So I started a new Warriors fanfic. This is the wolf/dog edition (I've done one of these before like 3 years ago). I wrote this a couple years ago so it's probably not my best work. If you want to read something more recent from me, please check out my fanfic 'Throne of Salt'. All reviews appreciated! Thanks for reading!
CHAPTER ONE
I stalked through the trees, relishing my freedom. I liked to pretend I was a true wolf. My pelt was black and brown and I had the broad shoulders of a wolf. I was bigger than most dogs, and probably bigger than some wolves, too. My eyes were dark amber. My mother had told me, back when I was a little pup, that my father was a wolf, proud and free, who had roamed all over the world. I had always taken pleasure in hunting fresh prey and howling at the moon. Sometimes I would hear replies.
" Silas!" came my master's call. I turned on my heel and ran to his voice. My master was kind and fair but I didn't have as much freedom as I wanted. Of course, the freedom that I wanted was for me to not have to return to his call, for me to run with the wind in the wild.
" Good boy," my master praised. He rubbed my head affectionately, and I let my tongue hang out of my mouth. He laughed and I felt a surge of happiness.
" Zephyr!" came a deep howl. I twisted my body to face the source of the howl. I could feel a challenge deep inside me, urging to howl back and call my name. But with one look at my master, I knew that that wasn't possible. I was a dog and nothing more.
My master jogged off in the direction of the mansion and I easily kept up with him. Again I heard the howl, but again I ignored it. The last time I had answered a howl, my master had kept me in the house for three days, giving me stale water and dog food pellets that tasted like grass.
" Master James! You and that mutt have been outside for nearly an hour!" scolded the housekeeper, Poppy. My master grinned and came inside. I trotted after him after giving Poppy a hearty lick on her hand. It smelled like soap.
" Sorry, Poppy. Its just Silas seemed to be having so much fun! I saw him hunt a hare," my master added excitedly. I could tell Poppy was interested too, but her job was more important.
" Well, don't track mud into the hall! And make sure Silas doesn't get too much fur on the couch again. I know you've been letting him up there!" Poppy waggled a finger at my master but I knew she couldn't really be strict with him. After all, she was just a servant.
My master led me into his room and I settled down on my plush bed. Closing my eyes, I quickly fell asleep.
When I woke up, it was dark. I could hear my master downstairs in the dining room. He must be having dinner with his family. I stood up and stretched each limb carefully. I hurried over to the window and pressed my nose against the glass. Using my broad shoulders, I nudged the windows open. My master's room was on the ground floor. If I leaped out, I could run to the forest and be free, truly free. But could I leave my master?
Yes. He hindered me. It was time. I took a few steps back and galloped forward. I snapped up my legs and sprang out of the window. I dashed into the cover of the forest and stopped, panting excitedly. I was free! I could do whatever I wanted to do!
I walked deeper into the forest until my nose caught the scent of berries and gulped them down. They would have to do until I found more substantial prey.
Suddenly, the scent of an alpha wolf drifted past my nose. I froze, the berry juice staining my muzzle like blood.
" Zephyr, are you sure you smell a dog?" asked a voice. Zephyr… The wolf that had howled earlier! I slowly lifted my lips in a snarl.
" Yes," growled Zephyr. " He is near…" I could hear the quiet sound of paws walking towards me. I forced my tail to lift higher. " Fear-scent! That dog knows we are here."
" I'm not a dog," I snarled, padding out from behind the bush. I was bigger than both wolves. One was pure black, who I assumed was Zephyr from his alpha-wolf scent, and the other was a light brown.
For a moment they were both silent. Zephyr hefted his chin up and bared his teeth. " Then why do you have the scent of humans on you?" I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head.
" Why do you have fear-scent coating you both?" I growled back. The other wolf's eyes widened fearfully. He took a pace back behind Zephyr.
" This is my territory," Zephyr told me, " Either I can kill you or you can join us." I yipped playfully.
" I was actually looking for you, Zephyr." I playfully stretched out his name. " I want to join your pack." I lifted myself to my tallest height and glanced down at Zephyr and his companion, trying to make it clear they shouldn't fight me.
" Of course," Zephyr replied. He dipped his head and turned. I followed him and the other wolf brought up the rear. Zephyr led me to the camp. I could taste the smell of other wolves pooling.
" I'm Micah," the brown wolf informed me. Now that I got a better look at him, he was handsome, with brown eyes and a well-defined head. He came up to my nose.
" I'm Silas," I replied calmly. I blinked at him, making my expression friendly. He smiled as we padded into the camp.
" Zephyr! Where have you been?" demanded a she-wolf with pale gray fur with darker gray on her back and head. Her eyes were a bright, piercing green.
" I've found a friend," Zephyr growled back. I noticed they both had the same green eyes. The she-wolf turned to me and I could sense her eyes flitting over me.
" Name?" she barked. I lifted my chin.
" My name is Silas," I responded. " And you are?" Zephyr stepped forward and glared at me.
" She is my sister, Ivy," Zephyr said. Ivy shouldered Zephyr aside and came nose to nose with me. Zephyr snarled threateningly but Ivy didn't move. She let out a sweet breath that wreathed around me.
" Ivy," I murmured, " Stop it. You're angering Zephyr." Ivy tensed, then back away. Zephyr mumbled something into her ear, and she shot an angry glance at him.
" Brennan! Weston!" Zephyr commanded. Two wolves rushed forward. Brennan was a muscular white wolf with silvery gray on his back. His head was darker silver. Weston was a light brown wolf with darker brown on his forehead. His eyes were a light amber that shined happily.
" Yes, Zephyr!" they barked.
" Try and make Silas comfortable," he ordered. They nodded and turned to me. Brennan was slightly intimidating, while Weston seemed very open and friendly.
" You can share a pod with us," Brennan said to me gruffly. Weston frowned.
" But that means we have to kick out…" Weston trailed off. I stared at them, looking confused. Brennan picked up on it.
" A pod is a small den made for three wolves. It's very warm and safe. Its got brambles, ivy, leaves and all that sort of thing." Brennan seemed less tense. I nodded and looked around. Small pods clung to the edges of the camp.
" We can make you a nest," Weston reassured me. I smiled thankfully and stared expectantly at the other wolves.
" Shouldn't we get moss? Or leaves?" I asked. Brennan shook his head.
" We have a pile at camp already." He and Weston led me to an empty pod packed full of moss, leaves and bracken. They each took two pawfuls and rolled it into a ball. " Do the same." I shoved my paw into the stack and yanked out some. I repeated it and rolled my bundle into a compact ball.
" Now take it into your jaws and follow us," Weston instructed. He bent down his head to grasped the ball in his mouth. Brennan and I copied him and I followed them to a sturdy-looking pod. I entered it and inhaled quietly. I could taste the scent of both Brennan and Weston, and another male who I didn't recognize.
" I'll be right back," Brennan murmured. He darted out of the den, leaving me with Weston. I stood awkwardly, waiting for Weston to take charge.
" Take out the old moss but don't mix it with the new stuff," Weston told me. We started to take out the old moss and I carefully placed mine with Weston's. Soon, all that was left with a nest made out of sticks. It seemed big enough to fit me, so we didn't adjust it.
" What now?" I asked. Weston showed me by ripping apart the bundle and first tucked the leaves into the nooks and crannies, then weaving the bracken with the sticks, and at last placing the soft moss on top. I lay down in the nest and let out a sigh. It was as comfortable as my bed back with my master!
Brennan returned and looked at my nest with me in it. He nodded, seemingly satisfied. I felt a quiet thrill of pleasure.
" I was just talking to, you know, him, " Brennan whispered to Weston meaningfully. I assumed they were talking about the other wolf that I had replaced in the pod. I got up from my comfy position and turned to the two other wolves.
" Could you introduce me to the other wolves?" I asked curiously. I noted that Brennan and Weston shared a glance, but then Weston stepped forward and nodded.
" Sure. You already know Zephyr. He's the pack leader and he's really strong and has a lot of territory," Weston informed. I nodded and Weston went on. " You know Brennan and I, and I take it you've met Micah too?" I dipped my head and Weston smiled. " Micah is Zephyr's deputy. He had a mate but she switched packs."
" Traitor," Brennan growled under his breath. " Nothing but filth." I jerked my head back at the wave of fury flooding from the white wolf's body. It was strange, very strange indeed.
" And I think you've met Ivy, too. She's Zephyr's littermate. Follow us, we can introduce you to the other pack wolves." Weston began to lead me to the center of camp, where a couple wolves were huddled around a pile of prey.