Chapter 2

I felt the hot summer rays of the sun beat down on my now almost fully grown brown coat, which now was pretty thin. My big ears twitched to the sounds of birds chirping further off in the forest. My Blue grey eye's flickered opened; I emitted a drowsy yawn and noticed I was the only one of my siblings awake. A smirk spread across my long snout. My darker colored eyebrow rose as the other went down, I stood and stretched out me long limbs. I was now a yearling; I've been picked and bullied by my brothers for too long now. Time for some fun! I thought, and worked my way silently to the most dominant of us, the leader of the attacks, Oki. I watched his lighter brown coat rise and fall as he slept peacefully. I cast a watchful glance around to make sure no one was spying on me. Oki was sleeping below the rock, near the dirt den we used to sleep in. 'Never could've gotten more perfect' I thought evilly. I leaped up on it and positioned myself perfectly, I gathered my back haunches.

'What are you doing, Claw' Said a voice coming from my head.

'What does it look like I'm doing?' I replied back

'Don't do this, it won't solve anything, and you'll only get in more trouble'

I let out a scoff "Others might think I'm crazy if they find out I talk to myself in my head" I said quietly to myself, then leaped into the air, and landed flat on Oki's back! I quickly recovered and jumped off and away, I ran and hid behind a nearby tree.

Oki bounced up "AHHHH" He yelped clearly afraid, and surprised. I couldn't help but let out a laugh, when Oki heard me, he stood rigid, his hackles rising. Kar, Rii, and Yodi woke up and stood around watching Oki. Staying well out of his way.

"Ha-ha, got you that time" I barked and revealed myself, swishing my tail. The tan and white wolf glared at me, with hate in his eyes. I was slightly shocked and stepped back, and flattened my ears

"Relax Oki, I was only playing…" I said nervously and glanced at Kar, who turned and was running to River and Rock.

"Playing? You call randomly jumping on another wolf... playing?" He growled stepping forward. I was aghast

"I-I, well you're the one always doing that to me! So I have just enough right to do it just once, when you've done it all my life!" I growled back evenly, my eyes narrowing into a glare.

Oki was obviously out of words, yet when that happens, it was between strength and Oki was built more like our dad then mom. He was broad, and much bigger then I. His tail rose high, and he stepped forwards, I did the same thing, though I felt a twinge of doubt. Rii and Yodi were staring wide eyes, Oki lunged and snapped, his fangs barley missing my throat. 'Whoa' I moved backwardsthen darted under him and nipped his hind legs. Oki turned out to be fast also, and spun around and landed a blow on my tail. I yelped and felt more pain on my left hind leg as Oki managed to bite me; I clenched my teeth and fell to the ground.

I heard Yodi whimper and Rii shift uncomfortably, and then a thunder of paws as three wolves came over. The searing pain eased moments later; I opened my eyes to see River and Rock dominating Oki. 'argh..I lost, I let Oki dominate me' I thought bitterly.

"Claw? Claw do you hear me, get up!" Came Kar's low voice, was that fear in it? I struggled to a sitting position, and managed to sit at an awkward angle, with my injured leg sticking out. I looked around and saw everyone had gathered, Zee, Zark, now with Mother and Father, Rii, Yodi, River, Rock, Mudd and Kar.

"I'm fine" I said with annoyance, I looked down at my leg, the blood was still going, trickling on the grass. Mother rushed over to me and immediately started licking the wound; I let her, the voice in my head saying I needed help. Mother paused and scanned around

"Shoo, we'll discuss this later" She growled in a tone not to argue with then continued licking. Kar teetered nearby, not going. Mom didn't say anything about him; River and Father took to Oki and lead him away. 'Serves him right' I thought smugly.

When Mother was done, and the cut stopped bleeding, she gave a deep sigh. She nodded to Kar, and he came closer and sat down near me. I shot a glare at him, and then turned back toward Mother, avoiding her eyes.

"Kar, please tell me who exactly started this" She asked the uncertain male. Kar looked down at his paws and replied "It was Claw, Mom; she jumped on Oki's back..." He admitted grudgingly. Mother nodded and got what she wanted; she turned and walked away. She paused and looked back

"Claw… next time you cause any other trouble you will be punished. And since you're already the lowest, it will be exiled…" She growled softly then padded after Father. I pricked my ears and watched her pad away, shocked. I looked to Kar,

"That's not fair, you all always pick on me and get away with it! I never get a chance to defend myself, every time I was happy it was ruined by you! My dumb brothers, when I tried to do something right, you all made sure I messed up! And now if I do one more thing, that probably won't be my fault, I'm out of here!" I yelled my voice rising into a wail. All this time Kar hung his head low His body was about as big as Oki's yet his coat was darker like mine.

For the first time, I cried, I whimpered and felt despair. I've fought all my life for nothing really; much worse was that I wasn't alone. Kar was right next to me. I didn't wanna go on any longer I wasn't sure if I could take much more of the taunting from my brothers. Kar stood up and pushed his muzzle into my fur, I tensed.

"Claw… I-I'm sorry, for everything. Oki, is just mean, I don't know why he picks on you so much, and makes it his priority to make your life horrible. But I never really sided with him; I only did out of my own fear. I was always jealous of how strong you were about it, how you can put up with us always on you and fight back" He paused and pulled away, his light blue-ish grey eyes dark with sympathy, and something about them told me he wasn't lying. "From now on, I'll help you, Claw. With your anger, I'll defend you yet try to stop you if you do anything rash" He said with confidence.

I was stunned, my words pulled right out of my mouth. I didn't know what to say, all this time I've never had another sibling to love me back. The emotion was strong, my heart soared for Kar, at that moment, and we forged a vow. An unbreakable bond.

"I forgive you" I whispered.