From the Ashes

Chapter 6: Suspicion

Ashia padded toward the path that led down to Midnight Pack’s hunting grounds. Sniffing the air, she found that Indigo and Crescent’s scents were fresh. Ashia looked across the long, grassy plains and saw the small silhouettes of the two hunters. She smiled when she noticed a cow elk stood grazing a few yards in front of them.

A loud cry sounded from above. Ashia looked up and grinned. “Hi Kai!”

Kai cried out again and dove toward the black wolf. He dropped a rabbit down beside Ashia and landed. Ashia licked her muzzle and sniffed the fresh prey.

“Thanks Kai. I’m sure the Pack will enjoy this rabbit,” Ashia exclaimed.

The red-tailed hawk cocked his head and let out a soft call. I caught that rabbit for you, not your new Pack.

Ashia laughed as she thought of what Kai seemed to be thinking. She growled loudly and raised her hackles as the soft sound of pawsteps reached her. Kai let out a high pitched screech and flew off quickly.

“Calm down Ashia. I swear, if you were any more prickly, you would be considered a Sun Pack wolf,” Lupin barked softly.

Ashia released the tension in her muscles and relaxed her posture.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that Lupin!” Ashia snapped.

Lupin smiled and walked up to Ashia.

“Who were you talking to?

Ashia turned her head to face the white wolf.

“I heard Crescent talking about cattle. I believe she said that they were moving between the different locations. I think that if we can figure out a way to get they're quietly, we can easily get some easy food,” Ashia reported, ignoring Lupin’s question.

Lupin growled loudly and stared down at the hunting pair or wolves. “No. It’s too dangerous with the humans around them. We’ll continue to hunt the elk and other prey we would normally hunt.”

Ashia nodded nervously and looked down the ravine again. “They’re really good hunters aren’t they,” Ashia whispered.

Lupin nodded without saying anything. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by a howl of pain. Ashia jumped at the sound and rushed down the large path. Lupin ran after the warrior. Doing his best to keep up, Lupin ran off of the path and weaved around large shrubs. He stopped at the sight of Crescent lying on the ground, whimpering.

“Indigo, Crescent! What happened?!” Lupin questioned.

Indigo looked up from Crescent and stared at Lupin.

“We were stalking that cow over there,” Indigo started, her tail pointed at the elk walking away,” and then for some reason, Crescent here lunged at it and locked onto its leg. It kicked her off and she landed here.”

“I just lost my breath. I’ll be fine,” Crescent barked irritably.

Lupin nodded and flicked his ear.

“Thank Sol you’re both alright,” Lupin breathed.

Ashia cocked her head as she helped Crescent to her paws.

“Who’s Sol?” she questioned.

Lupin grinned and helped Crescent lean on Indigo. “I’ll tell you on our way back to camp.”

Ashia nodded and swiftly padded after Lupin, who was walking behind the two hunters.

“While the Packs don’t get along very well, we do share beliefs. We all believe that there are two gods. Sol, the sun god and Iilah, the moon goddess. Sol watches over us in throughout the day and protects as we hunt and fight. Iilah watches over us as we sleep. She protects us as we dream. Together, they rule over the Golden Hills,” explained Lupin.

Ashia nodded and swished her tail over the tall, yellow grass as she walked. They continued the rest of the walk in silence. As the four wolves neared camp, Ashia finally broke the silence.

“I feel that you are suspicious of me after I blew over the question about who I was talking to earlier,“ Ashia whispered nervously.

Lupin held us his tail to cut her off.

“We’ll discuss my suspicions later. For now, patrol the Sun Pack border. I scented them close to the border and I have a feeling that it wasn’t just a territory patrol.”

Ashia nodded quickly and trotted off toward the border.

I’m worried that he may think I’m working with rogues or something. I’ll need to call Kai back so I can show Lupin that he’s no threat and explain to him why I’m friends with a hawk.