The Cave:

AN: Hello. This is the-mysterious-other! I have been on this sight for a while but this is my first story. I finally decided it was time to write something. This will be the first story of a series. I'll be sure to add the next chapter soon. I hope you enjoy. Any comments or constructive remarks are welcome, but, please, no flames. Thank you and, again, enjoy!

It was an average day in Jasper Park. The sun shone, the wind blew gently through the air, and all the animals were about their daily business. All in all, the day was the same as all others spare the special few.

For a wolf, an average day was great. They could do whatever it was they usually did without any surprises. However, for three wolf pups, an average day was the worst kind of day. They thrived on excitement and fun. Two, of course, were weighed down by early Alpha training, but would still spend their free time filling their parents with dread.

The pups were siblings, two brothers and a sister. They were all born within a period of four minutes. The "eldest" as he called himself was a mirror image of his father and shared more traits with him then he'd care to admit to certain wolves. Born two minutes after him was the she-wolf. She bore an incredible resemblance to her mother, including her personality. They were the Alphas. Then, there was the "youngest". Born another two minutes after his sister, he too shared a resemblance to his father but was the runt of the litter, a fact which lead to a rather unfortunate nickname that he could never shake and had learned to accept.

The trio walked along a forest trail with no particular destination in mind. They only had a small quiver of hope that something exciting would run into them. Unfortunately, they were right.

Miles away, at the edge of Jasper Park, a dark brown wolf sat patiently. He inhaled deeply and absorbed the moment. Finally, after all the years spent searching, after all the ridicule he had endured, he would be proven right and show the world the true scope of his genius. His green eyes snapped open and a smile formed on his muzzle. He nonchalantly stood up and made his way into the park and, he hoped, into history.

Kate and Humphrey sat in their den quietly, watching the wolves go about their business. It was one of the few times a week Kate had a break from her leader duties and Humphrey had elected to spend it with her. Humphrey was also technically a pack leader being Kate's mate. However, he was still a subordinate one and only took on the responsibilities in Kate's absence, if needed of him.

"Where do you think the pups went off to?" Kate asked her mate.

Humphrey chuckled. "Our pups? Probably off destroying the world as we know it. You know, the usual."

It was Kate's turn to laugh. She was about to reply when Hutch barged in.

"A strange wolf was found in the territory," he panted, must have had to run all the way back to the dens, "He's he wants to talk with the leaders."

Kate immediately got up to follow Hutch, silently swearing as she was forced to abandon her break. Humphrey, however, held up a paw to ask them to wait.

"This is very important Hutch," Humphrey began. The other two leaned in intently. "Were his exact words, 'Take me to your leader'?"

The two were gone in a flash, leaving Humphrey alone.

"It was just a joke!" he whined.

The newcomer was rather strange. He held himself with the dignity and self-importance of an Alpha while his build was like that of an Omega. He smiled broadly as he saw Kate and Humphrey approach. He didn't seem menacing or threatening. He was well-kept and well fed.

Kate sniffed the air as she joined the group of Alphas circling him. He didn't smell of any pack in Jasper. Something about him seemed off though. Kate just couldn't put her paw on it.

"Ah, you must be Kate," he exclaimed, "The tales of your beauty do not do you justice." He took one of her paws and kissed it.

Humphrey cleared his throat loudly.

"Oh, and my manners! You must be Humphrey," the wolf said, turning his attention to the grey wolf. "Many wolves have wondered how you got such a beauty to marry you. You must tell me your secret sometime."

"What do you want with us?" Kate cut in, still annoyed about losing her hour off.

"You like to get straight down to the point, I admire that! I am here simply to ask to join you and your pack!"

The wolves around him looked at each other. It was rare for a wolf to want to join another pack.

"What about your pack?" Kate asked calmly.

"Oh, I left them a long time ago. They were ill-mannered and, frankly, cruel."

Kate nodded. Some packs were crueler than others. "And what rank are you?"

The wolf smiled at this. "I prefer to think of myself as above pack rankings, they don't matter. Especially in this pack," he gestured around him with one paw. "But, if I had to define myself as one rank, I would have to say Omega." He pointed toward his head. "I have far more skill with this, unlike many of the brutish Alphas!" He nearly spat the last part as the others growled. "Spare you Mrs. Kate."

"Why do we need another Omega?" One of the alphas snarled, emphasizing the last word.

Humphrey cleared his throat again, this time glaring at the Alpha who had said it. The wolf's ears and tail dropped as he backed up. While not being menacing, wolves still respected Humphrey, or feared Kate. He liked to think the former, but it was more likely the latter.

The new wolf absorbed the comment gracefully. Humphrey swore he saw what appeared to be amusement in his eye, along with something else. If he didn't know better, Humphrey would have called it resentment or even hatred.

"My name is Nicholas," the wolf announced, turning back toward Kate.

"Well Nicholas-" Kate began.

"Please, call me Nick," he interrupted.

"Well then, Nick," Kate continued, "I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be allowed to join the pack." She glanced over at Humphrey, asking for the other leader's opinion on it. He still had a say in things, even if it was less influential as Kate's.

"Nor do I," Humphrey announced.

Nick smiled broadly and opened his mouth to say something.

"But," Kate began, stopping him before he could speak, "We will keep a close eye on you. We need to make sure you don't have any dark intentions. If we feel that you are a threat, we will remove you."

Nick bowed his head. "Of course, I understand completely."

"Alright then," Kate announced, "Humphrey and I will escort our new pack mate here back to the dens while you all finish up your patrol. Dismissed!"

Without another word, the Alphas left and Kate, Humphrey, and Nick began to head back. All of the wolves would get their say in keeping the new comer in this trial period. They would get to voice their opinions of him. But that was later. First, he needed a place to sleep.

As the trio made their way through the forest, Nick smiled slyly to himself. Phase one, complete On to phase two!

The three pups were still searching for an adventure. Their wanderings had taken them deep into the forest. They had never actually ventured this far before. They were always caught and turned back.

The forest was dense and lead up to a mountain. Either the woods or the peak had to have something exciting in store, didn't they? Bigfoot, UFOs, a parallel universe! Something like that.

"This is pointless," Runt mumbled, "We should go back."

"Why?" Stinky asked, "Are you afraid of scary trees?" He slurred his words in a diminutive way.

Runt suppressed a growl. He was only two minutes younger, and probably the most intelligent even. "No," he muttered between clenched teeth, "But we promised to be back by lunch and I don't want to get grounded. Again." It was true. This would not have been the first time he had gotten into trouble after his siblings dragged him into something. He really needed friends outside his family.

"We'll still be back in plenty of time," Claudette assured him.

"Really?" Runt asked in a tone to set up his remark.

Claudette nodded. She was always right, in her mind that was. She had a mix of their mother's reason and pride.

"Then I guess I'm wrong and it isn't past noon!" Runt exclaimed sarcastically.

Claudette looked to the sky and frowned. "Well, it'll just be a late lunch."

The trio continued to walk on, Stinky and Claudette chatting and Runt sulking.

If they'd listen to me just once! He growled in his head. He was tired of being looked over. All I need is a growth spurt! Then they'd listen!

As they reached the base of the mountain, no excitement had found them. They were all disappointed though Runt was a little relieved. If they turned back now their tardiness would be excusable.

Just as he was about to uselessly put out another suggestion, he ran into Claudette's rear. He was about to snap at her when he noticed that her eyes were fixed up at the mountain. Runt looked over and saw Stinky staring at the same spot. As his eyes followed theirs, he found himself staring at a large cave at the base of the mountain.

Stinky's mouth curled up into a smile. "Let's go!" he announced in his usual, authoritative way.

Runt knew another objection would be useless and held his tongue. To his surprise, Claudette spoke up.

"Runt was right Stinky; we really do need to get back."

"But" Stinky protested, his face falling, "…cave!" He wasn't even able to articulate a complete sentence.

"I know but we can explore it quicker if we're not grounded," Claudette pointed out.

"But, … cave." His voice grew softer.

"Come on Stinky, you know I'm right."

But, …cave." Stinky's voice was a mix between a whisper and a whimper. He lowered his head and sighed. "Tomorrow then." He announced, his voice returning to normal.

That was one thing Runt loved about his sister. She was capable of making the same arguments as him and Stinky would actually listen.

The three turned to return home but Runt cast on last glance over his shoulder. The cave mouth yawned open and the darkness inside seemed almost tangible. He turned back to his siblings and sped up to catch them. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about the cave.


Well, that's the first chapter. Again, I would be happy to read any comments you have! I'll hope to have the next chapter up in a few days. Thanks for reading!