Uncertainty

A day has passed the Valley pack after the pack meeting, Lar was more aware of things now than ever his eyes hardly leaving any animal that moved.

Solider and Thunder padded up from the open valley dropping several large rabbits, Shadow followed holding a big white rabbit, they all wagged their tails in pride as they had just went on a patrol.

"Good job, you three make me so proud," Blizzard spoke with delight, as she inspected the very large animals for the pack to enjoy before the big hunt tomorrow.

The hungry wolves ate the rabbits letting those who felt no need to eat before the big hunt to sleep in the den, Blizzard ate up what she felt was enough to keep her self ready, she approached Lar and gave him a small lick on his firm cheek.

"What is it," Lar spat, before realizing it was Blizzard, "Oh, it's you, I'm sorry for speaking to you like that," he whined a bit before being nuzzled by his mate who's fur now looked more of a mousy brown.

Dusk started to fade away before the pack tucked themselves away leaving Midnight out with Gray to stay alert for any enemy wolves, Midnight switched his glance over to Gray wanting to speak but not able to find any words to impress the beta.

"Nice night out," Gray yawned as he shook his pelt free of any dust before sitting down again.

"yes, it's very nice out," Midnight choked on his words trying not to sound surprised.

Gray stood up his smoky fur looked soft and warm, Midnight stood up to understand what Gray is up too, his roan fur made him stick out more than any other wolves in the pack.

"What is it," whispered Midnight, his ears went down slowly as he focused on Gray.

"Nothing, just thought I saw something move, must have been a mouse," his grey tail lifted a bit before padding in the direction the movement was made, "Stay here I'll be back," he barked lowly before disappearing into the thick undergrowth.

Midnight sniffed and tasted the air for any hint of what could have been out there but nothing gave off any scent of danger, he thought why did Gray not need me, the thought raced through his mind before making a decision. He padded to the bush still trying to find anything that made that movement, pushing through the shrub slowly he saw another wolf and then Gray talking to one another. Staying quiet was his only option, laying there felt like hours as he heard them speak.

"You were not followed right," the stranger asked, it was female, "No, all that omega knows is to obey the higher authority," chuckled Gray his face was relaxed so was his body.

What is going on here, Midnight's mind shot with many questions before retreating out of the thick shrubs his eyes wide with fear and questions before being nudged back into reality by Gray his face was calm and showed no sign of aggression.

"Good job, you and I can now go sleep," yawned Gray his tail slowly swayed side to side as his body was slowly consumed by the den entrance.

Midnight sighed before doing the same, he looked to over where Huata was sleeping, Gray was next to her sleeping soundly.

Dawn came as the birds sang songs into the crisp air, a leaf blew into the den landing on Shadows nose she pawed if off before going out to smell the cool air. The brisk morning dew stuck on the grass wetted her paws, a cool late summer breeze blew through her thick fur coat her amber eyes looking around for her father who was usually up before the pack, but Lar was nowhere to be found on the mound and not by the den entrance.

sniffing the air she caught the scent from Gray, thinking he was just patroling she went back to the den to see if her two brothers were up.

"Psst...wake up," Shadow whispered to her brothers who lifted their heads.

"What is it Shadow," replied Thunder his white fur made him look like a small polar bear.

Shadow padded lightly over, her tail was slightly up as she nipped Soldier's ear.

"We should get ready for the hunt, remember," Shadow mumbled before turning back to the den entrance.

"Fine, we will meet you by fathers mound," groaned Thunder as he let out a long yawn.

Shadow left the den and headed over to the mound, she inspected the many paw prints that made the mound bumpy her father's scent was all over it as she sat waiting for her brothers.

Solider poked his dark head out of the den before being pushed out of the way by thunder they looked like the symbol Yin and Yang, they padded over to Shadow who was groaning at how slow they got up and outside.

"Sorry, we're a bit late, Solider here did not want to get up," Thunder sighed before looking at Shadow.

"Well, it's how early out," Groaned Solider his ears were down and his eyes were squinted.

Shadow gave a faint smile before standing up, she went up to thunder and placed a paw on his head.

"Well, at least you are good at following directions," barked Shadow her ears were up as she put her paw back on the ground and turning around to look at the gassy valley ahead of them.

Lar raised his head his eyes were glancing around the den, the young wolves were outside already. He sighed before nudging Blizzard to get up, he approached Midnight doing the same thing before heading out to meet the young wolves.

Once Lar stuck his head out, the three wolves were speaking about the upcoming hunt and what they should do to impress Lar and the others.

"Is everyone ready out here and counted for," Lar swiftly barked.

Shadow whipped around and held her head high, "Yes, all but Gray though," she slightly looked down waiting to be scolded for her lack of preparation.

"It's fine," yawned Lar as he pushed himself out of the den with the other two wolves left to warm up.

They broke into a hunting howl, Lar checked over the pack before heading down the mound for the herd of elk.

"Still no Gray," Groaned Solider.

Thunder looked over to his brother with a raised brow, "Well he is the beta male, maybe Lar sent him on patrol," he whispered to his brother before looking up at Lar.

"Okay, we should start to move or the elk will be clustered for warmth," Lar barked in a frustrated tone.

The wolves padded down the mound, they bounded over the few grassy hills, Lar stood his tail up as a sign to stop and wait for orders.

Shadow sniffed the air for any idea why they stopped, nothing floated through the air, she looked at Lar one more time before his face was seething in anger.

"The mountain pack has invaded our territory," Lar growled his tail was up and his teeth were showing as he pointed over by the big river that divided the three packs.

"What do you mean," Shadow asked still too young to understand how pack disputes worked.

Lar growled before turning over to face the rest of his pack, "we might be in for a pack fight,"

he barked loudly his eyes were pinned on an empty spot were his beta male would have been.

Blizzard padded up beside him, "What he means is the Mountain pack is looking to wipe us out of the area," her tail was raised as she stood firmly next to Lar.

The pack howled a warning to the Mountain pack to leave or else face the price, they bounded to their territory border and remarked it heavily, making sure the message was sent for good.

The Mountain pack howled back they only had 6 wolves, the Valley pack had the advantage, outnumbering them in members made the Mountain pack back off.

The wolves relished this victory as they sped off to hunt, Lar had his tail high as Blizzard kept up by his side. They reached the hunting grounds, the name of this part of the land was called the grasslands, this was the prime territory that helped build the valley pack up from only two wolves.

Spotting a sick cow elk Lar instructed the younger wolves to help drive it away from the herd and into Blizzard, Huata, and himself, "This way we have a better chance on getting the kill," Lar spun around and hid in a thick area of grass hiding himself along with Huata and Blizzard.

Shadow led the others toward the sick elk, Solider charged the cow elk. The female reared up trying to scare them off, to no avail Shadow charged the cow elk again with both of her brothers made the elk move to the spot of ambush.

"Keep it up, were almost to the others," barked Shadow, her tail was pointing up.

Lar lunged out of the brush with Blizzard and Huata, he latched on the cow elks neck pulling it down as the others pulled the elk down to the ground.

Crushing the elk's neck Lar raise his head for a low howl, being joined by the others right after, this was a success for the pack of eight.