The Chosen; Before the Journey

Chapter 23

Me and Sky searched the whole territory, but couldn't find anymore prey. Sky claimed that she new a place teeming with squirrels, so we decided to  go there.
Sure enough, the small grove of trees were full of squirrels. Of course the real struggle was catching the small, fleet animals.
After a few embarrassing test runs, we finally devised a strategy to catch the rodents.
I drew their attention to me with some obnoxious barking, and the squirrels would watch curiously. While they watched me, Sky snuck behind them and caught as many as she could before chaos broke loose. When this happened I herded them towards her and she continued until the remainders escaped.
One of the tiny creatures alone couldn't fill us up, but with what we caught we were stuffed. Picking up a few of the leftovers each for Crow, we start to make our way back to the den.
Suddenly I feel a pain in my stomach and I drop my prey. Sky looked back at me worriedly but I reassured her I was fine and continued on. Not long after the pain came back, sharper this time.
I squeezed my eyes shut and stopped dead in my tracks. Something was wrong, this wasn't normal.
When the pain receded Sky was by my side. "Go get Crow" I say, my panic seeping into my words by accident.
"But-"
"Now"
Sky scrambled off into the underbrush, leaving me alone.
Not a moment after the she-wolf had left then the crippling pain came again, this time forcing me to the ground.
I tried to focus on my breathing. If I could just hang on until they got back.
It felt like time moved slowly around me, but outside my little pocket it had sped up. After I don't know how long, Crow arrived, led by Sky.
With one look at me, he was by my side whispering encouragement to me and helping me up. His calm words were betrayed by the anxious expression on his face, telling me that even he didn't know what was happening.
I was barely able to make it to our den before I collapsed again. Laying there panting, I couldn't even find the strength to lift my head as the pain came in faster waves.
Through my pain filled haze, I could just make out the sound of paw steps outside.
Crow heard them as well, and was immediately on guard, taking up a defensive stance in front of me.
The paw steps came slow and steady, and I could almost make out a limp in the wolf's gait.
Finally, a figure stood in the entrance, their body slightly hunched with age. My pain subsides for a brief moment and I could think clearly.
I immediately knew who it was, despite how much older they know appeared.
"Elder-pup" both me and Crow breathed at the same time.
Then the pain rushed back, in such intensity that I couldn't help but let out a growling howl.
"Please, Elder-pup, what's wrong with Owl?" Crow asked pleadingly.
"Your pack is soon to arrive and the battle will follow. Fear not, but forge forward bravely. I wish you my luck, and the Great Elders do the same." Her voice had the same sound as always, as if it was both young and old and not at all frail like her body appeared. But I didn't have time to ponder this as the pain came again and was too busy to notice the Elder-pup hobble away.
As soon as she was out of sight, Crow darted to catch her and question her cryptic answer angrily, but when he turned the corner, she was gone.
All I could do was bear the pain and hope for the best.

Yes! I was finally able to finish/update a new chapter! Dontcha just love motivation? Too bad I don't have any.
So there's probably gonna be just one more chapter after this(and I'll finally be able to check off my "finish one book" goal in mah bio, whoo!).
Whelp, I hope you enjoy Beasties!
                       -With Howls,
                                    Lusa