Adahy

My bag hung heavy on my back. It was still lighter than my mixed feelings of the Sarravin Tribe. Chieftian or I suppose Uncle Catori or maybe pops. I'm not really sure what to call him. Has always been the closest person I've had to family, offering me guidance when no one else would. It hurt to know that he was, is family and he was still sending me away. But, I understood. I've never fit in with the tribe. I probably never would have. There was half of me that they didn't want to accept. It's unlikely that any pack would accept me. Not many people were fond of my kind. I will never blend in. Or feel like I belong. It was just something I guess I was going have to get used to. The closest I will ever come to blending in is walking through the Slum Rocks of Shoeway. Where even my tight leathers and decorative furs seemed to draw no attention or at least no remarks.

It's been four days since I've left the tribe. I had to be at least a day away now. Less if I ran. I looked up to check the time. The sun is still high in the sky I have plenty of time for a break. I slipped into a shaded ally to get out of sight and into the shade. I dropped the deer skin bag and slid down the crumbling stone wall until I was seated. I pulled out the letter from COMPASS detailing the Cold Stone pack I was traveling to. And a small wooden box from Catori.

I probably should have opened the letter days ago. I stared at the beige letter sealed with wax. COMPASS was cleanly stamped on the front in black ink. What will I be walking in to? Is it possible the Chieftain lied? Do I even have a place to stay? I gnawed at my lip. There is only one way to know. I broke the seal.

At the top in bold it read.

'COLD STONE INTRODUCTION: FOR BETA ADAHY'

Five words in and there was already something in here to question.

Why the hell am I marked as a Beta? This was just supposed to be a pack transfer. Plus an Alpha's beta is supposed to be someone he knows he can trust. I turned my eyes back to the letter maybe it was a typo.

'IN REGARDS TO ALPHA CATORI PACK MEMBER TRANSFER REQUEST WE HAVE PLACED OMEGA ADAHY WITH THE COLD STONE PACK WHO HAS SENT IN A REQUEST FOR A BETA. AFTER A BRIEF STUDY C.O.M.P.A.S.S. HAS DECIDED THAT IN REGARDS TO THE CHARACTER OF ADAHY. THE OMEGA ADAHY IS A GOOD FIT FOR THE POSITION OF BETA.'

I could feel my stomach swirl as I thought of my new position. I clenched the paper in my hands. In regards to what character? I'm so close to being a lone wolf its ridiculous. And they want me to help run a pack of wolves. I'm not even a full wolf. The Alpha probably won't even except me. Maybe I should just walk off and live as a lone wolf. It's uncommon but, not unheard of. I shook my head at the thought. If I really wanted to do that I would have done it years ago.

I released my grip on the paper and smoothed out the crinkles I caused.

'COLD STONE PACK IS FACING DIFFICULTIES ALPHA ZEVI WILL DISCLOSE IN PERSON.'

Without even thinking I crumpled the letter into a ball and shoved it back into my bag. After a brief second I shoved the box back into my bag as well. I'm not ready to figure out what's inside of that. A congratulations perhaps?

Chieftian Catori has to know about his new rank. COMPASS would have informed him. I stood up throwing my bag back over my shoulder. Looking at the sky I could tell that only an hour has passed. I could find a place to crash here. But, the slums could be a dangerous place. Footsteps further down the ally sent a chill down my spine. It was time to get going. No big deal since I'm used to walking.

As I turned to leave the ally I felt eyes on my neck.