Shape-Shifter's Promise

Chapter 3

Early that morning while everyone was sleeping, Mercy awoke eagerly. She stepped out of the cave and looked up at the full moon that would light her way this morning. She glanced back to the cave where her little family was sleeping and went back in. The young she-wolf's eyes glistened with fresh tears, as she thought about how long she might be leaving her parents and three siblings. She licked each of their muzzles softly so they would wake and left the cave once more. She went up the trail about thirty yards and turned right. As she came out of the brush she was suddenly standing on a high ledge. She lifted her muzzle to the moon, which was now behind her and let out a howl that seemed to shatter the still air like glass. She knew her parting howl had woken her family when they walked out of the cave startled and confused.

“Goodbye my little family!” she called “I will return when I can, I hope.”

They spun around and looked up at the ledge she was peering down at them from and she saw the tears flow from their eyes without a sound.

“Goodbye!” they called

“Tell us of your adventures when you return, sister!” called Kari.

“We look forward to meeting your mate, whoever he may be!” called her eager mother.

Mercy dipped her head to them all and turned around and headed back to the trail. She sprang forward and ran faster than she had ever run before, making sure she got a good head start so that no one could follow her. She ran like this for three days, stopping only to hunt for food and water and to sleep in old abandoned caves, large bushes, or an old badgers set for a night. One night she went hunting and took down a large buck. While she was eating she heard a twig snap, and her head snapped up, she turned her bloody muzzle toward the sound. Slowly a ragged looking wolf stepped out of the bushes and eyed her kill hungrily. She let out a warning growl, her muzzle glistening on the moonlight with fresh blood, her teeth flashing like razors. The ragged wolf stopped short and flopped onto its stomach in a gesture of surrender.

“Who are you?” she growled.

The wolf whimpered, but stayed silent.

“Who are you? Answer me!” she yelled.

“I...I...” the stranger stuttered, “I am Siobhan.”

“I suppose you want a share of my kill?”

“I do, but I will not beg if you do not want to share. I have recently been in a fight over my last kill three days ago and I haven't eaten since.” explained Siobhan.

“I am Mercy. I left my pack just three days ago and I plan on going back when my quest is over. Here.”

Mercy stepped to the side and motioned with her muzzle for Siobhan to eat. Siobhan took a hesitant step forward and sniffed the part of the body Mercy had offered to her. She glanced at Mercy who was still enjoying the rest of her portion of her kill. She didn't take any notice when Siobhan ripped into the buck.

That night they lay down side by side and talked about their lives.

“I was born in a pack and left with my mate, but I had to leave because my mate killed all but one of my cubs and it died shortly after I left with it.” Siobhan said sadly.

“How did it die? Was it injured badly when you ran from him?” Mercy asked curiously.

Siobhan sighed.“No, my mate followed me and killed it when he caught up to us when we stopped for the night. I attacked him in honor of my dead cubs, and he fell without mercy. Forgive me for using your name, but it was so.”

“Of course. My parents named me what they named me because, when I would wrestle with my sisters and brother I fought ruthlessly. My father always said I was destined to be an Alpha.” she smiled at the memory.