Chapter 3

Dagger and his pack made it back to camp. His body was still sore from where the wolf had bitten him, but with some rest he would be fine. He lay down on the flat rock outside his hollow. Bruno came up to him a few minutes later. "Alpha," he had his head dipped respectfully. "What are we going to do about that mad pack? They'll be back, and we all know it."

Dagger flicked his ear. "It's not the pack I'm worried about…" he let out a low growl of frustration. "It's their Alpha I'm concerned about. He's sick, and because of his sickness I can tell he's an unstable bully. Those wolves who follow him aren't bad wolves...they're terrified. Only sticking with him out of fear."

Bruno cocked his head. "Well what should we do about it? If they do come back, we need to be ready." Dagger growled an agreement. He scanned his camp, the patrols were out scouting, and the hunters were fussing about themselves, waiting for the patrols to return so they could hunt.

Winter was grooming herself on a flat rock not that far from him, the sun rays made her coat sparkle. Star was chasing his tail, biting at it. "I don't have a real plan for the time being, but I do plan on having some of the hunters help the patrols with the scent marking. For now, I need you and the other hunters to rest and hunt later."

Bruno dipped his head. "Yes Alpha." He padded off to the hunters, who greeted him with barks and soft growls. Dagger kept his eyes on his pack, his red eyes scanning even the trees for any signs of movement. Slash better know how to control himself, if he knows what's good for him.

Dagger thought about the wolves under that mad wolves command. He knew they'd be better off without that crazed wolf, but he didn't know how to help them without killing him. He noticed that Star was slinking off, and he cocked his head. Where's he off to? He got up and stretched his muscles and carefully followed his pup.

Star was unaware that his father was following him, he barked a greeting. Dagger noticed a pup came into view, and he recognized the pup as the one from Slash's pack. She gave her tail a shy wag, and licked his muzzle in greeting. Dagger barked, and both pups spun around. "Dad?" Dagger walked up to the pups, the female lay on the ground, her ears pressed back.

Dagger bent down even though he towered over her. "It's okay little one...I won't hurt you." The pup slowly got to her feet, and gave Dagger a soft expression. "What's your name darling?" The pup was quiet for a moment, before answering. "Nikita." Dagger lay down that way he was able to show her that he meant no harm.

"I am Dagger. Alpha of this pack and the father to Star here." He made sure to keep his voice soft. Star looked at Nikita, who looked back at him. Dagger continued. "If I may ask you Nikita, what are you doing here?" She walked up to Dagger and buried herself in his fur. "I want to join your pack. I hate being in that other one. Our Alpha has gone insane, and now he's got more wolves in his pack, wanting to come and take your home. No one noticed me leave, and I wanted to warn you. I'm not a bad wolf, I swear."

Dagger felt a stab of pity for the pup. She's just a pup, and that pack's alpha is so cruel. He's probably just as cruel to her. And she's so vulnerable. He stood up and shook his fur. "I can tell you aren't sweetheart. And you are willing to stay with my pack as long as you'd like. Come, I'll introduce you to everyone."

He turned and padded back, Star at his side and Nikita scampered after them. Dagger made his way up to his hollow and sat down in front. He barked softly at the pups to join him, and they sat down next to him. With that, Dagger lifted his head and let out a meeting howl.

This got his pack to look at him, and got up and made his way to him. Winter got up and joined him, nuzzling his neck before sitting down on the opposite side of the pups. Once everyone was in his sight, he spoke calmly and clearly. "You are all wondering why I've called you here," he began. "This young pup here is Nikita, she is from Slash's pack. She is going to stay here with us, and has told me that Slash has more members. We don't know how many yet, but we need to be more alert for them." The pack all exchanged glances, then back up at him.

Winter spoke up. "If he has more members, then we need to be prepared. Who knows what he's planning, he could be planning to take our lands, since his 'Fear-Wolf' must have all of it." As his parents were discussing matters with their pack, Star whispered to Nikita. "So...what made you leave?"

The young female looked at him, her eyes round. "The moment I saw you...I knew you were a good wolf. Especially your father. Plus...Slash...he….wasn't always sick." Nikita made sure to keep her voice low. Star cocked his head. "He wasn't?" Nikita shook her head. "No...I don't know how, but one day he went on a patrol. He didn't come back for a few days, and when he did...he wasn't the same.

He had white foam around his mouth, and said that there was this 'Fear-Wolf' he could speak too. That's when he became a mad bully. His pack only follows him because they're scared." Star didn't know how she felt, but he could tell that she was serious. "What made you leave now? Why haven't you left to become a lone wolf? Well… a lone pup." Nikita didn't meet his eye. "I really don't want to talk about it anymore Star, some other time maybe." Star looked at the forest, that pack was out there...getting bigger in numbers. Will they get our territory? I hope Dad has something planned….

Boredom landed on Star like a rock. It had been a few days since Slash's incident, and for the first time he didn't know what to do with himself. Nikita was still getting used to her new pack, so she wasn't in the mood to play with him, at least not yet. His father was laying on his rock, resting to make sure his back fully healed while his mother was out patrolling with the others. Star was on his back, looking at the clouds in the sky as they passed by, thinking about what his pack would do next. "Star?" the voice was familiar, he turned right side up and saw Raina standing over him. "Hi Aunty…." Raina sat down and looked at him. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

Star yawned and stretched. "Nothing, I'm just bored. Since Mom and Dad are busy, and Nikita can't play with me yet, I haven't been able to do anything." Raina sighed, she knew that there were no other pups in the pack besides Nikita, but she had to admit she had pups herself, but they weren't old enough to be with the pack yet. On top of that, her brother didn't even know she had them. "Well...can I tell you a secret? One you'll keep away from your father?" Star cocked his head, eyeing her. "Um….okay?"

Raina lowered herself to Star's level. "I have pups hidden away not that far from here, but they aren't old enough to be with the pack." Star looked confused. ��You have pups? Why can't Dad know?" Raina softened her expression. "Because Axe is the father of the pups, and he plans on challenging your father for the alpha position since he has more offspring."

Star widened his eyes. "Uncle Axe plans on taking over? What about Slash's pack? Did he forget about them out there?" "No baby he didn't, that's why he wants to challenge your father. Axe thinks your father isn't doing his job right, which I think is bull if you ask me. Your father has been a great leader, and no one challenges his decisions. Everyone in this pack loves him, but Axe thinks it's about time someone else took the lead."

Star looked up where his father was laying down. His ears hadn't twitched, and his back was rising and falling. He didn't hear them. Which is a good thing, for now I guess. But Mom's the alpha too, if Uncle Axe took over, what would happen to Mom? He had to know what would happen to his mother. "What about Mom? She's the alpha female, what would happen to her?" Raina paused for a long cool moment. Star gave her a pleadingful look, and finally she sighed and said, "If she doesn't take a low position then Axe will….kill her if she doesn't back down…"

Star looked shocked. Axe would kill his mother? Just to be the only alpha? That's just cruel, and on top of that I'm the future alpha of this pack. He can't take that away from me...can he? "Listen Star….promise me you won't tell Dagger? Promise me…" Star looked up at her, his eyes soft. What else can I do? "Alright...I promise. But just this once." Raina licked his ear. "Thank you baby...now I need to go help with the patrols, we'll talk some other time."

With that, she rose to her paws and padded down the stone like stairs, disappearing into the forest. Star got to his paws and shook his thick black coat. Having black fur came with a price. Heat was the one thing that wasn't pleasant, which was the reason why he liked the mornings and evenings. "It seems you got nothing to do either huh?" Star looked over his shoulder and saw Nikita standing a couple paces away.

She lowered her head. "If I startled you...I didn't mean too, I was just trying to get your attention." "No! No! You didn't, it's just...I've been thinking about things." Star turned and faced her. She was beautiful, he couldn't lie about that. Her ocean blue eyes sparkled in the midday sun, and he smiled softly. "So...what have you been thinking about? You don't have to tell me if it's personal."

Nikita sat down and waited for a reply. Star sighed. "It's honestly nothing, I was just thinking about what Dad's going to do about that pack that's out there…" he closed his eyes "but I'm scared something bad will happen, and that maybe they'll be nothing I can do to---" something on his paw stopped him, and he opened them to see that Nikita had placed her paw on his toes, in a soft gentle way. "It's okay to be scared Star. Believe me, I know…"

She smiled warmly and took a step back. Star couldn't help but blush, all he could do was smile back. Nikita yawned. "Now Flower is waiting for me to take me practice hunting, she says that I'm ready. Plus, your dad agreed to it. He said that I should start somewhere. I'll see you later then okay?"

With that, she padded down the rocks, and met up with Flower who was at the edge of the forest. Star watched them leave, lost in thought. Thank you Nikita I need that. But there was something about her that he couldn't take away. She was kind, sweet, and beautiful. But now...he was starting to feel something else towards her, something that he had never felt before. I don't really like her...do I?