Kiona  © CatWhoHas14Tails
Kita  © CatWhoHas14Tails
Achak  © Draco
Kanook  © Draco
Olathe  © Draco
Ayashi  © Draco
Takoda  © Draco
Dartanion © Draco

REMINDER: THE STORY IS A LOT LESS CONFUSING IF YOU FIRST READ "A WOLF'S STORY" BY DRACO AND "THE WOLF'S TRAIL" BY CATWHOHAS14TAILS

The red hybrid and the silver and black wolf stared at each other, both with unknown interest in each other. Thoughts were running rampant through their minds about each other, and they didn't know why. Why were they so intriguing to one another?

The male wolf stared down at the dog, trying his hardest not to seem interested, but he knew that staring at her could not have possibly helped any. His pack was almost as curious as he was, but for quite different reasons. The scent of the dog probably didn't interest them as much as their leader, but they were still in wonder as to why a mere dog would be in their territory alone.

The dog did not feel threatened by the wolves' scrutiny. But she could sense that at least one of them wanted her dead. Studying the black and silver wolf, she could also sense that he had a good mind and knew better than to give his pack a silly order as to attack a lone dog. But she then remembered the previous night when she felt a warm body against her own, keeping her alive from the storm's bitter cold. The scent that belonged to that body, belonged to him. She was about to open her mouth to speak, but he spoke first.

"It's not safe for a dog to wander the world alone." he said. "You should run back to your human world and find one who won't leave you for dead."

The dog was taken aback from his first words. Even though his voice sounded gentle, the content of his speech was a bit harsh. She wasn't sure if the harshness was towards her or her human, Thomas. But how did he figure out that Thomas left her behind? She shook her head at the question and decided to try and find out at a later time.

"I...can't do that." she said, lowering herself a bit. "But I wanted to thank you," She paused to think of the right words to use. For some reason she felt that she didn't want to embarrass him in front of his pack. "...for before."

"Thank me?" the alpha thought, cocking his head. "She traveled all this time just to thank me?"

"Than consider yourself thankful." the wolf turned to leave with his pack, wanting to stick to his earlier ways of thinking, by not wanting to deal with dogs or humans.

"Wait!" the dog cried. The wolves turned back to look at her. She paused and swallowed. "I want entry to your pack."

A few of the pack members were heard snickering. The dog's fur bristled in embarrassment and anger, until the leader turned his head to hush them. He turned back to face the dog. As much as he didn't want anything to do with the workers of men, he was amazed as to how much courage she had wanting something like this. She must not want anything to do with man either, seeing that she wanted to stay. So she must not have been all bad. But he knew that when he first noticed her scent. She was different... And seeing how she handled herself, through fighting and being leader of her "dog team," she must be skilled in certain areas.

He would have let her into his pack, but a grey female known as Kita spoke up.

"Achak, sir, we cannot just LET a mere...mutt into the pack!" she announced. "She will only get in our way! One of her kind couldn't possibly survive out here for more than a day!"

Achak knew that wasn't true. It had been approximately three days since he rested with the dog, and even then she was injured from her fight. And there was a snow storm since then, so this dog handled bad weather and injuries and still survived. He made that point to Kita.

She said. "Even so, I will not allow that dog to taint our pack!" she turned to Achak. "Please allow me to be her key to entry!"

Achak thought about it for a moment. It would not be a bad idea to make the dog fight to get in. It would be interesting to see her style of fighting anyway. "Alright, Kita," he said, then speaking to the hybrid. "You will fight Kita. If you win, you can join my pack. If not, then you must leave my territory at once." He then began talking to both of them. "Anything goes. But there will be no killing." Then the fight began.

Kita jumped from her spot on the small cliff and made her way down to the dog, jumping on her from above. The dog leapt into the air and bit Kita in the face, making the two stumble in the air and land on their feet.

The dog could tell that this Kita would fight dirty. For some reason she didn't want her in the pack, but now she was even more determined to gain entry. The two females exchanged hateful glares before charging at one another yet again. Kita tried grabbing at the dog's throat, but she slinked out of her grip and bit hers. She didn;t draw blood, but Kita still whipped back for fear of physical pain. Kita jumped back forward and aimed for her oponent's neck again, but instead latched into her harness. She viciously whipped the dog into the ground by her leather strap and it ripped with the force and fell to the ground.

The dog stared at her harness. She had forgotten it was on, but the thought that she could have been killed just now made her blood hot. The fury within her rose to the surface and her eyes rimmed with red brighter than her fur. With unnatural speed, the hybrid ran into Kita and knocked her into the ground onto some rocks. Kita cried out when she struck stone, and cried again when the dog just went insane and kept biting her.

Achak remembered back when he seen her lose control of herself and continuously attacked that dog. She would have killed that dog if the human had not interfered. He knew that if he didn't do something Kita would be killed as well. He firmly yelled stop, and the dog snapped back, letting go of her losing rival.

She backed up, wondering what she had done. She thought she had killed Kita, but when the wolf rose from her position, she just stared at her in fear. Kita then looked up to Achak and ran away.

Achak wondered why Kita would just run away like that. She would not have lost her position of the pack, whether she won or lost. He wondered if she would come back, but judging by how fast she ran, she would not be back anytime soon.

He then turned to the winner, who was still a bit shaken. She stared back up at him, awaiting his words. "What is your name?" he asked.

"My name is Kiona." she replied, referring to the name her owner gave her. She stood taller, confident in herself.

"Well, Kiona, you have made it. Welcome."

Kiona wagged her tail slightly and ran up the cliff with breakneck speed to join the wolves' side.

It didn’t take long for the red female to climb up to meet her new pack on the cliff. One could tell she was proud of herself, and excited to have been accepted into the pack. Achak looked her over. Other than the harness’ absence, Kiona seemed almost unscratched by the fight.

Remembering about Kita again, the alpha looked off in the direction the wolf had run. He was sure she would be back soon. It was understandable that Kita was embarrassed, having been defeated by a smaller domesticated dog. But Kiona had proven herself in the fight, so Achak’s decision would remain.

But now with the dog in the pack, things would certainly be different. Already he could feel animosity from the other pack members. They weren’t sure about having a mere dog in their proud wolf pack. Even Achak himself was unsure. But he couldn’t take back his decision now.

"Well, Kiona, now that you’ve proven yourself, you’ll need to meet the pack. I‘m Achak, alpha of this pack." Glancing back over his shoulder, five wolves walked forward. Three were shades of silver, while the fourth was brown and cream, who stepped up next to Achak, gazing evenly, yet gently at the new member.

"This is Kanook, gamma, or second in command, of this pack." Kanook tipped his head slightly, his dark blue eyes twinkling with amusement. Kiona wasn’t quite sure what to think of this wolf, the curious amusement he was looking her over with.

Now the wolf with the darker shade of silver stepped up somewhat shyly. His friendly golden eyes and smile gave the red-furred female the impression that he was either of low rank, or was just over-friendly. "This is my brother, Takoda. He‘s a scout."

"Nice to meet you, Kiona. Welcome to the pack." Takoda smiled again, tail wagging in greeting. Kiona was taken a bit off guard by that. His brother? They didn’t look very much alike at all! But before she got a chance to think about it, Achak motioned for another wolf to come forward. This light silver wolf with blue eyes was very shy, keeping close to Achak, timid.

" This is Ayashi. She’s my sister." It was obvious the black and silver wolf was protective of his sister, just by the way he was standing next to her. Shining in his bright blue eyes was a clear warning to either stay away, or be nice. Kiona could only guess the alpha was this way with his brother as well.

Ayashi glanced over at the new comer, curious, but her timid nature kept her back. She knew she had nothing to fear, her brother was right there next to her, along with the rest of the pack. Plus this dog was only half the size of a wolf.

Achak turned motioning for another wolf to walk up. This wolf was a mix of white, gray and light brown. His maroon eyes also shown as the other wolfs’ had. Kiona wondered if all wolves had that wild shine in their eyes. This wolf also had something different about him. An aura. The red dog had noticed that the other wolves, including Achak seemed unsure about her, since she was with humans; but this wolf didn’t seem to think or emit that. He walked right up, and even smiled at her.

"This is Dartanion. You two may find something in common…" Kiona was curious to know why the large black wolf spoke with such…contempt with that statement? A short glimmer of anger sparkled in those bright, piercing blue eyes. Did he and Dartanion not get along? Or was it something else, more personal? But Dartanion seemed unperturbed about the comment.

Her thoughts were interrupted as yet another wolf walked up. There was definitely something significant about this one. She walked with grace, with a soft, gentle, and compassionate look on her face. She was a bright silver, almost white, with bright blue eyes. Achak’s posture and mood seemed to change now too, softening at seeing her. As she came up next to the alpha, they exchanged affectionate nuzzling with one another, tails wagging.

Looking back to Kiona, Achak’s look hardened a bit, that same protective gleam appearing again in his eyes. "This is my mother, Olathe. If you ever need advise or anything else, come to her." glancing back to the bright silver wolf, he smiled a bit. "She’s the wisest of us." for that he received a humble smile in return from the female.

The moment was interrupted by a sort of growling sound, and all ears went erect, and all eyes snapped to the newcomer. Kiona blinked, and looked down to her stomach, then sharply back up, ears drooping a bit in embarrassment. It had been a bit since she’d last eaten a substantial meal. She had had to rely on the small rabbits, if she even found any, or birds if she was lucky. There was no way she could have taken down a caribou by herself, if she even found any.

Achak seemed a bit confused, staring at the red female with a raised eyebrow, then smiled a bit. Seeing Kiona trying to act indignant, like her stomach hadn’t just growled in hunger, was a bit amusing.

Looking to the west, the large alpha studied the sun’s position. It was about time for a hunt, and the pack knew locations where the caribou were. Following his alpha’s gaze, Kanook walked up. "Think she’ll be a good hunter?" keeping his voice down so the said female wouldn’t hear. Achak glanced briefly at Kiona, then to his uncle.

"If she’s hungry enough. She’ll just have to learn to work with the pack." the new dog would also most likely be the omega of the pack for a while until she proves herself to the rest of the pack.

Kiona would also have to learn about following rules, and keeping her place in the pack. The higher ranked wolves wouldn’t hesitate to put her in line, so she’d either have to be cunning, or just behave. And having seen Kiona, and how she acted when she had been with that human…behaving might not happen. Inwardly frowning at that, Achak figured the sooner the female learned about living in a pack, the better off she’d be, even if that learning was the hard way.

Turning to the pack, which had all of it’s members crowded around the cliffs, the alpha addressed them, his deep, authoritive voice catching his members’ attention immediately. "We’re heading out for a hunt near the river. Get in your hunting groups, we’ll be leaving soon." his orders having been announced, the wolves all started forming their smaller, respective groups.

Excitement spread throughout the pack; they loved hunting, and the air was soon filled with yips, barks and howls of anxiousness and exhilaration. One group for stalking, consisting of the small and light of foot or perhaps injured or old, one for chasing, made up of the leaner built wolves, and one for bringing their usually large prey, the caribou, down. This group was made up of the larger, heavier built wolves such as Achak, Kanook, and Dartanion.

Looking out over his pack once they’d formed, he glanced at Kiona who had been watching the rest of the pack with interest. Calling her over he assigned her a group. The female was too small to be in his group, but she wasn’t without her strength, or speed for that matter. The best group for her would be the chasers. Achak was briefly reminded that Olathe, his mother, was in the chasing group, and Kita would have also been in this group. Having Olathe in the group would greatly help Kiona, who would need the guidance. She and Kita had occasionally been in his group as well, Kita having proved her strength numerous times.

As Kiona took her place, somewhat disappointed, but still anxious and interested, the cliffs got quiet. Achak started through the pack, heading out down the cliffs, soon followed by the rest of the pack, tails wagging in anticipation.

At the base of the woods, where it opened to the river, the packed stopped. Calling the stalking, and chasing groups forward, Achak gave them their orders: to move around, through the woods, and get into position. They would need to get as close as possible without being seen.

Kiona seemed to barely be containing her anxiousness to prove herself. As the group headed out, Ayashi, who was a member of the stalking group, ran up, gave her brother an affectionate lick, wishing him good luck on the hunt, then took off again to join her departing group before Achak could respond.

Smiling in an amused way, the silver streaked wolf soon ordered his own group out to take their positions ahead of the other two groups. When the caribou were chased up to where they were, it would not be long before they had their meal.

Olathe, the silver wolf, was in charge of the stalker and chasing groups. As the wolves of the stalking group went to gate in the caribou, Olathe took this time to briefly explain to Kiona what was going to happen.

"Now, the members that just left are going to gather all the caribou together and send them our way. That’s when we chase them up the river to the rest of the pack, where we’ll take down a caribou." Nice and simple. Kiona figured this would be pretty easy!

Then Olathe continued, a different tone to her voice. "But you must be wary of the caribou’s antlers, and sharp hooves. They will fight back, and the caribou are clever. If they catch you with their antlers you might get badly hurt." Olathe had noted Kiona’s size. If one of those caribou managed to scoop her up and toss her into the air, or kick her, the young female may be killed.

But looking defiant and confident, Kiona seemed unconcerned with the danger, but nodded in understanding. Chase the caribou, and avoid being hurt. She was an able, lean, and cunning creature herself. Now she would just have to prove it.

A sharp howl alerted the group that the first stage of the hunt had commenced. A deep thunderous sound was growing, and the ground the wolves and Kiona waited upon began to shake, and the red dog looked down to her paws. The pebbles and rocks beneath her were bouncing, creating little cracking sounds as they knocked against each other. Looking back up, she realized the other wolves were all crouched down, and had grown still, eyes watching downstream.

Narrowing her dark eyes, Kiona could just see the forms of the caribou as they neared, charging towards them.

"Kiona, get ready…" It was Olathe, glancing over briefly to warn her. And good thing she had been warned. The caribou suddenly seemed to be upon them, grunting, and tossing their great heads, their thick fur flowing around them.

Just as the herd was about to pass them, Olathe and the rest of the group shot off just ahead of them. Growling at herself for not paying better attention, Kiona quickly took off as well coming up behind her pack-mates. Though, with her speed, it didn’t take too long to take her place.

Observing the wolves around her, the red female noted that they were nipping at the large animals’ legs, barking and growling. She could do that! Baring her fangs, though smaller than the wolves’, were still sharp and deadly. Growling she struck out at the legs of the nearest caribou. The beast bellowed, half in anger, half fear, and kicked out with it’s hind legs. The attack would have hit, if Kiona hadn’t swiftly ducked. If anything, she only grew more determined by the attack, snarling and going back in, effectively herding the caribou along with the others upstream towards the attack group.

Achak could hear them coming, the thunderous sound of hooves against the hard rocky ground. Now the group just waiting patiently in the brush, crouched low to keep from being seen before they sprung.

The alpha’s sharp, blue eyes singled out Kiona, her bright red fur standing out against the green and brown of her surroundings. She was doing a good job keeping the caribou on route with the rest of the pack. The sight made the large black and silver wolf smirk inwardly.

Swishing his tail to the rest of the group behind him as a signal, they all got ready. The alpha had already selected the caribou he was going after. A large buck. It would definitely be enough to feed the whole pack, with scraps. Now all there was to do was wait for the right moment.

Wait…not yet…a little further…

The caribou probably didn’t know what hit them as the large wolves leapt from the brush, snarling and leaping at them. They reared, bucked and bellowed loudly. But through all the panic, Achak kept his eye on the one caribou he wanted them to take down.

Noting that their leader was on course, the rest of the pack went after it, the chasers keeping to the outside, keeping it’s path straight, while Achak, Kanook and Dartanion closed in. The caribou was already tired, but wasn’t about to give up yet. It kicked out, but the wolves were too swift, either dodging or jumping aside, soon going back on attack.

Kanook came around the right side of the large animal, nipping and getting the beast’s attention. The caribou took the bait and locked it’s eyes on the chocolate and cream wolf. That’s where it made it’s fatal mistake.

At that moment, Dartanion moved in from behind and clamped onto one of it’s back legs with his jaws, shaking his head and pushing against the ground to pull the large caribou off balance. With a bellow that sounded more like a cry, the animal made to turn, but before the caribou knew it, something plowed into him from the front, and strong jaws clamped around it’s throat, claws digging into it’s pelt.

Panicking the beast reared, but with one leg in Dartanion’s grip, it slipped and fell over with a thud. All the caribou could see now was the black and silver that stood above it, the strong jaws around it’s neck, cutting off it’s air…and those piercing blue eyes that stared it down, freezing it in place.

Blood was starting to stain the ground. Achak could feel the caribou’s pulse through his jaws, and felt each strained, short breath as it’s life slowly drained away. After a few moments, the body slumped and the eyes closed.

The alpha slowly lowered the dead caribou’s head to the ground, taking a moment to catch his breath. The other two had already called over the rest of the pack with howls. With yipping and barking the whole pack conversed on the scene, eager for their share of the fresh meat, but knew their alpha and gamma had first picks of the kill.

Licking his lips of blood, Achak let Kanook take his share before him as he called over his family, giving them each a share. Then, taking his own, he went off to eat, passing Kiona, who was heading over, trying to hide just how hungry she really was.

Getting her own share might be difficult, being new in the pack, and smallest. Kiona might have to fight for a piece of the spoils. But fortunately for the red female, there was plenty of meat for every pack member. But it wasn’t too long after everyone had gotten their shares, that trouble started.

Kiona was still working on her piece of meat, enjoying it, as she’d never had caribou before, when one wolf, who was a bit of a glutton, started her way. Too busy satisfying her hunger, the approach was going unnoticed. It wasn’t until the wolf was right in front of her did Kiona look up, irritated at the fact that she was being bothered.

The wolf licked his lips which were still red with blood, and smiled, though not completely in a friendly way. Lip raising a bit in warning, the red dog eyed the other warily. Then the wolf seemed to loose interest and walked off passed her. But just as Kiona thought he was gone, the wolf returned, and, faster than the hybrid could blink, snatched the piece of meat from her paws and took off. Infuriated, Kiona snarled and took off after the thief.

Looking back over his shoulder, the gluttonous wolf certainly wasn’t expecting to see a flash of red before he went tumbling head over paws. And yelped as he was soon after, being attacked. The female bit and clawed at him. But not one to be beaten by a mere dog, the wolf fought back, baring his long fangs.

The commotion didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the pack, either. Achak’s ears perked at the sounds of the fighting. Looking up from cleaning himself, he didn’t hesitate in jumping up and heading towards it. He did not tolerate fighting within the pack. Growling as he made his way over, other wolves that had gathered quickly got out of the way. Seeing that it was Kiona and another wolf, the alpha knew it might be a task to get them to stop.

The female looked like she was in another craze; her hackles raised, tail erect, and mouth open and snarling. Growling and raising his own hackles and tail in authority, making him look even bigger, if possible since he was of intimidating size already, the alpha somehow knew it wouldn’t work. The wolf though, noticed his alpha through the fight, and stopped…but Kiona didn’t. Her assault continued. Achak would have to break it up with force. Baring his fangs he jumped into the fight, trying to just push Kiona off at first. Then something happened that would not go well in the red hybrid’s favor.

In her fury, the uncontrollable anger that made her unpredictable…she struck out at Achak. The instant she did it, her world flipped upside down...literally. If there was one major pack rule, it was never, ever attack your alpha. And Achak had reacted in an instant, snarling, and whirling around, his jaws clamping down into the red fur of Kiona’s neck.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Kiona  © CatWhoHas14Tails
Kita  © CatWhoHas14Tails
Achak  © Draco
Kanook  © Draco
Olathe  © Draco
Ayashi  © Draco
Takoda  © Draco
Dartanion © Draco