Why Does The World Always Revolve Around You?
Gazing over the border.
That was Shadow's most prominant memory. Staring through the the thin line of Aspens, and into the lush fields beyond. The grass is always greener on the other side. She remembered her shaggy brown and black fur being caressed gently by the wind, and the way the breeze tickled her large ears. Shadow could still picture clearly the first time she'd seen him. She suspected that it was around then that it all went wrong. The German Shepherd mix had been lying on the bank of the stream which marked the border, her paws dipped lazily in the water and head rested on her legs. Shadow remembered hearing a deep, menacing snarl and blinking her chocolate brown eyes open. Then, of course, she'd seen him.
Shadow's heart had thumped so loudly it was beyond her how the handsome male dog across the stream couldn't have heard it. Rising, she dipped her head and murmured: "What's the snarl for?" In an uncharacteristically soft voice.
The young male seemed momentarily speechless, but then he barked: "You were getting dangerously close to the border."
"I was relaxing by the stream. It's the middle of the Summer and our river is sluggish and slow, as you well know. With a coat as shaggy as mine, the best place to cool down is in the shade, by some water. This place is perfect." And you complete the picture. Shadow had wanted to whisper. It was ridiculous and irrational. She'd only layed eyes on him a few moments ago, and Shadow certainly didn't believe in love at first sight. Still, that excuse had hardly seemed fair. She felt as though she'd known him her whole life.
"I'm Shadow..." She breathed softly, desperate to catch his name and clasp it to her heart, however harshly it was told to her.
"Ravarit." Came the reply, just as cold as Shadow had expected. "The Alpha's son." With that, he had departed.
*******
As they did every morning, Shadow's eyes opened. Her chocolate brown orbs were alight with something new, sometime rare. She rose to her feet and trotted out into the camp. Whilst the other dogs smelled of earth and the musky scent of den in the morning, Shadow's scent was that of freshly crushed ferns. As soon as she'd been old enough to voice her own opinion, Shadow had insisted on sleeping outside. Stretching luxuriously, the female barked a good morning to her mother, Shahalli. Next, Shadow spotted Morche.
WIP!
