Alex had woken up in a tent that was large and warm. He had shifted back into a wolf sometime during his sleep and looked over to see his beta Weaver sleeping as a wolf as well. The sun was just barely above the horizon as he nudged his beta awake. "Aye leave me alone. The sun ain't up so neither am I." Weaver said tiredly and received a harsh shove to his side. "Get up you lazy oaf." Alex said and Weaver slowly got up and stretched before asking, "We're going out to look for those two foxes?" Alex nodded and without another word the two wolves left the frozen meadow, venturing into the forest.
Alex could smell the dead rabbit and with it, the two fox shifters who he had guessed were mated or at the very least siblings. He signaled to his beta and the two pushed past snow-covered ferns that revealed a clearing and with it the two foxes with their fur standing on end.
The two foxes looked at him and his beta, neither pair of shifters daring to move, each sizing the other up. Alex took it upon himself to bow his head and say, "It's nice to finally meet the two of you." His eyes never moved to meet the two foxes and his beta followed suit, bowing his head but not saying a word. As the silence grew between the two, Alex lifted his head and looked upon the two shifters, he took in a deep breath letting each of the fox's scent flow through him. One was a female and the other a male but they weren't mates like he had thought but rather siblings. "What brings you to this forest?" The female fox asked her voice cold and calm but there was a hint of fear laced within it. "My name is Alex and this here is my beta, Weaver. We've come to ask permission to make territory here." He spoke his voice stern yet calm and welcoming. Alex watched as the female fox eyes him where as the other looked into the forest but his ears were perked and listening.
"My name is Kate and this is my brother Oli. We are fine with you and your pack-making territory but I must make it clear that the northern part of this forest is where we call home. I would also like the waterfall, this clearing, and the cliffs to stay out of our respective territory. It can be neutral ground." Kate spoke her voice unwavering and Alex nodded in understanding. "That's reasonable. Me and my pack will set up territory within the meadow along with the westernmost part of the forest. We noticed that your scents aren't as frequent there as they are here." He said watching as Kate nodded. "I should warn you that hunters hunt in that part of the forest so if you want to you can also make territory in the southernmost part of the forest. My brother and I don't hunt there." She said and Alex nodded before replying, "Then I shall do that. Hunters aren't exactly my favorite but if you don't mind me asking are there any other shifters that live here in the forest?" the she fox nodded and replied, "Yes, an owl pair that hunt in the southern part but they shouldn't bother you. There is also a bear that lives just northeast of here but she's as gentle as a butterfly. Other than them and us there are no other shifters that live here." Alex nodded and bowed his head in thanks. "I thank you for allowing us to stay and I look forward to living alongside you both." He spoke and Kate nodded before nudging her brother towards the northern part of the forest. She followed closely behind him and the two disappeared into the forest.
"Did you notice?" Weaver asked and Alex nodded. "Her brother is blind. That's probably why she thought it best to talk it out." Alex said and Weaver nodded. "Don't tell the others about the male being blind. It'll provoke some of the others to try and run him off." Alex said and Weaver nodded in understanding. "I'll take a group to start setting up markers upon our new territory." Wever said and Alex nodded wondering how someone who couldn't see had survived this long. He had help from his sister but he didn't seem to rely on her.
. . .
"Do you think they noticed?" Oli asked his sister who let out a sigh before replying, "Yes, but I don't think they'd tell their packmates. They'd ruin what little relationship they have with us." Kate spoke and Oli nodded in understanding. "Once we get back to the hollow we'll have to start marking out a border. It'll help them know that there gone too far." Kate said with a sigh and Oli nodded once more before brushing himself against his sister in a reassuring manner. She pushed back and licked his nose, causing him to sneeze. She let out a small laugh before saying in a playful voice. "I'll race ya." Oli nodded and didn't wait for her as he began sprinting toward the hollow.
The hollow was still the same when the two siblings made it home, both out of breath from their run.
"Home sweet home." Kate said as she regained her breath. "Yeah, it still smells the same. Nothing is out of place. It's as if we never left." Oli said. The silence grew between the two before Oli made the decision to head into the hollow. Kate watched her brother descend into their home. Kate took one last look around their hollow before following her brother down and into their home. "I hope the wolves keep to their promise of leaving us alone." Oli said while fluffing up his fur and curling up in a nest of dried moss. Kate curled up next to him before saying reassuringly, "They'll keep their promise, and if not we can always leave and start anew. As long as we have each other that's all that matters."
"Yeah as long as we have each other." Oli said agreeably before letting out a yawn and falling into a silent sleep. Kate smiled before falling into a deep slumber.
The seasons passed five times since the wolves made a deal with the foxes. The two siblings had stuck to the agreement with the wolves and the wolves stuck to theirs. The prey was thriving and the two siblings were enjoying a well-earned day near the waterfall where a neutral boundary with the wolves was shared. "Life is odd with them here isn't it sister?" Oli asked as he cleaned his fur. "Hmm..., yes it's odd with the wolves here now but it'll make our lives a bit more interesting." Kate said as she stretched herself out in the sunlight. "I wonder how they are getting on." Oli said before joining his sister in the sunlight. The two siblings enjoyed the afternoon sun unaware of the eyes of a wolf watching them. "They truly are fascinating to you, aren't they Alex?" Weaver asked watching as the large greyish-brown wolf turned to look at him. "Of course, they're a species of rarity and to meet two that are close to one another, who aren't exactly fearful of us is nice." Alex said and
The sun had risen high above the trees as the two foxes made their way to the falls at a steady pace. "Summer had been going on well." Oli said as he took in a breath of fresh air. "Yes, but I fear that whatever the wolves have to say will put an end to this well-going summer." Kate said in a sign and Oli nodded. "If anything we can move fir the time being and come back next spring." Oli said and Kate thought about this knowing that this was an option but not the best solution. "I know it's not in our best interest since this is our home but we can't really make the wolves leave." Oli said and Kate let out another sigh at her brother's words. "Sorry." he whispered, Kate was going to say something but stopped herself as she and her brother entered the clearing the scent of wolves filling her nostrils. "Welcome." Alex greeted them while dipping his head down, his beta did the same. Kate dipped her head in greeting as well. "What is it that you wished to talk about?" Kate asked cutting s
The Sun was well over the horizon when Oli and Kate left their den. The forest was filled with the chirping of birds and the air was crisp and clean. A perfect day and yet the two fox siblings sulked and said not a word to one another. The night had been spent in deep discussion, neither wanted to shift into their human form and neither wanted to be surrounded by wolves, even if it was just for the night and yet, Kate wanted to at least try to make an effort with the wolves even if that meant shifting into her other form. She had tried to convince her brother but nothing got through to him as he denied wanting to shift, over and over again. "It would be a bad idea. The wolves would have us surrounded and we wouldn't be able to escape." He'd say, which was a fair point. Kate had no replies to her brother's words but still kept trying to convince him. The night had ended in a stalemate, neither could agree on a decision and both fell into an uneasy sleep. Now they walked through the f
Elder Nora walked through the forest, taking in the story that Kate had told her. It was tragic that the poor kit would have drowned if not for the two owl shifters. They were known quite well throughout the shifter world and many shifters thought of them as the Watchers of the Council. It would be befitting since they always managed to show up when someone was in trouble, almost as though they had the magic of the old world. Nora shook her head at that idea and took note of the trees around her. The brown bark turned to white with black eyes that saw everything. An aspen groove that was hidden by the verdant forest. A true spectacular for those who did not know the forest well. Nora took in a breath and perked her ears to hear the soft breeze whistling through the leaves. She smelled that of blossoming wild berries and the return of prey, old and new. She continued her walk until she reached a clearing where a great weeping willow stood in the center. It's bark looked as though it
The forest was just beginning to awaken as Oli stepped out of the hollow. His sister had left earlier, most likely to hunt, and he had left soon after to meet with Elder Nora. The crisp morning air filled his lungs as he walked upon a trail that he had known since he was a kit.It was trail that his sister had led him on so many times that he had lost count years ago. A trail that in the summer smelt of wild blackberries and wildflowers. A trail that was a memory to never be forgotten.It had been five years. Since their abandonment and three since Oli's bad experience with shifting. Spring had come and left, making way for the heat of summer. From what his sister described to him, the forest was a deep green and prey had returned in plenty. Kate had been training him on how to stalk and no matter how hard he tried to sneak up on his sister, he could never surprise her. She always knew he was there, either by his scent or by the many sounds he'd make. Each time he failed, was another l
Kate had awoken to the sound of her brother leaving. She said nothing as she listened to him leave their hollow, his pawsteps quiet as he tried not to disturb her sleep. His pawsteps faded and Kate decided to get up but paused as the scent of Ami filled her nose. "Why hello sleepy head." Ami said her gold colored eyes glowing. "What do you want?" Kate asked ignoring the feelings she got if she stared to long into those golden eyes.Ami took a step back startled by Kate's hostility. "Well I wanted to see if you wanted to hunt with me since your brother is clearly doing his own thing." She said and Kate was taken aback. "Sure." Kate said in a monotone voice not lowering her guard at this stranger of a friend....The woods were filled with life as she and Ami stalked through the undergrowth, two rabbits were just up ahead, both her and Ami crouched on instinct, they looked at each other for a moment before silently agreeing on moving forward.They stalked onward till they were foot away
"So why stay? You also mentioned that you came here for me, why?" Kate asked, she was blunt and although she did feel bad for what Ami had been through, she still felt as though Ami wasn't telling her something. "I don't want to stay forever but I figured I'd come and visit an old friend and I must confess something to you but now isn't the right time. Why don't you meet me here tomorrow night?" Ami said, unfazed by Kate's bluntness. "Fine, I'll meet you here tomorrow. Anyways, why did you leave all those years ago?" Kate asked, finally able to ask the question that has haunted her for years.Ami was surprised by the question and hung her head low, as though guilty of something. "It was because of you." Was all Ami said before turning tail and running, leaving Kate with more questions than answers. "Well that was odd." Kate said to herself....Kate left soon after Ami took off, deciding to take a route that took her along the wolves and hers shared boundary. "Well if it isn't the Vixe
I let the room of the clinic, Anna and Nemora following close behind me. I listened to the door click and almost felt disappointed for leaving the little fox and pup alone. I watched as Anna whispered to her mate, causing Nemora to blush harshly and run-off. I looked at Anna curiously and she smiled at me calmly. "Nathan I would like to talk to you about our guest and about the two wolves who decided they wanted to play a game of Cat and Mouse with him." Anna said blatantly and I nodded leading the way to my office. I understood her anger, I felt it too but my anger ran on a much deeper level. It was something personal and I hadn't a clue as to why the situation was problematic for me. Of course, the two did something horribly wrong but I'd usually let my beta take care of their punishm