FERALS : Glacier's New Path

Chapter 2

A stocky figure abruptly appeared at the mouth of the den in panic. " Glacier! Boulder! Are you ok?! " the dog cried. He walked over to glacier and stared down at her, lying beside of her father. Glacier stayed silent for many moments. suddenly, she craned her neck around and sat up weakly. " Snake? " she called to him in complete shock. He wagged his tail, " Oh, Glacier! You're ok! " Snake beamed. He looked at Boulder seeming to know that he'd passed. " Oh, Glacier. I'm sorry this happened. If only I were there to- " Glacier shook her head. " it's ok, " she twitched an ear. " Don't think too much about it. My dad always told me we all die someday. I may be upset but I'll get over it. " she sighed. Snake nodded In understandance. " I'm glad you're not too beaten up Over the death of your father. " he smiled. Then looked at the sky. " I knew a dog like that. His mother passed and he was so upset about it, he... " he lost his words. Glacier tilted her head waiting to hear the rest. He regained his strength and sighed. " he let himself go. He's living with our ancestors... he's with the dogs of the stars. " Snake said, satisfied. Glacier nodded. " he's safe with mother. Living in the sacred sky Fields. Peacefully and eternally. " she replied. A rustling came from behind, Glacier and Snake snapped their heads toward the bushes. Snake jumped to his paws, hackles rising. " who's out there! " he Bared his fangs. " Show yourself! " he snarled. A Head peered our the bushes at them. She stumbled out, shaking. Snake let his lips sag over his teeth. He dropped his hackles. Looking at the Afraid dog. " Who are you? " he growled roughly. The small dog stepped out from behind the bushes, two smaller dogs clinging to each flank. " This... This is Shard, This is Moss. " She looked at them both. " I'm... Camellia. " she gulped. " We mean you no harm. " She added quickly. She Shrunk back, quivering. Snake continued to glare. " ok. " he huffed. Camellia shuffled uncomfortably. " we just heard a howl of distress. " she dug at the earth nervously. " we thought we'd just check out what's going on. " she sighed. Snake nodded and sat down. Glacier studied the stranger dogs, " their body language doesn't seem harmful. " glacier pointed out. " I think they might be friendly dogs. " she smiled, " Do you have a pack? " she quizzed, licking her chops carefully. Camellia raised an eyebrow, " Yes. Why? " she asked, sitting down. Glacier let her tongue loll, " I've been looking for a pack! It's getting very difficult being a lone dog... " Glacier sighed. Snake gave her a look of surprise and nuzzled her neck. " Glacier, " he whimpered. Giving her a look of disapproval. " you don't know who these dogs are, even if you say they don't look harmful. You don't know that. They could be hiding the vicious side of themselves. I don't want you to die like... " Glacier growled at him, " Don't assume the worst, snake! "
All of the dogs continued to stare at them. " I can't live on my own, snake. Being a lone dog is just as risky as trusting other dogs! " she barked. " You've never been in a pack, you couldn't tell me they're dangerous by assumptions. " she protested, snake looked ashamed, and apologetic. " Sorry... Glacier. " he coughed. Glacier nodded, you can stay a lone dog, I'm gonna join these dogs. I'll be fine, don't worry! " she assured. Snake seemed happier of her assurance. Finally, he got up on all fours and licked Glacier's ear fondly. " don't forget to visit me. " he whispered. She smiled but nodded. A Dreadful howl filled the sky. " Oh My, " Camellia Glared near a crowd of trees. " That must be Briar. She's expecting pups today. " she woofed. " come on, Glacier. We'll introduce you when it's over. " she murmured. I finally found a pack! I should feel at home here. She Thought. The dogs Scampered away.