Beauran Book 1 ~ The Orphan Pup {Wolf Story}

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Announcement! Changed the name. Sorry if it messes it up for some people. So, at the moment I'm typing a story about a wolf-pup called Moon-Gaze. I hope you enjoy!
Please comment, I love hearing feedback and contructive critisism from everyone! If you have any ideas, I REALLY REALLY want to hear them!
NOTE: In the later chapters, I've noticed I've actually got seventeen wolves, not fifteen. IF IT CONFUSES YOU, OR IF I'VE MADE A MISTAKE IN NUMBERS, TELL ME!
Oh, and finally, it's the sequel!! viewtopic.php?f=57&t=1262126 read when you've finished this one

Stalk

The rain was like ice. The trees howled and bellowed as though in pain. The thunder growled and the lighting flashed. The clouds were dark and moon was suffocated and the stars didn’t glisten.
A young wolf plodded through the storm. The forest to him seemed unwelcoming and cruel. The rain pounded him like it was chasing him away. The wind ruffled his fur and pushed him side to side.
He was cold and wet and had nowhere to live. No one cared. No one loved him. Every little rustle in the bushes and ragged tree-tops startled him. They were just rabbits and birds trying to escape the storm. At least they had a home. As least they had a family. Out here the world just tried to push him away.
The little wolf tried to go on. His legs refused to carry him – he had walked so far. Just as he was about go into the bushes to sleep, he stumbled in a puddle. He fell into the muddy water, his chin just dipping in. He couldn’t get back up. His eyes shut. Everything vanished.

* * *
A hot glow warmed his face. His paws were no longer numb and his fur was nice and dry. The little wolf opened his eyes and saw a fire in front of him and a hard rock floor beneath. Where was he? This was not his pack territory – there were no caves.
He slowly lifted his head, yawned, and sat up. The cave was small and cosy, with the fire in the middle, and a pile of leaves in the corner. Somebody lived here. He turned and looked out. The storm raged on, the rain pouring down. The door had bushes and shrubs around the top and the rain could not get in.
Thunder crashed through the night, which made the little wolf feel a lot happier to be sheltered. He turned back to the fire and lay his head on his paws. The warm glow made him comfortable.
Suddenly there was a rustle in the bushes outside.
“Who’s there?” the little wolf cried. A shadow came across the door. Then a wolf stepped in, dripping wet, with a few sticks in his mouth.
“You’re awake Pup!” he said, dropping the sticks and shaking himself off. The drips made the fire hiss. “I’ve been waiting for hours!”
“Who are you?” replied the little wolf.
“Oh, my name is Stalk.” The wolf said. He was white with three green rings around his tail and legs. His muzzle was greens and he had a blue stripe running down his back. “What’s your name little one?”
“I – I’m Gaze. Moon-Gaze.” The little wolf replied shyly. He had the name for he was jet-black with white on his tail, belly and legs. He liked this wolf. He was friendly. “Where am I?”
“Well, Moon-Gaze, you are sleeping in the gate-way to our pack-land, Beauran. I am the guardian. I am to protect our pack-land from evil and prevent bad things like humans and cats from entering.” Stalk replied.
“I didn’t know humans were around.”
“They’re not. But if any should come in, it’s the end of us. End of our reign of this beautiful place. We have been here for thousands of years. We would like to keep it a secret.” Stalk came and sat by the fire. “Now, Gaze, I need to ask you some questions if you were to join us. Unless you would like to return to you pack?”
“No. I can’t return. My mother drowned when I was little and my father was accused of murdering the Alfa. He didn’t. He was taken away and I never saw him again. Of course the pup of a ‘murderer’ cannot stay and I was chased away. That’s why I ended up here. I had been chased for miles by my former pack-members.” Moon-Gaze stared into the fire. Tears stung his eyes as he remembered.
“That should never happen. That should never happen to someone as young as you. I’m sorry, pup.” Stalk said to him.
“What was that you wanted to ask me?” Moon-Gaze said, looking up. He tried not look upset. He wasn’t a puppy.
“Well. Have you ever done anything bad that you regret?” Gaze shook his head. He never wanted to be the horror that he was accused of being.
“Can you hunt? Have you ever killed something larger than a rat? At your age all the pups learn to hunt.”
“I have killed a hare before…. That wasn’t very long ago.”
“Good. Now, there are more things required, but you are not very old or bad therefore you can come with me at dawn to Beauran. If you like.” Stalk said, lying down.
“Really? I can actually come? Oh thank you Stalk!” Gaze cried. The thing he wanted most was a real home. Beauran sounded perfect.
“Well, goodnight pup.” Stalk laid his head on his paws and fell asleep.

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Second chapter! I hope you like it!

Beauran

Scuttle. Scuttle. A bird hopped through the ashes of the burnt-out fire, scavenging for bugs roasted in the flame. Gaze opened his eyes and stared at the bird. He lifted his head and it started, fluttering away.
He said up and yawned. The warm sun shone into the cave, and the birds chirped as they splashed in the puddles. The trees were calm once again, and the bushes around the door dripped with glistening water.
Gaze looked beside him and saw Stalk, fast sleep on his leaf-bed which he must have gone back into in the night.
He looked around the cave again. It was light and he could see everything. There was boulder in the corner, and all over the wall around it were symbols, painted on with dirt and water. Obviously Stalk was very clever. Not many wolves can read or write in the symbols. But these ones were different symbols to what his elders wrote back home. Maybe the packs all had different writing.
Suddenly there was a rustling of leaves near him, and Stalk woke up. He yawned widely, and smiled at Gaze. “Ready to go?”
“What about food? And water? We’ll have to go and find some!” Gaze said questioningly.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. There is so much food in Beauran you won’t know what to do. And water is extremely plentiful.” Stalk said, getting up and stretching. He couldn’t believe it. This place sounded perfect!
Stalk walked to the back of the cave. He mumbled something.
“Er, Stalk? Why are you going that way? And what are you saying?” Gaze asked.
“This is the secret. No one expects our entrance to be in a tiny cave like this. And I’m praying that no evil shall come through this door. I’m the guardian and this is something I am supposed to do.” Gaze smiled.
Stalk finished his prayer and went to the side of the boulder. He got up and put his front paws on the side of it. He then spread his legs and pushed forward. The rock jerked and slid a little. He strained and shut his eyes. The big rock slid a little more. He pushed and pushed. He shifted his legs and used them as more power. Finally, the rock was moved and Stalk jumped down. He moved aside and Gaze looked past him.
A small rock tunnel led down. It was dark and Gaze didn’t really want to go down it. Stalk smiled at him.
“Come on, pup. It’s nothing to be scared of. This tunnel goes through a mountain and into the pack-land. It’s a circular valley, you see. The bottom is below sea level, so it’s hard for anyone to find. Come with me.” He ducked his head and turned into the tunnel. “Well come on!”
“I’m coming, I’m coming. But, shouldn’t you shut the door?” Gaze asked.
“It’s OK. I’ll tell the Inner Guardians your details, and they will take you to the Alfa. And trust me, they’re not mean. I have to come straight back out after though. I will see you again. Come.” Stalk set off down the dark tunnel, and Gaze reluctantly followed. He didn’t like small spaces.
As they kept going, the light disappeared and he could only just see the back of Stalk in front of him. Occasionally water dripped from the ceiling. Gaze shivered.
Soon the rock turned to dirt. It was soft on his tired paws. He could hear mice scuttling through the tunnel. How could they live down here?
After a few more minutes, light shone from the other end of the tunnel. It stung his eyes. He looked behind him into the dark. He shivered again.
“We’re nearly there!” Stalk said, looking at Gaze from over his shoulder. Gaze looked past Stalk to see out. He could see a cave.
Finally they were at the end of the tunnel. “Stay here,” Stalk said. Gaze stood at the entrance and Stalk walked out. A wolf greeted him, and they spoke a little. He sat down and waited for Stalk. Another wolf came up to speak as well. Gaze looked around. The cave was decorated with more symbols, and gems like rubies, emeralds and diamonds had been pushed into crevices in the walls for decoration. There was also a sheet of pure gold on the wall, with a symbol punched into it.
Finally, Stalk turned away from the Inner Guardians. He smiled at Gaze. “You can go with the Inner Guardians now. I have to leave, but I’ll see you again soon. Bye!” he said, and went past him and back down the tunnel. Gaze watched him go into the dark. Then someone behind him spoke.
“Hello, Moon-Gaze. We will like to take you to see the Alfa now. If you would follow?” A brown wolf with white and red on her legs and tail smiled at him. Another wolf, jet-black with red on his paws stood next to her.
“Um, OK.” Replied Gaze. They walked on either side of him. They traipsed through a cave corridor with a dirt floor. This place was beautiful. And this was just the entrance.
“When will I get to see outside?” Gaze asked curiously. He couldn’t wait to see what this ‘Beauran’ looked like.
“Well, the Alfa’s cave is a little along here. This is a mountain-side, and we are walking along through a mountain.” The female wolf replied. “Look above you. There are holes in the roof to let light in. When we get to the Alfa’s cave there is rock in the form of steps, they have been gradually carved by lots of footsteps. They lead down into the valley where you will be able to run free. We are all one, don’t be worried about rivals.” She smiled kindly at him, and looked ahead. There it was. The opening to another chamber to where the Alfa sat. They walked through into it.
It was an enormous cave. A beautiful cavern, with a deer-skin on the floor. Trees were at the door to the corridor leading out. At the opposite end to the door, was a large rock with a deerskin on it. There sat the Alfa with his beautiful mate. He was black, with white on his legs, tail and muzzle. There were two little white stripes on his cheeks, and he wore a piece of string with a ruby on the end around his neck. There were two white circles on his thighs, and he held his whole body so noble. His mate was a stunning white, with bright blue eyes, and a sapphire around her neck. Her tail and legs were tipped in blue.
Two large, grey guards stood beside their throne.
The Guardians led Gaze in front of them. The male stepped forward and bowed his head. “Wise Alfa, we have brought to you a young, homeless pup. His name is Moon-Gaze. He is no threat, can hunt animals bigger than rats, and he was chased from his pack for something that he didn’t do. That is the only information we have of him. Stalk says he needs no reason to be questioned further.”
“Where did Stalk pick him up?” the Alfa asked. He did not sound cruel, or harmful at all.
“He found him lying unconscious in a storm.” The Guardian replied, looking up at him.
“Very well. Take him out to the pack. I will speak to him soon.” The Alfa’s mate replied. She sounded very kind and gentle.
“Come on Pup.” The female Guardian said. The male turned and left, back down to the entrance.
They walked to the door with the trees, through it, and to the main exit. Then he saw it.
Mountains and forests, stretching down, then curving at the end, like the valley was a bowl. There were cliffs, and gardens, and he could just see a little stream. Caves were everywhere, all over the hills. And there was so much yet to see.
They walked down the mossy rocks, a little water tricked down it, and it was surrounded by enormous oaks. At the bottom he could see lush green grass and oaks here and there. It was a garden. He could see pups playing, and couples lying on the grass.
When they got to the bottom, Gaze looked around. Along the sides of the hill they had come down were forests of oaks. Greens grass surrounded them. At the tops of the mountains were pine trees, on rocky slopes.
“Do you like it?” The Guardian asked.
“This is beautiful!” Gaze replied.
“Now, off you go and find some friends! If you make the right friends, they may let you stay in their house. Soon you’ll find a nice cave to move into! I have to go now. If you need anything, you are completely welcome to talk to me. Goodbye Pup!” And she turned and walked back up the steps to the cave.

[Kodabomb]

Third chapter.

River-Tune

Gaze started walking. The grass was softer than any ground he’d felt before. The trees were so welcoming, and the mountains were practically saying hello. He watched the little pups wrestling and playing tug-of-war with bits of bark. It was a pleasant garden, but he wanted water. He knew there was a stream, but he didn’t know where to find it. He looked for someone to show him.
He saw a mother watching her pups. Maybe she could help him. He walked over to her, and she looked at him and smiled.
“Excuse me, where it the stream, or anywhere I can find water?” he asked her.
“Oh, a newbie! Well, kept going straight, and at the centre of this garden is a bare grass area. You’ll have to go through a thick tree circle, but you’ll hear lots of wolves near the Great Pond. Hope it helps!” She said to him nicely, and he walked away to find the centre of the garden.
Through the oaks he went, looking at wolves sleeping under trees, pups chasing each other and young wolves his age chasing birds. Then, up ahead of him, was a line of thick oaks. There were a thin path leading through them. He walked down it.
This little forest was so pleasant. Butterflies and birds hopped or fluttered across the path, and baby rabbits nibbled the grass. The sun shone through gaps in the canopy. The path wasn’t very long, and he could see the rest of the garden through the trees.
He emerged from the trees, and saw a magnificent pond. It was surrounded by rock and in the very middle of the water was a smooth stone with a big symbol on it. It was the same one pushed into the gold sheet at the entrance. What did it mean?
He stood at the edge of the trees for a moment, taking it in. Wolves were running and jumping everywhere. There were wolves young and old, just doing as they please. Like the Guardian had said, they were one. No one was fighting, no one had rivals. One as a pack. Beauran was a pack-land.
Gaze ran up to Great Pond, desperate for a drink. Lots of wolves were drinking from it, all around. He got up on a rock, and lowered his. He started lapping the water. Cold, fresh…
But there was something about this water that was different. He couldn’t work it out. It didn’t taste different – it just made him feel wonderful. Like it was enchanted.
Suddenly, a wolf come up beside him. He couldn’t see her, and the water reflection was too disturbed. She drank beside him, lapping up the water. When he was fully quenched, Gaze lifted his head from the water. Then he saw her. Pure beauty.
She was white, with Aqua-blue ears, legs and tail. Her tail was uniquely curled, and her eyes shone like sapphires. Around her neck was an emerald, and tucked in the fur near her ears was a shining blue-black feather. She held herself delicately, like an angel.
Gaze stared at her. He had never seen anything so pretty. She lifted her head from the pond and looked at him. His mouth fell open.
“Um Hello?” she said.
“Hai…” he said stupidly. Suddenly everything snapped back and he shut his mouth and stood straight. “Hello.”
She giggled. “What’s your name? I haven’t seen you before.”
“Er, my name’s Moon-Gaze. Just Gaze.” He replied.
“Are you new here?” she said.
“Yes, I just arrived.” Gaze couldn’t keep his eyes off her. “What’s your name?”
“River-Tune. Just call me Tune. I get called that a lot.” She smiled.
“Er, I don’t know anyone around here… Can I know you?” Gaze asked awkwardly. He felt a little silly.
She giggled again. “Of course! I don’t have many friends either… and the ones I have live on the other side of Beauran.” She liked him!
“Why would anyone not want to be friends with you….?” Gaze said.
“Well, my Aunt is the Alfa. I think that has something to do with it. But who cares! You can be my friend now.” She said happily. She started to walk around the pond. “I’ll take you to my parents.”
Gaze felt so pleased. He had found a friend so quick! And she was pretty. They walked around to the other side of the pond, and she started towards the other trees to the path out the other side.
“So, where did you come from?” Tune asked him.
“Well, I came from a place far from here. My pack land was a water-fall in the middle of the forest. My pack wasn’t as big as this. My father was accused of murdering the Alfa, but he didn’t, it was a rival pack. He got back from hunting with blood on his muzzle, and they thought it was him. They took him away and I never saw him again. The pack chased me away, into a storm. The next thing I knew I was in a cave with your Guardian, Stalk.” Gaze looked at the ground.
“You poor thing.” She nudged him.
“How about you?” he asked. She smiled.
“Well, I was born here, in a cave in the mountain, which is where I live now. I’ve never been on a hunting trip, but out first one’s coming up soon. You’ll be able to come!” Tune wagged her curled tail. “The hunting grounds are just outside the valley.”
“I can’t wait! I’ve never been hunting in a group before.” Tune smiled again. The kept walking down the narrow forest path. They emerged from the forest, not into a garden, but a beautiful clearing with a waterfall. It fell from the slope and splashed into a deep pool, which turned back into the stream and trickled away, into a thick forest.
The pool was amazing. On one side was a rock cliff, with an ancient oak at the top. The water-fall fell over more rocks, which turned to grass at the edge and at the top was the forest. The whole place was lovely and shaded.
“Want to go swimming?” Tune said, looking into the water. “It’s lovely in there.”
“Er, I’m not sure…” he stood up on a rock at the edge. “Maybe another – aagh!” Tune pushed him in. He splashed into the cool water, his feet touch the rocky bottom and he pushed off. His head broke out of the surface. Tune was giggling.
Gaze ducked back under. He looked up at Tune, who was still giggling. Then he pushed off, put his head up and grabbed Tune by her necklace. She tumbled into the water next to him.
“Hey!” She said, shaking her head. She laughed and ducked under. Gaze waited, then felt himself being pulled under by his tail.
They played in the water, splashing, jumping in and pulling each other under. Gaze had never had so much fun before. The water was cool and refreshing, and it was deep enough for them to swim.
After a bit, Tune started to swim to the other side. Gaze followed, wondering what she was doing. She climbed out, onto a flat rock on the side of the water-fall. The water tumbled down beside her. Gaze climbed out, and looked into the water. It was so pretty. Tune turned and started to climb a little up the rock, to another flat bit. Gaze followed, and they were halfway up.
“Come and see this,” Tune said, and ducked her head, backed, and ran behind the water fall. Surely it was solid rock behind?
“Tune? River-Tune? Are you OK?” he called. He looked over the side into where the water clashed down. Then he heard a voice from behind the waterfall.
“Gaze! I’m here! Come on! Just jump!” Gaze wondered how she did it.
Reluctantly, he ducked his head, backed, and ran at the water. He was going to trip. He was going to fall off.
A second later, his body hit the ground. The water fell down near him.
“See, you did it!” Tune came up and nudged him. He opened his eyes and stood up. He was alive! He looked around. It was a cave. A lovely, big, cave. At the door the water created a wall, and it was loud, yet friendly sounding.
“Where are we?” Gaze asked, still looking around.
“My secret cave. I used to come here with my brother. He’s older than me, and is training to be a guard of the Alfa. I think only we know about it. I just wanted to show you.” She smiled.
“A secret cave. This is lovely.” Gaze walked to the back. It was so cosy, and about the same size as Stalk’s cave. Except it had no secret exits.
“Hey, do you want to try and jump off that high bit into the water?” Tune said, walking back to the entrance.
“Er, I’m not good with heights. Show me first. Like you have for everything today.” Gaze said. Tune giggled. She backed, and leapt out of the cave onto the rock beside. How did she do it so easy. Gaze could do going in, but not out.
He braced himself, shut his eyes and ran at it. He felt water touch his side, which put him off balance. His feet hit the rock, but one slipped. He was about to fall, and there was nothing he could do. He pushed his feet onto the cliff and leapt. Down, down. He flipped over and went head first. He closed his eyes again, waiting for impact, then splash. He plunged into the water below. He looked around in the water holding his breath. He had just fallen off a cliff into water. That was something.
Gaze let himself sink to the bottom, before using all his might to rocket to the surface. He broke the water, coughing. He’d never been under so long. Coughing, he started to swim to the other side.
Tune ran down the side of the cliff, on the grass, and got to the water’s edge. She stood there, waiting for Gaze to come.
“Gaze! Are you OK!” she said, as his feet touched the bottom and he started to walk up.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I’ve never done that before!” He replied, shaking himself off.
“I was worried you were going to drown!” she said, starting to walk off. Gaze walked beside her. “I think the original idea was to jump, not fall.” She said, shaking her head.
“Yeah, well I thought that too, until I did fall.” Gaze laughed.
“Well, we should probably get to my parent’s now. Let’s go.” They walked for a bit, into the forest. Suddenly, Tune leapt forward, and started sprinting ahead.
“Hey!” Gaze raced after her. She ran through the trees, dodging them like an athlete. Her tail uncurled as she went ever faster. He caught up and ran alongside her. She looked at him, smiled cheekily, and kept running. Gaze started to pant.
He looked at her. She looked back. Then, all of a sudden, she pushed him with her nose, leapt forward, and jumped clean over an enormous log in front of her. Before he could realise what was there, Gaze tripped, rolled over, and hit his head on the log.
“Ow!” he said. He got up, shook, and ran around it. Tune was just a few paces in front of him. “You – are - so - fast!” he panted. She laughed, leaping to dodge every tree in front of her.
As the two of them tore through the forest, rabbits and birds jumped and fluttered from their path. Their feet pounded on the forest floor. Tune seemed like she could run for miles. Gaze, who hadn’t run so fast, galloped along behind.
Suddenly, Tune slowed down, her tail re-curling and her ears going forward again. Gaze slowed behind her. He walked up beside her. In front of them was the stream, and a big log over it.
“Come on, lets go.” Tune said. She climbed onto the log, and trotted over. She stopped at the end, and turned to face gaze. “Well, come on!”
“OK.” Gaze climbed onto the moss-covered log, and walked slowly across. Tune leapt off onto the grass on the other side. She shook herself off and sat down. Gaze made his way to the end, and leapt onto the soft grass. It was comfortable on his tired feet.
He too sat down and panted. Tune yawned. “How can you run so fast?” Gaze asked her.
“My father was a good hunter. He had to run for miles just to get a meal. Nowadays there are heaps of deer and rabbits and birds in the hunting grounds. It doesn’t take a huge hunting group to catch one any more.” She said, getting up again.
“Do we have to?” Gaze whined. She nodded and rolled her eyes. He got up and followed her. This part of the forest was very grassy, and full of very old trees. There were also less of them.
“We’re nearly home. Just through this part of the forest, and we’ll be there.” They trotted through the trees, listening to the silence of the forest. Then Gaze saw something on the ground. It shone out in the patch of sunlight it was sitting in. White. Bright white.
“Tune, come and see this.” He said, still looking at it. She stopped and turned.
“What?” she asked, walking up behind him.
“Look. I think it’s a tooth,” Gaze sniffed it. Tune had a sniff too, and nudged it.
“Oh wow it is! And it’s a wolf’s tooth. But it’s so big. You should wear it around your neck. It would suit you!” She picked it up in her teeth. She nodded in the direction they were going and Gaze followed her.

[Kodabomb]

Another chapter! It's a bit shorter than the others.

Sapphira and Aldoro

After walking through the forest a little more, they reached a slope where the stream ran down. It was rocky. The slope was covered in rocks and the stream was very rocky here too. The top of the slope was covered it more trees, even more beautiful than before, and the front had grass, neatly trimmed by grazing rabbits.
“Here’s home. Kind of tucked away, but I love it.” Said Tune, putting the tooth down to speak. “Come in, I’ll show you” She picked it up again, and trotted over to the rocks. Gaze followed her. How do you live in rocks?
She climbed up a few of them, and stopped at a hole in them. She smiled at Gaze, then leapt in. He came to the edge, and peered into the hole. Tune was standing at the bottom. Looking up at him. He bent down, his feet holding onto the rock on the sides. He pushed his legs, and tumbled into the den. He hit the dirt floor with a thump. Tune seemed to do everything with such ease.
As he got up and shook the dust off, they heard a noise from around the side of a large boulder, a bit like a wall.
“Tune? Is that you?” came a female voice.
“Yes Mother. I…. I’ve brought someone.” A wolf came around the corner. She too was white, with aqua blue around her legs, ears and tail, but in rings. Her eyes were bright green and her tail was a lot less curled. As she walked it kind of swished instead. Around her neck was a sapphire.
“And who is this charming pup?” she said, sniffing him. Gaze stood still, as no threat.
“His name’s Moon-Gaze. He’s new here, and my new friend.” Tune said to her mother.
“You’ve found a friend now, Tune? I’m so happy!” she nuzzled her daughter. “Where did you come from?” she said kindly to Gaze.
“Far away.” His voice sounded muffled. He didn’t want to tell the story again. And besides, he didn’t want to. Tune looked at him and didn’t say anything to her Mother.
“Well, come it you two. We haven’t anything to eat right now, but your father’s gone hunting for hare.” They walked around the boulder and into a round area, with a deer-skin on the floor. It was very big, and probably from a large stag, for the whole family could fit on it at night. In the corner was a small hole, and a tiny spring leaked into it from the stream that was right above them.
“Oh, I forget something,” Tune ran out and came back with the tooth. She set it down in front of her mother who had sat down on the rug. Gaze and Tune sat down too. “It’s a wolf’s tooth, but from someone big. We don’t know who, but we were hoping you could make it into a charm for Gaze?” Her mother sniffed the tooth.
“I’ll try, I have a few strands of horse-hair left. But you know it take time to make one of these.” Her mother said. Tune nodded. Then there was a shuffling sound from the entrance.
“Sapphira? I’ve got lunch!” A male voice came from outside. Tune’s mother, Sapphira, got up.
“Come on you two.” She said, and they followed her over. One by one they climbed out. When Gaze showed himself, Tune’s father cocked his head. He was Brown with florescent green and blue in scar-like patterns on his legs and tail. There was a fluoro green stripe down his back too.
“Who’s this?” He asked. He, like Sapphira, sniffed him.
“This is Tune’s new friend, Moon-Gaze. He’s new, and hasn’t got a place to stay. You don’t mind, do you Aldoro?” Sapphira said.
“No, not at all. Everyone, dig in!” He replied. They all started to bite into the hare. Gaze was so hungry, he could eat it all himself if he wanted to. The last time he’d eaten was the night before he was chased from his pack. Every little bite he took slowly filled his starving stomach.
Soon, only the hare’s bones were left, and a small creature like that could only feed so many hungry wolves. Everyone sat down, licking their lips of the blood and cleaning their paws. What a nice meal.

[Luna~tic]

this is amazing
*stalking*

[Kodabomb]

Aaw thanks! I'll just add another chapter.....

[Kodabomb]

The next chapter!

The tree

Sapphira got up and went to the entrance. “You two go off and play.” She said, and she leapt into the den. Aldoro picked up a bone and trotted up the slope into the forest. Tune smiled at Gaze.
“Come and I’ll show you my special place.” She said. She began to trot off into the trees. Gaze followed her.
“Where are we going?” he asked her, catching up and walking beside her.
“You’ll see. It’s lovely.”
“This place has got everything.” Said Gaze, shaking his head. Tune giggled and started to run. Again? They both ran off into the forest. It was a nice little part of the forest where Tune and her parents lived. It was tidy, with short, green grass and thick trees that weren’t too close together. Rabbits and birds were all around, and when they ran through the longer grass butterflies exploded from it.
They leapt over the logs and ducked under the low branches. All around them birds chirped and sang. They kept running at a nice pace.
Soon they came to a thick part of the forest. The trees were close together and roots were all jumbled up. Vines hung from the branches, and there were lots of bushed and shrubs. A narrow little track that looked like it was used very rarely wound it’s way through the trees. They stopped.
Tune stood there for a moment. Then she turned to him and said. “Catch me if you can!” she leapt onto the path and started to bolt. Gaze stood there for a moment. Then he snapped back.
“Bring it on!” he said, and ran after. He leapt over the roots and dodged the trees as he tried to catch up with the speedy Tune. He legs were moving ever so fast, and her tail was uncurled like she when she ran last time. The tangled forest was hard to run fast and straight in, but Tune dodged everything like a deer.
Gaze kept running and was right behind her, he reached out and tried to grab her, when Tune sprang away, and leapt into the air. She grabbed a vine over-hanging them in her teeth, and swung forward as Gaze ran underneath her. Gaze, not knowing what exactly happened, kept running. He suddenly heard a thump behind him, and Tune was running along in his wake. She laughed as Gaze looked at her with his mouth hanging open. She was like an acrobat, only a lot more skilled if she could do that running.
He turned back to look in front of him, and saw a big log blocking the path. He had never jumped a log before. He let his front feet stop, bringing his front on either side of them. He looked up at the log, and just above it. Then, using all his might, pushed off the ground and put his front legs out. He was flying. He soared over the log, and braced as he came to the ground. Gaze closed his eyes and tried to make a safe landing. He fell to the floor, landing hard on his shoulder. His head hit the ground. A pains truck though his side, but he was OK.
“Gaze? Moon-Gaze?” Tune was standing on the log. She leapt off it and landed next to him. “Are you OK?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Again.” Gaze said, sitting up.
“That’s the second time I’ve asked you that today, and it’s only been a while.” She nudged him and he got up. “Well, let’s go.” She started to walk down the track.
“Are we nearly there?” Gaze asked.
“Yeah, just around here.” She replied. They walked around the corner, and what was in front of him was amazing.
An enormous tree stood in front of them. It was ten times bigger than the trees around it, and had an enormously wide trunk with big roots all around. He looked up and saw that the branches spread not far up, making something almost like a floor, and the branches went up like the sides of a bowl.
“This is it….?” Gaze asked, as he gaped at the tree.
“Yeah. It’s not too special – just a tree…. But I come here a lot, and it’s so quite because there’s no one around.” She replied, looking up into the branches.
“Well I love it.” Gaze started to walk around the tree, just looking at it’s features.
“Let’s go up then!” Tune said. She went around to the other side of the tree. Up? Wolves can’t climb trees!
“Last I checked, most wolves didn’t climb tree.” Gaze said, following her. She was standing on an enormous root.
“Just step! Look, I use these roots as steps to climb. Just follow the ones I go on and you won’t fall down like with everything else today.” She said like she could do anything. Even though she could. Just about. She bent her back legs and leapt onto another root coming from higher up. Then she climbed onto another one, twisted around it. Gaze got onto the first one, and copied her onto the one underneath where she was. She watched him climb, then jumped onto a branch sticking out. Gaze jumped onto the twisted one. Finally, Tune crept along the branch and leapt down onto the flat bit between the branches.
Gaze didn’t know if he could jump and climb on a branch. He wasn’t a bird or a cat or even a goat. But he carefully climbed onto it and slowly walked along it. He got to the end and looked beneath him at Tune, who was watching warily, so he didn’t have another accident. He bent down and jumped onto the flat beneath. He was officially a tree-climbing wolf.
“Yeah, my tree-den. I like it here.” Tune said, sitting down. Gaze looked around the place. It wasn’t too big or too small, but it could fit at least seven wolves with room to spare. There were a few bones lying around and clearly Tune was here very often. It was set in a beautiful clearing of the forest, and the only sounds around were the birds and trees rustling.
“Oh, I’m so tired.” Said Gaze. He lay down.
“Me too. All that running – and it’s quiet here. I think I’ll have a quick nap.” Tune replied, and she too lay down.
Soon the charming sounds of the forest made him drowsy, and Gaze quietly drifted off to sleep.

* * *
“She’s usually here!”
“Well she’s not, is she!”
“What a waste of time!”
“We need to get that Pup. She’s the only one….”
Gaze woke up. He stared into the canopy, watching a bird jump from branch to branch. He sat up, and the bird flew away. What a relaxing sleep.
“Come on, we’ll keep looking.”
What was that? Gaze jumped up, startled, at the sound of a male wolf’s voice. He crept to the side of the tree and looked at the ground. He couldn’t see or hear anything.
“No, we should go. It’ll take time to catch her.”
Gaze pricked up his ears and looked into the bushes. A flash of red and white disappeared in the leaves. A wolf? Could there be a wolf here? And what did they want? He stared into the bush where the tail went. Were they talking about Tune? Was Tune the one they needed? She was the only one who was here….
“Gaze? What – what’s wrong?” Tune lifted her head and looked at him.
“No. Nothing.” Gaze turned away and sat down next to her. He didn’t want to worry her. Especially when he barely knew her yet.
“OK…. We’ll go home now then. We’ve been sleeping for ages. It’s dusk.” She got up, shook herself off, and went to the side of the tree.

***
Long shadows were cast across their path. The birds were quite, and rabbits started coming out. They walked through the forest to the slope. What a day. To think just last night he had been running through a storm, and now he was settled. With a home. And a real friend.
Well, almost settled.
What he saw earlier was strange. If everyone was one here, who could be wanting to capture a wolf? A pup even? Evil? Or maybe a traitor. Whoever it was, Gaze was going to watch out. He was going to make sure Tune didn’t get harmed.
The two of them emerged from the trees, to see the slope of rocks, and the stream running down. They climbed up the rocks, and Tune jumped into the den, Gaze following. The den was cosy and warm.
“Tune?” Sapphira’s voice came from around the boulder.
“I’m back Mother.” Tune replied, and they walked around to see her. She was sitting on the deer-skin.
“I’ve made that tooth into a charm too.” Sapphira bent and picked up the tooth, dangling from a thread of horse-hair. She got up and walked to Gaze. Tossing it up, the charm came down and landed on Sapphira’s nose. She touched Gaze’s nose and it slid down and came around his neck.
“Lovely.” She said. “Now you two should get a drink and lie down. Aldoro will be here soon, he’s just gone to talk to some friends. She lay down on the rug. Gaze and Tune went and lapped at the water in the little pool at the side of the cave. It calmed his sore throat, which had been burning ever since they had ran to the big tree. Then they lay down next to her.
Gaze yawned broadly and smiled. Tune shook her head, and her charm dangled around. This was so comfortable. He’d never slept on something this soft. He was always on a pile of leaves or grass ever since he was a pup. This was lovely.
Soon, Tune had drifted off, and Sapphira not long after. It was very quite, and all he could hear was the sounds of deep, heavy breathing.
Suddenly there was a sound from outside, and then a thump, as Aldoro jumped down into the den. He padded quietly into the dark cave, then lapped at the pool. When he finished, he went to lie down near Sapphira. He stretched his long legs and shook himself. Then he saw Gaze, awake.
“Oh, hello again pup. How are you?” he asked, lying down.
“Well thank you. Tune is very…fun.” He replied, laughing a little. Aldoro chuckled back.
“She’s very energetic. You’ll need to keep up with her.” He looked at Gaze. Gaze looked away slightly. “What’s wrong pup? I can see something in there.”
“Well, I saw something today. At the tree.” He replied, looking into Aldoro’s eyes. He couldn’t lie to him. “Something strange.”
“What kind of strange?” he asked him.
“Odd.” He sighed, pausing. “Someone’s out to get someone. They want a pup. I saw a wolf in the forest. Well, his tail. And I heard another wolf with him.”
“Really? They want a pup? Why…. why would someone be out get anybody here?” he looked at the ground, thinking. Aldoro looked worried. Then he spoke again. “You should get some sleep. I will investigate. Don’t worry any more.” Gaze nodded. He curled up, and put his head back down. Not worry any more? He didn’t want to. He was going to find out.

[Kodabomb]

This chapter's a little short, I just thought that little bit needed it's own chapter.

Hunting

“Pup. Pup. Moon-gaze. Wake up.”
Gaze awoke to Aldoro nudging his side. He groaned and looked up. Aldoro stopped and stood straight. “Get up.” He said. He nudged him again, helping him up.
“What’s wrong?” Gaze asked him with a yawn.
“Nothing. Would you like to come and get breakfast with me? We’ll go catch and couple of rabbits. Coming?” he asked him.
“Yeah, sure!” He replied. Gaze looked at Sapphira and Tune, who were both still fast asleep.
“Your hunting trip’s coming up soon. Maybe this will help.” He smiled. They walked around the boulder to the entrance. Gaze climbed out first, and Aldoro followed him. He went ahead of Gaze, walking around the rocks and up the slope.
They walked through the grass to the edge of the forest. The sun was almost up, just dawn, and it was light enough to see. They couldn’t see mush from their tiny slope, just more forest, and they could just see the tops for the mountains on the other side of the valley.
“Now, we’ll go into the bushes and wait for something to come.” Aldoro said to him. “Remember, be as quiet as possible.” He walked into over to a bush and crouched down in it. Gaze copied. Then they waited for breakfast. In front of them was the green, short grass. Little flowers popped up here and there, and it was the perfect little spot for rabbits and birds.
Suddenly, from the trees, came a young rabbit. It hopped around to find a good bit of grass. Twitching it’s little whiskers, it took in the morning sun.
“This is mine.” Aldoro whispered, keeping his eyes fixed on the rabbit. He backed up a little, crouched, then sprung through the leaves of the bush. He pounced on the rabbit and it squeaked as it was pinned on the ground. Aldoro leaned, and the rabbit squeaked no more.
He picked it up and brought it into the bushes, dropping it next to Gaze.
“Wow! I want to catch one!” said Gaze, looking at the lifeless rabbit next to him.
“Well, keep quiet and you might just!” Aldoro replied. They both crouched in wait.
Soon, a big, fat rabbit loped from the trees. It twitched it’s whiskers and nibbled the grass. Gaze eyed it.
“Your shot.” Said Aldoro. Gaze targeted his prey. He backed, crouched, and leapt from the bushes. The rabbit had no time for looking as Gaze hit it hard. It was pinned on the ground, and quickly, not wanting to look, he silenced it. He had caught something for only the second time in his life!
Aldoro emerged from the leaves and walked over to Gaze. “Well done pup! That’s a nice-looking breakfast!” he said. Gaze smiled.
“Really? I want to share it with Tune.” He said.
“OK then. Let’s go back. The sun’s up – they’ll be up too I suppose.” Aldoro said. He went behind the bush again and picked up his rabbit. Gaze picked up his too. They started to walk down the slope. They climbed down the rocks to the grass at the bottom. The two of them dropped their kills. Aldoro went back up the rocks to the den entrance.
“Sapphira! Tune! We’ve got breakfast!” he called. He climbed back down and stood next to Gaze. Then Sapphira emerged from the rocks. She stood there and waited for Tune. She came out, and the two walked down the rocks.
“This is nice!” Said Sapphira, sniffing Aldoro’s rabbit.
“Did you catch this?” Tune asked. She nudged Gaze’s rabbit.
“Yes.” He said, standing up straight and puffing out his chest.
“Well, it’s a very good catch!” She smiled. She was happy with him! Gaze felt like leaping about like a puppy. But he would make a fool of himself.
“You can have some.” Gaze said. She smiled again.
“Really?” Tune replied. Gaze nodded. Then they tucked into their breakfast. Sapphira and Aldoro ate theirs as well.
After a while, the rabbits were no more, and everyone went over to the stream to drink. The four of them lapped up the cold morning water, as the sun rose over the mountains and lit the forest with a bright orange glow. It warmed their backs and melted the frost, bringing out birds and butterflies.
The stream trickled musically and little baby birds and ducks played in the shallow pools. It was a fine morning.
The four wolves finished their drink, and Sapphira spoke.
“You two, we’re going to go and visit my friend Snow-Path, and her new pups. You have to be on your best behaviour for her, she’s exhausted with four pups to look after.” She said sternly. She turned and started walking towards the forest, the way they came from the Pond.
Gaze and Tune looked at each other, grumbling. They reluctantly followed behind Sapphira.

[Kodabomb]

Some images of the characters! The linart is by Emberwolf, thanks!

Moon-Gaze

River-Tune

Sapphira

Aldoro

Scar

Balliar

Bjorna

Simbas

Malvado

I'll do the rest soon!


I drew this drawing because I liked the scene! This is in one of the later chapters, if you haven't already read them.

[Kodabomb]

Anaother chapter!
Remember to read it from the start, because it won't make much sense if you don't. Ant trust me, if the story's boring now, it'll get a lot better later.

Pup-Sitting

They arrived at the clearing of the Great Pond, with all the wolves playing around it. Sapphira walked ahead of them, and they followed behind, not really knowing where they were going. They had just been walking absently behind her all the way. Then Tune’s mother stopped.
“We’re nearly there. Now, remember, no being silly or bad around these pups. You must be role models.” She said.
“Yes.” Gaze and Tune said at the same time. The walked across the clearing and into the forest on the other side.
They came out in the beautiful garden Gaze had come into first with the guardian, and they walked to the side, probably towards the hills. Instead of going to the hills, they came to a huge tree. It was ancient, but the leaves were still green and the wood was still healthy. They went to the base of the tree, to a big hole. Gaze peered inside, and saw it was a little hollow, but a tunnel led down into a den.
“Snow? Are you home?” Sapphira called.
“Sapphira?” a wolf emerged from the den. She was snow-white, and had bright, green, dazzling eyes. She looked a little younger than Sapphira, and very lively. But she was also looking tired, and as she had pups. “Hello! We’ll go then?” she said.
“Go….?” Said Tune.
“And River-Tune’s got a friend! Lovely. Come on then.” Snow-Path came out of the den.
“What? What are we….. Are we looking after the pups? Mother!” Tune tried calling after her Mother, but the two had already gone into the garden out of sight.
“What…” Gaze asked, staring after them.
“She does that. She knows I won’t come if it’s something I won’t like. We’ll just have do it. We can’t leave pups here by themselves.” She said grumpily. She ducked and went into the den. Gaze followed.
The tunnel was dark, but his eyes got used to it. It was dirt, and the walls had roots coming out of them. They came to a chamber that was small, but nice and cosy. There was a skin on the floor and in the corner was a smaller skin, with four, tiny puppies sleeping on it. Three were white like their mother, and one was ebony black, probably like their father. They had no markings, because normally pups got their main markings when they got older.
“Pfft. We’ll just lie here and wait for them to wake up. I hope we don’t have to do anything.” Tune sat on the rug. She obviously didn’t like doing jobs. Gaze sat next to her.
“Hey, when’s the hunting trip coming up?” he asked.
“I think it’s in about seven days. The hunting ground’s a bit of a trip – it’s like at the other side of Beauran.” She replied.
“I still can’t wait to go. Do you know what it’s like?”
“My brother said every pup our age goes over a period of days with a tutor to show everyone how to hunt large animals in a group. Then you do it by yourself. I’ve only ever caught a rat before, so I really need this hunting trip.” She said, lying down. Gaze couldn’t wait. He really wanted to go. And he had to.
Over in the corner, the pups stirred they must have been talking to loud. A little white one sat up on his little legs and yawned. He looked around at his brother and sisters. He whimpered. Where was his mother?
Gaze looked at him. He got up and whined. Then he saw Gaze and Tune. On his short, fluffy legs he padded over to them. Tune stared at him. Gaze bent down and nuzzled his soft fur.
“What am I supposed to do with it?” Tune asked. She nudged him. The little puppy fell down and whimpered.
“Don’t hurt him!” Gaze said, laughing. He grabbed the puppy by the scruff of the neck and set him on his feet. “He can’t even walk properly yet.”
“Well, how was I supposed to know it was completely helpless?” she replied. Gaze shook his head. Over in the corner, the other puppies stirred. One by one, they awoke and stumbled from their rug over to Gaze and Tune.
“Aagh, too many.” Grumbled Tune. Gaze nuzzled each one of them so they were comfortable.
“They’re so cute!” He said, and he rolled onto his back. The puppies, now wagging their little tails, climbed all over him, yapping and panting. Tune sat up and stared at Gaze.
“You are weird.” She said, shaking her head a laughing. Gaze lifted his head and grabbed Tune, pulling her onto her back. She gasped, then giggled as two of the puppies climbed onto her.
“They tickle! Gaze! The puppies are tickling me!” she giggled harder. Gaze laughed as she was wrestled to the ground by two tiny pups. Her tail thumped on the ground as she played with the puppies.
Gaze slowly got up, being careful not to sit on a puppy. He trotted around the room, and the confused puppies watched him. They fell over each other trying to keep up with where Gaze was going. When they were a little dizzy, he crept behind them and nudged them. One puppy yelped, the other barked and tried to chase him on his little legs. He tripped over the rug and landed on his face.
Just as Tune was getting up, they heard footsteps from down the tunnel. The two of them sat up straight, staring at the tunnel.
A wolf emerged. He was jet-black with a white ring on his feet, muzzle and bob-tail. He had bright blue eyes and a handsome face. He looked at them.
“Who are you?” he asked. A puppy ran to him.
“Er, pup-sitters….. I’m River-Tune. Remember me? My mother is Sapphira.” Tune said to him. The wolf looked at her. Then he chuckled.
“Oh yes, Snow told me you were coming. And who is this?” he asked.
“Oh, my friend Moon-Gaze. He’s new.” Replied Tune.
“Ah! Well hello Moon-Gaze! I’m Night-Runner. Nice to meet you.” He smiled at Gaze. Night-Runner bent and nuzzled the puppy, who yapped and tried to nip his paws playfully. “Well, I’ll be going now, I just came to check on the puppies. Goodbye!” and he left the chamber through the tunnel. The puppy whined after him, then turned and sat down, cocking his head.
“When will Snow-Path get back? I want to go somewhere.” Tune said. She looked like she was getting sick of pup-sitting. Gaze picked up a puppy by the scruff of her neck and put her down on their rug. He did it to another puppy. Tune picked up a puppy, quite coarsely, and tossed him down on the rug. He squeaked as he hit the floor.
“Tune! Don’t be rough with them.” Gaze said, picking up the last puppy and putting him down.
“Well, it should toughen up then shouldn’t it.” Replied Tune, looking at the puppies who were settling down to sleep. Gaze laughed and shook his head. Then there was a voice from the tunnel entrance above.
“Gaze! Tune!” Sapphira called down to them.
“We’re coming Mother!” called Tune. She had a look on her face of great delight. She looked at the puppies, then turned and went up the tunnel. Gaze followed her.
They emerged from the dark tunnel into the bright morning sunshine. Sapphira and Snow-Path were standing there. “How was it?” Sapphira asked.
“Pfft.” Replied Tune. She walked past her mother and sat on the grass.
“Night-Runner came.” Gaze said.
“Did he? Did he want something?” Snow-Path asked curiously. Gaze shook his head.
“Well, goodbye Sapphira. And thank you, pups, for looking after my puppies.” She smiled, then crept quietly into her den. Tune, Gaze, and Sapphira set off home.