The Story of Lily & Rowen: Amarusa

Chapter I: The Hunter

A wolf sat below an afternoon sun, calmly and dutifully separating pieces of meat from downed prey. Many wolves were abound in the assembly area that day, for the hunt had been fruitful. However, their efforts had given way to even more work, as the flesh had to be divided into appropriate sizes in order to allow a transporter wolf to carry it deep into pack territory to those who felt themselves above such toil.

At least, that was that particular male wolf's assessment of the process. He paused momentarily from his task to yawn and rest his jaw. As he did so, he noticed the wolves around him were more energetic than usual. They were happy, and the volume of their conversations reflected it. Indeed he also felt accomplishment for the day's success, but he enjoyed it in relative solitude. As he scanned the area, the foreman locked vision with him briefly before giving the male a respectful nod. The foreman of his hunting party saw all, which certainly included the three deer he had personally felled earlier that day. It was a harsh life, but it rewarded hard work and a successful hunt fed many hungry bodies.

The foreman's gaze lingered, perhaps wondering why the male was alone and not partaking in the celebration of their success. The reasoning wasn't complicated. He felt a strong kinship with those whom he hunted with and many preferred his company while hunting, but their choice of social partners seemed to collectively harbor a different criteria. It was of no consequence, as the male was not opposed to time alone with his thoughts.

The atmosphere didn't persist, however. Different wolves began to materialize from the woods. All conversation ground to a halt as the approaching wolves demanded attention as they seemed to encircle the hunting assembly, likely intent on examining the day's haul. It was relatively routine. The pack's Beta wolves were not of the hunting caste. They did not participate in food acquisition nor did they transport it as the gammas did. Their primary concern was that of themselves, ensuring those lower in the pack structure enabled their vanity.

One such beta stopped near the male. She eyed him carefully before observing his work. She gave a quick, non-committal nod before she seemingly lost interest and started to transition to the next group of wolves. She, however, abruptly stopped and turned to face him.

"You're Rowen, are you not?" she asked authoritatively. "Black fur, silver eyes. You're the one."

"I am." he replied uneasily.

"The Alpha's son Angelo speaks highly of you. Vera, as I'm sure you know, speaks softly of you. She claims you are a good worker, but surely she realizes that attention is meaningless? Inappropriate?"

Rowen's eyes shifted to the side to behold one of his compatriots being chastised in the distance. The mention of Vera made him uncomfortable. She was yet another beta whose task was to terrorize and demand more from the hunting caste. They made their rounds to all of the different hunting parties as often as their egos desired, though Vera was one who frequented his particular group. The reasoning for which didn't escape him. It did, however, serve to spoil his appetite on a regular basis.

"It is inappropriate." Rowen pulled his attention back to the Beta female in front of him. "As is your attempt to converse with me about something other than my duties."

"You are fortunate that you are a productive animal." she shot back through a vile tone. "Lapse, and perhaps I shall return and liberate your tongue from your mouth. You're worth less than an Akaru to us."

Rowen wanted to retort but decided against it. Besides, he hardly knew what that insult entailed. An Amaru wolf calling another Amaru an Akaru in a derogatory fashion was apparently an insult, but Rowen hardly understood why. Besides, she could not retaliate in earnest at his initial response because he was right, but if he extrapolated it further the situation could have had consequences. The female beta eventually lost interest and walked away while keeping a watchful eye on the male. To his discontent, she seemed to release her pent-up aggression on the next wolf over. Perhaps his friendship with the alpha's son had something to do with her disinclination to punish him, or perhaps there existed a tinge of grudging respect in the female. Regardless, he watched her as she verbally lashed out at the next wolf before again moving on.