Fall of the Packs: Void

Chapter Fifteen

"It's nice getting to go to a different border for a change," Tinder said, sniffing the trunk of a fir tree. "I like it much better here in the woods. The wind isn't so strong."

Minerva nodded in agreement. She, Tinder, and Gannon had been assigned to check their border with Storm Pack. They were in the mid-winter now, and the snow was much thicker on the ground. Since they were at the border, some of the evergreen trees from Storm Pack's forest were beginning to intermingle with Night Pack's deciduous ones, standing out starkly against the much more barren surroundings.

"Just because we're fighting with Wind Pack doesn't mean we can neglect our other borders," Gannon said, his voice low. "Storm Pack is just the type to try and take advantage of that."

"It wouldn't surprise me," Tinder agreed. "Although there doesn't appear to be anything out of place here."

"Wait." Minerva stiffened and pricked her ears as the wind shifted. "I think Storm-dogs are close by."

Both of her packmates went on alert, and it wasn't long before two Storm Pack dogs came into view. One was a Belgian Malinois, and the other an Anatolian Shepherd. They began to approach the Night-dogs, their tails raised.

"You're awful close to the border," called the Malinois, an accusatory glint in his eye.

"We're marking it," Tinder said back. "Standard defender duties. You've heard about it, I'm sure."

"Are you marking it right?" the Malinois pressed. "Or are you moving it? Night Pack is fond of that, aren't they?"

"Easy, Hyperion," the Anatolian chided. "Don't make trouble."

"I could ask you some of the same questions," Gannon interrupted. "What are you doing so close to the border? Looking to steal some of our prey, maybe?"

Hyperion's hackles raised. "Storm Pack doesn't doesn't steal. Although I suppose Night Pack is an authority on that."

Minerva wasn't the type to be riled by Storm Pack and their taunts, but she could see anger on Tinder's face. However, Gannon still appeared rather calm. "We feed our packmates. If we have to step on a few tails to do it, then we will."

"That's a nice way of putting it," Hyperion said. "Still sounds like stealing to me."

"Knock it off," the anatolian growled, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "We're out here to hunt, not pick fights with Night Pack."

Hyperion flicked an ear at her. "It's fun watching them get so wound up."

"Maybe you should come over, then," Gannon said, stepping closer to the scent line they had just been renewing. "I'll make it even more fun."

Hyperion scoffed. "Those are big words from a trainee."

"Oh, and you're the alpha, I presume?" Gannon retorted. "Storm Pack loves big talk. But we can actually back it up."

They stared at each other in a tense silence for a while until the she-dog gave Hyperion a shove. "That's enough. We need to get back to work. Kestrel will be furious if she finds out you've been baiting Night-dogs instead of hunting."

The Malinois reluctantly turned away, casting a baleful look at Gannon before following after his packmate. They finally disappeared into the trees without so much as an apology, not that Minerva was surprised by that. Gannon eventually stepped back from the border with a contemptuous snort.

"I'm impressed," Minerva said simply.

Gannon gave her a look. "Well, I'm flattered. Is that supposed to mean something?"

"I think it just means you did good," Tinder said. "You showed the Storm-dog you weren't afraid of him and got him to leave without any bloodshed. Minerva and I didn't have to do anything. We'll have to tell Pebble--I think he'll be impressed too."

Gannon grunted. "I'm not going to waste my anger on Storm Pack. I'm saving it all for Wind Pack."

Tinder gave Minerva an uneasy glance. Minerva wasn't entirely sure how to respond herself. They finished marking the border and then began to head back to the overhang. Tinder hanged back and let Gannon go farther ahead, walking next to Minerva.

"He's out for blood, isn't he?" he murmured.

"I don't guess it's that surprising," Minerva replied. "He watched Draco die."

Tinder shuddered. "That had to be so awful. I can't imagine. Do... do you feel like that too? That you want revenge?"

Minerva's pace slowed slightly. "Not really. I guess I don't really... understand vengeance, or anything like that. It wouldn't bring him back. And with how Draco was... something like that was bound to happen."

Tinder hesitated before asking, "What if it was your father? Or your mother? Do you think you would feel differently?"

Minerva paused, briefly pondering his question. "...No. I don't think so."

Tinder looked at the ground. "Maybe that is a good thing. Vengeance doesn't really help anybody."

"If it motivates him to defend the pack, it could help."

"You don't have to want revenge to defend the pack. I... just really wish all of this was over. I don't remember much of what life was like before the famine started, but I know it was better than this."

"You were a pup before the famine started," Minerva said with a slight snort. "You didn't have to fight back then."

"Well, obviously," Tinder said, "but I don't mean just that. I remember dogs as being happier. We weren't always talking of battles and holding on to the border. It was just... better."

"There's no point in reminiscing," Minerva said, looking ahead again. "You can't go back. It's better to focus on what's happening now."

"Ever the optimist, eh?" Tinder asked with a smile.

"Sure, if you want to think of it that way. I consider it more being realistic."

"Being realistic isn't always as fun."

"Having fun won't keep you alive."

"All right, all right," Tinder laughed. "Never mind. You're not an optimist. But I still like you anyway."

"Hey, lovebirds," Gannon suddenly called over his shoulder. "I can hear you back there. Pick up the pace. I want to get back before it's dark."

Minerva felt her fur grow unexpectedly hot. What did he mean by lovebirds? They were just talking. And here I was thinking he had matured.

She noticed Tinder also appeared rather flustered before retorting, "Mind your manners, trainee. We're coming."

Minerva and Tinder increased their pace, not saying anything more now that the atmosphere was much more awkward. Gannon just smirked and continued walking.