Wild Dogs: Run

Chapter Four

     We walk back into the camp, our jaws stuffed with fresh caught prey. Once we reach the pile, we deposit our prey.

     "I say that was one successful hunt!" Roseycheek points out enthusiastically, with a big smile on her face.

     "Yeah, it-" I try agreeing before I get interrupted.

     "No it wasn't." Squirrelfoot cuts me off. "If King Snowfur was to see how little we brought back, we'd be in trouble before you can say 'mouse', so don't you dare tell him how little we caught."

     "But, this seems like plenty." Roseycheek gives her a look of confusion.

     "If we were in Mountain Pack or Forest Pack. Forest Pack is split into three camps and Mountain Pack's numbers are at an all time low." Sundappled joins in. "Neither if you have been in a real pack before."

     "You two might as well scurry off to your cave. I'll go tell King Snowfur that we're back." Squirrelfoot dismisses is before heading to King Snowfur's cave.

     I beckon Roseycheek to follow me, heading to our cave.

     As we approach the cave, I hear some elder say "King Snowfur is so narsasitic! Just only if Bloodfur didn't kill Queen Appletail a few seasons ago."

     I halt to listen.

     "You can't keep saying that, Birchfur! Someone will over hear you and tell King Snowfur! He'll have you executed on the spot!" Another elder joins in, her voice alight with fear. She must be his mate with the way she's so attached to him.

     "Honestly Dayclaw, I think Birchfur is right." A third elder joins in. She sounds younger than the other two.

     "Not you too, Pinetail!"

     I head into the cave, not wanting to hear the rest of their squabbling.

     "Why were you just standing there?" Roseycheek inquires as soon as I lay down, paws tucked underneath me.

     I sigh. "I overheard a few elders complaining about King Snowfur."

     Roseycheek snorts. "Looks like there are some wolves that are on our side. I guess you're right, Starfur."

     I can't sleep! It's already midnight and I haven't been able to get the slightest bit sleepy!

Roseycheek got to sleep just fine, so why am I having problems?

Moments later, I finally drift into a deep sleep.

A huge rock towers in front of me. The scent of an entire fills my lungs.

A wolf silhouetted by the sun creeps over the surface of the rock in a threatening way.

I glance around, my heart beating faster and faster with each passing second.

All of Plain Pack is here, surrounding me.

Suddenly, Roseycheek presses up against my side, trembling with fear.

Correction: all of Plain Pack is surrounding Roseycheek and I.

I drag my gaze back to the wolf perched on the rock. "Crimes against the pack are punishable by death." His voice sounds exactly like King Snowfur.

This must be an omen about King Snowfur! We need to get out!

The wolves of Plain Pack start closing in around Roseycheek and I, panic flaring inside.

I catch a glimpse of a pure white she-wolf with teal dots tracing half way around her eyes, hiding behind the rock that King Snowfur is perched on.

She catches my eyes and dashes further behind the rock, panicked.

I've never seen a wolf like her before. She has an usual colour for a wolf so she can't be from any of the packs.

My legs suddenly buckle underneath me, someone forcefully pinning me down and driving the air out of me.

My eyes open suddenly, now wide awake, panting.

The sunlight is filtering in through the cave, not bright enough to be sunny out.

I hear Roseycheek stirring beside me. I glance over to she her unharmed.

Relief floods through me, but the uneasiness still pokes at me.

Who was that she-wolf and why did she panic when she saw me looking at her?

"Are you alright, Starfur?" Roseycheek sleepily asks, interrupting my thoughts. "You look scared."

"Oh yeah. It was just another omen." I answer vaguely, attempting to avoid further conversation about it until I can find a way to tell her.

"Do either of you want to go on a hunting patrol?" Squirrelfoot's voice asks from the entrance of the cave.

We both turn to Squirrelfoot who is standing at there looking more friendly than yesterday.

I spot Tigerfur a few tail lengths away staring at us, scared. She's shaking slightly her head and mouthing "don't do it."