The Howlers: A New Beginning

Moki [C2]

"I smell your fear-scent." Alpha Noir stated with slight interest. "Are you scared, Moki?"

MOKI

It was dark. Cold. Unwelcoming. Well, that's how it usually was in Smokepack's territory. No wolf ever dared to step one paw over the border, not so much as out of territory agreements, but out of fear. That's why  the pack didn't have any problems with outsiders. They didn't need other wolves to trouble them; they created their own storms.

Moki gazed down at his reflection in the boggy pond. A white, young apprentice stared gloomily back up at him. What would life be like in a different pack, he wondered. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a deep rumbling from overhead in the darkening sky. A harsh voice behind him soon followed.

"Moki!"

It was Fang, Moki's much older brother and the pack favorite. He was popular with the she-wolves and the more experienced elders; the "destined" future leader. The older white male trotted over to Moki, his tail held high and fur bristling with anger. "How are you supposed to be the next Delta if you can never get your head straight?" Fang growled. "Come on. Let's get back to camp before Alpha Noir has us both by our pelts."

Moki heaved a sigh and sprinted after Fang. The two wolves made good time, considering they were both exceptional runners. The sweet, fresh forest scents flooded over Moki as he raced through the ferns and thicket, and singing birds catching a hold of his hearing. He couldn't understand what Fang was rambling on about; he didn't care.

Soon, they reached the camp. Moki climbed down the boulders stuck to the walls of the rocky trench, the pads on his paws almost letting him slip before he bounced off to the solid ground. The young wolf followed Fang to the apprentice cave. Smokepack may be hostile to even each other, but the pack made most of their resources. There were plenty enough dens hollowed out of the canyon's walls for every wolf to use--  so they did.

Moist, humid air clung to Moki's soft fur as  he swept inside the apprentice den. He plopped down with a heavy sigh. The den was warm and safe, and the soft moss bedding beneath him gave off a very comfortable feeling. Drops of water dripped slowly from outside. Then, minutes later, sheets of rain were pelting like missiles on the black rock. The noise was so loud Moki could hardly hear Alae's greeting.

"Don't fall asleep yet," the dark speckled she-wolf warned, "or Alpha Noir will chew you up."

"The rain is too rough now. I'll just... I'll talk to him later."

Alae sighed and settled down next to Moki. "Alright." she huffed. "Just don't blame me when he starts his yapping."

Moki chuckled and flicked his tail in exhaustion. "Don't worry." he murmured. Just as he was about to close his eyes, Fang burst in, his fur dripping with water. He was soaked to the bone. "Alpha Noir wishes to see you." he reported.

Fright zipped through Moki like a speeding bullet. He never imagined that Alpha Noir would actually want to fetch him privately. Regardless, the young wolf did what he was told. He padded through the land-crevasse cautiously. The rain was pelting down heavily now, and the pads on the bottom of his paws felt like they would betray his legs any second.

"Alpha Noir," Moki called respectfully as he waited outside of the leader's den. "Delta Fang has fetched me."

The black wolf growled but welcomed Moki inside anyway. Moki scooted inside.

"I smell your fear-scent." Alpha Noir stated with slight interest. "Are you scared, Moki?"

The apprentice crouched down and flattened his tail against himself. "No sir." he said quickly. "I was just... I..."

The leader chuckled evilly in amusement. "Sit."

Moki sat.

"Now, from what Delta Fang has reported to me," Alpha Noir continued, "you have been doing a fine job as an apprentice."

Moki forced his ears not to perk up; he couldn't show his surprise at the news.

"However, I did also hear that you have been spending quite some time by the water." There was a long pause. Moki simply dropped his head lower in guilt, and Alpha Noir excepted that as an answer he was waiting for. "What is it? A she-wolf, prey? Moki, we can't have our future Delta always running off to day dream instead of proceeding his duties." The leader's voice was soft, yet it had a cruel, grating edge to it that would send fear into any wolf that was put in Moki's position. He felt as if Alpha Noir would snap any minute and try to kill him. "Well?"

Moki remained silent for several seconds. "I am truly sorry, Alpha Noir." he pleaded. "It won't happen again. It won't, I promise." Another pause. "I could hunt for you if you're hungry or—"

"No!" Moki jumped to his paws at the suddenly harsh tone in his leader. "Just go to your den. If any one of my officers catch you out there again when you're supposed to be doing your duties, I'll have your tail!"

Moki whimpered. "Yes Alpha Noir!" He crouched down with his tail between his legs in one last assurance of submission, and zoomed out of stuffy hole that housed one of the most corrupt leaders any of the territories had ever differenced with.