Wolves of the Northern Mountains #2: An Overturned Pebble

“I’m gonna get you!” Bay squealed as she charged her brother. Millennium shrieked and ran away, yipping with joy. I looked over to Eon who was currently entertaining Cliff by flicking his tail across the dirt floor.

“Dad! Stop moving it! I want to show you my hunting crouch.” Cliff fell to the ground, his rump sticking up high in the air. Eon let out a bark of laughter.

“Well, you know that your prey actually moves. It doesn’t just sit there and wait for you to come and get it.”

“I know that, but I need to get the basics down first. You should know that silly.” Cliff leapt at Eon. He clawed his way up his back so that he was sitting on his head. Eon’s fur wrinkled up over his eyes.

“Cliff! Your claws hurt. You should know that silly.” Eon barked sarcastically. “Also, your heavier then you look. You’re not going to be able to do that for much longer.”

“I can do what I want.” Cliff puffed his chest out and leaned down so he was able to see his father’s wrinkled face. Eon lowered his head and Cliff tumbled off.

“I don’t think Coal would be too happy to hear that.”

Eon said sternly.

“I’m going to listen to Coal, just not you!” Cliff gave him an evil grin then charged him once again, battering him with his paws. Eon nudged him away.

“I don’t think so. You’re going to listen to me because I’m your father, understand?”

“Yes, Dad.” Cliff huffed and rolled his eyes.

“Oh that’s it! Come here you!” Eon leapt at his son playfully and Cliff squealed with joy.

I let out a sigh of satisfaction. Everything was perfect. I was with my family, we were all getting along and having fun, it was a beautiful summer morning, and I was with the pack I had called home for most of my life.

“Mommy.” I heard a little bark come from behind me. I turned around to find Eternity sitting off by herself, a concerned look in her eye. I trotted over to her.

“Yes sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I leaned down and licked her ear encouragingly, and she looked up at me and sighed.

“I’m scared.” she whispered so the others wouldn’t hear. Her hazel gaze met mine, her eyes twinkling with fear.

“What are afraid of?” I couldn’t imagine what there was to be afraid of. Everything was so calm and peaceful.

“I- I had a bad dream last night.” Her innocent voice quivered.

“It’s okay baby. Tell me what it was about.” I lay down next to her and she crawled over to me, lying down between my two forepaws.

“Well I dreamt that an old wolf, he was really small and skinny and had really dirty fur, well he came into my dream and started to growl at me. He said ‘I’m coming for you. I promise you, I’m coming for you.’ He just kept saying that over and over, and I got scared. I asked him why, and what I did to him, but he just kept telling me that he was gonna get me. I don’t think he was saying it like Bay does when she is playing with me, or Cliff, or Millennium. It sounded real, like he kind of meant it.”

I looked at her. That’s not a good dream to be having when you’re barley three moons old.

“Don’t worry honey. He’s not going to get you. I promise. Do you remember what he looked like, I mean beside being dirty and skinny?”

“Well he had a musky-grey coat, it kind of looked like Millennium’s but a little mustier, and he had really cloudy-blue eyes that shone with hatred.” I froze. She just described Pebble perfectly. My brother’s image flashed into my head. I looked back down at Eternity, her eyes still showed fear and concern.