The rays from the morning sun came up over the frozen landscape, the fresh wet layer causing it to glimmer in brilliant colors. The sun was just rising, but only one being was awake at the early hour to experience it, perched on the edge of a cliff. The perfect spot for taking in the awakening of the new day. Unfortunately, the mood, even with the beautiful scenery and tranquility, did nothing to ease the thoughts and fears of their owner.
"He said he's planning on taking your territory and the pack…by killing you."
The words angered and troubled him. But why? A soft growl reverberated within his throat, and his brilliant blue eyes flashed. So caught up in his thoughts, the soft paw falls and clicking of claws on the rocky ground went unheard until a soft, familiar voice called out.
“Achak…” Black ears twitched and swiveled around at the voice. A voice he had known from birth. Bright blue eyes softened, and the wolf now turned his head to meet the familiar form. Olathe, his mother. Her silver colored fur almost seemed to glow in the morning light. As she came up to sit next to her son on the cliff, she gazed out at the horizon, the breeze blowing her fur gently. “What is it that brings you out here so early? Something troubling you?” After asking, she sat quietly, patiently for Achak to respond.
After a moment more of silence, the silver and black alpha sighed, his breath making a faint mist in the cool morning air.
“I never thought I’d hear about Nayati again.” It was all the younger wolf needed to say. Olathe nodded slowly, understanding immediately, then, what it was that was plaguing the other’s thoughts. She smiled reassuringly, bending down to give her son a nuzzle.
“You are strong. Whatever happens, we will be behind you. You would make your father proud Achak…” The words both comforted, and strengthened him. That no matter what, his pack, his family was behind him, supporting his decisions. He managed a smile, nuzzling his mother back. Also knowing he was doing things that would make his father proud strengthened his resolve. His mother wouldn’t just say this to him just to make him feel better. The other always seemed to know just what to say. Of course, it was his mother; he had grown up under her, so she knew him best.
Olathe, sensing that Achak was reassured, now decided to redirect his thoughts. “Have you talked to Kanook yet?” The cream and chocolate colored wolf had been quiet lately, going off by himself. After the news over Faolan the beta seemed to be mourning. Everyone in the pack knew that the young scout and Kanook were as close as father and son. What the other must be feeling now…
Achak sighed, eyes saddening. He and his adopted ‘uncle’ were also close. After Cheveyo, his father died, it was he who took up the responsibility of teaching and being more of that father figure. Of course, Kanook could never replace his parent; the older wolf knew that as well. Nonetheless, they grew close. The silver streaked wolf still admired the beta, often going to either him or his mother for advice. He was still learning from them, and becoming a better alpha.
“I haven’t yet. I thought I’d give him some time alone.” Now might be a good time to do so though. “Have you?” His bright blue eyes met his mothers whose were the same color. Olathe’s softer eyes lowered a moment.
“I have, but perhaps talking to you would help more right now. I saw him last back by the hollow stump at the back of the caves. “ Standing, the silver wolf smiled a bit, before turning to leave, the only sounds she made being the soft paw-falls and clicking of her claws against the stony ground.
The large alpha watched her a moment before glancing out once more to gaze out at the landscape. By now the sun had risen more fully, giving light to the area. Then, getting to his feet, he turned himself, and started heading back towards the caves, but instead of going in, started around them. Kanook was supposed to be back here after all. And the silver streaked wolf was worried for his family member.
Rounding the back of the stone caves, Achak scanned the small area. The dead hollow tree stump was there…but the cream and chocolate beta was not. Frowning, he sighed a moment, turning to go back.
“Were you looking for me?” At the voice the silver and black wolf looked back over his shoulder, stopping. Kanook stepped up from below the cliff line. He had been sitting down there for a bit more privacy. The beta smiled seeing the younger wolf, a knowing look in his dark blue eyes. He could guess why his nephew was there. Achak turned and approached him, the two of them taking a seat by the cliff. The younger wolf’s bright eyes soon drifted to him, then out at the distance.
“So how are you doing? We all knew you and Faolan were close.” He was careful with his words. Surprisingly though, the other smiled, a real smile, not like the ones they had all gotten recently that, at least Achak and his mother, could tell were fake.
“I’m sorry I had you all worrying by going off on my own so much recently. I needed a day or two to myself. But I’m alright now, thank you.” Just by observing the beta, one could tell he really was better now. The way he held himself from the way he had before, as well as the look in those blue eyes proved it to the alpha, who then smiled a bit. Standing, Kanook motioned with his head back to the front of the caves. “Lets get back to everyone, no need to worry them any more than they are.” With that the two of them started heading back, Achak relieved and glad to see his family member was in better spirits again.
Since it was still relatively early, it wasn’t until another hour or two, when the whole pack was up and ready did they start to organize for a hunt. Achak was amused to see that Kiona was ready and rearing to go. When the female noticed she had been caught, she stopped fidgeting, looking a bit embarrassed. Walking to her, the large wolf smiled.
“It’s alright, we’ll be heading out soon.” With that, Kanook padded up with his usual smile. With the news that everyone was ready to head out, Achak nodded, and the three of them went to join the rest of the pack.
As usual, the pack separated into different groups. The first group was the chasers, who made up most of the pack, and then there was the second that was made up Achak, Kanook, Dartanion, and sometimes Zephyr, a newer wolf. They were the ones who took down their prey, being the biggest and strongest Even with their strategy, they did not always succeed in a kill, and they would either not eat at all that day, or they would have to wait for later to try to hunt again.
Though, sometimes there would be smaller animals like hares around for them to catch. They were hardly enough to fill even one of them much, but it was better than nothing.
As the pack’s two groups separated and headed out to their destination from different angles, now, for some reason, Achak couldn’t shake this sudden feeling that something wasn’t right. It felt like uneasiness deep in his gut, and it wouldn’t go away. The alpha wasn’t sure what to think about it. He knew he couldn’t completely pass it off and ignore it. That wouldn’t be smart.
So instead he let his senses remain on high alert, for anything around them that may be threatening. Though it was still strange, that this feeling was nagging at him, since the large black and silver wolf had scouted thoroughly that morning and hadn’t seen, smelt or heard anything wrong.
Once the chasing group was far enough away, Achak turned to his two other pack mates, who were on each side of him. First he addressed his beta, and uncle.
“Do you feel uneasy at all for any reason? Ever since we started out I’ve been getting this feeling that something isn’t right, and I cannot place it.” Kanook glanced over at him, his brow furrowing a bit. Dartanion also looked over, eyes reflecting something similar.
“I have actually. And judging by Dartanion’s expression, he feels it as well…” The said wolf nodded, his maroon eyes serious. “When you scouted this morning, there was nothing out of the ordinary?” Achak shook his head. The three wolves stopped as they reached their position, staying quiet another few moments before Dartanion’s deep rumbling voice broke the silence.
“We’ll have to stay alert then. We’re all feeling the same, so it can’t be something trivial. We have to be ready for anything.” Two pairs of blue eyes turned to him and they nodded, in complete agreement. Did the rest of the pack feel this as well, they wondered. With that they went quiet again, though they stayed alert, listening, smelling, and looking out. Inwardly, they hoped it would pass over as nothing.
It wasn’t too long after that, that the ground under their paws began to rumble, grabbing their attention to look over in the direction the rest of the pack had headed. The caribou were coming, and soon their forms could be seen charging their way, the rest of their pack mates herding them forward.
Readying themselves, at the right moment, they all leaped out from where they were hiding and joined the chase, following their alpha. Achak had, while the caribou were nearing, had singled out their prey, a good-sized buck. Judging by the animal’s horns, it was still relatively young, and probably little to no experience, but already grown. No doubt it would feed them all well.
As they all ran, Achak, distracted as the uneasy feeling grew again, just narrowly missed a kick from one of the caribou. Growling and snapping at it, the alpha quickly glanced ahead. Kanook and Dartanion were herding the one caribou
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