Ori

Chapter 6

Ori had been restless for days and when she did sleep it was full of visions and glimpses of fighting wolves. Her dreams would always end with a blue flash like the butterfly's wing. Ori was now more than certain that her dreams had meaning. Pale sunlight flooded in from the cave opening. A cold breeze ruffled the wolf's fur. She trotted out of the cave and saw that frost covered the ground.

Ori headed to the medow to hunt. She was getting tried of rabbit, but at least it filled her belly.

The meadow that was usually filled with flowers and honey bees, was now dull-looking and bare. Ori sighed, she hated winter. It reminded her of that terrible day. It was freezing cold. Ori was barely old enough to care for herself. They threw her out—whoever"they"may be— because she was small! Snow was whirling around her, threatening to sweep her off her paws. It's a miracle she survived.

Ori shook her head, the memory disappearing from her mind. That was the past and it wasn't going to change anything by thinking about it. She had to focus on the present, not something that happened seasons ago.

She lifted her muzzle to scent the air. "Elk!"Ori scanned the meadow but saw nothing. The scent seemed to be the strongest at the end of the tree line. Pushing her way though the tall,dead grass. "I hope I don't get kicked again," She thought to herself. Suddenly she stumbled upon a fawn that was curled up in a ball, sleeping quietly. Ori accidentally stepped on a twig. The fawn's head shot up, its ears pricked. It's eyes landed on Ori, eyes glittering with pure terror. The small creature scrambled to its feet but Ori was faster. She killed it with a clean bite to the neck. "I'm really sorry but I was getting tired of rabbit," she thought.

                             

Ori was almost to her den when a new scent washed over her. "Need help there?" Someone said. She slowly turned around. In front of her was a male wolf. He had a light brown fur and honey gold eyes. He looked to be about two years old.
"Hello? Are you going to answer my question or just stare at me?" He asked, chuckling.
"Who are you and what do you want?" She growled.
"I'm Spirit and I just want to help you drag that back to your cave." Spirit replied calmly.
"I don't need your help!" Ori snarled. The fur on her shoulders bristling. She had her ears pinned to her head, slowly backing away.
"Are you sure?" He asked, tilting his head to one side.
"How do I know I can trust you?" She asked, ignoring his question.
"I'd never hurt a wolf for no reason." He replied, wrapping his tail around his paws neatly.
"Ok grab a limb." She said fastening in her teeth in her prey again, waiting for him to do the same. When both of them were ready, they dragged the fawn the rest of the way into the cave. Ori nodded briskly to Spirit.

She looked at the sky. The sun was setting fast below the trees, turning the sky gold. Ori turned back to Spirit. "You'll have to stay here for the night." She said in an even voice. "I'm going to collect moss for bedding." She padded out before he could reply.

Ori trotted though the trees, searching for moss. There was some crawling up the side of a tree. She clawed off as much as she could carry in her jaws and headed back to the cave.

When she had made Spirit a nest at the back of the cave she sat down to eat. Ori took her share and gave the rest to Spirit. When she was done with her meal, she curled up in her nest and quickly went to sleep.