From the Ashes

Chapter 2: Acceptance

Ashia opened her eyes to find a white male wolf staring straight at her, his ocean blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

"My beta tells me your name is Ashia, is this true?"

Ashia nodded, not saying anything. The white wolf raised his tail and head.

"My name is Lupin. I am the current and only alpha of Midnight Pack. My beta is known as Timber, and this is Indigo, our hunter and healer," he barked, sweeping his tail toward the watching wolves.

Ashia nodded and stood up.

"It's nice to meet you, but if I may ask, what am I doing here?"

Lupin gave a concerned glance at Indigo and she grinned.

"Remember the puma? It attacked you and you fell unconscious once I learned your name. I brought you here so that you could rest."

Timber nodded, his dark brown pelt shining a little. Ashia looked down at her paws.

"Do you want me to leave? I can go back to the grove."

Lupin shook his head, his eyes showing excitement. "No, we wanted you to stay. Sun Pack attacked us less than a moon ago and we've been fairly weak and small in numbers. I know that this is sudden, but would you please consider our offer?"

Ashia thought to herself for a moment. She would miss the grove, yes, but she had a much better opportunity here.

At least Kai can still visit me.

"I'll consider it tonight. You'll have my answer my sunrise," Ashia replied.

Lupin nodded and padded off toward a nest of moss and grass. Ashia turned her gaze as Timber trotted toward her.

"Would you like me to show you around? Maybe we could go hunting later." Ashia nodded eagerly and flicked her ear.

"That's fine with me, although I'm a terrible hunter."

Timber barked in laughter and made his way towards the nearby cliff's edge.

"This is where most of us sleep. It has a terrific view of the lower canyon and you can see all the stars at night."

Ashia cocked her head. "Why does Lupin sleep under the trees? Doesn't he want to sleep under the stars instead?"

Timber smiled at the black wolf and fluffed out his fur.

"Lupin sleeps there during the day, when it's warmer. At night, he'll sleep near the cliff while we sleep down here."

Ashia flicked her tail and walked over to the cliff's edge.

"Wow. This is breathtaking!"

Ashia looked down into the canyon. Below her was a large waterfall with a large herd of deer grazing near it. Farther out, she could make out a small human settlement.

"Why are there humans so close to your hunting grounds?"

Timber sighed and stepped toward the black wolf.

"I think they're allowing their sheep and cattle to graze out there. If you do join our pack, or ever head out there, never get too close. I lost my brother to one of the human's weapons. They make a very loud bang when used. Once they fire it, there's honestly no chance of living if it strikes you.

 Ashia swallowed nervously and continued to watch the deer herd.

"If I did join your pack, what rank would I have?"

Timber shrugged and stared at Ashia's amber eyes.

"I honestly don't know. You would have to prove your skills to Lupin and show him what you want to be really matters. Whether it's a hunter, warrior, or healer even."

Ashia nodded and held her head high.

"I think I'll join. I like the way you live around here. It's much better than what I was doing at that grove, especially with the puma lurking nearby."

Timber bounced on his paws happily and trotted back toward the forest.

"Let's go tell Lupin your decision then!" he barked.

Ashia nodded and quickly followed after the happy wolf. Ashia's black fur became almost invisible in the forest's shadows. She passed swiftly and quietly behind Timber. Ashia slowed to a halt as Timber held his tail up and stopped.

"I'll go retrieve Lupin and Indigo, you stay here and sit in front of that large stone slab."

Ashia gave a quick nod and stood in front of the stone platform. Her ears flicked forward when Lupin jumped onto the slab. Indigo sat on his right and Timber his left. Lupin looked down at the black wolf and grinned.

"It would seem that you have come to a decision. I would like to hear it now."

Ashia nodded and stood up. Indigo bared her teeth at the black wolf as she stood. Ashia crouched back down but Lupin growled at the blue-grey wolf.

"Let's here it Ashia."

Ashia relaxed and stood back up.

"I would like to join Midnight Pack."

Lupin smiled at the answer.

"Good. I think we can skip the trial Timber. She seems pretty capable of herself, especially since she's barely more than a pup."

Timber nodded and stood up.

"So Ashia, what are you best at?"

Ashia sighed and looked at her paws. "I remember always playing with my parents. They always told me I was a good fighter. I don't even know the first thing about healing and I'm a terrible hunter."

Lupin nodded and looked down at Timber.

"Ashia, until otherwise said, you are a Midnight Pack warrior. You will train to fight with me and Timber will teach you how to patrol our territory's border and what to do if an intruder is detected."

Ashia nodded happily and wagged her tail. "Thank you so much! It means so much to me that I finally have a home."

Indigo stood up and smirked at Ashia. "What exactly is your past? I'm curious of how you came to live in that grove, and I don't trust a secretive wolf."

Ashia whimpered at the stinging memories. Timber growled fiercely Indigo. "She doesn't have to tell you anything if she doesn't want to!"

Lupin slashed his tail for silence.

"Be quiet. Ashia, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping later tonight. Tomorrow we get up early for training."

Ashia nodded, her amber eyes glowing with determination. She padded after the pure white wolf, glaring at Indigo as she passed her.

That one is going to be trouble. I'm almost positive that she's going to try to pry my past out into the open.