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- Aug 25, 2011
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Chapter 14
Faedon leaped off as the caribou collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Aki and Zero, who had helped take it down, came forward. Weeks had passed since Darkpack had attacked, and Cedar had died. Though the physical wounds had healed, it would take much longer for the hole in Faedon's heart to heal.
Aki howled to inform the pack of the kill. Senkah and Hades came shortly after, leading Quartz, Thunder, Rain, Nike, and Mari. Senkah took her usual spot by the neck with Hades, and Aki waited until the wolves who wanted the legs had pried them off before taking his seat at the caribou's stomach. Faedon sat by him, burying her muzzle and tearing out chunks of meat. Blood as red as her fur stained her muzzle as she ate.
She swiveled her ears behind her, before turning to look out towards the horizon when she heard several sounds. What is that? she thought, It sounds like it's coming from Pinepack... Her fur prickled a bit with apprehension at not being able to identify what it was.
Thunder must have heard the sounds too, as his ears turned behind him and he glanced around, looking up from the leg he was sharing with Rain. "What is that?" he asked, his brows furrowing.
Nike looked at his father oddly. "I don't hear anything..."
"You don't hear that?" Faedon gave Nike the same look he'd given Thunder. "It sounds like it's coming from Pinepack... but what is it?"
"I've been hearing it since we got here," Senkah said. "I was wondering if anyone else was hearing it."
"Should we send someone to check it out?" Hades asked his mate.
Nike shot to his paws. "I will!" he exclaimed.
"Nike!" Rain scolded, "sit down and respect your alphas!" Nike grumbled, but listened.
"You think it's safe?" Senkah asked Hades, pretending that Nike and Rain hadn't spoken. Faedon listened to their conversation, ready to help if it was needed.
"I don't know," Hades said. "We need to know if it is or not, though."
"But isn't it a bit silly to check it out?" Zero wondered, but remained submissive and unchallenging, "I-I mean, no disrespect intended, but if Pinepack's in trouble, wouldn't it be wiser to not get ourselves involved?"
"You do speak sense, Zero," Senkah said, "Thing is, we need to know if it could affect us or not, and if it is dangerous." Zero nodded, and didn't say a word more about it. "Alright then, it's decided. Aki, when you finish, I need you to go and check out what's happening in Pinepack, alright?"
"Yes," Aki nodded, wolfing down another mouthful of caribou. Faedon felt a twinge of anxiety for him. She dearly hoped he'd be okay.
Aki rose to his paws after eating. He gnawed at an itch on his foreleg, and Faedon's heart thrummed in her chest. "Be safe, Aki," she murmured. "Don't be reckless."
Aki smiled at Faedon. "Oh, I'll be fine! Don't worry." He gave her a reassuring lick on the forehead. Faedon nodded, but was barely comforted. She sighed as she saw him sprint away, heaving herself to her paws and trudging back to camp.
***
Faedon settled down beside one of the pine trees inside the densite to rest. The sky was as gray as a wolf's pelt; it promised more snow soon. Faedon had taken advantage of the cleared snow to run and stretch her legs a bit after eating, as she surely wouldn't be able to do it tomorrow. Her fur was like fire against the snowy landscape.
"Hi, Faedon," Quartz chirped as she came over to sit beside her friend.
"Hey, Quartz," Faedon greeted her dust-colored packmate. She and Quartz could be considered friends, but not very close ones.
"What do you think those sounds were?" Quartz asked, "I sure hope the hunters aren't back again."
"Nah, the hunters wouldn't be here now. It's too cold for their liking," Faedon said. "The cowards probably can't take a bit of temperature."
"I hope so..." Quartz murmured, looking off into Pinepack's direction. "Aki's been gone for an awfully long time."
Faedon suddenly felt another twinge of anxiety. "He'll be back soon..." I hope.
"You're right. I should stop worrying so much," Quartz grinned a bit sheepishly.
"You wanna go hunting tomorrow before the frost?" Faedon asked, licking her fire-colored paws.
"Sure!" Quartz smiled, wagging her tail a bit.
"Quartz!" Zero called from the other end of the clearing.
"Oh, Zero and I are going hunting," Quartz explained to Faedon as she rose to her paws. "I'll see you later, Faedon!"
"Bye," Faedon called, then sighed. A part of her longed for companionship, but she'd never admit it, being the stubborn wolf she was. She wondered if she and Quartz would become friends.
She lifted her ears as she saw Quartz and Zero come racing back in. "Aki's back!" Zero barked, her fur bristling.
Faedon jumped to her paws, trotting over to her. "What'd he say?" she demanded, relieved that he was okay.
"He won't say. He just says that he needs to speaks to Senkah and Hades right now," Zero replied, with confusion and fear in her blue gaze.
Just then, Aki came flying into camp. His eyes were wild with panic, and his red and gray fur stood on end. "MOVE!" he barked at Quartz and Zero, who stumbled out of the way.
"What is it?" Faedon yelped, almost afraid to know the answer. It took a lot to scare Aki, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Aki's chest heaved for air. "Pinepack..." he gasped, "Darkpack has driven out Pinepack!"
Instantly, Senkah and Hades raced out of their den. All the other wolves crowded around him, their voices rising with questions.
"Really?!" Zero yelped.
"When did this happen?" Thunder shouted.
"Was Atra there?" Mari demanded.
"Are Splash and Echo okay?" Quartz cried.
"QUIET!" Senkah howled, silencing the pack. "Aki, what happened? What did you see?"
Aki was still gasping for air. "I-I crossed the border, because when I reached it, the sounds were obviously fighting. When I got there, Darkpack had invaded Pinepack's densite. Fox... Fox was unconscious, Luna had Echo pinned, and River had Splash by his throat. Atra got on the alpha's rock, and told the Pinepack wolves that if they didn't surrender their land and flee, that they would die. Echo didn't want to, but Splash convinced her to flee. They're in the loner lands now."
Senkah's brows were furrowed as she listened. "Is Darkpack still in Pinepack's territory?"
"Yes. Atra trusted Ebony, his mate, Fox, and a small group to stay at Pinepack's densite and guard the land," Aki explained, finally starting to catch his breath.
"How big is it?" Hades inquired, his pale eyes narrowed, "Is it small enough to be driven away?"
"No. Darkpack's ranks have swollen since they attacked us," Aki explained. "They've been taking in many loners. They outnumbered Pinepack by many."
"This isn't good. At all." Senkah muttered, her midnight black fur prickling. The grim news had the Stonepack wolves worried, and Faedon was no exception.
"Do we... do we go find Pinepack and let them stay here?" Faedon asked uneasily.
"Once we're prepared enough to ward off another Darkpack attack, should they want to exterminate us next," Senkah replied. "Until then, Pinepack will need to make it on their own. I don't want Pinepack to die out, but I won't put Stonepack above them."
"But... Pinepack might not make it!" Quartz protested, "They don't have a ton of wolves as it is!"
"Quartz, did you not hear what I just said?!" Senkah barked roughly, making Quartz flinch. "We ARE going to help Pinepack! But I'm not going to risk Stonepack lives for Pinepack's and leave us open to attack!" Quartz nodded, lowering herself in submission.
"What are we gonna do about Darkpack?" Faedon inquired.
"Firstly, we need to tell Emeraldpack about this. We don't know who will be targeted next, but they don't have a ton of wolves, and knowing Atra, she'd take advantage of that," Senkah explained. "After that, when we're secure enough and have a strategy to fight off Darkpack if they come here, we'll offer to shelter Pinepack. They'll probably want their own densite, so we'll build one for them. Aki, can I trust you to lead the wolves who will be doing that?"
"Yes," Aki nodded.
"Good. Then, Zero, Quartz, Mari, and Nike will be building Pinepack's temporary densite with Aki. Everybody else will help strengthen the defenses, and Hades and I will organize a strategy." The pack barked their agreement. "Good. We'll start working first thing tomorrow. Faedon, I'd like to speak with you in my den."
"O-okay," Faedon agreed hesitantly.
The pack parted ways, speaking in low murmurs. Reluctantly, Faedon padded to her mother's den. Had she done something wrong? "Mother?" Faedon called tentatively into Senkah's cave.
"Come in, Faedon. You don't have to ask permission to come in," Senkah said. Swallowing, Faedon stepped inside.
"W-what did you need?" Faedon asked.
"I need you to go to Emeraldpack again," Senkah said. "Tell them about Pinepack being driven out, and that I would like to speak to Nyx and Storm."
"Okay. Do I leave now?" Faedon asked. She felt a twinge of excitement; she always enjoyed going into another pack's territory, no matter the situation. It was like stepping into another unexplored world, and even if it stunk to high heaven with the other pack's scent, it thrilled her.
"Yeah," Senkah nodded. "Darkpack will most likely wait for their wounds to heal before they make a move again, but you never know. And remember, don't risk your life. If Darkpack happens to be attacking when you arrive, come back."
"I know, mom!" Faedon grumbled, rising to her paws.
Senkah licked her daughter's forehead. "Just looking out for you, since you're so reckless."
"I am not!" she protested. "I'll be back." Faedon turned and sprinted for the entrance, bounding for Emeraldpack's land.
Once she reached the border, she howled to let them know she was coming, before crossing it. She remembered the way that Lark had shown her to Emeraldpack's densite as she raced through the conifer forest. She skidded to a stop as a figure leaped in front of her.
"Faedon?" Nyx cocked a brow. "What are you doing here?" The Emeraldpack alpha's tone wasn't threatening, nor did it have a growl etched into it, but she was definitely questioning and by no means friendly.
"I bring an urgent message from the alphas of Stonepack," Faedon panted. She was used to running, but not such great distances. "Storm needs to hear this."
Nyx's expression softened ever so slightly, with a hint of worry behind her eyes. "Alright. Come back with me to the densite." Nyx turned and began to dash away; Faedon followed after her, kicking up snow as she bounded along.
"What's she doing here?" Lark growled when they reached the densite, looking up from the hare she was eating. Her muzzle was red with the hare's blood. The Emeraldpack beta eyed Faedon suspiciously.
"She needs to speak with Storm and I," Nyx replied, dismissing her beta with a look that gave her no room to argue. Lark nodded, but didn't take her eyes off the red Stonepack she-wolf.
Storm was carrying a mouse in his jaws; Faedon noticed that his leg had healed since the time she'd last seen him, and he was walking on it now. "Come with me, Storm," Nyx said to her mate as she padded towards the alpha's den. Storm nodded, padding into the den with his mate, but making sure he stepped in front of Faedon. Faedon suppressed a growl; if she was in Stonepack, she would have chewed out whoever had the nerve to step in front of her like that, but she had to deliver the message.
"What is it?" Storm asked, setting the mouse down on a rock by his and Nyx's nests.
Faedon cleared her throat. "Aki went to investigate some strange sounds earlier today," she began. "Darkpack has driven Pinepack out and claimed their land."
Her only reply for several minutes was stunned silence. The two alphas' jaws dropped, and Faedon could practically feel the tension in the den skyrocket. Finally, Nyx uttered, "W-w-what... h-how..."
Faedon bit her lip. The news of one of the six, or rather, five packs losing their land and being driven out had to be distressing enough, but Emeraldpack was now threatened. "My mother wanted me to tell you that she wants to speak to you and Storm soon."
It took a few more moments for a reply again. "Alright," Storm uttered, his voice quiet. "Th-thank you for telling us, Faedon."
"It would be best if you went back now," Nyx murmured. "The pack is going to be in a frenzy when we tell them."
Faedon nodded. "I'll-I'll go home now." Faedon lifted herself to her paws, and turned and pelted away to the Stonepack border.
Faedon leaped off as the caribou collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Aki and Zero, who had helped take it down, came forward. Weeks had passed since Darkpack had attacked, and Cedar had died. Though the physical wounds had healed, it would take much longer for the hole in Faedon's heart to heal.
Aki howled to inform the pack of the kill. Senkah and Hades came shortly after, leading Quartz, Thunder, Rain, Nike, and Mari. Senkah took her usual spot by the neck with Hades, and Aki waited until the wolves who wanted the legs had pried them off before taking his seat at the caribou's stomach. Faedon sat by him, burying her muzzle and tearing out chunks of meat. Blood as red as her fur stained her muzzle as she ate.
She swiveled her ears behind her, before turning to look out towards the horizon when she heard several sounds. What is that? she thought, It sounds like it's coming from Pinepack... Her fur prickled a bit with apprehension at not being able to identify what it was.
Thunder must have heard the sounds too, as his ears turned behind him and he glanced around, looking up from the leg he was sharing with Rain. "What is that?" he asked, his brows furrowing.
Nike looked at his father oddly. "I don't hear anything..."
"You don't hear that?" Faedon gave Nike the same look he'd given Thunder. "It sounds like it's coming from Pinepack... but what is it?"
"I've been hearing it since we got here," Senkah said. "I was wondering if anyone else was hearing it."
"Should we send someone to check it out?" Hades asked his mate.
Nike shot to his paws. "I will!" he exclaimed.
"Nike!" Rain scolded, "sit down and respect your alphas!" Nike grumbled, but listened.
"You think it's safe?" Senkah asked Hades, pretending that Nike and Rain hadn't spoken. Faedon listened to their conversation, ready to help if it was needed.
"I don't know," Hades said. "We need to know if it is or not, though."
"But isn't it a bit silly to check it out?" Zero wondered, but remained submissive and unchallenging, "I-I mean, no disrespect intended, but if Pinepack's in trouble, wouldn't it be wiser to not get ourselves involved?"
"You do speak sense, Zero," Senkah said, "Thing is, we need to know if it could affect us or not, and if it is dangerous." Zero nodded, and didn't say a word more about it. "Alright then, it's decided. Aki, when you finish, I need you to go and check out what's happening in Pinepack, alright?"
"Yes," Aki nodded, wolfing down another mouthful of caribou. Faedon felt a twinge of anxiety for him. She dearly hoped he'd be okay.
Aki rose to his paws after eating. He gnawed at an itch on his foreleg, and Faedon's heart thrummed in her chest. "Be safe, Aki," she murmured. "Don't be reckless."
Aki smiled at Faedon. "Oh, I'll be fine! Don't worry." He gave her a reassuring lick on the forehead. Faedon nodded, but was barely comforted. She sighed as she saw him sprint away, heaving herself to her paws and trudging back to camp.
***
Faedon settled down beside one of the pine trees inside the densite to rest. The sky was as gray as a wolf's pelt; it promised more snow soon. Faedon had taken advantage of the cleared snow to run and stretch her legs a bit after eating, as she surely wouldn't be able to do it tomorrow. Her fur was like fire against the snowy landscape.
"Hi, Faedon," Quartz chirped as she came over to sit beside her friend.
"Hey, Quartz," Faedon greeted her dust-colored packmate. She and Quartz could be considered friends, but not very close ones.
"What do you think those sounds were?" Quartz asked, "I sure hope the hunters aren't back again."
"Nah, the hunters wouldn't be here now. It's too cold for their liking," Faedon said. "The cowards probably can't take a bit of temperature."
"I hope so..." Quartz murmured, looking off into Pinepack's direction. "Aki's been gone for an awfully long time."
Faedon suddenly felt another twinge of anxiety. "He'll be back soon..." I hope.
"You're right. I should stop worrying so much," Quartz grinned a bit sheepishly.
"You wanna go hunting tomorrow before the frost?" Faedon asked, licking her fire-colored paws.
"Sure!" Quartz smiled, wagging her tail a bit.
"Quartz!" Zero called from the other end of the clearing.
"Oh, Zero and I are going hunting," Quartz explained to Faedon as she rose to her paws. "I'll see you later, Faedon!"
"Bye," Faedon called, then sighed. A part of her longed for companionship, but she'd never admit it, being the stubborn wolf she was. She wondered if she and Quartz would become friends.
She lifted her ears as she saw Quartz and Zero come racing back in. "Aki's back!" Zero barked, her fur bristling.
Faedon jumped to her paws, trotting over to her. "What'd he say?" she demanded, relieved that he was okay.
"He won't say. He just says that he needs to speaks to Senkah and Hades right now," Zero replied, with confusion and fear in her blue gaze.
Just then, Aki came flying into camp. His eyes were wild with panic, and his red and gray fur stood on end. "MOVE!" he barked at Quartz and Zero, who stumbled out of the way.
"What is it?" Faedon yelped, almost afraid to know the answer. It took a lot to scare Aki, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Aki's chest heaved for air. "Pinepack..." he gasped, "Darkpack has driven out Pinepack!"
Instantly, Senkah and Hades raced out of their den. All the other wolves crowded around him, their voices rising with questions.
"Really?!" Zero yelped.
"When did this happen?" Thunder shouted.
"Was Atra there?" Mari demanded.
"Are Splash and Echo okay?" Quartz cried.
"QUIET!" Senkah howled, silencing the pack. "Aki, what happened? What did you see?"
Aki was still gasping for air. "I-I crossed the border, because when I reached it, the sounds were obviously fighting. When I got there, Darkpack had invaded Pinepack's densite. Fox... Fox was unconscious, Luna had Echo pinned, and River had Splash by his throat. Atra got on the alpha's rock, and told the Pinepack wolves that if they didn't surrender their land and flee, that they would die. Echo didn't want to, but Splash convinced her to flee. They're in the loner lands now."
Senkah's brows were furrowed as she listened. "Is Darkpack still in Pinepack's territory?"
"Yes. Atra trusted Ebony, his mate, Fox, and a small group to stay at Pinepack's densite and guard the land," Aki explained, finally starting to catch his breath.
"How big is it?" Hades inquired, his pale eyes narrowed, "Is it small enough to be driven away?"
"No. Darkpack's ranks have swollen since they attacked us," Aki explained. "They've been taking in many loners. They outnumbered Pinepack by many."
"This isn't good. At all." Senkah muttered, her midnight black fur prickling. The grim news had the Stonepack wolves worried, and Faedon was no exception.
"Do we... do we go find Pinepack and let them stay here?" Faedon asked uneasily.
"Once we're prepared enough to ward off another Darkpack attack, should they want to exterminate us next," Senkah replied. "Until then, Pinepack will need to make it on their own. I don't want Pinepack to die out, but I won't put Stonepack above them."
"But... Pinepack might not make it!" Quartz protested, "They don't have a ton of wolves as it is!"
"Quartz, did you not hear what I just said?!" Senkah barked roughly, making Quartz flinch. "We ARE going to help Pinepack! But I'm not going to risk Stonepack lives for Pinepack's and leave us open to attack!" Quartz nodded, lowering herself in submission.
"What are we gonna do about Darkpack?" Faedon inquired.
"Firstly, we need to tell Emeraldpack about this. We don't know who will be targeted next, but they don't have a ton of wolves, and knowing Atra, she'd take advantage of that," Senkah explained. "After that, when we're secure enough and have a strategy to fight off Darkpack if they come here, we'll offer to shelter Pinepack. They'll probably want their own densite, so we'll build one for them. Aki, can I trust you to lead the wolves who will be doing that?"
"Yes," Aki nodded.
"Good. Then, Zero, Quartz, Mari, and Nike will be building Pinepack's temporary densite with Aki. Everybody else will help strengthen the defenses, and Hades and I will organize a strategy." The pack barked their agreement. "Good. We'll start working first thing tomorrow. Faedon, I'd like to speak with you in my den."
"O-okay," Faedon agreed hesitantly.
The pack parted ways, speaking in low murmurs. Reluctantly, Faedon padded to her mother's den. Had she done something wrong? "Mother?" Faedon called tentatively into Senkah's cave.
"Come in, Faedon. You don't have to ask permission to come in," Senkah said. Swallowing, Faedon stepped inside.
"W-what did you need?" Faedon asked.
"I need you to go to Emeraldpack again," Senkah said. "Tell them about Pinepack being driven out, and that I would like to speak to Nyx and Storm."
"Okay. Do I leave now?" Faedon asked. She felt a twinge of excitement; she always enjoyed going into another pack's territory, no matter the situation. It was like stepping into another unexplored world, and even if it stunk to high heaven with the other pack's scent, it thrilled her.
"Yeah," Senkah nodded. "Darkpack will most likely wait for their wounds to heal before they make a move again, but you never know. And remember, don't risk your life. If Darkpack happens to be attacking when you arrive, come back."
"I know, mom!" Faedon grumbled, rising to her paws.
Senkah licked her daughter's forehead. "Just looking out for you, since you're so reckless."
"I am not!" she protested. "I'll be back." Faedon turned and sprinted for the entrance, bounding for Emeraldpack's land.
Once she reached the border, she howled to let them know she was coming, before crossing it. She remembered the way that Lark had shown her to Emeraldpack's densite as she raced through the conifer forest. She skidded to a stop as a figure leaped in front of her.
"Faedon?" Nyx cocked a brow. "What are you doing here?" The Emeraldpack alpha's tone wasn't threatening, nor did it have a growl etched into it, but she was definitely questioning and by no means friendly.
"I bring an urgent message from the alphas of Stonepack," Faedon panted. She was used to running, but not such great distances. "Storm needs to hear this."
Nyx's expression softened ever so slightly, with a hint of worry behind her eyes. "Alright. Come back with me to the densite." Nyx turned and began to dash away; Faedon followed after her, kicking up snow as she bounded along.
"What's she doing here?" Lark growled when they reached the densite, looking up from the hare she was eating. Her muzzle was red with the hare's blood. The Emeraldpack beta eyed Faedon suspiciously.
"She needs to speak with Storm and I," Nyx replied, dismissing her beta with a look that gave her no room to argue. Lark nodded, but didn't take her eyes off the red Stonepack she-wolf.
Storm was carrying a mouse in his jaws; Faedon noticed that his leg had healed since the time she'd last seen him, and he was walking on it now. "Come with me, Storm," Nyx said to her mate as she padded towards the alpha's den. Storm nodded, padding into the den with his mate, but making sure he stepped in front of Faedon. Faedon suppressed a growl; if she was in Stonepack, she would have chewed out whoever had the nerve to step in front of her like that, but she had to deliver the message.
"What is it?" Storm asked, setting the mouse down on a rock by his and Nyx's nests.
Faedon cleared her throat. "Aki went to investigate some strange sounds earlier today," she began. "Darkpack has driven Pinepack out and claimed their land."
Her only reply for several minutes was stunned silence. The two alphas' jaws dropped, and Faedon could practically feel the tension in the den skyrocket. Finally, Nyx uttered, "W-w-what... h-how..."
Faedon bit her lip. The news of one of the six, or rather, five packs losing their land and being driven out had to be distressing enough, but Emeraldpack was now threatened. "My mother wanted me to tell you that she wants to speak to you and Storm soon."
It took a few more moments for a reply again. "Alright," Storm uttered, his voice quiet. "Th-thank you for telling us, Faedon."
"It would be best if you went back now," Nyx murmured. "The pack is going to be in a frenzy when we tell them."
Faedon nodded. "I'll-I'll go home now." Faedon lifted herself to her paws, and turned and pelted away to the Stonepack border.
