eye on Elder Nora? I'm sure she can take care of herself but she's still an elder." He asked Alina, who nodded and took off running in the same direction as Elder Nora.