The Red Moon

Chapter 2: Mate

Silver looks down to the young pup and bows his head respectfully. There was much concern these last few days. Shamara's grandson was frail at birth and was often horribly sick. There was much debate when he started going through the innerchange whether he would live or die. He was struck especially hard when the innerchange began to run it's corse. For most, when it reaches the prime of its work, the wolf is left bed ridden, but this boy was bed ridden the moment he got it.

 Although, now that he has made it through and looks to be a powerful young wolf, so Silver will not complain.

 "Now, young one, show the Clan your strength and climb the Rock, to my side." Silver orders gently once his fellow clansmen have fallen silent. Dark, hazel eyes looking down to the small quivering wolf, trying to keep his balance.

 Rain lets out a shaky breath and lifts his head to look to his Alpha and nods slowly. "Yes, Alpha." he breaths and moves forward shakily, past his clansmen. They all nod aproveingly as he gets to the Rock and leans back on his hunches.

 He sucks in breath as his muscles protest, and leaps and high as he can, his front claws scraping against the rock as he slides off and lands on his back. His breath rushes out of him, his tail twitches.

 "Come now, Rain, focus," his grandmother murmurs mentally to him, her wolf form sleek and thin, black fur graying but her muscles are still tight and strong against her skin.

 The soft voice of his guardian helps him to his feet and turn back to the first stone, leading up to the Rock. There is three stones, three large leaps and then one more to stand atop the Rock, next to his Alpha, who is staring down at him with gentle hazel eyes.

 "Take your time," he offers, voice smooth and low.

 Rain leans back onto his hunches and steadies his tail bafore pushing off and, once again, scrapping the stone but this time making it to the top. He flattens his ears back and leaps up to the next one, scrabbling to pull his hind onto the stone, muscles working under his pelt.

 Once he works himself onto the second stone he rests, panting loudly. The strain working its way through his muscles. He looks up, almost disheartened by how much further there is to go, but he swollows it down and gets ready to jump again.

 Silver always enjoys when a new pup climbs his or her way up the stones to his side. Their determination and courage are rooted here. It helps him gage how determind they will be later on in life. Only the strongest and most loyal are welcome into the Clan.

 Silver watches as the lithe black wolf struggles to pull himself onto the third stone and gazes into his eyes, determind to reach his Alpha's side. Once Rain sucessfully plants his feet onto the thrid stone he crouchs down, mustering up all his strength into this last leap and then he's in the air, the cold wind barely able to break through his thick fur to his burning skin.

 Rain's nails scrape horribly aginst the Rock but he manages to wiggle himself up and wobbles back and forth before falling to a heap on the Rock at the feet of his Alpha.

 Silver finally lets the familiar tingling sensation warm his body as the hairs sprout out, his breath hitches before it is released in a low deep breath. His white hair is covering his body, over sleek powerful muscles and there is a prominant scar on his left shoulder. 

"Are you alright, youngling? The transformation seems to have taken its toll on your body as it is, but you did not give up and for that, I thank you." Silver says mentally, eyes gentle and soft. He leans down to stick his nose into Rain's fur as a gentle welcome to the clan but when his nose gets close enough, Rain's scent fills Silvers nose causeing him to move back slightly.