The Boy who cried Wolf

Part 3

Sill lowered his lean body to the ground, sniffing. He picked up the faint trace of a odour through the thick undergrowth. He bunched his muscles, preparing to pounce. He sprung out of the air and pinned down a deer, delivering a killing bite to the neck. Still holding the small stag, he raised his head as Prickle, the leader of the hunting patrol sounded a returning call. He leapt through a bush, nearing his pack mates.

" Nice catch, Sill." Prickle nodded at the creature in his jaws.

I dipped my head in thanks, and I puffed out my chest with pride. The patrol returned to the camp, and as soon as Sill stepped through the bramble barrier, he was attacked by two tiny fluff balls. One latched on to his back, and the other nipped at his heels.

Sill felt his bushy tail wave back and forth as he realized who the pups were. He slowly turned his head to grab Raven's puffy scruff, and let her thin frame dangle for a moment, then lowering her on to the ground. Sky scampered over to where Raven sat. Affection warmed him as he took sight of his two pups, side by side.

Hazel trotted up to the pups, and began to scold them, before taking sight of Sill's catch.

" Pups! Just look at what your father brought back!" She barked happily.

The pups swarmed him, asking him questions. Sill managed to reply to most. He then excused himself, carrying the dead prey back to the prey heap. He dropped the deer on the pile and returned to his happy family. Hazel wagged her tail has he neared, and Sill threw her a long, warm glance.

"Daddy, when can I go hunting?" Sky yipped. Sill glanced at his son, thinking. Sky had grew a lot these past few moons, though he was a bit small compared to other pups his age. Raven, however, was quite big.

"Not quite yet." He reminded his pups.

They sighed impatiently, and Sky sat up straighter, as if proving he was getting much taller. Other wolves soon spotted this, and chuckled light-heartedly. Sill glanced at them, wagging his tail happily, and laughing along with the others.

" Alright, pups, it's a little late for you." Sill dipped his head.

The sun slowly reached the horizon, ending its journey through the the sky.

"Alright!" The pups chorused. They stumbled into the nursery, Hazel trailing. Sill sighed with happiness as his family padded away. He slowly retreated to his own den.