Fall Den

Golden eyes tracked small footprints in the soft dirt from the recent rain. A grey nose at the end of a black muzzle sniffed the air. Black ears perked for any sound in the still fall forest. A black belly rested close to the dirt, hardly an inch above its soft brown earth. A soft brown tail with a black tail tip stood still, high in the air. Before this soft brown and black she-wolf was a den site, where three wolves were obviously trying to get to hunting. There was one male among the two females and the she-wolf grew tense, past experiances with strangers had made her hesitant despite her friendly nature. She decided to creep back and continue her hunt. Perhaps use the hare she was tracking as a peace offering. However as she stepped back, she snapped a twig, making a loud sound in the quiet forest.

My ears twitched at the sound of a twig snapping. I jerk my head towards the sound. A she-wolf lays at the sound. Tensing my muscles I approach one step. "Who are you" I blurt out with as much authority as I could.

The she-wolf whined and crouched, showing she was no threat. "My name is Khora. I was hunting a hare when I came across your den site. I mean no harm." Despite her own power she truely hated fighting. There was so many reasons that other wolves died because they took a step over the borders. She feared that this wolf was a believer in harsh punishment.

Still tense I growl "Are you a loner" I watch the wolf.

Khora nods and indicates with her tail to the south. "Yes, I was the healer in my old pack before it was struck by tradgedy." Khora said and whined a bit more, fearful of this strong powerful wolf standing above her.

Seeing the fear I instantly back off but then remember my duty as alpha. I lift my head high. Thinking of how our pack needed a healer I say "I will give you the option of joining our pack", or "I pause to leave us and leave quickly."

Khora stood up, shook her fur and bowed her head. "I would be most honored to be able to serve a pack once more. Please forgive me though, it has been a long time sense I was with a pack and have forgotten certain... Rituals might you say." She looked at the two other wolves. "You are the alpha female no?" She asked her. "Oh um, what is your name?" She cheekily smiled some and wagged her tail in a friendly manner.

I look at Dex and Iris. "I am Artemis, alpha and huntress, you say you were a healer?"

Khora nodded. "Yes, I was the head healer." Khora confirms for her and shakes some of the dirt out of her fur. "So this is the whole pack? Or are there others else where?" She asked looking around somewhat nervously.

Seeing the wolf was excepted I pad to the she. "Hello" I say bowing slightly. "I am Dex."

"This is it" I say. "But we are working on it." I look at Khora."You may have the rank of healer."

Khora's fur ruffeled slightly, but not in a hostile way, only that she was not use to such friendly wolves for a while. She bowed her head in gratetude. "Thank you. I appreciate it. And its nice to meet you Dex." She nodded her head in a friednly gesture and sniffed the air. "We might be in for some more rain."

I lift my head and smell. Rain was common at the fall den. "We were about to go hunting" I say thinking if we still should.

I look at Artemis. "Well are we going to go?" I watch as the clouds cover the sky.

Khora pointed to the small tacks she had been following. "A hare came by perhaps two hours ago. We can still find it so we have something to eat. Also the rain is coming from the other direction. It will have to catch us." Khora gave her input, but doubted if it would be listened to.

"I dont know if Artemis is coming but I will" I look at the tracks closer.

Khora nodded, "I was told you are one of the primary hunters. I believe it would be alright if we hunted and returned with the spoils." She suggested and sniffed the air. "Well, what ever we do gotta do it fast, it will be some heavy rain soon."

I nodded and sniffed at the rabbit tracks.I look up into the sky. "Lets go"

Khora took off without another word and sprinted after the trail. Thunder could be heard off in the distance and it unnerved Khora, she was never good with bad weather. She sniffed the tracks ever so often to make sure she was going the right way. As she turned a bend in the trees another roar of thunder scared her so bad she yelped with freight and her fur went on end. "Sorry... thunder sounds like other things sometimes. Like the tools of humans." She shook it off though and continued hunting.

I take of after Khora. The thunder pumps my blood. Suddenly Khora stops. I stop bye her and listen. I think of my only encounter with humans. I look but Khora is gone I follow after her, sniffing for the rabbit.

I watch as they leave then pad back into the dens warmth.

A drop of rain hits my back as Dex and Khora leave. I follow after Artemis.

Once inside of the den I lay in a corner and rap my tail around me. I hear drops of rain hit the ground outside. Before long I get restless and decide to take a walk to Lunar the new pup.

Bored with the day I decide I will follow after Artemis. Curious where she will go I sprint after her.

I enter the den site a light drizzle pours down on my fur wetting it. Thunder can be heard in the distance and lightning flashes brightly. "This is going to get worse" I say "Better get into the den." I step on wet leaves as I make my way to the den. The den is positioned on a slope so no water gets into it. Glad for the warmth and dryness of the den I shake off and lay down. Thinking of Dex and Khora I wait for Lunar and Iris.