gave a small whine, but settled her head back onto her own paws, “If you’re sure…”

“I am,” the brunette she-wolf retorted, “Calm down.”

Rue looked out at the small group of wolves assembled. She couldn’t help, buy cringe at how small her pack had become. The killings are getting worse. The she-wolf sighed; we have to get to the bottom of this.

“Dante,” she called to the he-wolf, “Come here.”

The Beta did as he was told, and wandered away from the other wolves towards his alpha.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean you’re not sure? What’s the point of this meeting?”

Rue didn’t answer at first; instead she just stared at her Beta, as if trying to see through him.

“What? What’s the matter?”

“K-killings.”

“Huh?”

“Killings.”

Dante cocked his head to the side, “Rue, what the Aniu are you talking about?”

The Alpha sighed, “Just as I said, ‘killings.’” She divided the word into two syllables for emphasis.

“What killings?”

Rue’s patience was running low. She hated herself for having to ask of her Beta for help. She hated asking anyone for help, but Dante was defiantly the last one she would have ever wanted to ask. She felt that every time she asked him, she owed him just a bit more. And over the past few moons, Dante had gathered much from Rue.

She was a new Alpha, hadn’t been one for much more than a year. She relied much on her Beta, having never of had any experience of being in such high power before.

“Pack killings, I’m certain.”

Dante gave her another look, “Rue, it’s raining.”

“I’ve noticed.”

Dante sighed, “Some wolves just didn’t feel like coming out tonight, because of it.”

“W-What are you talking about?”

“The ‘killings.’ That’s why the pack looks smaller tonight—“

“N-no, no Dante!” Rue cut in, finally understanding what he was getting at, “It’s not the rain, the pack is getting smaller! They’re dying!”

Dante shook his head, “Rue, nobody is dying. The storm must be getting to you.”

Now Rue shook her head, “No. You’re wrong. I must warn the pack!” She started back towards the group of wolves.

“Rue, don’t!”

The she-wolf ignored him.

Dante sighed, and before he could think it all through, he felt his fangs dip into her ruby-colored flesh, as he dragged Rue back towards him.

“Un-hand me!” The alpha commanded, but Dante ignored her.

“I should take you to Layla,” Dante suggested, his fangs still piercing Rue’s flank, “She’ll know what to do.”

“Let me go!” Rue snapped, “I’m not sick! I must warn my pack BEFORE WE ALL END UP DEAD!”

 

///

              

 “Worthless pests.”

The words echoed through the dark cave. They bounced off the stone walls and headed straight towards the cave’s occupants. 

A young she-wolf, only about a couple moons old, lay in the center of the dank cave. She laid on her side, paws tucked into her swollen belly.

The older wolf couldn’t help noticing how innocent she looked when she was asleep. But as quickly as it had come, the thought was pushed from his mind. He had to do it and he had to do now.

So with a grimace, he wandered closer to her, quietly stepping over the older female that also seemed to occupy the cave.

I have to do this. Fast.

He sighed. Hopefully when he joined her in the next life, she would be at peace.

He leaned his head toward hers; his fangs were just inches from her neck.

Then he stopped. I can’t, I just can’t.

He pulled away quickly, just barely missing the low ceiling. “Damn it.”

The older she-wolf gave a low groan, then a small yawn. Her eyes fluttered open, but she really wasn’t seeing anything.

She sighed, resting her head between her paws. Moments later, she was asleep again.

               The elder wolf let out his breath. Close. Very close.

He sighed once more before slipping from the shadows, out of the cave. I’m sorry, but I can’t.

And for a small moment, he thought he made it, well, until his back paw snapped against a twig.

 

///

 

Snap!

“Hmmm?” Luna’s eyes flipped open, as the unnatural snapping of twigs sounded outside the cave entrance. Her heart sped up, as she tried to nudge Kessa awake.

“Kessa. Kessa! Wake up! There’s someone outside.”

The brunette she-wolf groaned, but didn’t bother opening her eyes, “G-go back to sleep, L-Luna. It’s fiiiiine.” She gave a long yawn, “No one’s there.”

“Y-yes there is!” Luna squeaked, her voice going an octave higher, “We’re going to die!”

“We’re not going to die.” Kessa’s eyes fluttered a bit as she tried to nudge Luna back down with her paws.

Suddenly, a low groan sounded from somewhere outside. Both the females stopped. The only sound was their breathing.

It lasted for a couple of minutes, before Luna broke the silence.

“Kessaaaaaaaa!” The she-wolf began to panic even more,

Kessa had already gotten to her paws. “I heard it!” she snapped quietly, “Now shut up before he hears you.”

Luna nodded. “Okay,” she whispered.

Kessa nudged her softly, “Let’s make a plan.”

///

The intruder watched quietly. His eyes carefully following the she-wolves’ every movement.

“I screwed up,” he growled to himself, “They heard me, damn it.”

His partner gave a small laugh, “You make a lousy assassin.”

The he-wolf growled at her, but that only made her laugh more.

He turned away from her, “I don’t see you killin’ anyone, Aki.”

The ruby colored female, gently patted her cream stomach, “I don’t give valid responses to anyone who calls me that. I thought you knew me better.” She smirked.

“Fine, Akini.”

“I’m hungry, let’s hunt.”

The blood-eye colored he-wolf shook his head, “That’s still not valid to my question. And, anyway, what about the mission?” But, he was already following her away from the cave.

“Screw the mission, you already messed it up, let’s go hunt.”

He took one last look at the cave, before responding, “Alright, Aki”

“Don’t call me that.” She meant for it to sound stern, but instead she laughed, which, of course, totally defeated the purpose of trying to be stern.

 

///

 

Copyrights~

Main Cover Lineart (c) Sakujo

Story and Chars (c) Me

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