It was a dark, stormy night in the forest. Rain fell from dark clouds, splattering on plants and leaves. Lightning flashed, lighting up the sky, and thunder rumbled, shaking the earth.
A large, sturdy, well-muscled wolf called Storm paced back and forth outside a den. Rain splattered on his pelt, soaking into his skin, but he didn't care. His mate, Morning, was in that den, giving birth to pups. He flinched every time her howls of agony arose from her den.
Finally, Storm couldn't take it any more. He stuck his broad head into the den-and what he saw made his heart stop and warm up to the tip. His mate lay there, the pack's healer sitting next to her. At her belly, three pups lay, suckling milk from their mother.
"They're beautiful," he whispered, inhaling the fresh milk scent.
"That's not all," Wind, the healer, spoke up. He rested a paw on Morning's belly. "One more is on its way."
Storm grunted. He sat down and waited, his heart beating harder every second. Then, suddenly, Morning let out another howl of pain. In no time, a fourth little he-pup was suckling at his mother's belly.
"He's a runt," Wind growled.
"And why is that so bad?" Storm defended his newborn son.
"You know runts are bad luck, Storm," Wind warned. "Runt pups have brought nothing but disgrace and danger to our pack."
Storm growled and bared his sharp teeth.
"You have a choice, Storm," said Wind. "You can either get rid of this pup now, bring him out into the woods and let him fend for himself. Or you can keep him in this pack, and let him cause destruction. And you know the penalty for destructive runts in our pack."
Storm made a rumbling noise in his throat. He lifted his broad head and glared at the healer.
"I don't care what the penalty is," he growled. "That pup is my son. I will not leave him alone on the woods like this."
"You are brave, Storm," Wind nodded. "Very well. You may keep your pup in the pack until he does us wrong. And the day he does, punishment will arrive upon him, and upon your entire family."
"Very well," Storm grunted. He stood up and walked over to his mate.
"Well done, Morning," he murmured. "I'm so proud. Rest now. Be strong for tomorrow."
With one last look at his mate-and at his little runt son-he turned and stalked out into the pouring rain.
YOU ARE READING
Blazing Star
FantasyAsh is the runt of his siblings living in the Wolf Pack. According to ancient Pack tradition, it's bad luck for a runt to be born. Because of this, Ash is scorned by his fellow wolves and is cast aside. When the Pack is put in danger, Ash sees his c...
