Opening my eyes im quickly met with the overwhelming smells of damp grass and dirt. Sitting up, i looked around confused. Something felt wrong, but at the same time this all felt natural. To my surprise though, the sudden movement of my awakening seemed to have bothered a few others.. and they werent silent about it. A series of whimpers and whines quickly arose, causing me to panic briefly, i look down at my sides to see my four small furry bodies huddled against them. Two of them had awoken.
Seeing them i readjusted my position to bring them closer and quickly began to soothe the young pups with my tongue. My brain was filled with questions. What was i doing? Should i be doing this? As if it was simply instincts i didn't stop and continued my endeavor at comforting my assumed to be kin.
One didn't take kindly to the grooming, batting and gently slapping my nose with their small paws in an attempt to get me to stop, i forget how immature these things were.. deciding to deal with that one later i nipped at his scruff and placed him on the other side of me so i could deal with the other Three in a timely manner. My excessive grooming woke up the other two pups and they seemed to be full of energy.. and hunger. I should feed them now, right? i thought about what to do for a moment before i slowly stood up and made my way out of the den.. a small pit in the ground placed between a few fallen tree trunks, i don't remember claiming this spot.
The Four pups were slow to follow but eventually they made there way out aswell, i stretched and placed my nose to the ground, trying to sort out the next move to getting something to eat, hunting big animals would prove too difficult for my pups, so..
I look at my offspring and let out a small whine to gaine there attention. Quickly i began trotting down hill, easily jumping over or going around fallen trees and slippery rocks, i slowed my pace to glance back at my babies, slow and stubby, but they kept up well. One however seemed a little confused and began to wander back. With a grunt of annoyance a whine emerges from my throat, causing the young pup to look at me, hastily i ran over and grabbed her by the soft skin around her neck, and quickly made my way back to continue.
In due time we all made it to the coast. I took in the view of the many miles of water and rock as i set my pup down on the damp sand. The familiarity of the area made it easier to take in. But somehow the scenery still felt new to me. Looking into the water i immediately spotted small skinny fish swimming about. I let out a small 'humph!' Letting the little ones know i wanted there attention three of them followed quickly while one took its time to sniff and prod at the dirt while making its way over.
Making sure there paying attention my eyes trail back to the water and with a quick movment i dash into the water and grab at a fish. A salmon? My teeth sink into the fish, causing its wiggly body to spasm and go limp in my jaws. Chewing on it for a second i drop it onto the shore for the small pups to feed and gnaw on it. Two of the pups seem intrigued by what i done and begin digging there snouts into the shallow water.
I pay no attention to it aslong as they dont go too far. I snuff, and begin to scan the ground. Stepping over clumps of seaweed and rocks, i pick at barnacles and sniff for clams or more fish to bring back to the group. I manage to scavenge a small amount of barnacle and a clump of washed up seaweed and i quickly trot back to the 4 pups, who had started to play and nip at eachother.
3 of the girls had ganged up on there brother. He was laying on his back, attemptong to surrender from there non-fatal but annoying attacks. I drop the food and let out a small growl in hopes they'd leave him alone, but they didnt listen. With a little bit of annoyance, i brush two aside with my snout, and they quickly get the message. The other one however continued, and her brother was starting to get aggressive.
Moving onto her i move her aside, and pin her to the dirt using my paw. She continues to wriggle and nip at it in an attempt to get me off of her but i didnt relent until she had calmed down. I didn't know they could be this silly.
Licking the two pups, i gave them a nudge towards the pile of food id brought earlier and they proceeded to join the other two.
I sat down. And watched them from a few feet away.
My reason to live, surely? My will to continue. For some reason i had no pack, yet i had pups i knew i had to raise. Instincts are driven by the bodies need to continue on its bloodline, weather it causes them pain suffering or even death.
It was hard. But its okay. However sometimes.. i cant help but feel something is wrong with me. Everything felt.. wrong. But i know this is what im supposed to do.
My vision blurs and i put my hand-- no, paw? Over my face. I open my eyes again and take a look at the ocean. This isnt right.
