The Wolves of Aringod: Boundaries

Chapter One | Mouse in the Rain

Chapter One

Mouse in the Rain

Running. She was running. Running away from the pack wolves who were trying to kill her. She had stepped on the heavily guarded territory of a wolf pack that she did not care to remember. And now they were trying to kill her. Unexpectedly, a muscular wolf sprang onto her back, flipping her over. The stronger wolf pinned her down, growling ferociously as if to inform her of her fate.

A crack of thunder shook her out of her vision. Remembering that she was in the middle of a thunderstorm, she looked for a shelter to keep her from being spotted by any other animals that could be a potential threat. She was a sleek, cunning she-wolf who had aroused a thought so dark that it blended in with her jet black fur, which was now dripping wet from the sudden downpour. Crouching under an exotic tree, she pondered the idea, her golden eyes twinkling.

"No," she whispered to herself, her smooth voice blending in with the rain. "That was the past. And they probably have forgotten..." She stopped herself, glancing down at her left front paw, which was missing its claws. Grimacing in pain, she lied down and licked her injured paw. Why was she concerned about her injury now? She had been injured for twelve moons (months), and it had never seemed to bother her up until now.

Her name was Aleanu, and she was an outcast.

Aleanu sniffed the air, making sure she was alone. Being cautious was now a habit for her. Tracing the scent of only rainwater, she placed her head on her paws and tried to sleep.

But she couldn't sleep. Her constant fear of being found made her restless, and the ongoing thunder made peace of mind unthinkable. Impatient and tired, Aleanu growled into the rain. It was pointless, but she kept at it. Growling at the rain was something to occupy her, and she needed something to take up her time. Her stomach growled.

"Curse this rain," Aleanu muttered to herself. "I'll starve to death because of it. I'm already growing mad as it is." And amidst Aleanu and her growling at the rain, the moon shone down on the forest floor, revealing a small mouse. The rain miraculously halted in its drowning of the forest, making Aleanu fall silent. Right in front of her sat a sliver of hope for survival. At once, Aleanu's instincts played out perfectly.

She lowered herself towards the ground and started creeping slowly towards the mouse. Aleanu was starving, but she resisted the urge to pounce. Not yet. She needed to get closer. Closer. But by the time she was mere inches away from the mouse, she heard a crack in the distance. Momentarily distracted, Aleanu looked up, her attention redirected. But right at that moment, a small scurry was heard, and when Aleanu looked down, she saw no mouse.