Beauran Book 1 ~ The Orphan Pup {Wolf Story}

[Seren.]

This is really good!! I'm checking for more everytime i log on!!

[Kodabomb]

The next chapter.
This chapter will contribute A LOT to the main part of the story. So far (And a few chapters more) is just the beginning.

Strangers

“Now, you two go off and play. Get some exercise.” Sapphira nuzzled her daughter. Gaze smiled. She went over to the den and crept in. Tune looked at her, then at Gaze.
“Want do you want to do?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe we could go exploring?” he replied. Tune smiled.
“Yes! Follow me. There’s a place I haven’t been before.” She said happily. She set off in the opposite direction to the slope. He followed.
It was the same sort of forest, with grass and rabbits and birds. It was warm, and the massive trees protected them from the bright sun. There was a cooling breeze, which made the trees sway. Gaze kept following until the oaks turned to pines. Amongst the trees there was no grass, and a wide path wound through the forest.
“Come on. I’ve never been this far.” Tune said. She trotted onto the path. He followed her, and found the path was not hard, but soft on his feet.
This part of the forest was dark, and the trees were close together. Logs had fallen and were scattered here and there, providing shelter for little animals. But something about this forest made him shiver.
“What’s wrong Gaze?” said Tune, turning to look at him.
“Nothing. It’s just this forest feels weird.” He replied, looking around through the trees, as though he was expecting something. And he was. He just didn’t know what.
“Forests shouldn’t feel weird. There must be someone here.” She said, and she too looked around.
“It’s all right. It must be my imagination.” Replied Gaze. Surely there wasn’t anything harmful here? They kept walking down the path. As Tune said, the forest was absolutely fine, but there was definitely something – or someone – here.
“Tune, I’m getting uncomfortable-”
“Gaze! It’s OK. Let’s just keep walking.” She said comfortingly. He hushed.
Soon the wind picked up. It whistled through the pines like a roaring sound. It ruffled Gaze’s fur and he shivered.
Suddenly, the was a crunch from in the trees. Tune gasped and backed quickly next to Gaze. There was another crunch, and a wolf leapt onto their path. A big wolf.
“Here she is.” He said slyly. He crept nearer. Tune shrunk.
He was white, with red on the bottom of his neck, his legs, and his tail in scar-like patterns. There was a real scar on his eye, and his ear was chipped. He snarled an evil smile, showing white teeth. Bright white. With a gap at the front. The tooth Gaze wore around his neck….
“We’ve been looking for you.” Came another voice. Gaze spun around and saw a jet-black wolf with shining red eyes. Like a demon. He crept closer and set his eyes on the two pups.
“What do you want?” Gaze shouted. He felt very nervous, but he tried to hide it. They might attack.
“We want your little girlfriend.” Replied the white and red wolf. Gaze felt anger rush up inside him. He wanted to bite this wolf.
“You don’t come from here.” Said Tune in a small, yet powerful voice. “You are bad.”
“Oh no, don’t judge by appearance.” He said.
“Not appearance,” replied Gaze with a growl.
“Get them.” Said the white and red wolf. The black wolf growled and leapt at Gaze. Gaze jumped out of the way. He jumped up high onto the wolf’s back and grabbed his ear, pulling and biting. The other wolf tried at Tune, but she was agile. She leapt clean over his head, and landed behind him, before he could turn, she had grabbed his tail and yanked in. The wolf howled and snapped, turning quickly like a snake.
Gaze gave one more pull of the black wolf’s ear, then leapt off and grabbed his foot. Bad move. The wolf spun around and grabbed Gaze’s ear. Gaze fell down, howling in pain. He kicked and jumped up, the wolf let go and tried snapping. Gaze leapt out of the way. He glanced at Tune, who was ducking and spinning, grabbing the wolf’s tail, then ears, then legs, and he could not catch her.
“Tune! Run!” Gaze barked. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. With one last yank of his tail, she sprinted towards Gaze. Gaze bolted as fast as he could. The black wolf stopped and howled, and the white one chased after them.
“What do they want?” Tune shouted. She ran on. Their feet pounded on the forest floor, and their pursuers feet pounded harder. They had big claws and muscly legs, and all they had was better agility. And that wasn’t very good in this situation.
The bigger wolves were catching up. Gaze and Tune ran faster and harder. Gaze’s legs burned, and his feet were sore. They would catch them. He looked beside him at Tune. She had started to cry, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Get them! Run!” the white and red wolf said behind them.
“Tune! Don’t worry, we’re nearly out of this forest. Just keeping running!” he shouted to Tune. Tune was sobbing.
“Gaze! I can’t! I can’t do it! They’re going to get us!” she cried. Gaze couldn’t do anything. They just had to keep running.
The oak forest was up ahead. If those wolves went into there, they’d probably get spotted. If they could get there….
“No! We need to get them!” shouted the white wolf. He growled. The black one snarled and ran faster.
Gaze stretched out, he ran in bigger bounds, and finally, he leapt onto the grass. Tune followed, and they kept running. The wolves behind them howled.
Tune and Gaze kept running. Tune was still sobbing. She was terrified. They ran through the forest. Soon the rocks were up ahead, and they slowed down. Tune was breathing deeply, and Gaze was panting. They climbed quickly up the rocks and leapt into the den. They staggered into the chamber where Sapphira was sitting.
Tune collapsed on the rug, still sobbing and panting. Gaze sat down and lolled his head, catching his breath. Sapphira stared in horror.
“What’s – what ‘s happened? Are you all right? Where did you go?” she said. Tune shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. Gaze spoke for her.
“We were chased. Two wolves. They wanted River-Tune. My tooth-charm…..” he said, staring into Sapphira’s eyes.
“Chased? Oh no…. by – by who?” she asked. She looked appalled.
“Outsiders. Evil. I need to speak to Aldoro….” Gaze panted.
“What will Aldoro do? Outsiders? Oh, Gaze, Tune….” She nuzzled both of them. “Sleep. Sleep. I’ll get Aldoro.” Gaze shut his eyes and drifted into his dreams.

* * *
“No just leave them.”
“He wanted you!”
“OK, just the pup.”
“Gaze. Gaze. Wake up.”
Sapphira nudged his neck. He opened his eyes. She looked worried.
“Gaze, Aldoro’s here to talk to you.” She smiled and sat down in the corner. Gaze sat up and saw Aldoro by the boulder. He was smiled slightly, but he looked a little concerned. He got up and walked over to him. He waited, then they went and climber out of the den. Aldoro walked around the rocks and walked up the slope to the top. Gaze followed and sat next to him on the grass.
“So, pup.” Aldoro said. “What did you see?”
“Well, you know how I saw that tail in the bushes yesterday?” he nodded. “I saw the wolf it belonged to. And the other wolf I heard. They were after Tune, and they chased us. I’ve no idea why, or how they knew we were there. They just ambushed us on the path in the pine forest. It was really scary.” Gaze shuddered.
“This is odd. They want my daughter.” He paused to think. “Has Tune told you anything secret?” Gaze though about it. There was the water-fall cave. But what did it have to do with anything? And the tree… trees aren’t important. And there wasn’t anything else.
“No. She hasn’t said anything.” Gaze replied.
“Well then you probably don’t have the reason they want her either.” He looked very anxious. His own daughter was being tracked. It must have felt awful. Then Gaze thought of something.
“Sir, do you think it has something to do with Sapphira’s sister being the Alfa’s mate?” he asked. Aldoro shook his head. Then he sighed.
“Please, just ask her. Ask her of something she’s never told anyone before, not even me or Sapphira. I think that’s all we can do.” He said. Once again, he sighed, and went off into the forest. Gaze looked at the ground. He didn’t really know what to feel. Scared, or guilty or confronting.
After a moment, he turned and walked towards the den. He tried his best to forget everything, but it just wouldn’t leave him. And besides, he needed to ask Tune what Aldoro told him.
He climbed up the rocks and into the den. He walked around the boulder and saw Tune and Sapphira. Tune was now awake, and Sapphira was chewing on a bone. She looked up and smiled. Tune smiled with a sigh. She still looked shaken. Gaze walked up to her a nudged her gently
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Scary, huh?” she sat up and licked her paw and nose. Then Tune got up and they went outside again to catch some birds for lunch.

[Kodabomb]

This is really good!! I'm checking for more everytime i log on!!

OMG really? Thanks so much! Who's your favourite character so far?

[Kodabomb]

Another chapter!
Did you like the previous chapter? The one after this one is quite exciting, and a couple after that get really into the story.

New Wolves

Six days past. Gaze had settled in with Tune and Sapphira and Aldoro. Aldoro and Gaze had hunted for breakfast nearly every day, for the first hunting trip was soon. Aldoro was kind and encouraging, and Gaze had caught lots of rabbits and a few hares. The family was well-fed.
Tomorrow was the first hunt. Gaze and Tune were eager. Aldoro was to escort them to the secret tunnel which opened to the hunting grounds, and a tutor would take all the pups to hunt. It was night and Gaze and Tune sat inside together, talking about it.
“I’m going to catch a stag.” Said Tune. She puffed out her chest.
“Well, I’ll catch a horse.” He replied. They giggled. Gaze rolled onto his back and sighed.
“I’m nervous too, Gaze.” Said Tune. “What if I don’t catch anything? I might be teased.” She said. Gaze rolled back over.
‘I’m sure you’ll catch something. I’ll help you. And like you said, we’ll also be hunting in a pack.” Replied Gaze.
“Yeah, to bring down stags and stuff like that. I might not even catch a rabbit.” She said grumpily. Gaze shook his head. Then they heard footsteps from the entrance.
“I’m home!” it was Aldoro. He came around the boulder and lay on the rug, yawning.
“Are you two ready for tomorrow? We have to leave early.” He said, smiling.
“Yep.” Tune and Gaze said together. Aldoro laughed.
“Well, you better get some sleep. Sapphira will be back soon.” He said.
“Father, what if I don’t catch anything?” Tune asked uncomfortably.
“Don’t worry. You will.” He replied, nuzzling her.
“I already told her that.” Said Gaze. Aldoro laughed again.
“OK, sleep. Goodnight.” He said, putting his head down. Gaze and Tune bade goodnight as well.
He shut his weary eyes, imagining going out to hunt deer and hares…. Soon all the thoughts turned to dreams, and he drifted off into a deep sleep.

* * *
“Gaze. Gaze. Come on! Wake up!” Tune was nudging him, hard. He opened his eyes and looked up at her. He saw Sapphira sitting in the corner.
“We’re going hunting! We need to go!” Tune said. Her tail was wagging and she looked excited. Gaze lifted his head, sat up, and licked his paw. “Oh, hurry up! Father’s waiting!”
“Just wait a sec. We should probably get a drink before we go.” He stood up and got a drink from the little dripping pool in the corner. Tune had a drink beside him.
“Pups! Come one!” Aldoro called from outside. Gaze and Tune lifted their heads.
“Coming!” said Tune. “Goodbye Mother!” She nuzzled Sapphira.
“Bye.” Said Gaze, nuzzling her too.
“Good luck! And listen to your tutors!” Sapphira called after them, as they ran to the entrance and climbed out. They found Aldoro waiting at the bottom of the hill.
“OK you two,” he said when they reached him. “We’re meeting Scar and his three pups on the way there.”
“Who’s Scar?” said Tune.
“A friend I knew as a pup. He’s got pups, and his den in on the way there, so I thought we’d go with him.” He said. Before Tune could argue, he looked her sternly in the eye, so she just grumbled instead. Aldoro then started walking off, and Tune and Gaze followed him.
They walked into the forest. It wasn’t too light yet, because the walk there was a while and the sun would be up by the time they arrived. The fresh, cool smells properly awakened and livened him up for the morning, for he couldn’t wait to get to the hunting grounds.
The forest around them was only just starting to wake. The birds weren’t chirping very loud, and some weren’t even awake. The branches above were lined with sleeping birds, and rabbits were just getting to bed from being awake all night. The bushes rustled with movement from snakes and small animals coming out to the morning sun. Gaze felt he could just run around, but he didn’t want to waste his energy for the hunting lessons.
He went over to a tree and lifted his leg. Now he was really ready for the day.

* * *
After a very, very long walk, they arrived at Scar’s den. It was a cave in a hillside, surrounded by pines and bushes. The sun was up, and it shone on their backs, warming them up like a fire in the fresh morning air.
Aldoro walked up to the cave and called in. “Scar? Are you here?” he said.
“Aldoro!” came a voice from the cave. A wolf walked out. He was light brown with three black rings around his tail and legs. There was a darker brown shape on his side, it looked pointy like a mountain and it had a dot at the bottom. His muzzle was black, and around his neck was a blue feather. “How are you? And little Tune! I haven’t seen you since you were a new-born puppy. Come in!” he said. He was very polite, but loud and happy. They walked into the cave, and the entrance was steep with rocks down in as though they had fallen in. The chamber was at the bottom, and looked grand with the light shining in from above.
“I’ll get the pups. You sit here.” He said. He walked away down a tunnel in the rock. Tune, Gaze and Aldoro sat down on a deer-skin rug. The cave was rather spacious, with quite a high ceiling and it was a large room. The tunnel were big enough to walk down without ducking. A cave like this must have many rooms.
Scar returned shortly with his three pups. He had two sons and a daughter all the same age. The girl was white with three green rings around her tail and legs, and her ears were green. Around her neck was a large diamond, still embedded in a bit of rock. He eyes were blue. The boys were brown like their father, one dark one light, with black on their legs and tail in splodge patterns. They each had a strip of fawn-skin around their back ankles. The darker one was very strong-looking.
“Aldoro, these are my pups. This is Bjorna, Balliar, and Simbas.” He nodded to the girl first, then the dark pup, and then the lighter one.
“Scar, you know River-Tune, and this is Moon-Gaze. He’s new.” Aldoro replied.
“Ah, hello Moon-Gaze! May I call you Gaze?” he said. Gaze nodded. “Shall we go now?”
“Yes. Come on, pack!” Aldoro replied, getting up. They all followed him up the rocks to the grass outside. Aldoro nodded to Scar, who went ahead and everyone followed him. They walked into the hilly forest, full of pines and shrubs and plenty of rocks.
Bjorna slowed down and walked alongside Tune and Gaze.
“Hello!” she said.
“Hi!” replied Tune. “I don’t have any friend who are girls. How are you?”
“Well. I have to put up with my brothers all day too. And there’s hardly anyone around.” Tune and Bjorna started chatting away. Gaze, not interested in listening to them, walked ahead a bit to be next to Balliar and Simbas. Balliar turned and saw him.
“Hello! You’re new aren’t you?” he said.
“Yes. I got here about eight days ago.” Gaze replied.
“We moved into this cave not long ago too. We used to live in west Beauran.” Simbas said from the other side of his brother.
“Yeah. So where are you from?” Balliar asked.
“Far away. I don’t know where exactly.” Gaze replied, looking at his paws.
“Why did you leave? Where are your parents?” Simbas asked curiously.
“Well, my mother drowned, and my father was accused of murder. I was chased from my pack. You know the guardian, Stalk? He picked me up from a storm.” Gaze said, looking back at Simbas and Balliar.
Simbas looked at the ground. He didn’t really know what to say. Then Balliar spoke up.
“Hey, lets have a race!” he said excitedly. His tail wagged. Simbas looked up and smiled.
“OK!” Gaze said. More running. But with someone else for a change. “Last one to the hunting grounds is a sick puppy!” He ran ahead. Simbas chased after him and Balliar tailed behind.
“Hey!” Tune said from behind them. She and Bjorna bolted. The small pack of pups ran through the forest, over the rocky slopes, dodging the trees. Scar and Aldoro cantered slowly along behind.
“Which way’s the hunting ground?” Bjorna called.
“Just follow the mountain! I think it’s straight ahead!” Balliar barked back from the front of the pack.
“You pups don’t go out of our sight!” Aldoro warned. Tune rolled her eyes and ran faster, probably to deliberately get out of her father sights.
After a lot of running, till all of their paws burned, they arrived in a grassy clearing by the mountain. Many wolves were around the clearing, pups with their parents and guardians, and a few tutors. They were surrounding a cave tunnel on the side of the mountain.
Tune, Gaze, Bjorna, Balliar and Simbas slowed and stopped in the clearing. They all sat down, panting and coughing a little, but they were all smiling, and Balliar laughed a little. They looked up the slope into the pine forest, and saw Aldoro and Scar coming over the rocks and walking down to where they all sat.
“Father!” Bjorna called. “Did you see me run! I ran really fast!” she looked pleased with herself. Scar came down and nuzzled her.
“Yes, I’m very proud. You did run fast.” He said kindly. She wagged her tail.
“Now, we need to go and listen to the tutors. Everyone go and sit with everyone else.” Aldoro said clearly. They got up and walked over. A tutor walked to the front. She was black with white over each eye, which went down her neck in stripes and under her belly. He tail was slightly bobbed, and she had white rings on her legs. She spoke in a clear, loud voice, and everyone hushed.
“Good morning, young hunters. Now, before I start, parents and guardians please go to the back and pups come forward.” She said. All the adult wolves walked to the back and sat down. The pups gathered in a group. “Now, everyone, we will be going through this tunnel into the hunting grounds soon. Before we leave, everyone will go into groups. You will be taught how to hunt in a pack and bring down large prey like stags and stallions. If you succeed, you can feed on your kill and bring some for your family if you wish. Everyone in the group shall contribute in hunting and bringing down their prey. If you do not help in any way, you will be sent from the hunting grounds back out here, where you will wait for us to return, no matter how long we take.
“If you should be hurt or injured, you will be escorted safely back by you tutor. If you tutor leaves, do not leave the place you are told to stay. I am replying on every pup here to try their best, for hunting in a pack is a valuable skill for a wolf, and it will be used throughout you life. Are there any questions?”
All the wolves around said nothing. They just waited for her to keep speaking. So she did.
“We will now sort you into groups. We have five tutors, and there is 25 of you. Get into groups of five, and wait.” She said. Gaze, Tune, Balliar, Simbas and Bjorna ran together. They sat down in a little bunch. All the other pups around tumbled and squabbled as they tried to get into their groups. Soon everyone was sorted, and it was once more quiet. The tutor looked around, then spoke once more.
“I will now give you a tutor each.” She said. She seemed to say everything as though they needed to know exactly what they had to do, and exactly how to do it. “You, at the back, go over here. The group by the tree, there. You, with me. Come, stop talking and go over there.” She showed the groups to their leaders. “Now, you. Go over there.” She nodded to Gaze’s group. They all got up and went over to a younger female wolf at the very end. She was kind-looking, and she was brown with white on her muzzle, belly and tail. Her eyes were green, and she wore two necklaces, an emerald and a sapphire. She smiled kindly as they approached her.
“Hello! Now, my name is Dahlia, and I will teach you your pack hunting skills! So, what are your names? You, pretty little wolf, can you tell me?” She spoke directly to Tune. Tune came forward and spoke rather timidly.
“Well, I’m River-Tune, this is Moon-Gaze, this Balliar and Simbas, and this is Bjorna.” She said.
“Wonderful! Now, as the leader said, listen to me and don’t disobey, but I’m sure you five won’t be very difficult.” She leaned closer. “I’ll tell you – I’ve had some very bad groups before!” they all laughed. Suddenly they heard the leader speak up again.
“Are we all ready?” she called. “Now, we hunt!” she cried, standing tall and noble. All the wolves, pups and parents, let out a howl.

[Seren.]

This is really good!! I'm checking for more everytime i log on!!

OMG really? Thanks so much! Who's your favourite character so far?

All of them!! It's just so amazing!!! Can't wait to read more

[Kodabomb]

I can't beleive you like it!
My friend from school seems to love those books 'Guardians of Ga'Hool' and I had a look and my story seems quite similar. She wants to read this when I'm done.

[Kodabomb]

The next chapter! The one it was leading up to. Now, the next few chapters will really be getting into it, and the hunt in this chapter has a lot to do with it.
Spoiler: Something may or may not happen to River-Tune....

The First Hunt

Dahlia led the group over to the tunnel with all the other wolves. One by one, each group entered. Gaze’s group was last to go through.
They went into the rock tunnel. It was dark, like a cave, with rock walls. There floor was rocks too, but there was a layer of dirt on the ground from hundreds of years of wolves going through to hunt. Gaze smelled a funny scent of meat, not rotten, but it was just a meaty smell. Prey carcasses were probably dragged through here almost daily, though most wolves proffered just getting rabbits and hares and birds from around their homes. So for Gaze, this was very different.
The tunnel was long and dark, going through an enormous mountain. This one – unlike the one he and Stalk went through – was on the ground. All around they could hear giggling voices, yaps and barks from other wolves in front. It echoed through the tunnel. Gaze was between Tune and Balliar, and Bjorna and Simbas were behind. Dahlia was in front, leading them through the darkness.
Soon, from up ahead, came a light. It was a little glitter from far in front – the end of the tunnel into the hunting grounds. Tune was getting restless and excited next to him, and Balliar had his ears pricked and looked alert. Tune started to bounce around, giggling.
The exit was right in front of them. The light shone in and Gaze squinted. The groups in front went out of the tunnel onto the grass. Dahlia led them out too. There was the hunting ground.
It was an enormous clearing, surrounded by trees. It wasn’t very smooth – with ditches and little gullies all around for them to hide in. They could see deer, and a herd of horses at the end. Where they exited the tunnel had trees around, so they were hidden. There were lots of bushes though the forest too. This was a very well-picked hunting area.
The groups spread out, so their leaders could speak to them. Gaze’s group went over to the right. Dahlia came in front of them, and they all sat down. She made sure they were listening before she spoke.
“Now, first of all,” she said quietly. “Is that you keep quiet, if you do not, your prey will notice you and you will have nothing to hunt. Keep you voice down is one of the most important skills. But when you have a target, you must all work together by communicating. I will give you a howl to let you know when to attack. Got it?” she said. They all nodded. Then she continued. “Today we will be mainly concentrating on Large animals. We will have individual tests tomorrow. Are there any questions?”
“If our group hunts first, for example, won’t it scare the other animals from the other groups?” Bjorna asked.
“Well, the animals tend to return quite quickly. Don’t worry about that. Just don’t go scaring away others’ prey for fun. You will be escorted home if you should do that.” She replied patiently. “Any more?” The group was quiet. Gaze didn’t want to ask anything because he just couldn’t wait to start.
“OK, we’re going to start now.” Tune jiggled up and down. “Keep low in the grass. Follow me.” Dahlia lowered herself to the ground, her belly almost touching the grass in a crouch. Gaze, Tune, Bjorna, Balliar and Simbas copied. They left the cover of the trees and bushes, and went into the long grass of the meadow.
The grass brushed against his sides. He tried to keep his belly up of the ground and his legs in a sturdy position. Dahlia held herself perfectly. They kept going through the grass, until they came to a small bowl-shaped ditch-gully with a pond at the bottom. There was a large tree at the edge of it with big roots like little walls. Rabbits fled from the approaching wolves, and ran into the grass, disappearing.
“We’ll stop here.” Dahlia said very quietly. “This is a good spot, for animals will want to come and drink here. Just be patient and something will come.” She went and sat low in the clover by the pond. Everyone else surrounded. Gaze bent over the water and lapped it up. He hadn’t had a drink this morning. Bjorna drank too.
When he was quenched, Gaze lifted his head and licked his lips. He watched pond. A little frog sat on a rock popping out of the water. It stared at him, being still as a stone, with just his throat moving. Gaze blinked and he jumped into the water, making a little plop.
He stared at the spot the frog disappeared. Then he looked at his paws on the wet ground. It was boring waiting for deer. If a deer was to come along.
Soon dark clouds began to cover the sky. A warm breeze went over them and the burning sun was blocked. Gaze liked overcast days. And if he was doing this all day, even better. The sun would not over-heat him if it was covered in clouds.
Suddenly, a drop of water fell on his head. Then another. He looked up, and one landed in his eye. It made little splashed in the pond. The rain-drops wobbled the grass when they landed.
Soon the rain was coming down. Not to heavy, and it wasn’t cold. Bjorna grumbled and went to sit in between the roots of the tree. They all followed her, still looking out for prey.
Rabbits, hares and rats ran to the pond-gully for shelter. There were quite a few of them, and when they spotted the crouching wolves they ducked away quickly.
“You can try to catch one if you want. Remember to pay your respects for the prey.” Dahlia said. Simbas smiled and crept over the roots. He crept low and quietly. A little rat sitting next to a root didn’t look up as Simbas pounced. He could no longer look up.
Simbas picked up his rat and trotted happily over to the group. He dropped it on the ground, smiling proudly.
“Well done Simbas!” Dahlia said. “You’ll do well in your individual hunting tests tomorrow. Simbas smiled again, then bit into the rat.
After a while the rain stopped. It was still over-cast, and in the distance Gaze spotted a lovely rainbow. It stretched over the mountains, giving colour to them drab rock. Suddenly, they all heard a rustling in the grass.
The group pricked their ears. Dahlia lifted her nose and sniffed. “Everyone, get in the cover. It’s a deer.” She said eagerly. They all ran into the roots, making sure they were not in sight of the deer.
It emerged from the grass. It was a young stag, curious and brave. It walked into the gully, bending his long neck over the pond. He slurped at the water, gulping it down thirstily.
“Now, you are all smart enough, so try and surrounded the seer around the gully in the grass. I’ll give the signal to go.” Dahlia whispered very quietly. The nodded and crept over the roots and up into the grass. Gaze went left, around the gully to the back of the deer. Tune went with him, and when he stopped she continued into the grass to her spot. The others went around the gully too. Gaze could just see out of his hiding spot, he could not see the others. He could only see the back of the thirsty deer.
It finished it’s drink and decide to nibble the clover. He wiggled his short tail. After a little snack, the deer turned and started to walk up the gully, towards the spot Tune lay. He saw a rustle in the grass, and the deer stopped. It bent closer, ears forward, to see what it was. Gaze did not know what Tune was thinking or about to do. But she must have been sitting very still, for a young deer would have no idea what she was. It probably wasn’t as wise as the old stags.
The deer crept a little closer. The grass rustled. His ears went back and he backed up a little. Gaze watched carefully as the grass rustled a little more as Tune went backwards out of the deer’s way. It was a bit silly, and it walked forward again. It went into the grass and walked through it. The group went around the gully, keeping a secure circle. If it left the circle they wouldn’t catch it. Gaze ran quickly and quietly ahead. He was on the right side of the deer, and Tune was probably up the front on the left.
He could hear Dahlia behind him. Balliar, Simbas and Bjorna were in the other positions, behind and on the left side of the deer.
Suddenly, the young stag stopped in a clearing of the grass. It looked around it. It’s ears flew back as it realised there was something or someone was watching. He stood very still. His tail was down. Gaze watched it. All the wolves made a securer circle around it. Dahlia would call any time now….
Howl. She howled a loud attack alarm. The deer started. It looked frantically around it. Tune emerged to the side first, and it backed towards Gaze’s position. Gaze growled and emerged from the grass, keeping low. Dahlia came out not far from him, growling with her ears back. Balliar and Bjorna came out a little behind it. Simbas finally came out on the left side near tune. They all closed in.
The frantic little stag leapt around, it’s ears back. Every time a wolf snapped, it jumped to look at them. Then it spotted a gap between where Gaze and Tune were positioned. Stupidly and foolishly, it bolted through. It leapt as fast as it could go, charging ahead. All the wolves chased after. They ran quickly through the long grass, trying to keep up with the stag. It kept running and running. Dahlia howled again. The small pack ran closer to the deer.
Dahlia, on her quick, nimble legs, leapt at the deer’s legs. It pulled in from her, charging on. Tune, slightly in front, snapped at it. Oddly, it skidded to a halt. It bent it’s head and tried to butt Tune with it’s antlers. Tune leapt from them. As it was distracted with Tune, Balliar, from behind, leapt up and tried to bite it’s back leg. He missed, and tried again. On that go he grabbed the stag’s leg.
The stag spun around and grunted in pain. Balliar was struggling, and the deer fell to the ground with a thump. It wasn’t very smart. Dahlia signalled Gaze.
“Moon-Gaze! Try to grab his front leg while he’s still down!” she said. Gaze ran forward and did just that. The poor stag struggled and grunted. Tune came in and bit the fur of his neck behind his ears. He roared. Gaze didn’t like doing this.
Bjorna walked around the stag. She watched, waiting for a signal. Simbas ran forward and got onto the deer’s side. Dahlia came over. The stag thumped his head on the ground as Tune held firmly. It writhed and kicked. Balliar suddenly let go as the foot he was trying to hold almost kicked him in the belly. He backed and growled, running forward again. This time he grabbed harder. Blood covered the front of his snout.
The stag roared in pain. Gaze was holding it’s foot with all his might. Bjorna ran forward and Dahlia came too. Dahlia nodded. Bjorna closed her eyes, whispered something, and bit into the stag’s neck. It grunted as his eyes closed. He wheezed a little, before falling quiet and still. Bjorna backed and stared at the bloody neck of the dead stag. She obviously couldn’t believe she’d just killed a deer. Balliar let go and so did Gaze. Tune released. Simbas hopped down off the deer’s belly and approached his bewildered sister.
“Bjorna, you just killed a deer!” he said with a slight laugh. She nodded and finally looked up. She had a look of amazement on her face.
“Well done Bjorna! Well done my pack!” Dahlia said proudly. “I’m so happy with you! You did well!” she smiled at all of them and Gaze sighed. “Well, we need to try and get this back now. Remember to keep out of sight of other deer. Everyone, grab something to help drag the prey.” They all came forward. Gaze grabbed the leg he was holding before pulled, trying to drag it. Balliar grabbed the leg he was holding, and Simbas got the other back leg next to Balliar. Tune held the front leg next to Gaze and Bjorna gripped the back of the neck where Tune was holding. Altogether, they pulled the deer through the grass.

* * *
After a lot of hard work, the pack managed to bring their kill out of the meadow and into the forest by the mountain. They dragged it over to a little area of green, soft grass surrounded by trees.
“OK, you can drop now.” Dahlia said kindly. Gaze relaxed his jaws and let the deer’s leg he was holding flop to the ground. What a relief. The others did the same. “Well done pack! I’m very proud. You were so quick to catch you first deer, and as I look around, probably the first. Now, if you want to be a true hunter, before you eat you must pay your respects to the life of the prey. Now, I want you all to bow your heads.” She said them. Gaze lowered his head and listened to Dahlia.
“We thank you, spirit of wisdom, for the life of this prey. We hope his spirit shall go to the afterlife happily, and we are grateful.” She said. There was a pause. “Now pups, remember to leave some meat for your families. You may feed.”
All the wolves tucked into their meal, tearing it up. Gaze had only had breakfast the previous day, and he was very hungry. He feasted on the juicy meat, and it filled his empty stomach.
A long while later, they were all full and they lifted their heads. Gaze’s muzzle was covered in blood, and he licked it all off. That was such a filling meal, and even better being his first deer he helped to kill. On the ground were mere bones, but Gaze had set aside a leg for his family to share. But living with Tune, he didn’t need much for she had meat as well. But Gaze would probably just share his with Aldoro, and Tune with Sapphira. Bjorna and her brothers would have plenty too.
Gaze rolled onto his back and sighed. “I’m full.” he said.
“Me too.” Said Tune, sitting down and licking her muzzle.
“Well, you’ve caught your prey earlier than expected, would you like to do anything more or return to Beauran?” Dahlia asked them.
“No, I’m stuffed and I couldn’t be bothered doing any more.” Balliar said. Dahlia smiled and shook her head.
“Well, come on. Grab you leftover meat and follow me.” She stood up again and set off through the trees. Gaze and Tune looked at each other, then picked up their meat and followed. Simbas and Balliar came after, and Bjorna ran ahead to walk alongside Tune. They all went through the forest. There were lots of bushes around and it was a little hilly. It wasn’t long and they were at the mountain with the tunnel.
Dahlia nodded over her shoulder and they all went ahead of her. She came after. They padded through the dark, echoing tunnel, where there was no light. Gaze just looked ahead, for the tunnel was fairly straight and empty so he couldn’t crash into anything. He kept pricking his ears up whenever a little moues or rat ran across his path.
“Echo. Echo. ECHO!” Balliar called through the tunnel with his meat still in his mouth. “WE LOVE YOU BALLIAR!” Bjorna giggled as Balliar pretended there were other wolves all around.
“We all hate you, Balliar….” Simbas murmured to the echo. Bjorna giggled a little more. Tune shook her head, laughing.
Soon a light shone into the tunnel from the other side. Gaze squinted as the bright noon sunshine lit their path. They plodded out of the tunnel to see the clearing with the trees around.
Gaze walked out to the middle of the clearing and dropped his meat down on the grass. He sat down licked his paws. What a morning. Balliar and Simbas came and sat next to him, dropping their meat with a thud.
“Who enjoyed that?” Simbas said.
“That was probably the most fun experience of my life! But I felt a little sorry for the deer as it was brought down.” Gaze replied. He didn’t like seeing it be pulled down by such unexperienced pups, who couldn’t do it quickly. But he was proud of himself and the pack.
Simbas and Balliar smiled. Gaze looked around and saw Tune and Bjorna, lying on the grass and talking. Dahlia was settled under a tree, licking her paws and taking in the sunshine. Gaze then lay down on his back, letting the sun shine on the white of his belly. All the exercise he’d had…. And his full belly…. Sleep finally crept up on him and pounced.

[EmoNeko~]

Wow magnificent. I still have to read the last two cahpters you posted but so far wonderful!

[Seren.]

I can't beleive you like it!
My friend from school seems to love those books 'Guardians of Ga'Hool' and I had a look and my story seems quite similar. She wants to read this when I'm done.

Your story is awesome and i bet your friend will like it!!

[Kodabomb]

Yay! Another chapter. I'm like two chapters away from the good part of the story. The chapters you have just seen, readers, is only the first part of the story. I still have the problem and resolution to go! (Well, my kindergarten teacher called them 'problem' and 'resolution' anyway.)

The New Cave

Yelps and barks and chatter was all around. The noises woke Gaze, who found himself still lying in the middle of the clearing. Two other hunting groups were already back, and the sun was lower in the sky than when he fell asleep. He was shaded by the trees now.
Gaze sat up and yawned. He looked around and spotted Dahlia, Balliar, Bjorna and Tune waiting under a tree. Simbas was lying on the grass a little way from him, fast asleep. He got up, picked up his meat, and trotted over to the others.
“Oh! Gaze you’re awake.” Tune said. “We were just about to go and wake you, we need to go and so does Dahlia. Oh, and there’s something exciting you need to know!” Gaze cocked his head in question. Exciting? He watched Balliar go and wake his brother, bringing him over too.
“OK Moon-Gaze, Simbas. I’ll tell you what’s happening.” Dahlia said, speaking directly to Gaze and Simbas. “Now, the Leader didn’t tell you this, but all the learning pups are staying in caves on the mountainside around. Most of you live to the south, which is on the other side of the valley. You will choose a cave soon to sleep in, and you get first pick being the first back. Your parents or guardians will be here soon.” Simbas looked happily surprised. Gaze was surprised too. He was going to sleep in another cave!
“Now, I have to leave to my family now, I have pups waiting. Goodbye pack! I will see you tomorrow morning.” With that, Dahlia ran off into the forest to her den. Just as Gaze watched her white-tipped tail vanish, he heard a familiar voice.
“Pups! How are you?” Aldoro and Scar came over the rocky hill and out into the clearing.
“Did you do well?” Scar asked.
“Father!” cried Bjorna. “We caught a stag, and I killed it! The others held him down, but we all chased him! Tune was good, because she didn’t run when the stag came near.” She said very enthusiastically. Scar smiled.
“We brought back meat too.” Tune said, and showed Aldoro the meat she had at her feet. Aldoro sniffed it.
“Well done River-Tune! And Moon-Gaze! Well done all of you.” Aldoro said, smiling kindly.
“Do you know what’s happening?” Gaze asked Aldoro and Scar.
“Yes we do. Well, let’s go!” Scar replied. They all stood and walked into the clearing. All the wolves chattered and barked around them. Some were eating their meat, and some were sharing it with their families. Others were just telling their friends and parents all about their hunting.
They walked up to the mountains, and along the side of the hill. It took them into the rocky forest, until they found some rocks like steps, and it reminded Gaze of the steps he came down from the Alfa’s cave. They all walked up them, and all around were thick trees and rocks and vines. The rocks were a little slippery from moss, and a little water trickled down.
Gaze looked to his side, and saw an enormous rock with a cave-like crack through it, and water trickled down the crack into a little puddle below. They walked ahead to a small log-bridge, which over-looked a gully and a tiny stream.
The pine forest turned to a rain-forest. Sort of. The trees were different and vines hung all around. It kept sloping upwards, and the pack was going up a narrow track covered in dead leaves.
They came to a flatter bit. It was surrounded by trees, but a large cliff over-looked them, and in the cliff was a cave. A big, high-roofed cave. It was open – unlike Scar’s cave which was an under-ground one. This one would have to be open, because pups and their families probably slept here every year.
They all went into the cave. It was very nice. The stone was not grey-black like his home, but a sort of brown. He turned and looked out. The forest was all around the little clearing, and he could see the edge of the hill they came up, and lots of gullies. He could not over-look Beauran, for all the trees were in the way. But it was very beautiful here. Gaze could live in this cave.
Gaze walked back into the cave and lay down next to the others. Scar was looking about the place, and Aldoro was checking out the clearing around them.
“So, do you like this place?” asked Simbas. He was sort of asking the whole group.
“It’s really nice!” replied Tune. “Well, the cave’s quite open, but I really love the space and I suppose it’s good to spend the night.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait till tomorrow! Individual tests! I wonder what’s the day after.” Balliar said.
“I think the day after will be something like the first to catch something or similar. Well, they need some competition, don’t they?” Bjorna said. Gaze thought that was a good idea. He wondered what the prize was if they did.
“Well, this is a bit boring” said Simbas, who was revved up after his sleep. He got up and walked in a circle. Tune got up too, then the rest copied.
“Hey, let’s go up the mountain a bit more! We could try and get a view of the valley!” Bjorna said excitedly. She jiggled up and down, so she clearly hadn’t seen the whole of Beauran yet.
“OK.” Replied Balliar. “Father! Can we go for a walk?” Scar looked up from inspecting a ledge to sleep on.
“OK. Don’t go to the very top of the mountain, and don’t go too far away!” Scar called after them, but they had already left the cave by the time he’d finished his sentence. The walked through the clearing of the thick forest, then onto a track leading up another slope. The track was rather rocky and covered in moss. There were trees all around them, but on one side was the cliff that the cave was in. The rock was covered in small plants and vines, so you would never know it was stone underneath.
The pack kept walking up the hill. Vines and branches were low down, and Gaze kept ducking his head. A few bees and bugs buzzed through his ears, and as he looked around, he saw spider’s webs hanging from the twigs. Rabbits, mice and birds scuttled or flitted through the thick bushes, and little snakes slithered over rocks on the slope.
“Look!” Simbas suddenly called from the front. They all pricked their ears the looked in the direction he was galloping over to. “A cliff! We could try to see Beauran from here!” They all ran after him, as he climbed onto a big rock with a, ancient tree over-hanging it. They climbed on.
Gaze looked at the tree and the rock, the forest beneath and the track leading into it. Then he turned to where Simbas stood, staring out at the magical sight.
Beauran. All of it. They looked at the South and West of it, which was in front, and at the mountain where they had gone through to hunt. The trees made a carpet over almost the entire place, and the mountains sheltered it. Gaze saw the stream and the great pond, the garden and steps leading to the Alfa’s cave. And he saw the pine forest. The place he never wanted to go back to. He hoped sincerely that he would never lay eyes on those wolves again.
Gaze then turned to look at the outside world, beyond the pack-land. He saw forests and hills, mountains and valleys. But something, not far away from their surrounding mountains, made him shiver. It looked like an ordinary valley, maybe a pack-land, but it look uninviting and cold. The mountains were rocky and covered in dying pines, and the clouds cast shadows over it.
“Simbas, have you any idea what that place is?” Gaze asked Simbas. He turned and looked at him.
“I don’t really know. Father said just never go there. Not even if in desperate need. I don’t know why though.” Simbas replied, staring at the dark valley. Gaze stared at it too, wondering why. What could be so bad? And why did that place make him shiver? But if someone wise like Scar should say that, he knew to obey those words.

* * *
The night came quickly. The forest cast long shadows over the cave as the sun sank behind the mountains. The pack was cosy in the den, and Gaze lay his head on his paws. He was tired, but excited to find out what the next day would bring.
Tune was next to Gaze and Bjorna. She yawned and rolled onto her back, legs in the air. “Well, I think I’ll sleep now.” She said. Bjorna did the same. Gaze just stayed in his position, cosy and warm and quite comfortable. He closed his eyes and along came sleep to capture him.