The Forest Secret

Chapter 4

"But before I tell u, I need to teach u our ways and beliefs." said Sunpelt as we walked out of the camp and in to the rest of the territory. "We wolves catch our own prey. Moose, musk ox, caribou, white tailed deer, elk, bison,and big horn sheep. But in white fall, err...winter, those animals are scarce so we catch, foxes, weasels, hares, badgers, squirrels, mice, and sometimes cows and sheep from the farm. But I'll teach you how to hunt for the pack. Don't worry." she just went on and on about our ways of life. Apparently, our fighter ancestors live in star pack and guide us. She also told me about a place called " star pack mountain " and apparently it is guarded by a mountain lion who also follows star pack. But you must give him some prey before you enter to give him thanks for protecting the sacred place. But not just that. She also told me more about the fighter code. "Their is more to the fighter code than you think. We are only allowed to hunt what we need. If we hunt to much, then all of life falls apart..." She kept going on about the fighter code and stuff. But to sum it all up; your loyalty is to your pack first, don't take prey from other clans, don't hunt to much prey, and it is against the will of star pack to hurt a medicine wolf. And then their is a big chunk of it about the Alpha's and how they mustn't betray eachother or fight a different pack for no reason.

When we got back to the camp, I was told that I was going to receive my apprentice name and train under a mentor. I was so exited! I went on top of a rock at the edge of the camp were the whole pack was waiting. Blackmoon was their to. I couldn't help but turn red when I got close to him. But their was another wolf next to him. I guess she was Bristlemoon. The female alpha if the pack. I wonder if Blackmoon and Bristlemoon are together! I hope not. Sunpelt told me that the alphas aren't always mates. But sometimes they are! Then Blackmoon approached me to give me my apprentice name.

He said, "I Blackmoon, call apon my fighter ancestors to look down on this wolf. She will train hard to understand your noble code and fight till her last breath to protect her fellow pack mates. Emily, your apprentice name will be..." he took a long pause "Deerpaw, and your mentor will be Sunpelt." I was so happy! My very first, and only friend was now going to be mentor! I hopped down infront of her wondering what to do now?

"Rest your head against my chest." As I did, she put her head on my head. For the first time in a while, I felt at home and accepted as wolves called my new name. But I still mist my friends. Then I slowly got scared. Sunpelt told me about how packs sometimes have fightes. But what if I have to fight Rachel, or Sophie, or John, or Fred! That would be horrible! I pushed that thought out of my mind. Right now, I needed to know how to get to the Great Oak to go home. But I should still learn how to be a fighter. Who knows, maybe our plan might fail and we'll have to actually be with our packs! I was actually kinda hoping for that to happen.

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As we went into the training hollow, which was just a clearing with thick grass so if we fall, we won't get hurt. But we weren't going to train. Sunpelt knew that I wanted to leave, so we were going somewhere secret to discuss our plan.
"I know you want to know were Great Oak is. And I'll tell you. Up ahead, their is the thunder path. That is where the monsters, err, cars go on. You have to listen for the river and go in that direction. The thunder path goes over the river. If you keep going straight, you will find Great Oak. The fighter code states that any wolf from any pack can cross their territory to go to Great Oak or to warn another clan. BUT THEY MUST STAY 2 WOLF LENGTHS TO THE THUNDER PATH."  (p.s. A wolf length is a wolf on its side from nose to tail. So 2 wolf lengths are 2 full grown wolves. From nose to tail to nose to tail. Hope you get it!)

Then we reached a sunning rocks. Which is another clearing but with rock that are good for sunning on. As we got closer, I smelled another scent. "Sunpelt, what is that scent?" I asked.

"That scent is Water pack. Our border with them is the edge of the river. So the river is theirs. Don't cross it or they could attack you."

I leaned over a little bit to get a closer look. I saw fish! I was glad I wasn't in Water pack. I HATE fish. Except I leaned over a little too much and I almost fell! Thankfully, Sunpelt caught me. "Thanks Sunpelt. I didn't want to join star pack just yet." I clamped my jaw shut. Did I just say that!

"Oh yeah... I forgot to mention that you also start to talk like us. As a wolf, we don't say 'die'. Instead we say 'join star pack'. Or, 'hunt with star pack'. But we didn't come here to talk about that. OK. All you have to do is go past the little stream near the sandy hollow. Their, you will find the owl tree. Near the owl tree, their is a path that leads straight to Great oak. (Don't worry! Their will be a map of the forest in the next chapter.) Sorry I can't go with you. The pack will wonder where I am. But don't worry, I'll cover for you!" Sunpelt is an amazing friend.

By the time she finished, the sun was setting. I touched my head with her head and said goodbye as I made my way to Great oak.

As I arrived their, I realized that I was the last one there. I touched noses with all of them as we started to discuss a plan.