Moon Wolf

Little Brother

The pain and regret of not making the most of every single moment we spent together is worse than the pain of your death.

Maya padded purposefully forward through the tunnel of brambles that marked the entrance to their camp. When she broke into a clearing at the end of the tunnel she basked her silvery white fur under the autumn sun. The pines surrounding her were a dull green, not as vibrant and dark as they would be in the coming winter, but there were still leaves all around, starting to pile up and dry. She breathed in the sweet scent of the pines as a slight breeze ruffled her fur. Oh what a perfect day for a hunt. 

She took the chance while the sun was out to stretch her limbs, curling her tail and roll her head in as her back arched toward the ground. Two of her brothers, Blake and Cade, padded up next to her, scuttling dead leaves around as they approached. She heard Cade sigh contently. 

"It's a great day for a hunt," said Blake, as if he read her mind.

Blake and Cade were part of Maya's litter, Blake actually born second and Cade fifth. Blake was bigger than Maya, although he was bigger than most everyone, and had darker silver fur along with a single thick black stripe going from the tip of his nose, down his back and to the end of his tail. Blake held himself as if he were always called to attention, ears pricked, shoulders back, chest puffed out, he had grown so used to being in an alert posture that it just stayed with him and nobody minded, as long as he didn't rip a muscle.

Besides Blake, there was Cade. He was about the same size as Maya, and held a stiff posture as if always aggravated, although who was to say he wasn't. His fur was more a more light grey with white on his neck, under belly and under his tail. Maya sometimes wished she had a unique pattern of fur, but she was just as content with her one solid color of white.

Cade scoffed impatiently. "So why are we still standing around? We do have a pack to feed you know."

Maya nodded as she left her thoughts and started forward. "Alright Cade it's not like you didn't have enough to eat last night. Isn't three rabbits enough?"

Cade twitched an ear in annoyance as he caught up with her and Blake followed with strong, easygoing strides, quietly listening to the argument. "They weren't for me! They were-"

"Trying to woo some lady, then?" Maya looked sidelong at him from the corner of her eye. "I bet it's Corona, huh Blake?" Blake hummed in neutral response and Cade spluttered a little before finally getting some words out. 

"Wha- I- N-no! M-Maya you are such a-!"

"Wait!" He stopped midsentence. "Wait Maya wait!" She turned around at her name and was met with her youngest brother sprinting towards them.

"Makiel," said Blake calmly. Maya inwardly sighed. 

"What is it? We were just heading out for a hunt," Maya said tiredly. Makiel came to a sliding stop, scattering red and yellow leaves in the air.

"Please take me with you!" Makiel said. Not this again. 

Makiel had the stature of a fox with a longer muzzle and long puffy tail, but that was normal being that he wasn't blood bound to the pack. Makiel was young and bright, and wanted desperately to be like Maya and her brothers. He wanted to be a warrior, but to Maya he just wasn't warrior material.

He was sweet and small, but he was also a smartass. A great strategist and grade A companion. Just... not a warrior. 

Maya sighed and patted his head with her paw affectionately. "No Makiel. You need to watch over the mothers and their pups."