Red Fur

Chapter 2

We were easing into a harsh winter and a blanket of snow had already settled over the ground that was once decorated in bright green grass. This meant our pack would be moving soon. Somewhere a bit warmer. This was one of the worst things for me. See, along side being freakishly RED, I was tall. Naturally... That was a struggle when I was forced to keep my head lower than everyone else's. Tyra however had everything working out well--- and she was the smallest in our pack. That happened to be the reason she was an omega. As for me, if I hadn't been soooo wonderfully BLESSED RED, I would most likely be an alpha. Or at the very least a beta. But no, my fur would not comply. Anyways, when the time came for us to leave, we walked the entire way. Imagine having to hang your head really low for 20+ miles in the snow! Yeah, not fun. Not only that, but the higher ranked wolves make fun of me the ENTIRE WAY. "Ooooh, does your back hurt from BOWING, ginger?"

"HAHAHAHA stupid omega!"

"She's so FAT."

"You aren't bowing low enough, you pig!"

"Ugh, that fur is hideous.. Makes me wanna THROW UP MY BUTT."

Yeah... Not fun. And the time for all this WONDERFUL stuff is right around the corner... Oh, joy.

Finally, the time of year I'd been dreading came around and the entire pack was gathered before Cason, who stood proud and tall in front of us on a tall rock.

"My beloved pack mates!" He called out over the wind that blew harshly through our fur. The air wasn't very cold, but at the touch stung on contact. It was more like a burn of cold than a "chill" as Cason had referred to it as. No, it was painful. Like someone stuck an ice cube on us after we'd been dusted with salt. I bit back a yelp at the feel, and listened to Cason's words; mostly just hoping it would distract me from the burn. "Today marks the day of our beginning of our long migration." He continued on. "We will travel north for a while until we reach the northern pack--- my brothers. He has promised us refuge in his pack during the winter and in return we will grant him the same here, when the temperature grows to hot in the north. Well, I've gone on long enough and not much explanation is needed, so let's get a move on before we freeze."

Some--- like me--- nodded while others murmured in agreement. Then we set off on the trek I hated every year; all three years I'd been with this pack the winter migration was something I always dreaded. As I expected, not twelve minutes into the walk, the snooty white she-wolf from before began to pick at me. "Ugh, damn omega, get your freaking tail out of my face." She sneered. I looked at her annoyed, and with a comically bored look on my face I twirled my tail swiftly in her stupid face. In response, she snorted and snapped at me. I giggled--- and it was the first time I'd made a happy noise in a while. But it didn't last. In an instant, I was pinned to the ice cold snow with an angry beta on top of me, baring fangs that saliva dripped off of. A low and threatening growl ripped from her chest and her face crept closer and the growl grew louder as she did. I pulled my face away as far as I could--- which wasn't very far. Dang snow. Just when I thought I was done for, Cason came bounding over and lunged at the she wolf, knocking her off of me and into the snow. He growled fiercely at her. "We don't have time for this crap!" He snarled and forced the wolf into submission before turning to lead the pack again. He didn't even glance at me. I let out a breath and stood, shaking my coat clear of the cold snow that threatened to make my skin numb despite my thick fur. I sighed and headed off after the moving-again pack. After a few steps I heard a deep throaty snarl from behind and turned frightened to look an saw the she wolf glaring ice cold daggers at me. I stood frozen there and the wolf crept up next to me and stopped with her muzzle at my ear. She whispered with a deathly cold murmur, "Don't think this is over, OMEGA." Before she turned ahead of me and followed the others outward. I gulped.

As expected, the long migration was tiresome and merciless as our paw prints in the snow scattered along the snow for miles and miles as we walked. My legs shook and ached terribly, but the pain subsided a little when the snow became deeper and numbed my legs. My breathing was labored as I struggled to keep up. Of course, RosePetal, little miss perfect she wolf, was nearly at the front. I only huffed and kept going, refusing to give up. That was practically what I lived by. Never giving up. Auryn never gave up. Never. So I struggled to keep up, never once considering stopping. Just when I thought I'd die walking, the pack stopped and I nearly bumped into the large grey wolf in front of me. I praised The Lord. At long last! "Lon." I could hear my alpha from the back of the group as he spoke to his brother. The resemblance was clear in the two--- same dark fur, same green eyes that could signal a car to go, and the same lengthy claws. But I did notice that his brother, Lon, was a bit smaller in size. Cason turned to address the pack. "We will be staying here until the end of winter." Oh, that's right, we moved here because it's warmer. I looked at the ground. This was the first time I'd noticed; the snow was thin and a few patches of dirt were visible. Huh.

Cason turned back to his brother and they spoke quietly for a moment before they turned to face us again.

"My brother will lead us to our half of the land."

Our pack nodded and we followed after them leading the way across the thin snow.

I wasn't sure if I was just woozy from the walk, but I swore I felt eyes on me.