The Lord ✔️

Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Who's With Who

"I am coming," Ruby persisted. "You can't make me miss the final battle!"
Hunter had just returned from the council meeting, still dizzy about Midnight's prediction, and on the verge of tearing his fur out because he didn't who this very important wolf was. He was still ticked off—of course Midnight had to faint right before she told everyone who the wolf was, right?
"But Ruby, what about the pups?" Hunter asked. As if on cue, the three pups, nearly yearlings, walked out.
"What about us?" Horizon asked. "We're obviously joining the fifth team with mother; that way, we won't be fighting for a while. Instead, we'll just be getting allies to help us fight. Then, technically, we'll all be fighting. I'm certainly not missing this. Anyway, isn't my solution a decent one, father?"
"Yeah," Robin chimed in. "Horizon is big brain!"
Horizon rolled his eyes at Robin, and then nudged Hope. "What about you, precious?" He looked genuinely curious. "Are you going to come? Helooo, Hope!"
Hope stopped daydreaming, and answered her brother. "I don't think I will," she sighed, quietly. "I want to stay with Aunt Crescent and the pups. I think she'll feel better if she has some family with her."
Horizon shrugged. "Fair enough," he said. Robin frowned, peering at his sister.
Hunter sighed, knowing he had lost. Both of the boys had inherited Ruby's stubbornness—once they'd decided something, nothing could change their minds. And Hunter wasn't going to be the fool who would decide that he could somehow talk them out of something they really wanted to do.
"Alright," he gave in. "But don't you die on me!"
The boys nodded frantically, but Hope had already left through the tunnel, towards Crescent, who's pups were growing very slowly. Much more than expected.
"Well, here's what 'Dromeda's told me," Hunter began, sitting down with his mate and boys. "Team One is led by her, but additionally led by Orion, since she has a job to do in the battle; Team Two will be led by me; Team Three will be led by Sapphire, who apparently thinks that three is her lucky number; Team Four is led by Diamond; and, last of all, Team Five, the team you will be in, will be led by Aurora and Midnight. I think you already know what jobs each team does, right?"
They nodded.
"Okay, then we're set," Hunter said. Then he paused, remembering something suddenly. "Wait," he said. "You boys have been practicing your fighting and hunting moves, right? And you're getting faster?"
The boys nodded again.
Hunter nodded, relieved. "Good. Now you can go to get ready. We're leaving tomorrow, you got it?"
They nodded a third time, then the boys left, bounding off joyfully up the tunnel. Hunter could hear them yelling themselves hoarse, while Hope carefully stepped up the tunnel, her paw-steps faint, as she made her way to Crescent. Ruby gave Hunter a quick lick and a loving smile before she departed.