Howl of the Wolf

Chapter 12: Bullied

*Raven's POV*

I woke up in my bedding. I guess I fell asleep during my chat with Hotaru, but who carried me to my bed. I sniffed around my neck and smelled the same scent off of Hotaru. He carried me back to my bed? How old is he then?

I stood up and walked out of the den. I carefully walked down the perch and towards the willow tree. I would sit there and wait for Hotaru so he can guide me around the forest so I don't get lost. I hear pawsteps coming towards me and assume it is Hotaru.

"Why are you wasting your time with that tiger?" I turned my head towards that direction and knew it was Artemis.

"Because he is nicer than you guys," I said with ease, I feel the tension in the air as I realized that was not the answer she was looking for. I hear a small growl coming from her and I felt her scratch across my face. I yelped and whimpered.

"Why did you do that?" I cried out.

"Because you should never put anyone above your family," she barked.

I hear a deeper growl coming from right next to me. "You leave her alone," Hotaru growled.

"Or what, you'll growl me to death." I hear Artemis and her "gang" laughing at him. I angled myself to where I heard Artemis' laughing and launched myself towards her. I hear a yelp of surprise. I feel one of my siblings bite hard on my scruff and yanked me away from her. I fell hard on my side and felt a stick scratch my paw. I whined out loud and hear Hotaru chase Artemis and her "gang" away.

I stood up carefully and limped towards the smell of herbs. I limped into the den and fell down hard on my side. I hear someone gasp.

"What happened?" I hear Mia exclaimed.

"Artemis and my other siblings bullied me and Hotaru," I explained, "I tried to fight back but one of them came up behind me and yanked me off her. I fell hard on my side and a stick scratched my paw."

I hear her growl and slightly heard her say something about teaching manners. She walks over to some part of the den and I smell a strong scent of herbs that she picked up. I hear someone walk into the den. I took a deep sniff in and could tell it was Hotaru. He laid down next to me and put one of his paws on top of mine, on the one that wasn't injured. I just laid there until Mia finished fixing my paw. I limped out of the den and Hotaru guided me over to the perch. Once I got to the bedding, I just laid down. I put my head between my arms. I hear Hotaru sit down next to me. I slowly dozed off, knowing that someone is watching over me.