Survivors The Path Of The Pack: Thunder's Journey

Chapter 18

Thunder sagged as she finally stepped into camp. Bella was sticking close to her side, watching nervously as her pup hung from Thunder's jaws.

"Come to my den," Bella said quickly as Thunder was about to lower Scramble. She nodded in agreement and started to head forward again.
Finally, Thunder was able to set Scramble onto the ground as they entered the den. She watched Bella practically pounce on her pup, licking warmth into him.

We got him back safely, Thunder thought with ease. She settled onto her stomach as Breeze plopped down beside her. Mickey sat close as well, yawning as he shifted into a comfortable position.

"Oh no..."

Thunder perked up at Bella's sad voice, "What is it?"

"Look," Bella barked. She nudged Scramble a little. The little pup held out his leg for Thunder to see. Thunder revolted back as a surprised gasp left her muzzle.

Scramble's left leg was torn apart. A nasty wound was opened and blood dripped out of it. It almost looked like Thunder's own gash when it'd been fresh but much worse.

"He must have torn it on the branch," Thunder realized, sympathy rising inside of her for Bella's pup. The dogs watched in anticipation as he tried to walk. Scramble, with a lot of effort, placed a paw forward only to fall on his rump and let out a loud yelp.

"It's okay," Bella soothed, dragging Scramble back a little so he could rest against her, "you'll walk how you used to soon enough."

But is that true? Thunder thought, watching as Scramble awkwardly curled against his mother. Is Bella saying that so he won't be scared? Will he ever walk the same? She shook her head to make the bad thoughts disappear.

"I'll go get Alpha," Thunder barked. "Breeze, Mickey, you should go to the patrol den so Bella and Scramble can have some privacy."

The two Patrol Dogs nodded and left the den. Thunder followed close behind them. She watched as Breeze dashed to the patrol den to get out of the harsh rain. But Mickey had turned to look at her.

"Good job, we got him back," he murmured, letting his tail wag a little against Thunder's hanging one.

Thunder strained her ear to hear him over the rain, "Yes, but at what cost? He might never walk the same again."

"Better than him being dead," Mickey pointed out. After, he turned around and cantered away.

Well, he has a point, Thunder thought as she headed for Sweet and Lucky's den. When she made it, she slowly popped her head inside and let out a soft bark.

"Hello?" came a tiny voice.

Out of the darkness, a golden-furred pup stepped into the light.

"Hello," she said again.

"Oh, hi, um, is Alpha in there?" Thunder asked, looking down at the pup.

She looks like Lucky, she thought as the pup disappeared back into the cave. And I think she was the pup who'd been with Sweet the day Moon got mad at me...

She was taken from her thoughts as Sweet's slender form came into view. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. That was Tiny, one of my pups. The runt to be exact." She dropped to her haunches and started scratching her ears. "What can I do for you? Have you found Scramble?"

Thunder nodded, falling to her rump as well, "Yes. After searching, Breeze found him underground. But he hurt his leg pretty badly as we rescued him."

Sweet perked up at this, "Really?"

"Mhm, I can show you if you want," Thunder offered, coming to her paws. Sweet nodded and barked a small goodbye to the cave before Thunder led her back to Bella. As she entered the den, Bella straightened up at the sight of her Alpha.

"Greetings, Bella," Sweet growled softly, dipping her head at her mate's litter-sister.

Thunder stepped forward, "Bella, could you show her Scramble's wound?"

Bella looked hesitant but obeyed Thunder. She lifted her tail to reveal Scramble sleeping on his side, his injured leg stretched out uneasily. Thunder looked anxiously at Sweet for her reaction. Sweet's normally soothing calm brown eyes were widened with alarm.

"Is it bad?" Bella and Thunder said simultaneously.

Thunder felt worry prickle her paws as Sweet's eyes kept shifting from hers to Bella's.

"It's... Not the worst that could've happened," she answered weakly.

"Don't sympathize for him, Sweet!" Bella snapped, rising a little, "Just tell me if he'll be okay!"

Thunder's heart stopped as the last hope of Scramble being okay vanished. Sweet had slumped to her paws and lowered her head.

"He might be like... Twitch," Sweet answered quietly.

"Twitch?" Thunder barked worriedly, "Who's Twitch? What's wrong with them?"

Now Bella was staring at Scramble's hurt left leg. She let her head slide to the ground, "He's our Third Dog. His command is right below Beta's. He's... Three-legged."

Thunder's eyes widened in shock, "What?"

"He was born with a lame paw," Sweet answered, "after a while, he chewed it off. Scramble might have to do the same, just with his leg."

Bella's surprising cry echoed over the rain which was starting to die away.

Poor Scramble, Thunder thought in misery, I told him he was going to be okay, and now he might be three-legged. Bella really won't trust me with them ever again.

"We should ask Scramble what his intentions were when he wakes up," Sweet said, raising her head again. "Twitch will help with his leg when he comes back from his rescue mission."

Thunder's ears fell as Sweet turned away to return to her own pups. Thunder looked back at Bella and started to whimper. "Oh, Bella, I'm so--"

"Stop," Bella growled, "I want to be alone with Scramble."

Thunder nodded, trying to hide her feeling of betrayal, and walked back into the passing storm.

It's all my fault. I should've been paying attention to him...

×××

AN:

A few things:

Who's fault do you think it was?

Scramble's for going to go explore or Thunder because she wasn't giving him her full attention?

Will Scramble have to chew off his leg?

Are Bella and Thunder still friends?

What will the rest of Scramble's family think about his injury?

Maybe you'll find out in the next chapter!

(P.S.- Whenever Sweet is comparing Scramble's injury to Twitch's, I know that Twitch chewed off his ARM while it's Scramble's LEG that might get chewed off. I might've not explained it that well in this chapter.)