The Uncatchable

Chapter 6: Unwanted and... Dreamy?

Justin, Austin and I stood in our wolf forms deep within our territory. The ground was soft and muddy from last nights rain, which happened to carry over into today. It was extremely early and we were already soaked to the bone, but thanks to our wolves, we were still toasty warm.

In front of my Beta, Delta and I, was a brutally mutilated deer. You couldn't even tell it had been a deer before if you were to just look at it. The mangle of flesh, fur and blood gave no clue as to what animal it was- only the scent did.

I let my eyes move all around the animal, taking in footprints, drag marks, blood spatter, anything to give me any clue as to what happened. All I could pick up on was the deer put up a fight due to the destroyed vegetation around the scene. Wolf prints were all around the poor deer, so I could easily tell that it was the rogues who did the deed.

I draw in a deep breath- much to my dismay, as I only breathed in the pungent metallic smell of blood. I quickly cough and shake my head to try and clear my nose of that awful scent.

Looks like the rogues did it. Justin finally breaks the silence and looks to me while doing so. I give a short nod.

That it does.

Alpha... it kind of looks like one wolf, actually. Austin pipes up, looking at me respectively when I avert my gaze to him. I tilt my head in an urge for him to continue. There is only one set of prints leaving the deer. See? He points his snout in the direction of the tracks leaving the carcass. Sure enough, only one set of prints is there.

Good eye. I murmur, a little baffled by this new finding. Because of the destroyed scene due to the fight the deer offered, I couldn't really tell if it was one wolf or many. And all the prints around the deer made it look like it was a group. How did I not see the one set of prints leaving the deer?

Man, I was really off my game.

Lets split up and investigate all the little details of the scene. Individually, we might be able to find more things. I counter to my second and third, and they both nod before going off and smelling things out. Justin thought this was a wonderful plan.

Kind of like crime scene investigators! Searching and trying to scope out who the crime doer was! Better watch out, we're coming for you- I look up at my Delta and he stops his comment short, both of us just staring at each other.

Now is not the time, Justin. I narrow my eyes seriously, but he only gives me a cheeky wolf grin. I roll my eyes and go back to searching.

Blood and mud was thrown everywhere. Trees were scratched and bushes were shredded. Rocks were turned up and kicked from their normal places. Yep, this deer fought hard.

Or... The wolf was inexperienced. That would explain why the deer was such a mess, and why the scene was a bigger mess than the deer. I train my eyes on the trail of tossed about mud and begin following it. Soon enough I find where the wolf was hiding before it attacked the deer.

Yep, only one set of prints.

Strange. There were 5 rogues in my territory now and they always acted together. Why would only one of them go out?

There were many possible answers to this; The wolf was kicked out of the group, the wolf was a new rogue, the rogues sent the wolf out to get food and the wolf obviously failed, etc. But it still seemed odd as to why only ONE of them would do this alone.... wolves rarely ever acted alone. Sure, you had some rare exceptions- key word, RARE. This one act slaughter was mind boggling.

I shake my head and continue searching. My eyes cross a tree that is standing right beside the bush the wolf hid behind. If the wolf lept out from behind the bush, maybe the tree has a scent. Rare chance, though. Nevertheless, I walk forward and give the tree a hearty sniff.

Pine, blood and..... a dreamy scent of earth and fire. I found my mind being calmed at this scent. It was intoxicating- drawing me in by tugging at my heart strings. My head was cleared and I felt at peace. I suddenly was desperate to find the owner of such a wonderful smell.

Alpha! Did you find something? Justin barks as he bounds- yes bounds, like a puppy- over to me. He sniffs the tree, resulting in his nose scrunching up in disgust. Oh yeah. A new rogue, that's for sure.

Austin joins us and sniffs out the tree, taking his time. Tree.... some blood.... and a pungent smell of fire and earth. He looks at me, before taking a step back with his ears flat against his skull. My teeth were bared at him and my chest was emitting a deep growl.

He dare call that scent pungent? My god- it was heaven to me!

That smell is not pungent! It's magical! I sniff the tree again, letting out a whine of longing. My Beta and Delta share confused looks before one of them speaks up.

Alpha- We have school in an hour. We should probably go. Austin keeps his head low in respect as he speaks. I reluctantly pull myself away from the wonderful smelling tree and look at him, forcing myself to snap out of my trance.

Yes, of course. We will talk about this later. I reply quickly before taking off into the trees.

What has gotten into me? First I left my pack alone with 5 rogues, then I couldn't tell that it was one wolf that killed the deer despite how obvious it was, and now I'm finding some random scent on a tree dreamy?

I might need a shrink.