Wild Children

4. The Friend of the Wolf

A.N.: I hope you all had a great Memorial day, I wrote this with 'See you Again' and 'A thousand Years' on loop

Lock ran away from his siblings little shadowy figures.

They were playing a high stakes game of hide and seek and the little fools started counting in their head before he ran off to hide.

These little cheaters only left him with about ten seconds to hide in a place that his scent wouldn't immediately give him away.

So he ran as fast he could having an uncaring attitude toward the dozens of branches leaving scratches up and down his arms.

The pain tolerance of a child in the middle of the game was truly something else, dark bruises on his knees and elbows were proof of that.

"Ready or not here we come!" Screamed the little pups, but with the distance between them made their voices practically faint whispers to Lock's sensitive ears.

"Those little runts won't ever find me here..." He giggled mischievously.

He continued to run... only to trip and roll all the way down a ravine and into a small stream.

One word could be used to describe how he felt after that.

Yuck!

What he hoped was mud entered his mouth and nose while the overwhelming scent of molt assaulted his nostrils.

His eyes burned as dirty water splashed into them and he let out a pathetic whimper.

"Oww-Cough- EWW!" The wolf cringed as every one sensory responses were attacked at once.

"Shoot, they'll hear me!" he attempted to stay still perking his ears to see of he could here the tell-tale sound of their little feet hitting the ground.

Nothing.

In his little kid mind losing this game meant he had to give away his portion of desert so even if his sides heaved in pain he stayed stubbornly focused on his victory.

He flattened himself against the ground further, camouflage was a good tool.

The dirt and muddy water made him harder to track by smell and he found of small spot that was hard to see into unless you entered.

So... in way everything might have worked out.

He waited a few minutes in silence trying ever so desperately to ignore the itchiness all over his body.

"You know there are better places to rest than the ground, right?"

It took all Lock's pride to admit he let out a squeak unbecoming of the heir of the Wolf Tribe.

"Eek!"

He stood up quickly getting in a clumsy attempt of a fighting stance.

Only to be met with a sickly looking kid a year or two younger then him.

The kid in question raised an eyebrow looking him up in down in a clearly judgmental mood.

"To think you would defend yourself against someone barely strong enough to stand." The boy's purplish yellowing eyes gleamed in distrust.

"My how the mighty Blue Wolf Tribe has fallen."

Lock felt his body bristle at the mocking words aimed at his tribe, but held his tongue.

This kid had snuck up on him despite his senses being on high alert and knew what he was that.

That immediately raised many red flags.

"Who are you?"

A small part of Lock's brained berated him, no way would the stranger actually ans-

"Markus, Heir of the Tiger Tribe." The boy, Markus, stated plainly.

Lock blanched, he actually got an answer?!

'But what's a tiger tribe member doing this far out-'

"Now, it would only be fair if I could gain your name?"

Lock flinched.

Right, that would be the polite thing to do.

"Lock."

The eyes of Markus shined in slight recognition, but he did not speak.

"I see, why are you here?" He stated plainly.

Lock blinked, shouldn't he be asking that?

As if sensing Lock's thoughts Markus opened his mouth to speak.

"This is the Montauk Area of the Perusion Bogs, this territory is not claimed by any of the tribes, but its still doesn't look good for an heir to be in it alone." His eyes narrowed.

"It makes it look like the Blue Wolf Tribe is on an attempt to expand their borders."

Now Lock may not be the best at politics, but even he knew that was a diplomatic disaster waiting to happen.

"I- The same could be said about you!"

This boy, Markus, had claimed to be an heir as well, wouldn't it be the same for him?

Markus didn't miss a beat.

"I'm only heir in title, the tribe has made it clear I am much to weak for any position power and that I'll be replaced with my mother's next litter." He shrugged.

"I could just play it off as the weak-minded boy looking for fresh air in hopes of healing his ill-willed soul." He stated, dramatically putting his arms above his forehead to act like a scared kitten.

Lock blinked in astonishment.

"I'm sorry..."

Markus looked at Lock with an unreadable expression.

"Don't be, it's not your fault and I don't really care." He smiled bitterly.

Lock felt conflicted but nodded his head nonetheless.

"So, why are you here?" There it was again that indifferent look.

"Hiding from my siblings."

Markus blinked in confusion then slight concern.

"Why? Did you do something wrong? Are they creating an alliance to overthrow-"

"No!"

'Where the hell did he got those ideas?!'

Markus seemed to relax.

"Then why? If not to eliminate a rival why?"

Lock scrambled.

"We're playing a game!"

Markus perked up.

"Like Duck, Duck, Goose?"

"Yeah..."

Silence... goodness this was awkward.

"Want to join?"

Markus frowned.

"Will I also end up in the dirt hiding like a mole?"

Lock flushed red.

"N-no that was just me tripping-"

"On what? Air?" The voice sounded sarcastic.

...

"Yes..."

"You're an Idiot."

Ouch.

"But I like that about you."

Double ouch.

A.N: Cute little flashback, also the Montauk and Perusian Bogs are both made up locations.

'