Wolves Arising~Shattered Soul Chapter 5

  I woke the next morning still laying on the rock I had fallen asleep on before. Which meant I hadn't actually been in the Shadow Realm, it was no more than a dream. I still didn't doubt that it had been a message, or some sort of sign. Standing up I almost jumped out of my fur as someone barked at me from behind.  
  
  "Hey, didn't mean to scare you but...what exactly are you doing out here?"

I spun around to find Nebula staring at me, humor in her eyes. Kaayten glanced at me, before looking away embarrassed.
 
 "I came out here last night to wash myself, and must have fallen asleep while waiting for my fur to dry. What are you two up too?"

Nebula blinked and directed with her nose at the creek. We were coming down here to see if there were any fish."

I swiveled my head around and smiled when a large silver creature darted around under the water.
 
 "Well looks like your in luck, there seem to be a few."

Nebula wagged her tail happily and then motioned Kaayten to follow. He went on ahead of her and bent down at the waters edge, making sure his shadow didnt reflect into the water while I stopped Nebula to speak to her.

  "How is everyone back at the cave?"

Nebula's eyes flashed at Kaayten and then back at me.

   "Well this morning some suggested to send out a search party to look for you, when we discovered you had never come back last night. But Saitariya assured them that you were fine, and probably off thinking somewhere. I'm pretty sure she could sense your thoughts last night."

  I nodded in understanding, but gave a devilish look when something else popped into my head.
  
  "So I see your hunting with Kaayten."
  
Nebula stiffened and her eyes darted from side to side.  

   "Whats your point? He wanted to accompany me. Two heads are better than one."

Nebula stuck her nose in the air and began to trot past me.

  "Two heads, or do you mean two hearts?"

Nebula froze and spun around. But I was already running off. I could feel her eyes burning into my fur, I knew she was going to get me back for that one. But just because were Alpha's doesn't mean we don't mess with one naother every now and again. Infact the relationship I had with the others was different than that with other Alpha's. From what I could see everything was always kept at a dignified level when they addressed eachother. The four of us on the other paw were more like sisters. After all we had been trained and raised together since almost our birth. So in a way we were. I slowed my pace as I approached the cave. I had slept rather well last night, surprisingly without waking a single time. The soreness had all but left my muscles, and my cut had healed well. I knew Incada would probably still insist that I not perform any dangerous or strenuous activities in fear that the wound would in turn reopen, but I suppose it was for the best. Border patrol would be a wise option, I wanted to see if any humans had made an appearance in our territory. I nodded to the two guards who were always present outside, and continued on inside. I stopped as a ball of playing pups rolled past me, there growls and yips of fun echoed off the walls, making the place a bit brighter. I dogded past them but had to halt again when I felt little teeth meet in my tail. It didn't hurt because the teeth weren't long enough to get past the thick coat of fur, but I acted surprise and fell on my back, exposing my belly. Pups surrounded me, jumping, chewing, and tuggind on my fur, ears, tail, and anything else they could get their mouths on. I growled playfully and writhed around on the floor, before standing up, taking a few pups with me who were determined to hold on. I stomped one foot down, careful not to step on any of them and continued this process all while still growling.
  
 "Watch out or the monster will get ya!"

I said in a deep voice. The pups squeled and started to laugh as I chased them around.   

   "Having fun little darlings?"

I stopped and turned embarrassed to find a couple of the mothers watching me with their warming gaze.

  "Mama!"

"Mama!"

  "Mama!"

A chorus of little voices yipped out when they noticed their mothers.

  "Come on my dears, its feeding time." 

 The pups raced off excitedly while Linten approached me.  
 
     "Senka, how are you feeling?"

I sat down and shook out my fur.  

"Better than I was last night thats for sure."

Linten nodded in understanding and then cast me a look of humor.
 
 "I see you were playing with the pups. I hope they were minding." I laughed.
  
"Ya, trying to get some things off my mind I suppose. And who could resist?"  
  
"Yes, well I do hope you will inform us all of what happened last night. Many of us are very anxious to know. The other mothers are nervous about what it was. And not knowing makes it more trouble."

I sighed, knowing that she was right. If the pack didn't even know what to look out for, how were they supposed to be careful? Or even comfortable in their own territory?

  "That will come at sunhigh today, you have my word."

Linten dipped her head and then padded away to join the others. Linten was a gentle soul, and her experience made her an excellent mother. But she was the oldest of them, and would probably be retiring soon. There was no doubt that this was to be her last litter before her glory days were over. I would have to remember to make sure there was plenty of room for her in the Retired den, I know that is what she will request once her pups begin their training. I continued to make my way to the Main den, hoping to find those who were willing to join me on patrol.
 
 "Who here is up for a bit of scouting on the borders?"

A couple who had been eating or sitting around talking rose to their feet and joined me. I scanned the group who had tagged along with me. Ellna was present along with Gullek, Posnay, Freetek, and Moonta. Having Gullek in the group gave me a feeling of relief. Gullta was one of the biggest and strongest males in the pack. His fighting ability was remarkable. And he brute size and strength would send most competitors running for safety. His loyalty to the pack and his leaders was also a wonderful quality.  
 
 "Which side will we be patroling?" Gullek asked.

"I want to start on the east side, and make our way to the northern border."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and we began our trek through the cave and across the territory. I wanted to check in on the east side, mainly because that is where the fight took place, even though Iwas going to steer clear of the body that was probably still there along with the blood. I wanted to make sure there no humans within the borders, who would be looking for their lost pack mate, if they even lived in packs. The hopeful thought crossed my mind that maybe the man had been a loner. So no one knew that he would be missing. But that all drained away as I picked up the heavy scent of humans, and a lot of them. I rolled my eyes as my heartbeat quickened, I knew I had no choice now but too take the patrol straight to the scene. Everyone's noses were in the air as they sniffed cautiously at the new scent. Before anyone could yell out what it was, I lowered myself to the ground and began to slink across the forest floor, heading for where the scent was strongest.
  
 "Follow me, quietly!"

The others mimicked my movements as we drew closer to the bushes which were becoming a regular spot. I was surprised however to find not only a full hunting party of five, but bear traps everywhere. I swung my head around to the others behind me and hissed through my teeth.
 
 "Watch out, they have traps on the ground. One snap and it could break your leg! so dont touch any of them!"
  
I slunk up to the other wolves who were peering through the bushes, obviously watching the humans.
  
 "Senka! Thank goodness your here! We were about to send someone to go and get an Alpha!"

  It was Huei who had addressed me, he was an excellent hunter, but under this sort of pressure I could tell he wasn't doing well.  
  
"What is happening?!"

Huei turned back towards the bush and growled.
  
 "Humans are everywhere. They found a body of their kind and now their setting up traps. Its horrible. They must think a bear did it, with the number there are of them, and the type of traps they're laying down. What are we going to do?"
 
 "We can take care of the traps later, I know how to make them harmless. But right now we have to do something about the humans."

  I looked around me, and counted our numbers, there were elevan of us. A fighting force that would be more than capable in a normal situation but I wasn't so sure about this. I scooted Huei a little over so that I could have a look. My eyes widened in surprise, they're weren't nearly as many of them as I had thought, or as I had smelt. They were all males, seven were surrounding the now decaying body of my late foe. From what I could see that was all there were. I turned around and pointed at the hunting group to spread out on one side, while I waved my tail to signal my group to do the same on the opposite side. I remained where I was poised to attack. We were now in a position which usually was done to hunt larger prey such as deer. But humans would work just as well. The others knew the signal from countless moons of training, but right now it was up too me. I bounded over bush and landed poised on the other side. The entire group of humans stopped and stared at me in alarm. A few who had been nealing on the ground stood into a dominant position. The scent of their cockiness was almost more than I could bare. It made me bristle just thinking about they way they acted as if I was below them. A lesson however was about to be taught, of who was truly on top! I threw back my head and howled eerily into the sky. The humans took a few steps away, while making surprised and curious noises. My pack leaped from their hiding place, trapping the men while they bared their teeth and growled menacingly. I took a peaceful step towards the one who seemed to dignify himself as the head alpha. He stared at me in confusion before taking a hesitant step towards me. Big mistake, you never approach your opponent in such a dominant manner. I lunged at him, sinking my teeth into his arm. He bellowed out low yells as he shook me off. I felt a wave of satisfaction role over me as a chunk of flesh detached itself from his body. I allowed it too fall from my mouth to the floor, before running at him again. The whole clearing was alive with growls, roars, yelps, and other sounds of the fight. Some were working together to bring one down, while others took some on face to face. I had my foe on the run when I had just enough time to glance over and see Gullek leap at a man who backed away before screaming and running away in fear. I chuckled to myself, figures that Gullek would be the first one to have them on the run. But when he looked over me, I gave him an expression that made it clear, we werent here to chase them down. He turned and attacked one from behind who had Ellna pinned and was choking her. I brought my focus back to what I was doing to find that the human I had been pursuing was running at me now, with a long silver blade in his hand. I stood my ground and ducked as he took the first swing. I retaliated by swinging past him, and raking my claws across his leg. He fell to the ground as the sticky thick liquid oozed from his skin. I smirked, as he stood back up, and more infuriated then before lunged straight down woth the blade. I rolled out of the way and he stabbed it into the ground. I turned towards me, staring me straight in the eye. I had no idea about humans or their emotions, but I recognized a look of surprise when I saw one. Huei jumped onto his back and dug his claws into his spine. But the man quickly shrugged him off before coming at me again. It was clear who he wanted, he knew I was the Alpha. And who was I to deny him the right at a dominance battle? I dipped my head at Huei to show it was alright, before I pounced at the man. I could feel swish of the blade as I jumped just over the top of his swing. The world seemed in slow motion for a second as I came face to face with my opponent. I saw the fear glaze over in his eyes as my fangs came down over his face and met skin. The man fell to the floor, his screaming like an echo in my ears. I dug my canines into his eyes before pulling down to leave two horrible soon to be scars running down on both sides of his face. He was crying blood, and terror was the only thing I could feel coming off of him as he realized he was blind. I leaned forward, even though I knew he would not understand my actual words, I knew he would understand the message.
  
 "Never come back!"

To him it was no more than a quiet, threatening growl, but the meaning behind it couldn't be any clearer as I stepped off of his chest and waved my tail for my pack to follow. No humans had been killed, but I could hear the rustling as a few who had fled returned once the coast was clear, to retrieve their companions, who were to injured to move. I would allow it, I didnt want their stinking corpses laying around, and polluting my territory. This was merely a warning, I hoped they knew what would be next if they ever step foot inside my borders again! We walked on in silence, though I could feel pride and victory coming from my packmates. We had indeed been successful today, but I knew something they did not. This was not the end of it, I could feel that great trouble was still to come. Humans were not forgiving creatures nor were they ones to heed a warning. It would be awhile before they returned, but they would return. And with numbers far greater than our own. Training was inorder, and I made sure to remind myself to bring it up with the other leaders tonight.
 
  As we neared the cave, I remembered how I was meant to explain everything to the rest of the pack. It was a far past sunhigh now, but I knew the pack would understand. Ecspecially now that there were others present during this battle. Surprisingly Saitariya was one of the guards outside. She however had heard our approach long before we arrived and was now standing to greet us. I was not as covered in blood as the last time, though a few of my claws were still dripping of the stuff. None of the others were harmed except for what I had heard of Ellna complaining to Gullek about soon to be bruises around her neck. Saitariya could smell the blood however, and didnt wait a second longer before ushering us all into the cave. I hung back so that I could speak to her.
  
 "Senka, what has happened?"

I stared into her eyes and took a step forward.  

  "Why dont you take a look?"

Saitariya's eyes turned a more intense red as she looked through my mind and probed my memories.

   "I see. Will you inform the others?" I nodded.

"Of course, but right now, I have an announcement to make."