The Whisper of Wolves:Different Opinions
The deep gold eyes of, SmokeCloud, a black female wolf with striking features, sweeped across the plains of the mountains where her pack lived. She saw all of them below and smirked. SmokeCloud, was a long-legged wolf with gold eyes, who loved to just give people or other wolves a run for their money. She, unlike other females in her pack, loved the taste of blood and revenge. Everyone in the pack loved her that is except for the girls, for most of them knew her deceiving ways. She played them for fools and in the end, they got their hearts ripped out. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a large rabbit hop across the field. She spun around on her heel and dashed for it and caught it by its hind leg. The animal screamed and she grasped her powerful jaws around the animal’s throat until it silenced. She ate up quickly and quietly and ran out of the field into the depths of the forest toward her pack. As she was walking, she heard someone lapping up water near the stream and looked to see who it was. There drinking, was HazelMist. As a beautiful dark brown wolf with emerald green eyes who was, unlike SmokeCloud, was nice and sweet. She had liked a light tan wolf with brown ear tips and brown eyes, whose name was RiverSpade, since they were pups. And she was alone. SmokeCloud came up from behind her and said, "Why, hello HazelMist. Wonderful day isn’t it?" HazelMist jumped at the sound of her voice and turned around to face her. She looked at her and smiled sweetly, wondering what SmokeCloud was up too this time. "Oh, nothing much SmokeCloud. It is a pretty day too. Did you need something?" HazelMist did not like SmokeCloud one bit, but she didn’t want to be her enemy to make SmokeCloud mad, because she knew, as well as her friend and the rest of the pack, that she would get revenge on whoever made her angry. HazelMist’s emerald eyes watched SmokeCloud carefully and SmokeCloud walked closer. They were almost the same height, though SmokeCloud was taller than HazelMist by a snitch. " Actually, HazelMist, I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out later today, like old friends. It would be fun." HazelMist winced when SmokeCloud said friends that way. The thing was, she was not SmokeCloud’s friend and did not want anything to do with her. " Ah, I’m busy later SmokeCloud." She lied, "Maybe, some other time." And with that she swung around and trotted off. SmokeCloud’s neck fur bristled and she leaped into the air and landed in front of HazelMist and snarled. HazelMist took a step back at the sudden attack. SmokeCloud hissed at her, "Why not, HazelMist. I thought we were friends." She bared her fangs and growled. HazelMist couldn’t take it, "No SmokeCloud, we are not friends. I have never liked you. You are jealous. And everyone knows it. Now leave me alone." HazelMist bared her white fangs and growled right back. SmokeCloud shook with fury and growled, "No. I am not going to just leave you alone HazelMist. I have hated you all these wasted years! Maybe I am, and maybe I’m not jealous. But I’m going to ruin your life, and if anyone steps in the way of me…well…destroying you, I will kill them! When you are out of the way…" Then the Alpha male’s mate, DawnStep walked in and barked, "Girls! Girls! Stop it! Stop it!!" she growled and stepped in between them. SmokeCloud glared at HazelMist and took off. HazelMist watched carefully as SmokeCloud ran off and looked at the DawnStep. She breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled an innocent smile at her mother and trotted off toward camp. " Hey HazelMist! Over here!" HazelMist heard her friend Nightpelt call over to her as she entered the camp. She smiled and pranced over to her friend. As she pranced nearer, she saw RiverSpade, eyeing her. She looked at him and smiled, and he looked fondly at her and smiled back. She looked straight ahead but her thoughts soared. Does he like me? Does he even know I exist? Ha! Of coarse he does, he did smile at me! She mind whirled. She didn’t noticed Nightpelt telling her to watch out as she smashed into her friend. They tumbled in the dust and rolled and down a small hill, landing in a puddle. HazelMist lay sprawled on the ground, wondering what had happened. Her friend looked at her trying to obtain her giggles, but she burst out laughing ,HazelMist joining in a second later. How embarrassing! As she stood up, she shook the dust from her fur and walked over to where Nightpelt was. She sat down next to her, until they noticed the messenger wolf, RussetClaw, ran over to a flat, raised stone known as FlatRock in the middle of their pack’s territory. That meant he had a message for the pack to hear. Nightpelt looked at HazelMist and stood up, walking toward FlatRock. HazelMist ran next to her friend to get a good spot to hear. As others gathered around, HazelMist looked around for SmokeCloud. She sighed a relief when she didn’t see her by the time the messenger cleared his throat. " Hear me! Hear me! Would all wolves come to attentive please! Tomorrow morning when the sun rises, there will be a meeting at Satire Hill. The Alphas’ have a very important message for all of you to hear!" Then, a small run away husky named Kaden asked, "Well what is the point, if you could just tell us now?" RussetClaw looked at the crowd and bellowed, "I cannot! For I myself do not know what the message is. I will see you all in the morning. That is all." And with that he walked off into the Alpha’s den for a word with him. All of the pack started to talk quietly to each other as they walked off. HazelMist then saw SmokeCloud glaring at her with a smirk on her face. That made HazelMist shiver. The next morning, Nightpelt came into HazelMist’s cave and shook her awake. HazelMist groaned and rolled over. Nightpelt shook her harder and bit her on the ear. HazelMist yelped and sat straight up and a little too fast and the den spun. She regained her composure and stared groggily at her friend. She looked out of the mouth of the cave and it was still dark outside. She looked back at Nightpelt and whispered, "Why did you wake me up so early? It’s still dark outside!" Nightpelt whispered back, "Because! I want to get an early seat before it gets too crowded!!" HazelMist sighed and stood up. She forced herself to leave the warmth of her cave into the chilly dawn morning. Winter is surely coming early this year…she thought to herself. Nightpelt and HazelMist climbed the rocky hill until they came to a smooth part and sat down in front of a towering bolder. HazelMist knew from past pack meetings that this was where the Alpha’s stood to give their speech. A cool breeze whipped at her fur and she shivered. There wasn’t anyone there yet so it was nice, and quiet. Then, a few minutes later, she heard someone talking and she told Nightpelt to stay where she was. HazelMist went to investigate to see who was talking behind the bolder. She peeked and saw the Alphas talking to their messenger, RussetClaw. She saw RussetClaw shake his head and the Alpha Male said quietly, "It is the ONLY thing we can do to protect this pack. If we don’t, they will surely all die. We will choose young strong warriors to accompany, and fight with us in war. The rest will leave this forest…forever." HazelMist listened intently and a fear struck her. What was going to happen to her and the pack? Whatever it is, it doesn’t sound good. She decided not to jump to conclusions and she ran back to her friend not daring to tell her what she had heard. Within the next few minutes, more of the pack started to arrive. When the whole pack arrived, they started. " Attention to all! Attention to all! May we have your attention please! Silence to all who speak when I am speaking!" The Alpha Male, BrackenStar bellowed. DawnStep and the BrackenStar stood next to each other and RussetClaw next to them. Everyone silenced and HazelMist scanned the crowd. She felt someone staring at her and she looked but didn’t see anyone. She looked next to her and there sitting, was SmokeCloud. She gasped a little too loud and a few wolves turned their heads to look. She glared at HazelMist growled under her breath, "This is the start of mayhem HazelMist. I am your worst nightmare. You…will…die." HazelMist looked to the ground and changed spots with Nightpelt. "To all, there is drastic news about our future. There has been a war challenged among us by the Northern Wind Clan and some are leaving to go fight. Those who remain…well, move to the outskirts of the forest." HazelMist heard the sudden gasps and whispers. Everyone started whispering and it grew quite loud over the Alpha’s news. " Quiet! Quiet! We will call out the names of those who have to go to war with the Mrs. and I. RedStripe, ShrewTail…" HazelMist prayed that RiverSpade would not leave. She clenched her teeth as the names were called out, one by one. Finally, they came to the last name, and the name was TalonWing, RiverSpade’s best friend. She heaved a sigh of relief and looked at RiverSpade. She heard wails and sobs come from some of the females of the pack and they were terribly sad about their brothers and family members having to leave for war… and may not return again. Tears came to HazelMist’s eyes, blurring her vision as families were being pulled apart. " When must we go?" Rowanfur’s brother, EagleScar cried out. Tears were streaming down Rowanfur’s cheeks at the knowing of her brother leaving. "We will be leaving…" HazelMist heard a sigh as the Alpha and his mate looked at each other, " Well, tomorrow…" HazelMist awoke early and her eyes hurt from crying so much. She looked around her cave, and knew that she will not sleep another night in her old cave she has had all her life. She slowly walked outside and looked around at all of the familiar faces of all of her friends and pack members. Some of them, she may never see again. She said goodbye to all of the warriors who were leaving and to all of her friends. There was great sorrow in that day. HazelMist scanned the pack and saw SmokeCloud smiling at everyone leaving. HazelMist shook her head and she and Nightpelt wept together until it was time to leave. HazelMist looked around at her territory and sighed. Then she wondered, wait…if both Alphas are leaving who is going to lead? Then, RussetClaw howled and the rest of the pack gathered. The Alpha male then came and called out, "The next pack leader for the time being is…" he looked at the crowd and then continued, "The leader is, SmokeCloud! From this day until death, SmokeCloud shall be your leader. You are expected to respect and honor your leader. Her new name, given by SilverClan, shall be SmokeStar." The breath left HazelMist, at the sound of SmokeStar being called for leader. "All right everyone! When I call your name, bark!" Smokestar growled and she called off the names one by one. "HazelMist!" Smokestar hissed and glared at her. HazelMist barked quietly and walked away with Nightpelt. They sat and talked awhile and listened to the present barks. Then, RiverSpade walks up to HazelMist and asks, "So, ehh… you want to go to the meadow for one last time?" She looked at him and smiled and nodded her head in agreement. They walked side by side on the way to the meadow through the shady forest. All was quiet except for the voices of birds calling out. Rays of sun peeked through tree branches, and parted the ground with an infinite number of shadow patterns. She looked at the breath-taking site that never disappointed her when she saw it. She sucked in some air and kept walking into the middle of the meadow. She looked fondly at RiverSpade and smiled. An eagle soared overhead and shrieked. Both wolves looked up at the sight of the bald eagle as the sun shone down on them and they sighed. They both would greatly miss their beautiful land and freedom. RiverSpade was the first to break the silence. "Tag! You are it!" he barked and ran away from her as fast as he could go. HazelMist stared after him and giggled to herself. She loped after him while she smiled until she was right behind him, trying to grab his tail with her jaws. She got a sudden burst of energy and galloped up right next to him and grinned. He looked at her and his eyes widened. She leaned over and pushed him to the ground. "Ha! Now you are it!" She laughed. She was the fastest of all of her siblings when she was younger, and had rough housed a lot with her dad. She usually won from all of her 6 siblings. But her siblings had moved to another pack, except 1. That was her sister, BraveHeart. She was older than HazelMist my 3 months and was always bugging her about it. Her sister was a light brown and white wolf with two-toned colored eyes. RiverSpade shook his head and pushed her away and stood up. He looked at her with no expression on his face but a stare. She looked back at him with concern. " What? Did I hurt you?" She asked him concerned. He looked at her for a moment longer and said simply, "No. No. I’m fine." He said and smiled. They sat and watched the sunset together and started to walk back. They walked side by side on the way back, and HazelMist stared down at her paws in deep thought. Then RiverSpade said, "It’s beautiful tonight." She looked up at him, " Excuse me? Oh, yes…..beautiful." She said distracted. She smiled at him and he smiled back. "So are you…. as always." He said shyly. She gazed into his eyes and blushed. " Oh, why, thank you." Was all she could say. They walked a little while longer in the forest when the moon was over head. It was a quiet night, and soon their pack would be leaving. Then, RiverSpade jumped in front of her and HazelMist stopped suddenly. " I can’t take it anymore HazelMist. It’s not something that should be bottled up any longer. I don’t care if u don’t feel the same way as I feel for you, but HazelMist. I love you." HazelMist looked at him and smiled, "I-I… I love you too, RiverSpade." She said. HazelMist was so happy and her heart soared. Her thoughts fluttered around in her head. " HazelMist, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." RiverSpade said happily. He wagged his tail and his tongue lolled. HazelMist jumped and excitedly said, "I do too RiverSpade!" When they entered their pack territory, wolves were gathering around SmokeCloud, their new leader. RiverSpade looked at HazelMist and smiled," I’m going to go find my friend. I’ll see you later." And he ran off. HazelMist looked around and saw Nightpelt looking at her and smiled. HazelMist smiled back and Nightpelt started shaking with excitement. HazelMist ran over to her and they laughed. " HazelMist! You have to tell me EVERYTHING that happened between you and RiverSpade! I’m so happy for you!!!" Nightpelt said fast. HazelMist grinned and just couldn’t stop. She kept thinking about their future and what was in store for them. She looked at Nightpelt and began from the beginning. The two friends talked and laughed and declared secrets like little pups. Then, Smokestar howled and everybody started to move out of their territory to go to the new land that they are to live. The pack arrived at the edge of the forest and everyone looked shocked at what they all saw. Smokestar howled to the pack and told them we still had a half a hour to go until we will reach our new home. Some wolves, here and there, groaned, for the walk they had taken was long, morning was soon coming, and their legs and paws were sore. Smokestar snapped at them and growled, "I don’t ant to hear any complaints! Got it?!?" She punished those who had complained and they didn’t complain at all after that. HazelMist gazed upon those who were punished and shook her head. An hour later, longer than it should have taken them. They arrived at there new home. Some wolves gasped, and others told Smokestar there must be a mistake, but she growled at them and they back off. HazelMist scanned the grounds of the area and sighed. This place is small, there will never be enough for all of us. She thought to herself. She looked around for cave, yet there were none in sight at all. She turned around to see SmokeCloud telling wolves that the dens are underground. She said, that if you wanted a good warm one, to hurry and fetch one. HazelMist watched as wolves ran away looking for a good den. She went into action and ran to the end of the territory and climbed into a den, but something growled and she backed away. That one was taken already. She scanned the land and saw another one where wolves did not go into yet. She ran over there as fast as she could, but a wolf nearby, slipped into the den and it was now claimed. She stood there, helpless and without a den to call home. A hard wind struck her and she shivered. Sand swept into her eyes and she slammed them shut. She blinked a couple of times until the sand cleared. She looked for RiverSpade, but he was nowhere to be seen. She then scanned the area for her friend, Nightpelt, but she was absent from site. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tan and brown wolf with a smile across his face. She turned to face RiverSpade and pranced over to him. Nightpelt came out of her den and smiled. Then, HazelMist’s sister, BraveHeart, came out and smiled at her. HazelMist shook her head and smiled back at all three of them. How in the world did all three of them get den right net to each other? She thought to her self. Let’s see, there’s BraveHeart and her mate, SunDance, Nightpelt and Cedarfoot, and RiverSpade. Wait. Where am I?? She pondered. RiverSpade, almost reading her mind went up and led her to his den. She looked at him and smiled. Of coarse, my place is with RiverSpade. How could I have been so stupid? She thought to herself. She was lead into the cave and she smiled at the warmth of it and how tidy and deep it was. Good old RiverSpade, he knows me better than I thought. She smiled and she lied down in the warm sand, and smelled the morning dew. She curled up into a ball and her tail went over her nose, and she slowly drifted off to sleep. HazelMist awoke with the sound of rustling and the none-stop of barking and howling. She peeked out of the den and saw wolves running past to get a good spot in the meeting area. Fabulous, I over slept…again. She thought to herself. She climbed out, yawned, and stretched. She shook herself free from the dust and stickers. Her emerald eyes flashed at the place were the wolves were running to. She shook her head and trotted over to the meeting. Hopefully, my friends would have saved me a spot…or at least RiverSpade anyway. She thought again. She scanned the crowd, but they were no where to be seen. She sighed and sat down. Then, she heard a familiar bark and looked up. She saw RiverSpade, tongue lolling happily, greeting eyes. She smiled and walked over to him.
He is so great. He always watches out for me. She thought to herself in a happy way that made her smile even bigger.
She came up next to him and sat down right in the front. Sitting next to her was Nightpelt and Cedarfoot.
SmokeCloud then came out and growled for everyone to stop talking. When no one did, she howled a ferocious howl and everyone silenced.
" Alright! Alright! Silence!" she glared at the crowd and continued,
" I don’t want to hear any murmurs or gasps when I tell you this news, got it?!?"
Everyone stared at her and she began, "Ok, now that I am the Alpha female, we need to make some adjustments,"
" Let’s see, as you all know, there is not enough den’s to go around, so I want you all to share a den."
" We already are!" someone said in the back.
" Well then, who doesn’t have a den here?" she asked.
A few wolves gathered near the front, telling her that they didn’t have a den.
" Is that all? No one has room in their den’s for 4 wolves? No?" she questioned.
"Well then, if no one has any room in their dens for you….you 4 will have to leave!"
HazelMist stared in disbelief at the 4 wolves that had to go. One of them was much too young to be sent away.
She looked at RiverSpade with pleading eyes and he nodded.
" We have room for the pup!" HazelMist exclaimed.
SmokeCloud glared at her and sneered, "Very well. Take this ball of fur." And she nudged her roughly with her muzzle.
The pup looked upon the strangers whom had taken her into their warm, safe den.
HazelMist felt bad for the 3 wolves having to leave. Their sad, worried faces pricked tears at the back of her eyes.
She didn’t want to see them go, but there wasn’t enough room for 4 in a single den.
As she watched them leave, her heart ached for her parents to return and lead them in a successful way once more.
HazelMist trotted up to the pup and herded it over to RiverSpade and her den.
"There you go, sweetheart. It’s going to be all right. We’re going to make sure nothing bad happens to you." HazelMist said with a warming smile.
The pup looked up at her scared and unsure. HazelMist gazed upon it and decided she needed a name.
"So, do you already have a name, hon?" she asked.
"N…No. Well I was abandoned by my mother when I was still a pup." The pup responded.
HazelMist chuckled. "Well, then. Let us give you a name. How about…hmmm… how about BlackCharm?" HazelMist asked.
The little pup looked up at her, and nodded her little head. She was a black wolf with light brown socks and light brown around her eyes.
At the end of her light brown socks, were her paws, that looked like she stepped in white paint, up to her toes.
She had round, piercing blue liquefied eyes that glowed like the moon, and a thin, lean body. She looked like she could run like a cheetah.
She had a long, skinny tail, with a smooth shimmer to it.
HazelMist was sure she would grow not only beautiful and wise, but hopefully, a leader as well.
"Come on. Let’s go out and find us some food. Do you know how to hunt?" HazelMist asked as the two female wolves walked away toward a promising place for prey, leaving RivverSpade behind to guard the den.
As they pasted Smokestar steadily, Smokestar snarled, her eyes burning with hatred.
But I guess everyone has a different opinion…
ß …To Be Continued…à