Deep in the heart of the forest, the StardustPack's den was bustling with activity. The pack members, a diverse mix of dogs from different breeds, were hard at work, preparing for the upcoming winter. Among them was Cooper, an English Foxhound with a keen sense of smell and a strong work ethic. He was the pack's deputy, second only to Alexis, the powerful Johnson American Bulldog who led the pack with a iron paw.
Cooper's keen nose picked up a scent that wasn't familiar to him. It was the scent of fresh meat, and it seemed to be coming from beyond the pack's borders. He raised his head, sniffing the air curiously. There was something else about the scent, something unusual. It was faint but distinct, like a whisper in the wind.
He turned to Alexis, his expression grave. "Deputy Cooper, what has your keen nose discovered?" Alexis asked, his deep voice booming through the den. Cooper hesitated for a moment, considering his next words carefully. He didn't want time be wrong, but he couldn't ignore the scent either.
"I'm not sure, but I think there's fresh meat outside our borders. And... I think it might be a goose." he said, his tail wagging nervously. The news didn't sit well with Alexis. They could not let their food supplies be threatened by other animals, especially by something as daring as a wild goose.
"We cannot allow this to happen," Alexis growled. "Gather the pack. We will chase the intruder and take back what is ours." The dogs in the den sprang into action, their tails wagging with excitement. They knew what was at stake, and they were ready to defend their territory at all costs.
As they emerged from the den, the scent of the goose grew stronger. It led them through the dense forest, over hills and across streams. The wind picked up, carrying the scent further away from them. They followed it, their determination unwavering.
Suddenly, through the trees, they caught a glimpse of their prey. It was a German Shepherd puppy, no more than a few months old. He was holding a goose in his mouth, his tail wagging happily. Cooper's heart sank. This was not a threat to their food supplies; this was just a young pup trying to find his place in the world.
"Stop right there, thief!" Cooper barked, his voice echoing through the forest. The puppy startled by the sound, dropped the goose and backed away, his ears flat against his head. The other dogs surrounded him, growling and baring their teeth.
Cooper sighed. This wasn't he wanted things to end. "Alright, boys," he said, trying to keep his voice calm. "Let's bring him to camp. Alexis will decide what to do with him."
The pack recluantly followed Cooper's lead, their excitement dampened by the realization that they had been chasing a innocent pup. As they made their way to the StardustPack camp, the puppy was shivering and whimpering, his eyes full of fear. He had never seen such big, scary dogs before.
When they arrived at the camp, Alexis was waiting for them, his massive bulk towering over everyone. He looked down at the puppy, his expression unreadable. "What have you done, pup?" he growled. The puppy trembled, his tail tugged between his legs.
"I... I'm sorry," he whimpered. "I was just hungry. I didn't mean to steal." Alexis considered this for a moment before making his final decision. "You have trespassed on our territory and stolen our food. The punishment for such crimes is 30 bones in prison den. Cooper, take him away."
Cooper sighed again. He hated seeing the puppy like this, but he had no choice. He grabbed the pup by the scruff of his neck and dragged him to the prison den. As they left, the other dogs watched silently, their tails between their legs. They knew that what they had done was wrong, but they also knew that their pack's code had to be upheld.
The puppy was named Bandit.
