As Ashton padded silently through the undergrowth, he heard owls hoot, and small mammals scuttle over the ground. His white fur and jet black paws didn't offer much for camouflage as he prowled along. I’ll never catch anything, he thought. I wish I was brown, or gray or something.The moon bathed the cool, brittle grass in front of him. I don’t even have a pack to help with hunting, it’s already winter, surely I’ll starve! Ashton sighed, he couldn’t believe that his own father had kicked him out of the pack. His father had never treated him like his brothers and sisters. He had always been second best. I’m better off on my own anyway, he thought, I don’t need a pack, I’ll catch my own food sooner or later. Ashton heard a rustle behind him. He whipped his head around and saw a hare hop out from behind a bush. Crouching down, Ashton waited patiently while the hare continued to hop towards him. With a growl, he leaped forward and landed on the hare. He silenced it’s bloodcurdling scream quickly and began eating. When he was finished, Ashton paded on through the forest. Ashton neared a smooth hollow in the ground, a perfect resting spot, he figured. He curled up and dozed off into a fitful sleep.

Ashton woke the next morning and continued padding on. He emerged from the woods, and trotted out onto open plain. A faint smell wafted into his nose. Other wolves! He thought A light snow began falling as Dakton hurried on. He sniffed again, this time the scent was stronger. He got a wiggly feeling inside, I hope the let me join them! He thought. Ashton stopped for a moment, he let out a loud, cheerful howl and was answered quickly by a group of wolves. He could not see them, but they were less than one mile away.He was excited now, he let out a yip and bounded through the grass. As Ashton reached the top of a hill, he say two figures, one silver, and one tricolor, bounding toward him.

“Hello!” the silver one called.

“H hello!” Ashton answered cautiously back, slowing down a little.

The two wolves reached him, they sniffed him and wagged their tails in greeting. They’re both females! He thought, what do I do?“I’m Datroni,” said the silver wolf, bowing her head slightly.

“And I’m Brideon,” said the tricolor wolf, “but you can call me Bri.”

Ashton nodded, he looked around warily.

“Aren’t you going to tell us your name?” asked Datroni.

“Oh, I’m Ashton,” he said. The to wolves giggled. “What?” Ashton asked.

“Nothing,” said Brideon, “Come on, we’ll take you to our pack.”

Ashton nodded and followed the two wolves down the hill. They sure are pretty, He thought, I wonder if either of them have a mate. Ashton shook his head to clear it, Get real, you don’t have a chance with either of them. He thought.

Brideon giggled and whispered something into Datroni’s ear. Datroni nodded and whispered back to Brideon.

“What are you girls talking about?” asked Ashton

“Well...” Brideon began slowly. Datroni shook her head violently. Brideon just giggled and continued on, “Datroni thinks you’re cute,” she said.

Datroni flattened her ears and turned away.

“Hey! Ladie’s man! Stay away from my sister!” Someone shouted.

The three wolves looked up to see a black wolf standing on top of a hill.

“Awe Shak, he wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Datroni said.

Shak let out a loud sniff, “Yeah well I don’t trust him, come up here and meet Avree, Ladie’s Man.” said Shak.

Ashton flattened his ears and tucked in his tail as he padded up the hill. Shak looked him over and grunted,” Just stay out of trouble, and keep your paws off my sister and I won’t rip your fur off.”

“I didn’t-” Ashton began, but he was cut off by Shak’s low growl and bared teeth.

A gray and white wolf padded out from behind a large boulder. He held his tail high, like a waving banner, his head was no lower. He held such an air of athority that there was no question of who he was, and what rank he held. Shak showed no more aggression as he bowed down, his belly on the ground. Ashton mimicked him, showing great submission, I hope he likes me, he thought.

 "Stand up boy!" Commanded the wolf.

Ashton stood up quickly, he looked at the gray and white wolf.

"I am Avree," said the wolf, "I am the alpha of this pack, who are you, and where are you from?"

"I am Ashton sir, and I am from the pack of the east." Ashton answered.

Avree nodded, "I trust that Shadow was only overreacting when he called you Ladie's Man?"

"Yes sir."

"And I trust that you would never even think of that about one of my daughters unless it was under my allowance?"

"Yes sir."

"And I trust that you are here on your own accord by yourself with know one from your former pack?"

"Yes sir."

"Then you are free to join my pack."

"Thank you sir."

"Oh, and one more thing," said Avree, "stop calling me sir, I hate it when wolves call me sir."

Ashton smiled "Of course sir.... I mean uh.... Avree."