From the Ashes

Chapter 4: Worthy

Ashia padded into the camp, Crescent and Alpine ahead of her along with Lupin. Indigo lifted her head and growled.

“Who are they? Why would you bring rogues into our territory?!”

Lupin growled at the blue-grey hunter. Indigo snorted but backed down. She sat down in front of the large flat stone and waited. Timber joined her, smirking.

“That’s what you get for snapping at the alpha,” Timber said smugly.

Indigo growled in irritation but said nothing. She turned her head as Lupin made his way atop of the large stone.

“While Ashia and I were patrolling the Sun Pack border, we found two rogue wolves. Fortunately, they aren’t working with the either Pack and would like to join us. Just as we allowed Ashia to join us, I believe that these two young wolves should join Midnight Pack as well. However, I was watching Ashia and I know her strengths as a wolf. I don’t know what these two individuals are good at and what rank they will have in our Pack.” Lupin called out.

Ashia and Timber nodded in unison while Indigo smiled.

“Well at least they can’t cheat their way into our Pack,” Indigo growled softly.

Ashia glared at the hunter but didn’t reply. She had bigger things to worry about than a grumpy hunter. Lupin raised his tail and head high. Ashia’s attention snapped back to the white wolf.

“Crescent and Alpine, is it your wish to join Midnight Pack and join our ranks?”

Crescent nodded with Alpine, you began standing a little taller at the mention of his name. Lupin nodded and stared down at Timber. “Timber, I will take sol control over Ashia’s training and you will access over Crescent and Alpine’s trial. We must make sure that they are fit for Pack life and can handle hunting, fighting, or healing.”

Timber nodded and stood up. “We’ll get started right away. Come Crescent, Alpine, follow me to the training ground.”

Crescent and Alpine swiftly followed the grey wolf into the forest. Ashia shook her head in confusion.

“I thought the entire Pack had to agree on their acceptance, not just the alpha. Did I hear wrong?” Ashia asked.

Lupin snorted in irritation before replying. “No, you heard correctly. I want to conduct the trial before I allow everyone else to decide the newcomer’s fate.”

Ashia made no motion to reply. She instead trotted toward the forest. “Can we please begin my training? I’m itching to learn more fighting techniques and show you what I know.”

Lupin’s head bowed low as he accepted the request. “Come, let’s go now so we’ll be back before nightfall.”

Ashia trotted quickly after the white wolf, not wanting to fall behind it further anger him.

* * * * *

Ashia leaped to the side, barely avoiding Lupin’s fangs. Lupin snarled and attacked again. This time, he ran forward and began snapping at Ashia’s legs and paws. Ashia growled and kicked as she moved away, catching Lupin in the side of his head. Lupin fell to the forest floor and grinned.

“Good. Your parents taught you well. Next time, try to hit a weak spot that you see. It will help in the long run against strong opponents.” Lupin suggested.

Ashia nodded, panting heavily after the long training session. She gestured for the alpha to continue, not wanting to end for the day. Lupin nodded and watched as Ashia crouched low to the ground. He smirked and rushed her again. Ashia dodged quickly to the left and saw Lupin’s jaws snap where her muzzle was. She smiled and counterattacked.  She quickly snapped at Lupin’s scarred muzzle and then his foreleg.

Lupin barked in surprise as Ashia’s sharp, white fangs connected with his leg. He tried moving back but couldn’t instead, he found himself falling to the floor. Ashia gasped and immediately let go of the alpha’s foreleg. Lupin shook his fur out and noticed suddenly that his muzzle and leg were bleeding lightly.

Ashia whimpered in fear and backed away from the injured wolf. Lupin grinned and sat down, licking the small bite on his leg.

“Don’t worry, it happens. I didn’t even notice the wound on my muzzle until just now anyways. I’ll ask Indigo for something to help it heal and I should be fine. Come on, we’ve been training all afternoon and I think it would be wise if we returned now. It will be dark soon after all. Once we arrive back at camp, I’ll see how Crescent and Alpine’s trial went. We will decide on their ranks in the morning.”

Ashia nodded quietly and swiftly trotted after the white wolf towards camp.