Wild Dogs: Run

Chapter One

"Let's go!" Roseycheek excitedly urges.

"I second that plan!" I quickly agree.

We turn tails and flee the scene, the wind tugging at my fur.

I can't believe we're almost to my home! All we have to do is cross Plain Pack's territory and we'll be at the foot of the mountain. My mother has probably been worried sick about me. Oh. King Rabbitfur told Blackear to tell her that I was dead. Sooner I get home, sooner I can tell my mother the truth and get vengeance-

I suddenly collide into something, too distracted by my thoughts to notice.

Roseycheek skids to a halt beside me, kicking up dust in the process.

I quickly back away, embarrassed and scared.

Three angry wolves are looming over us; a young grey wolf with light grey flecks of fur on his paws, a dusky brown she-wolf with a torn tail and a scraggly dusky brown wolf who has seemed to have lost his mind.

"What are you going to do with them, Mousetail?" The third wolf asks, his voice odd.

The dusky brown she-wolf, who I'm assuming is Mousetail, turns on the dusky brown wolf, her eyes alight with anger. "Hold your tongue, Dusttail!"

     The two immediately burst into an argument, howling and barking at each other.

I hope their bark is worse than their bite. I cower back slightly. I wouldn't want to mess with them. They're fighting worse then they should for packmates. I think they're siblings.

     The grey wolf looks on in annoyance. After a moment's hesitation, he turns back to Roseycheek and I and asks: "Who are you two?" He is young! He is very tall though.

     Roseycheek and I exchange wondering glances. I take a deep breath before speaking. "I'm Princess Starfur." I respond, my voice shaking slightly. "And this is my mate, Roseycheek."

     Roseycheek smiles awkwardly.

"I see." He replies. He hesitates for a moment before continuing. He lifts one of his paws and points to Roseycheek. "Forest Pack." He then turns to point at me. "And Forest Pack, formerly Mountain Pack."

     "I was taken by Blackear during an attack." I point out, my voice still shaking slightly.

     Mousetail turns on us, breaking away from her argument with Dusttail. "That must be the attack on Mountain Pack three days ago that everyone in Plain Pack heard."

     "Everyone?" I echo, worry for my mother surging inside me.

     "Yes. Lots of howls of pain. I heard from a patrol that passed by at that time that the battle was a bloodbath!" Mousetail explains enthusiastically.

"King Snowfur is planning an attack on Mountain Pack." Dusttail barges in, a spilling details that shouldn't be said to wolves outside their pack.

     "Dusttail, you're an idiot!" Mousetail howls at him. "You should know not to say things like that to them!"

     "Even I know that and I'm only just a student!" The grey wolf joins in.

     "H-have you heard anything about Queen Moonhowl?" I interrupt, desperate to know how my own mother is doing and to avoid being pulled into a fight that I should have no part in.

    Mousetail huffs, turning back towards Roseycheek and I. Her muscles are tense. "How am I supposed to know? The patrol left before they could get pulled into the fight because they know they can't win."