Humanimals

Chapter 4

Night Sky grew with her pack. Soon the Warm season ended, and the Cold Season began, bringing with it wind and snow. Night Sky had grown with Dew Frost, whose eyes had stayed a vibrant green, while Night Sky's had stayed blue. Both pups were bigger than Blue now, and we're waiting in the den for Soot to give them their adult names. A light snow storm was blowing gently by, and Night Sky was huddled against Dew Frost for warmth, even though both wolves had thick fur. The pack was curled up in a heap, trying to stay warm when Soot stood and barked for attention.

"Night Sky, Dew Frost."

The two wolves stood, but began to shiver as the fur that was previously shielded from the cold was exposed.

"Dew Frost, come closer."

Dew Frost padded toward Soot and stood in front of him.

"Dew Frost, you have played to gain strength and speed, and you have watched to know how to hunt our prey. As your fur grows from puppy to adult, let your name do so also. Dew Frost, from this moment on, you will have the name Dew."

The wolves howled, and Night Sky's ears rang as the howls echoed through the cave.

"Night Sky, come closer."

Night Sky padded forward and stood in front of Soot.

"Night Sky, you have played to gain strength and speed, and you have watched to know how to hunt our prey. As your fur grows from puppy to adult, let your name do so also. Night Sky, from this moment on you will be known as Night."

The wolves howled again, and Night Sky could hear Dew add her howl. The sound seemed to weave around Night, welcoming her into the pack, becoming part of her. After the echoing howls ebbed away, Soot barked,

"Now we will let the new wolves hunt for us, as proof that they are strong for the pack!"

The wolves let out excited yelps, then Soot lead the pack over the hill, then paused at the top.

"Go Dew and Night, even if you fail, try your hardest."

Dew and Night dipped their head in respect, then ran down the hill, matching each other stride for stride. Dew began to slowly pull ahead of Night, her legs faster than Night. Night's job was to take the elk down, being the stronger of the two.

Come on Dew, turn the elk toward me!

The silvery wolf burst through the herd, scattering the elk everywhere. One of the elk hurtled toward Night, not slowing when it noticed the black wolf. Night scrambled to slow, then turned and ran the other way. Night wheeled around out of the way of the elk, then turned to try and find her sister. She spotted a silver pelt weaving between the elk, herding a young elk away from its parents. Night ran towards the elk to cut it off, but was stopped by a young elk with branching antlers. Night growled at it, then turned and made a wide arc around it before leaping at the elk to bring it down. It made a squealing noise, then collapsed with Night still holding it in her jaws. The elk made a kick at Dew, and made a slight cut on her leg, but then the elk stilled. A victorious howl pierced the already darkening sky, and Night saw the pack stream down the hill. Soot trotted toward the young wolves.

"Congratulations Dew and Night, you have hunted for the first time and emerged victorious. Even when you were challenged by the other elk, you avoided injury and even got food for our pack. You two will enjoy the first morsels before I will eat."

Dew licked the small cut on her leg, then looked at Night with a smile on her muzzle. She seemed to have the same thought as Night:

You first!

***

Night lifted her head from where she had been sleeping. She thought she had heard something. Her second Cold Season was beginning, and all the Warm Season she had challenged the other females to a fight of dominance. She won every fight. Night was now next in line for Alpha Female. Another noise sounded outside, and Night stood, waking Dew who was sleeping right next to her. The silvery wolf was her second in command, even if she wasn't the most dominant female.