Following the River

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Dawn light poured into the clearing and warmed Dakota's fur instantly. Wolves were beginning to wake around him, and everything felt like normal.

Only one thing was different. Kira wasn't waiting for him to go on their morning walk. Niki wasn't teasing him for sitting in the sun all day like a cat. Strangely enough, no one was even speaking to him.

“So you've returned, fleabag?!” A wolf yelled in an angry voice. She stalked up to him and pushed him to the ground. She roared in his face, her teeth close to his nose.

“Shanon! I've done nothing wrong this time!” Dakota defended himself as he struggled under her strong paws. She had been training hard. Scars were scattered around her sides and face. Her ear was ripped at the top.

“Shanon, move!” Dylan barked loudly, his big head pushing Shanon away. Dakota scattered to his paws and faced Dylan. He narrowed his eyes.

“Where have you been?” Dylan demanded, his voice not as angry, but more curious than anything. Dakota then was plunged back into reality. He wasn't a member...he was a spy.

“I've been getting information on-” Dakota was interrupted by howls. Usually the wolves only howled when their leader was approaching.

“DAKOTA!” A voice roared into the air. All the wolves began to shrink away as a figure charged at him. A huge tiger plowed into his chest and knocked him backwards.

Constantine bit at his throat and tore some fur away. Dakota unsheathed his claws and scrached at her face desperately. He wouldn't dare try to hurt her, just defend himself.

“How dare you think you're allowed back on the Divide's territory? You traitor! I will kill you!” Constantine screamed loudly, her eyes a blurry haze of hatrid.

Dakota suddenly felt the weight lifted from his shoulders as Constantine was thrown off of him. A white wolf hovered over Constantine with fury burning in her eyes.

“How dare you touch my Dakota?! He has returned! Our leader is back!” The silver wolf shouted to the clear sky. Her eyes shined like a million stars as she gazed at him.

She leaped over to Dakota and put her muzzle up to his. She gazed into his eyes deeply and smiled. “You have came back. I must be dreaming.”

Dakota smiled back at her. “Y-yeah. How's it going, Kira?”

Kira howled cheerfully. “Oh, it's been agonizing! Constantine has been overruling us! Dakota, now that you're back, you can resume as leader!” Cheers sounded from all around them. Dakota suddenly felt sick.

“Kira, it's not that simple...” Dakota tried telling her, but it was no use. Kira was chattering away at how Dakota would resume as leader.

Then, Kira suddenly shut her mouth as Constantine approached them. “Dakota, where have you been?!”

“I've been getting information from the Frequency.” Dakota announced proudly, his chest puffed out. Wolves awed in surprise.

Constantine raised an eyebrow. “Wait...you followed them to betray them?”

Dakota nodded. “That's right, and I will share it with you. Only under one condition...”

Kira jumped into the conversation. “You're going to take back your leadership, aren't you, Dakota?”

Dakota shook his head. “Well, I wasn't going to take it that far. But, Constantine, I do wish to speak with you privately.”

Constantine shrugged in consideration. “Fine.” Dakota followed behind her to the top of the rock-pile and into the forest. They strolled side-by-side in silence for a few minutes.