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 Weaver shook his head with a smile. "Only you could marvel at a pair of foxes." Weaver said turning away with Alex right on his heels. "Well, they are quite marvelous but anyway enough about them how is everyone settling?" Alex asked.
"Everyone's settling fine. We've got cabins for everyone set up. Now, all we need is a gathering hall and we'll be all set." Weaver said as he pushed past a thorny bush. "That's good. We'll be set for the winters once we get a gathering hall built." Alex said following his beta paw steps before the two of them reached a tree stump. "Yeah, it'll be nice to have a place to eat with everyone in our human form." Weaver replied as his bones gave out a sharp snap and crack as his form grew upright and stood on two legs rather than four. Alex followed suit and the two grabbed for their respective leather satchels that held a cloth shirt along with a pair of trousers.
Once dressed the two men walked into a clearing where cabins had been constructed and where a large new building was being built, the gathering hall, the final piece that the pack needed to truly be called a pack. A place where meetings would take place, where marriages or just casual dinners could be held. A place where all would gather.
"After the Hall is finished, we can finally announce that we are officially a pack. Our numbers are high enough and we have our own territory as well." Weaver said with a smile on his face, a smile that faltered when he saw his alphas face. It was not smiling but rather serious. "What's wrong?" Weaver asked and Alex said, "We'll have to host a Gathering. As you know that means all major packs, along with minor packs in our vicinity, will be here." He said in a serious tone. "Yeah but I don't see a problem with that." Weaver said and watched as his alpha looked towards the border and understanding dawned upon him. "The foxes will need to be warned. Unfortunately, wolves from other packs do not have to abide by the same rules we do." Alex said with a sigh and Weaver nodded. "Should I send Alina to send a message to them? Saying that we wish to meet them on neutral ground." Weaver asked and Alex nodded without saying anything. Weaver nodded back and went to find Alina, a bird shifter that had joined their pack on the third season that they had settled here. Many other shifters, mostly wolves but a few that were another species, had also joined as the seasons passed.
Alex watched as Weaver ran off and he sighed hoping that the fox siblings would understand that they meant well but others of their species might cause them harm if they were to be spotted, especially to the blind one. "You seem bothered Alex." The voice of an elderly woman startled Alex from his thoughts. He turned to look behind him and saw a woman with graying hair, who had a hunch and walked with a carved cane. "Elder Nora, it's nice to see you out and about." He said brushing off his startlement from earlier. Nora nodded before saying, "You seem bothered by something as of late." Alex sighed and nodded before explaining the situation to his elder. "It would seem that I should go and talk to these two young foxes. I haven't met with those of my species for a very long time." Nora said and Alex was taken aback by her words. Nora took note of his surprise and said, "Yes I am a fox shifter. I know how to hide my scent better than anyone here. I shift when I am alone." She gave no further information and Alex did not inquire for more. "Only if you are comfortable leaving. I'll still be sending Alina." Alex said and Nora smiled, nodded her head, and walked into the woods. Alex watched as her figure merged with the shadows and looked away when she had completely disappeared. "Elder Nora sure is odd." A voice said and Alex nodded recognizing it as Alina. "Alina, did Weaver tell you what to do?" Alex asked as he turned to face the sparrow. She nodded with excitement before saying, "Yes, but I'd thought I'd see you before I left." Alex nodded and gave her a smile. "Thank you and could you keep an eye on Elder Nora? I'm sure she can take care of herself but she's still an elder." He asked Alina, who nodded and took off running in the same direction as Elder Nora.
"The little sparrow sure is energetic," Weaver said as he walked up to Alex. "The trip will do her good then." Alex said and Weaver nodded. The two looked in the direction that Elder Nora and Alina had headed in before turning their attention back to the camp.
. . .
As the sparrow flew high and the old fox ran low, the two fox siblings had finished relaxing by the falls and decided to return to their part of the territory. They were in the midst of a hunt when Oli heard the flap of wings beating above him. Kate had heard it too and looked up to see a sparrow flying in circles above them. "What in the world is wrong with that bird." Kate said, looking more and more confused as the bird continued to circle above. "What's happening?" Oli asked as he sat down, his bushy tail curling around him as his ears twitched. "There's a bird circling above us." Kate replied and continued to watch the bird in curiosity, unaware of the paw steps that were approaching them.
Oli's ears twitched and his whiskers quivered before he stood up, his fur standing on end. "So you are the two foxes that Alex and Weaver keep talking about." An elderly voice said, startling Kate as she quickly stood in front of her brother but wavered as she watched the face of an elderly fox emerge from the shadows. The sparrow landed next to the fox whose fur was a light red with its muzzle covered in gray and white.
Kate said nothing as she stood her ground. "I am sorry for startling you two, I come from the wolf pack, but I wished to see if the rumor of the two young foxes were true. It's been quite a while since I've seen one of the same species as I." The elderly fox said as she sat on the ground, sweeping her tail around herself. "If you come from the wolf pack why are you here?" Kate asked. Narrowing her eyes at the fox. "Like I said I came to see if the rumors were true and to deliver a message from the alpha." The fox replied and Kate perked her ears. "Alina, would you like to tell them?" The elder asked the sparrow next to her, at this Kate was taken by surprise not expecting the sparrow to be a shifter like she and the unknown fox.
Alina, the sparrow, nodded and said, "The Alpha would like to speak to the two of you tomorrow, near the falls at noon. He didn't say what he'd like to meet about but he said that it was of the utmost important." She finished and bowed her head. Kate thought for a minute before responding, "Fine we'll meet him." The sparrow nodded and took off once Kate replied.
Kate watched the sparrow fly into the words before returning her eyes to the elderly fox. "You must be wondering why I'm still here." The elderly fox said and Kate nodded. "Well as I said before I came to see if the rumors about two foxes living past the falls were true, which they are, and I wished to see those of my species. Fox shifters are quite rare and I haven't seen another since my mate died." The fox said her voice drifting off at the mention of her mate. Kate looked curiously at the older fox before finally letting down her guard. Oli sensing his sister had calmed down, laud his fur flat and sat down when his sister did. Their tail wrapping around each other, comfort in silence.
The elder fox watched as the two siblings finally eased and she relaxed as well. "My name is Nora Merth." Nora said, finally introducing herself. "I'm Kate North and this is my brother Oli North." Kate said in reply and her brother nodded in greeting but didn't say a word. "I am pleased to meet you both and if you don't mind me asking how did you two get here?" Nora dipped her head and asked. "I have no quarrels with you asking. We've been here since we were young. My parents wished to abandon my brother since he can't see, I joined him in abandonment and we've been together since. Surviving through thick and thin." Kate replied watching as her brother pinned his ears close to his head at the mention of their parents. "That is unthinkable but you two seem stronger together." Nora said and Kate nodded in thanks at the compliment.
The two continued to converse over trivial things for an hour or two before Nora asked the question that she had wanted to ask since she met the two foxes, "Is this the first time you two are encountering another of your species?" Kate thought about it and shook her head, "No, I've met another. She was around my age and had silver fur. That was years ago though. She said she'd return but she never did." Kate said and Nora nodded and let out a sigh. "Are our species really that rare?" Kate asked and Nora sighed and nodded. "You two have never learned the history of our species but I would be happy to teach it to the two of you if you'd let me." Nora offered and at this Oli perked his ears and lifted his head. Kate looked at him and watched as her sibling's tail wagged slightly. She smiled and returned her gaze to Nora. "We would appreciate that but let us do it another time." Kate replied and Nira smiled and nodded. "I look forward to it but alas I must return to the pack and I thank you for welcoming me." Nora said with a smile and Kate smiled and nodded, watching the elder fox walk away and into the shadows.
"Should we trust her?" Oli asked, his ears perking in anticipation of his sister's answer. "We shouldn't trust her completely but I believe that we should hear the stories of our ancestors, after all, it would be great to at least know that knowledge." Kate said, watching as her brother nodded in agreement. "What about the message from that sparrow?" Oli asked once more and Kate sighed, "We should go, if they say it's urgent then we need to hear it." Oli nodded once more and the two foxes, returned home, wandering what news the wolves had to share.
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
I awaken from my sleep a while ago and I was enjoying the quiet breaths of the pup beside me. It was calming and something deep within me stirred. I knew all too well what that something was and I couldn't agree more with it. It the feeling of wanting, the feeling of wanting a family, of wanting not to be alone anymore, and in truth, I wanted somebody that I could lean on and tell them all the things that I had been through. What my family did to me but most of all I wanted a family with that person. I couldn't lie to myself that I was jealous of the person I had seen in that reflection. I was jealous of the happiness that person had the family they had as well and I knew all too well that I was jealous of myself or rather that version of me. My fox grunted in agreement and I knew that