Survivors The Path Of The Pack: Thunder's Journey

Chapter 4

Most heads turned to look at Storm, some dogs hadn't heard her yet.

"No!" Storm growled, piercing daggers into Thunder's head. Thunder looked down, scared to be in the Fierce Dog's presence.

How could anyone say that she's all bark and 'mostly' no bite? Thunder thought in embarrassed irritation.

"Storm–"

"She intruded into our land, Alpha!" Storm snarled, "And now she suddenly gets a place in our pack! How messed up is that?"

There were a few quiet growls of agreement.

Thunder's tail trembled, showing off her fear. I thought packs were supportive of each other! Not like this...

"For once I agree with the Fierce Dog!" came the higher-pitched bark of a Beagle mix. Her hackles were raised as high as they could go. "This seems unfair, Sweet!"

More voices joined the argument quickly.

"We should kick her out!"

"We already have enough mouths to
feed!"

"We need more strong dogs!"

"Just let her stay!"

"ENOUGH!" came Lucky's booming voice. His snarl was enough to make most of the dogs sniffle in terror. Lucky paced on the rock, glowering down at the dogs below him. "You will treat Thunder with as much respect as you treat us! She is new to our pack ways, and you shall help her learn! Now go!" Lucky growled, staring back at any dog that kept his gaze for too long.

Thunder watched the dogs slink away in shame, anger, and... Not many, but a few in happiness.

Could some dog be happy that I'm here? she thought hopefully.

Thunder turned when Lucky came to give her a soothing lick on her bushy neck. "Don't listen to them. It was the same with me when I joined the pack. And I'm sorry about Storm. I'm surprised she's the one who commented that about you."

Sweet slunk over, nodding in agreement, "She's usually the one who's having to stand up for herself. Since she's a Fierce Dog and all."

Hmm, I guess I hadn't thought about that...

"Well," Thunder said, nuzzling both dogs on their heads, "I thank you for letting me into your pack and being so kind to me."

"Of course," Lucky and Sweet said in sync. Lucky opened his mouth to let his tongue roam free, "That should be the bare minimum you receive from this pack. But we can't control all of these dogs..."

Sweet nodded a little sadly, but she brightened up quickly, waving her tail at the Camp's clearing below. "We won't keep you from bonding with the pack," she said, "you're free to do as you please. They will correct you if you do something wrong."

With that, Lucky and Sweet padded down the rock slide flank to flank, leaving Thunder to herself.

I guess I'll follow their advice... Thunder thought with an uneasy shutter. Not all of these dogs are very friendly, though...

Thunder walked across the clearing slowly, looking around for a dog that looked nice enough to talk to. Especially that Fight Dog that Alpha and Be- or Sweet and Lucky were talking about.

Thunder's gaze drifted over to the two dogs who'd been lounging lazily at the tree stump. They avoided her gaze. Thunder tried a different dog. There was another who looked similar to Lucky, but she was busy tending to two pups who looked like Fierce Dogs.

After a few more tries, Thunder gave up and sat at the edge of the camp, near a tree that was shaking in its old age. She slowly slipped to the ground and tucked her tail beneath her strong body. Maybe another day...