Survivors: Broken Vows

Chapter I

Riat padded about camp, looking for Larke. Ever since the swift dog rescued him, Rist spent most of his time with him. Larke was like a Father Dog to Riat, and for that Riat was grateful. The dog then spotted Beta.

"Hey Beta, have you seen Larke?" Riat's tail wagged a bit.

"Riat. Good morning. Yes, he's leading the hunting patrol now. Speaking of, go wake Quinn so you can patrol, take some left
over hunters too. " Beta's gaze rested on Riat, holding back a smile at the dog's overall goofy personality. Riat thanked her with a nod and went back to the scout's den. He moved into the den, looking at the rise and fall of Quinn's chest as she dreamed, curled tightly into a ball. Riat didn't want to wake her roughly so he laid next to her, pressing his flank against her back and reaching his muzzle out to hers. He nudged her face twice, then whispered her name. Quinn's eyes opened slowly and she looked at Riat. For a moment something like love flashed in her eyes, but quickly turned to friendliness.

"Riat," Quinn yawned, "I'm up, what's the matter?" Riat laughed and rose.

"Nothing. We just need to patrol." Quinn jumped up and shook herself free of sleep. "Beta also wants us to take Jasper, since she didn't go on the morning hunt."

"Let's go find her then." Quinn suggested, leading the two out of the den, her tail raised in a happy manner. Riat followed until he took the lead, stepping ahead of Quinn on a turn, leading to the hunters' den. When they arrived Riat barked Jasper's name. Hearing no response, he stuck his head in to see if she was there. While he was investigating he felt a force knock into his left flank and shove him to the ground. Yelping, he scrambled back into the world, only to face Jasper's happy panting face and Quinn laughing her tail of a dog-length away. Riat growled at Jasper, 'how dare she make me look like a fool in front of Quinn!' He thought. Jasper stopped panting and moved closer to Riat, licking his ear.

"Ha, sorry dude, you are just too fun to scare!" She said chuckling. Riat couldn't hold back a laugh. While he laughed he mouthed Jasper's neck, getting back at her for tackling him.

"Come on," Riat barked, moving past Jasper and trampling Quinn, who couldn't stop laughing. As they left camp, all still giddy, Riat couldn't help but feel he was being observed. Turning to meet his specter, he saw Alpha watching from afar, the dog's expression impossible to read. Riat's ears fell back in nervousness and he led the two dogs out of camp, wanting to stop worrying about what Alpha was thinking.