Beauran Book 2 ~ The Return. {Wolf Story}

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wow... im so happy that my charries are in your story!! i feel special...

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they're very important. Do you think I got the personalities right...?

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Next chapter! It's a bit short, but it wasn't a very important part.
I've noticed, when reading it to my little sister, that I've made HUNDREDS of spelling mistakes. Please don't think I'm stupid, I just miss the keys sometimes.

Shadow and Blue Moon

It was a few hours later and Rai, Twilight and Shadow went out hunting for breakfast. She had told them about her dream, and none of them really felt like eating. But they knew they had to keep their strength up, so the three pups tried their luck catching a deer. They asked Merlia if it was OK, and she bravely said yes, as long as they checked it wasn’t one of her herd first.
They traipsed up the mountain, Shadow keeping a careful watch for enemies as she walked along behind. Rai sniffed around for tracks and Twilight looked around for prey. They all had their uses.
Within minutes Rai announced he had the scent of a deer, and it was unfamiliar. He led them up the mountainside even further, where the forest was thick and the rocks were big. It started to get flatter, and as they looked across the flat they saw it went up again, going up like giant stairs.
Rai sniffed around boulders and over logs until he suddenly stopped, lifting his nose into the air.
“I smell them,” he said.
“There!” hissed Shadow, and they all looked through the trees. There, grazing on some snow in a bare patch in the snow, were about six deer. Rai led them around the boulders, creeping in places where their prey would not see them.
In a moment they were very close to the deer, and they could hear them digging their noses in the snow. Shadow, Twilight and Rai crouched in a pounce position, back legs ready to spring. Shadow crept around the side behind the rocks so the deer were almost surrounded, before Rai went in the other direction. Now wherever they decided to run, they would be ambushed.
Twilight looked and saw the others were ready in position, so she went forward and found a stick. She deliberately stepped on it, making a big crack. A doe looked up, which startled her herd, and immediately she saw Rai’s green eyes through a crack in the rocks.
The doe was spooked, and her ears flew back as she kicked. The herd jumped about, before suddenly a foolish young buck leapt forward.
He jumped clean over Shadow’s head, and as the herd was distracted Rai barked from behind them. Without looking back they all took off, jumping over the rock. Twilight tan to the side, ready to chase.
As the last deer jumped over, a small doe; Shadow sprung up on her hind legs. Rai was about to go off after the rest of them when he noticed that Shadow had grabbed the doe’s leg. Twilight snarled and sprang forward as the prey stumbled to the ground, roaring and kicking.
“Help!” snarled Shadow as she lunged again, grabbing the doe on the front legs. She completely lost her balance, collapsing to the ground as the teeth sunk in. She kicked and struggled as Twilight leapt onto her side. Rai ran around the front, narrowly missing a hoof to the head, and grabbed the doe’s neck behind her ears. She roared in agony, and all of a suddenly they started to slide down the rocks.
The doe flipped, almost crushing Shadow. Her hooves kicked out and her shoulder bled from a sharp stone. Rai and Shadow sprang forward, grabbing hold of the distressed creature, before Twilight lunged and sunk her teeth in her neck.
Within moments the doe lay lifeless upon the rocks, and Rai smiled delightedly at the girls.
“Didn’t that take a while!” said Shadow. The other two nodded and grabbed a leg each, and the three dragged the carcass back towards their den.

* * *
Soon the three reached the den, where the others sat anxiously waiting. Copaci woofed happily as they dragged in lunch, exhausted and panting. They set the doe down before them and Merlia winced.
“Come on Merlia.” Said Moon, who had quickly become her companion. They were very much the same in their personalities, rather quiet and kind.
“Don’t worry, I’ll eat.” Said Merlia, staring into the blank eyes of the doe. “Just give me some meat and I’ll try to pretend it’s a rabbit.”
As the others started their meal, Moon tore off a large piece of meat and kindly gave it to Merlia. She smiled weakly and picked it up, trotting to the other side of the clearing to eat, away from the others.
Twilight filled her hungry stomach with food, which was warm and chewy. It felt lovely. She kept tearing at the meat and soon reached the ribs. She carefully grabbed one and tore it off. She carried it over to the side of the den to save for later.
As the others became full they began walking away from the meal, and Twilight saw the snow stained with blood. The rest of the meat seemed wasted, when Shadow spoke up.
“Well come on! We need to save the meat!” she said, as though wanting them to do something.
“How…?” asked Krieger.
“Oh, like this!” said Moon. She turned her back on the food and started digging at the snow, sending it all flying out behind her. It flicked up and landed on the carcass.
“You have to fill the body with snow, that way it won’t taste rotten and awful for breakfast.” Said Shadow, helping her enthusiastic sister.
The other exchanged smiles and began helping, and soon the deer’s body was completely stuffed. It was amazing how those two had thought of such a thing. “It also hided the smell of blood well so enemies won’t discover our hiding spot.” Said Shadow proudly. At that moment Merlia approached them and looked at the carcass. It seemed she didn’t wanted to ask, so nobody bothered.
“Come, we should sleep – save our energy.” Said Moon, and she led the others into the den for a rest. Twilight crept into the dark, emerging in the chamber. She curled up in a furry ball and let her eyelids become heavy, which quickly sent her to sleep.

* * *
She did not know what time it was when she woke, but Twilight found it was quite dark. She got up, stretched, and decided she’s go for a look outside. She went to the tunnel and crept up it, feeling the fresh night air as she emerged into the clearing. A moon lit the snow around her and she could see the dark shape of the dead doe near the trees.
Twilight sat and gulped down a big breath of air. She bent over and bit into the cold, fresh now and swallowed it, quenching her thirst.
Down in the valley, through the silent, she heard a loud howl signalling midnight. A bird fluttered through the tree-tops and screeched, before flying away. Twilight saw its silhouette against the moon, and it’s shiny black feathers reflected the light of it.
As a breeze rustled the pines above, sending snow to the ground, Twilight felt a bit cold, and she turned and headed back to the den. She crept down the tunnel and came into the chamber where she heard the deep breathing of the others. She embraced the warmth of their underground home, before curling back up in a corner to wait for sleep.

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OH JOY! Luck is finally coming to the pack! Who's going to return....?

The Return

A little ray of light managed to shine into their den, and Twilight awoke peacefully with a yawn. She found that only Ginger was in the den with her, and he was sound asleep. She guessed all the others were up.
Her dreams weren’t visions that night, just things that involved deer rolling in snow and ravens riding wolves. She stood and stretched out, uncurling her tail for a moment. Then she glanced at Ginger, before briskly trotting up the tunnel towards the bright morning sunshine.
She found the rest of the pack tearing at the meat of the half-eaten doe, and she ran to join them. She happily took a big bite and tore off the flesh. She dropped it and it fell into the freshly-fallen snow, so she picked it up and carried it off.
Twilight noticed Merlia sitting by the forest on guard, thoughtfully chewing her meat. She was probably pretending it wasn’t deer. She lay down next her and dropped the meat at her toes, and Merlia didn’t even bother looking up. She stared into the empty forest as she swallowed the meat.
“Merlia…?” started Twilight, looking at her.
“Hello Twilight.” She replied blankly.
“Do you miss the herd?” asked Twilight quietly.
“Yes.” Said Merlia, and as she turned to look at Twilight there was a little tear in her eye. “I miss them terribly. I never go a day without seeing them!” she sobbed.
“Merlia! Don’t cry!” said Twilight, leaning forward. She nuzzled Merlia in the shoulder and she put her head on her back, crying into her black fur.
“I’m sorry.” She said, leaning back again and looking at the snow beneath her feet.
“It’s all right.” Said Twilight. “They’ll come back.” Merlia looked at her and smiled. Twilight felt sorry for her.

* * *
By midday the pack were really relaxed. They had a feeling of safety in their clearing, with Shadow and Moon to guide them. They lay in the snow, panting and looking about. The sky was overcast, making the snow better to look at. It didn’t glare into everyone’s eyes, thus making them sore.
Twilight was joined by Rai as he returned from a little hunt. Blood covered his paws and muzzle, and he sat next to her to lick them clean. When he finished he smiled at Twilight and lay next to her.
As Rai licked Twilight’s head lovingly, there was suddenly the sound of running footsteps through the silent forest. Rai immediately leapt to his feet, followed by Twilight. Not far away Moon and Shadow sprang up, and the whole pack was looking at the forest.
“Someone’s coming!” hissed Shadow. “Into the forest, now!” Twilight darted to the forest behind her, with Rai leading them all in. They darted into the trees and each hid behind one, cautiously watching as Shadow slipped into the forest opposite.
The pack waited quietly, and the only sound was Merlia breathing quickly. Ginger licked her on the head to calm her, and she stopped, clearly blushing under her pretty grey fur.
Suddenly there was a bark through the forest. “Copaci!” yelped Shadow. “Get in here now!” Copaci looked anxiously at the others.
“Go!” hissed Twilight, and her dumbstruck brother stumbled into the clearing. He trotted nervously across it and disappeared.
“What…?” said Rai, peering out from behind his tree.
“Sssh!” hissed Twilight as she stepped on his paw. He squeaked like a puppy.
All of a sudden, Shadow burst from the trees into the clearing, a smile on her face. “Pack! Quick! Your wolf is back!” Twilight, not knowing what it meant, crept from her hiding place and out to the clearing. Shadow urged her forward and the others followed. As they were about to enter the forest, Copaci burst out, and behind him staggered none other than…
“Skye!” cried Ginger, rushing to his sister in delight. Her dull face lit up suddenly as he embraced her. Twilight saw her paw was bleeding and her hind was grazed. She looked tired and puffed.
“Merlia,” choked Skye. “Blossom collapsed in the forest. She’s so exhausted.” Skye coughed a little. “But she’s OK, she just needs rest.”
“Blossom!” yelped Merlia and she and Ginger ran into the forest to retrieve the fawn. The attention was turned back to Skye.
“What happened?” asked Twilight. Skye sat down and panted.
“We left the cave just after the Shadows left.” She said weakly. “They looked in the cave and were so close to spotting us, but Armik led the pack away. I begged Blossom to walk, and soon I managed to get her to her feet. We went into the forest on the mountain, and we kept stopping because Blossom collapsed. Her leg was too sore.” Skye licked her paw. “We had to spend the first night in a little hole in some rocks, and then the second in a huge hollow tree. Just as I came down the path near here Blossom fell, and then you,” Skye nodded to Shadow who looked away. “came out and grabbed me. That’s it.”
“You need food and sleep.” Twilight immediately said when she finished. Krieger went to the deer carcass which the pack still hadn’t finished, and tore off a large piece of meat. He brought it over and dropped it at Skye’s feet.
“Thanks, but I’m way to tired to eat.” Said Skye, lying down in the snow. There was a pause. “Where am I anyway?”
“Let’s just call it hiding.” Replied Rai. “Shadow and Blue Moon are helping us.” Skye nodded as her head flopped down on her paws. At that moment they heard shuffling and grunting, and Copaci and Merlia came out of the forest. Draped over both their backs was Blossom, looking at them through blank, exhausted eyes.
The two of them sat and the fawn slowly slid off, collapsing in the snow. She kicked a bit, but calmed down as Merlia came to lick her cuts. Her front knees were grazed and one of her back legs were bent. It must have been torture for both of them.
Twilight turned to Skye. “Hey, we need to get you inside.” She said. Skye looked up at her helplessly. Twilight smiled and gave her a helpful nudge. The tired wolf staggered to her feet and Twilight led her over to the tree. She let Skye go in, before ducking in herself. They went down the passage into the chamber, where Skye happily fell into a blue, furry heap.
“Thanks, Twilight.” She said. Twilight nodded and turned to go back up the tunnel. She emerged into the light again to find Rai carefully tearing a piece of deer skin from their almost-destructed meal. He brought a good sized piece of it over and put it on Blossom’s back.
“Thanks Rai.” Said Merlia. “Are you cold little Blossom?” she said as she licked the fawn’s head. She snorted and Merlia smiled.
“She’ll need to get into the den too.” Said Ginger.
“Are you guys crazy?” said Shadow.
“What?” demanded Copaci.
“First, you are nursing a deer. Second, you want it to come and live with us?” the pack looked dumbstruck at Shadow’s comment.
“If you wish to know the whole story, then later.” Said Merlia coldly.
“It’s a little bit different with her.” Said Twilight, not too happy with the way Merlia had said that.
“Um, just a question, how?” asked Moon.
“As Merlia said, later. It’s a bit long.” Said Copaci reassuringly. Moon nodded and Shadow looked at them as though they were a bit nuts.
“Oh, I wish the others would come back…” sighed Merlia.
“What others…?” said Shadow. “Are there more deer?”
“Yep.” Replied Twilight, and before Shadow could argue, she spoke again. “You, me and Rai need to go on watch.”
“Watch?” asked Moon.
“Yes. I just feel like we’re running out of luck. We’ve survived a few nights, but something tells me they’d be looking for us.” Shadow nodded, clearly giving in, and Rai led the way into the forest.

* * *
“Nothing has come. We don’t need to watch. Let’s just go back!” said Shadow irritably from her position on a boulder, over-looking the forest below.
“A few more minutes. The sun will be down soon, then we’ll go.” Argued Twilight from underneath.
“The pack will worry!” whined Shadow.
“Will you females just shut it?” barked Rai. He had his leg lifted against a tree. Twilight made a snorting sound. She didn’t actually like arguing. She just had better opinions than Shadow. “I’m getting a bit sick of it. Let’s just go home now.”
“What? Are you agreeing with her?” demanded Twilight as she hopped off her rock.
“No, I’m just sick of the fighting.” Replied Rai, starting off through the trees. Their path was shadow-covered as the sun set quickly from over the mountain. Twilight looked at Shadow and saw she had a satisfied look on her face, as she trotted with her tail held high.
In a few minutes they came to the clearing, to find all the others were not there. They had probably gone to bed already. The three of them ducked into the hole in the tree and walked down the tunnel.
The other six (plus Blossom) were comfortably snuggled up in the den. Fourteen eyes glowed in their direction as they took their places around the room. Rai snuggled up to Twilight and Moon beckoned her sister over.
Soon they were all fast asleep.

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Yay!! another chapter.

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Yay! Sorry for the long wait guys, it's just that we ran out of Internet so I wasn't allowed on CS for.... 3 WHOLE DAYS! *dies* Anyway, here's your chapter, and there's more to come.

Miracle

A cold, snowy breeze blew in from the tunnel, which woke Twilight up with a shiver. She blinked and opened her eyes to see everyone else asleep. Maybe she could sneak out before they woke.
Twilight stood slowly, carefully trying not to stir Rai, and went to the tunnel. She tip-toed up it into the blinding light reflecting from the snow. A raven called in the trees, before fluttering away. A lump of snow fell from the branches with a thud.
Twilight decided to go hunting. She felt like something other than frozen deer guts that morning. She trotted to the trees and ducked in, jumping a boulder. She decided to try her luck with squirrel-hunting. They lived in trees, so maybe she could trap one in its hollow den.
In minutes she spotted a hole in a tree. Squirrels hibernate. This would be as simple as eating the thing itself. She got up on her hind legs and sniffed around the hollow. The floor of it was covered in leaves… and feathers.
This wasn’t a squirrels den! This had a distinct smell of… owl. Owls didn’t hibernate. But as Twilight kept sniffing, the smell became very strong and she suddenly heard cheeping. She drew her head out suddenly to peer into the dark, and there, sitting in their bed of feathers, were three, tiny, white owls. They looked hideous. Nothing like the beautiful creatures they would grow to be.
This would have to do. Twilight lunged and her jaws closed around the tiny, squeaking bird. She jumped down to the ground and dropped the bird down. It hit its head on a stone and the owlet became her breakfast.
“Yes.” She whispered, before picking it up and carting it back to the clearing. She stepped into the deep snow and spotted Rai. He was rolling around in the snow like a puppy, covering himself with it.
“Oh, hey Twilight.” He said when he saw her upside-down. She dropped her meal and it camouflaged in the snow. Rai looked at it. “How’d you manage that? I didn’t know owls had babies in the winter.” He asked.
“I don’t know.” She replied. “Should I go and ask the mother?” Twilight raised her brow. Rai looked at her grumpily.
“I’ll get my own.” He groaned as he set off into the forest. Good, thought Twilight as she sat down to begin her meal.
Just as she was about to, there was a noise from the big tree and Moon came out with a stretch. She yawned widely, before spotting Twilight with her dead bird. “You’re up early.” She smiled.
“Yeah. The early bird gets the worm.” Replied Twilight.
“Well, in this case the early bird got murdered by the hungry wolf.” She said, lying down in the snow. “It’s a harsh world.” The two of them giggled.
Twilight bent over and tore off a tiny piece of meat. She dropped it down near Moon’s paw. “Want it?” she asked her.
“Aw thanks! But its not a very filling meal though, is it?” she smiled. She grabbed the meat and swallowed it in one. Just as it went down with a gulp, there was suddenly a yell from the forest.
“Twilight! Twilight! Come here! Quick!” barked Rai urgently. His voice echoed through the trees and the two girls stared at each other. “Get here now!” they leapt to their feet and bolted into the forest, Twilight dropping her bird into the snow.
They ran as fast as they could through the trees, following the sound of Rai’s voice. Twilight leapt over a log with Moon clearing it smoothly after her. “Over here!” came his voice from the left and they leapt towards it. Through the trees they sighted Rai’s grey outline, and beside it bright white.
They came to him and found the white heap of fur on the floor, her fur smeared with red blood and her chest rising and falling quickly like she’d been running.
“What…?” stuttered Moon, staring at the wolf.
“Don’t ask. I don’t know who she is, but she’s no Shadow.” Replied Rai.
“Quick, we need to get her to the clearing before someone finds us.” Said Twilight hurriedly. The other two nodded and they each grabbed something of the wolf. Twilight held onto the scruff of her neck gently, and together they brought the wolf through the forest.

* * *
It took a lot longer than they’d hoped, but together the three of them managed to drag the collapsed wolf to the clearing. They lowered her into the snow and there she blended in, except for her red blood-stains.
Moon looked up. “Shadow! Shadow! Pack! Quickly! Out!” she barked. Immediately Shadow burst out of the tunnel, followed quickly by Copaci, Krieger, Skye, Ginger and Merlia. They stood in a group at the entrance, wildly looking about.
“Moon..?” asked Shadow.
“Look.” Said Moon. Shadow looked down and saw the heap of fur.
“Oh lord.” She said. The pack approached the unconscious wolf. “We need to get her inside…” before she could finish her sentence, the wolf stirred, rolling onto her back.
“Who…what?” she moaned. When she spotted them, she yelped. “The pups! You’re alive!”
“Who?” asked Copaci, dumbstruck, as the white wolf sprang to her feet. She winced a little with the pain of her cuts.
“You’re Gaze’s pups!” she said. “You’re actually alive!”
“You’re Beauranian?” stammered Twilight.
“Yes! I’m Snow-Path!” Her green eyes sparkled as she tried to convince them.
“Snow-Path?” said Copaci, cocking his head. “I know you! You’re Sapphira’s friend!” Sapphira was their grandmother.
“Yes! It’s Copaci, isn’t it? I’m so happy!” cried Snow-Path.
“What are you doing here?” asked Merlia. Snow’s face suddenly became worried.
“It’s awful. I managed not to get caught, pretended to be the Alpha’s guard. I found out they were going to set out to get you, so I sent them to the other side of Beauran to look.” Said Snow. “My pack of guards and I went to this side of the mountains, which is lucky; they would’ve killed you if we swapped ways. Anyway, while we were in the mountains I caught your scent. So I decided to kill the other guards. I got into a fight, that’s how I got the scars. A while later I came here and passed out just as this pup found me.” She looked at Rai.
“Wow.” Said Moon.
“So, you’re definitely Snow?” asked Copaci.
“Yes. I’m not lying.” She replied. “And you need to come. We need to free everyone.”
“How will nine pups, one injured wolf and a lop-sided fawn free 30-odd wolves?” asked Krieger.
“Lop-sided fawn…?” said Snow.
“Long story.” Replied Copaci.
“Well, she’s right.” Said Twilight. “We need a plan.”
“I have one. But it can wait until bed.” Said Snow. “Right now I’m rather hungry.”
“I’ll take you hunting.” Said Rai. “I never got around to catching my own breakfast.” He turned and made his way across the clearing, with Snow following him.
The others stood around quietly, listening to Snow talking to Rai. As their voices faded, Merlia spoke. “What do you think the plan is?” she asked.
“No idea. She’s probably a lot cleverer than us, so we shouldn’t doubt her.” Replied Twilight. But she really wanted to know what she had in mind. Lately she had been feeling a little bad because she had not gone straight to the Alpha’s cave when she guessed they were there.

* * *
As the sun sank slowly over the mountains above them, the pack of ten began making their way to bed. Skye made sure Blossom was all right as she curled up beside her. The little fawn was coping well. Earlier Moon took some snow down into the den to give her a drink, and she had all of it. They also managed to bring in some leaves from various plants that Merlia pointed out to them, which Blossom happily disposed of.
The pups had forgotten how big adult wolves were, and Snow filled up the remaining space of their den. As they settled down, all of them looked at her, because they had not forgotten about the plan.
“What?” said Snow as she saw all of them staring.
“The plan…?” indicated Merlia.
“Oh, right.” She stammered. “I’m thinking of a disguise.”
“And how do you suppose we’ll ‘disguise’ ourselves?” said Copaci.
“Ash. We’ll rub ourselves with ash from a burnt-out fire.” Replied Snow.
“But the scent,” started Twilight.
“I can fetch the bodies of the guards I killed. It will be a bit disgusting, but we’ll have to get their smell onto us, so they won’t recognise us.” Said Snow, as though she had completely thought it out.
“That’s brilliant!” exclaimed Skye.
“But what will we say to the guards?” asked Ginger.
“I’m thinking of telling them we want to become guards ourselves.” She replied. “They’ll ask what position we’d like, and we’ll tell them ‘tunnel guards’. We can guard the Under-caves and when everyone else sleeps, we’ll kill the extra guards and free the prisoners.”
“Whoa!” said Ginger and Krieger together.
“We get to be guards!” said Copaci.
“Well, we should sleep now, and decide whether or not to leave in the morning.” Said Snow, with a tone that signalled no more questions. Twilight snuggled down with Rai who licked her on the head, and together they quickly fell asleep, knowing there was hope.

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Wow, that is tragic. But great chapter.

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Thanks! More are on its way, I just had to have tea last night and never got around to posting the next chapter. XD

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ok i won't be on alot because i am in school