The Wolves of the Gems

Chapter 17

19 miles from territory border: Metal Forest Pack Territory: Densite: Early Summer

  The wolves watched the wolf-dog as he laughed. Forest shook his head, regaining his composure before speaking again, "believe me, I would love to stick it to the Rogues, but there is no way to defeat them, even with these so called mystical gems of legend."

  Faita narrowed her eyes, and without thinking, stepped forward, "you must be the most idiotic wolf I have ever met-"

  "Wolf-dog actually," Forest interrupted.

  "I don't care," Faita snapped, quickly shutting the wolf-dog up, "if you believe the gems won't stop the Rogues, then answer me this. Why are they so afraid of these gems?"

  Forest seemed taken aback. For one thing he had no idea how to answer the question, and for another, he had just been spoken to in a manner that he was not used to. "How old are you?" Forest asked, tilting his head.

  "Seventeen moons," Faita answered before shaking her head, "what does my age have anything to do with this?"

  Forest smirked, one similar to Chinook's, "because none of the yearlings or two year olds here have ever spoken to me like that, or with such determination that their plan would work."

  "What is that supposed to mean?" Faita tilted her head, her voice had now lost its previous aggression.

  "It means you've grown beyond many of the canines in this pack, Faita," Darkness said in his still raspy voice. Darkness smiled as Faita's blue eyes widened. She looked up to Forest who nodded.

  "Your friend is right. I may only be half wolf, but when a pup speaks with such strength in their voice, I know the cause is great," Forest raised his head, "and because you are companions of Chinook, you can stay in the territory as long as you need."

  Ghost looked up at the alpha wolf-dog, her eyes slightly narrowed. "There's something else in your tone, what do you want in return?"

  "You're a smart wolf," Forest said, "but all I want in return is the chance you fight the Rogues in the final battle."

  Stormcloud stepped forward, "and that will be granted, and when the time comes, I suggest you head to the Snow Pack Territory."

  Forest tilted his head. "So the rumours are true? The Snow Pack are standing their ground against the Rogues?"

  "Yes, but until my companions and I find these gems," Stormcloud said, "my Alpha cannot launch any attack."

  Forest nodded once, "and I'm guessing your next stop is the North West Canyons to find Nightsong?" The group nodded to the wolf-dog alpha. "Then I suggest you practice extreme caution when you reach the Canyons. Nightsong will not be welcoming, and it doesn't matter if you're a Rogue, wolf or wolf-dog, she hates us all."

  Faita tilted her head, "why?"

  "I'll tell you the story later, Faita," Chinook said, almost immediately after she asked the question. Faita slightly tilted her head, but decided she would be patient and wait.

  "Now that you trust me enough to tell me your mission, you can head outside and meet the rest of the pack if you wish or rest," Forest said the last part while looking at Faita and Darkness. The group left the building without another word.

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  Chinook was forcefully pinned to the ground, his eyes were closed from the impact before he opened them. Above him, keeping him pinned was Ghost, a small smirk on her muzzle.