Broken Alpha (Book 1 of the Broken Wolves series)

Stone

Stone glanced proudly at his pups. Its been a few moons since Flame gave birth and Copper, Foalan, and kala. They were growing strong and already asserting their dominance.
Copper leaped onto Foalan with a growl and made him roll on his back. Kala tried to growl back but it came out as a squeak. Copper rolled off of Foalan and gently pushed his sister to the ground. She submitted and copper left her alone happily.
"Time for patrols soon," Stone spun around to see his Alpha standing behind him. "We need hunting patrols. Eva and Kludd saw some deer by the river." She finished, glancing at the pups with pride then disppering in her den.
"Da, can we go with you?" Foalan asked, his blue gray fur spiked with excitement. Stone shook his head.
"No you are still too young." Seeing the disappointment on his sons face he added "when you are older we will hunt together. Now go find your mother. I'm sure she is looking for you." He watched the pups scamper away and called the pack together.
"Mouse, Eva, Kludd, Silver and Ice. Get ready we are going hunting. The rest of you, Snow and Namara gather mods for the den."
Snow and Namara groaned but did as they were told.
Leading his packmates out of the den and over the ridge to the stream he picked up the strong scent of deer. "Stay close"
He lowed himself to the ground and crept forward. the deer were drinking from the stream and didn't know the wolves were there.
Stone gave the signal and Eva and Kludd split and circled the wolves. At one signal they leaped and Stone jumped on the deer. Bringing it down he let Silver give it the killing bite.
"Let's get this back to camp." Stone said, but then picked up an all familiar scent. Raven!
"You guys go ahead. I'll be back there soon"
Silver nodded and took the lead with Ice beside her. Mouse took up the rear with Kludd and Eva.
"You can come out now!" Stone growled forcing his ears to not lay flat. Ravens sleek black pelt glowed in the sun as he padded out to meet his opponet. "Well hello Stone" he growled sleekily.
"What do you want?" Stone asked, trying to hide his fury.
"I want to join Skypack. I figured I'm tired of being a lone wolf. Let's trade spots. We all know you hate living in a pack " raven growled teasing him. But he was right. Stone hated living in a pack. And since he'd been made deputy he knew he couldn't leave. But he would never let Raven take his place.
"Get out of here now!" He howled lunging himself at the black wolf. Raven sidestepped and raced out of skypacks territory.
Coward Stone thought as he made his way back to camp.
When Stone reached his patrol they were almost to camp. He relieved Silver of carrying the deer and lead the way back to camp. When they reached the entrance barks of excitement echoed. They smell the deer  Stone thought wrily. They wouldn't know what happened between him and Raven. The deputy thought about telling his alpha but Raven was probably teasing him. Trying to get under his skin. He didn't want to worry her for something that stupid.
When it was time to eat Stone didn't take much. His stomach hurt at the thought of Raven beating him in a fight and taking his place. Though he knew the black wolf would never become deputy, it still made Stones pelt prickly. He didn't want him anywhere near his pups.
When the deer was gone Stone made his way to the nursery. He met Silver who was sitting at the entrance, her belly swollen with Oaks unborn pups. "How are you?" He asked her, sitting beside the silver she wolf. Silver bowed her head and replied "I'm good. Mouse says I don't have much longer before the pups come. Your pups will have playmates since Namara and Snow will be moving to the hunters den soon.
Stone nodded and was suddenly happy at the thought. Their pack was growing, stronger then before. Soon they would be able to destroy River pack for good. He nodded his head.
"It will be some time before they could play. I'm going to check on them now." He gave a final bow to Silver and pushed his way into the warm den. Flame was laying sleeping, suckling her pups. Stone layer beside her and glanced lovingly at the three furry bodies prodding there mother for milk. He wouldn't let anyone hurt them. With that thought he set his head on Flames flank and fell asleep.