The Blizzard (Stories Etched in Snow)

Chapter Eighteen

"Good, good!" Vera called out loudly as Gale dove at Squall, pinning him. They'd grown into brave, proud, strong young wolves. They were a little taller than Vera, now. "Don't just lay there and give up, Squall! Kick him off!"

The primarily off-white wolf dug his hind legs softly into his brother's stomache, forcing him away, his brown and grey patches blurring from his speed. Gale twisted in mid-air as he jumped to stop his momentum, skidding a few paces backwards after he landed. "Dig your claws in. It prevents sliding." Vera had proven herself as a confident fighter, capable of thinking quickly and flexibly. She was a strict teacher, but she cared about them. She gave them harsh critisism, but her tone was laced with tenderness. Gale nodded.

"That's it for today." The midgety arctic wolf's voice was rough and untamed, "Time to rest. Skull, Nix and Gradient will be back with some cat prey soon." (Note: Cat prey is a term used to describe small prey, such as rodents and birds. They are considered snacks, and are usually consumed for lunch or when larger prey such as elk and deer are unavailable. Wolves usually have cat prey buried in their dens in case of emergencies.)

With that, the three padded back to the den in silence, close enough to each other for their fur to brush occasionally.

🐺 🐺 🐺

The first mission was initiated.

Gale scampered at the front of the patrol, sniffing curiously at every bit of debris and every fern in his path. Squall followed his optimistic brother reluctantly, quivering slightly. He seemed quite anxious, as if every sound was an enemy, ready to kill him. Vera brought up the rear, her ears perked. She tasted the air every few seconds cautiously, in fear of being ambushed.

If they were noticed, their entire mission would be ruined. Nix yipped quietly, imitating a squirrel so that she would not seem suspicious, calling the two more excited wolves back. Safety in numbers. Just in case they were indeed found.

Now that Skull was in the lead, Nix relaxed a little. He probably knew this place better than some of the current members of the Pack of Silenced Souls. He seemed on edge, as if walking through his old territory brought back unpleasant memories.

He turned sharply and slunk into the protection of a dark, lichen-covered boulder and gestured for the others to join him. "They'll mark that elm stump. We'll have to wait, here in the meantime." He whispered, voice barely audible. With that, he rolled in the dust to hide his scent. The others did the same.

A tense atmosphere hung around them as they crouched there, ready to pounce, anticipation building up with every silent second. What if they messed up? Like he could read her thoughts, Gradient edged closer to Nix, his tail touching hers. She dipped her head thankfully.

She gazed at her pack. Each of them were individually strong, but they had practised tag-teaming, and they were confident and their movements matched one another's almost perfectly. It was like they could tell what their companions would do next.

Vera's face was blank, expressionless. Her turquoise eyes were endless shadowed pools, devoid of emotion. Beside her, Skull looked somewhat doubtful. He repeatedly shook his head to clear his thoughts, though his gaze was fixed on the stump. Squall quivered anxiously. With every moment, he was more and more on edge. His brother, however, had an exciteable grin carved into his cheeks. Gradient smiled softly.

Two wolves approached, calling each other names. It was when they were in the middle of marking the stump when Skull's tail tip twitched as a silent signal and they simultaniously pounced.

They'd practised this scene many times over. Vera and Skull targeted the smaller of the wolves, teeth bared and claws slashing. Nix bit into the larger one's nape, drawing sour blood. She choked back a gag.

Gale threw himself at the bulkier wolf, tearing and scratching at his muscles. He roared in pain, headbutting Gale. Instead of checking on his brother, Squall retaliated with several quick, deep nips on his heels. Nix bit harder into his neck. She had inserted her canines so deep into his flesh that the blood had built up inside his muscles and created pressure, forcing her teeth away. Nix darted backwards with one power spring, knocking the enemy to the ground with her sudden jolt of weight and landed squarely on the dust underpaw. She didn't skid, having taken Vera's advice to Gale.

A dull thump shattered the silence. On the hard, sun-baked dirt lay the other wolf, dead. Vera had killed it. Nix drew her paw up, claws sparkling with blood, ready to slice the unconscious one's throat. She couldn't do it.

"Somebody like you shouldn't kill things." Skull cawed, taking his time to navigate his way over the corpse's limbs towards the three gathered around the knocked out body. "Here, lemme kill it for you." If she recalled correctly, Skull had said these exact same words when they were hunting the calf after they'd just run away from their packs.

"Did you just here something?" A gruff voice pierced through the triumphant mood; the rest of the enemy patrol.

"Scatter." Skull hissed, kicking the two carcasses aside and scampering into the bushes, taking care to wipe the blood from himself on the lichen growing on the boulder that they had hidden themselves behind. The rest of the patrol followed his lead.

All that could be hear behind them was,"What is this mess? Why are those two dead?" Nix smiled in satisfaction.