Lycanus seeing his master calmed down stalked off into the forest for food. His lupine Senses surging. "There is a herd of deer two miles off to my right" thought the wolf. His master had taught him the art of the lone hunt when reached His first summer his master was kind and never mistreated him unlike his mother's master. Lycanus remembered the day well. His mother, a short haired malamute with fur as pristine as the first snow and eyes of warm amber, came in with her abusive master Bubba. Bubba was a stocky built man with thick wavy blue hair and coal black eyes that were malicious as the day was long. He had, according to Lycanus' mother had gone, "huntin' for varmints."
He reeked of blood but something was wrong this blood carried the scent of one he had scented in his earliest days it smelled strong, a spicy earthy scent that said to all those who passed "This territory is Mine woe to those who cross me" it was disturbing that such a scent would be in the blood on Bubba's clothing. He felt afraid hackles rising. His mother let out a whine, "My son run" she spoke in the language of the dog. But before he could heed his mother Bubba kicked her in the side sending her flying with a yelp of pain and despair.
"I killed this mutt's sire and his brothers and sister he's the last to go good riddance ya many wolf!". Lycanus was confused what was "wolf?" his mother had not taught him that word. Lycanus heard a clicking noise and then a boom like thunder, his mother's snarl and Bubbas curse he then felt a pain like fire as something grazed his shoulder. With a cry of pain he was scooped up by his mother as she sprinted out of the door. He heard another boom as his mother staggered but kept running she ran for miles before coming to a forest. She found a den site and gently placed Lycanus on the snow laden ground.
"My son you must live, she began as she felt the wound start to takes its toll, "There are many things I have not taught you but now I am not long for this world." Lycanus snuggled his mother as he whined his lament. "My son you are strong like your father and fast as I am you will be fine if you learned the way of your father's clan." Lycanus remembered Bubba's strange word "wolf." "Mother what is Wolf?'' he asked. "Wolf is the brother clan to the dog your fathers tribe." They are strong, free they know no master. They hunt what they eat and thank their goddess the moon." She continued "You are both wolf and dog but the wolf runs strong in you follow the call of your father's blood my son live and grow strong and one day you will lead the pack."
"Winter is hard my son stay here and you will find a master if you find a master serve him loyally he will care for you and nourish you where I could not but never forget you are wolf you are free when you wish to be never allow yourself to be caged." His mother sighed and licked him in a show of love," my son my time to join the old ones is coming" she spoke. "There comes a man with eyes like a forest I have chosen him to raise you live my son live and make me and your father proud." She nuzzled him one last time I love you my son, son of white fang." She shut her eyes and breathed her last breath as a man with gentle ocean green eyes walked up. "Oh you poor thing to lose your mother so young worry not I shall look over you now little one."
Lycanus' ears perked up as his prey came into view. He crouched low eying his prey with calculating eyes. There were two large males with dangerous looking antlers. "Best to avoid those" thought Lycanus several females with young ones. "The young were born just this spring they will not survive if I hunt their mothers now." Further away from the herd was an elderly male who had sired his fair share of the foals of this herd. "He is the one who shall keep me fed", Lycanus decided.
The old male locked eyes with Lycanus as he was grazing. "There are worse ways to die then by a wolf's fangs" thought the older male. "Still he must prove worthy to take my life." The old male sauntered away from his kin to begin the ancient dance of the hunt. "Hmm he knows" thought Lycanus following at a respectful distance. Suddenly the old male burst into a leaping sprint. Lycanus let out a deep powerful howl as the blood of his wolf father coursed through him like flames.
The herd scattered but Lycanus rushed past them he would honor the elder by letting his family go in peace. Adrenaline coursed through the elder as he rounded on Lycanus. Lycanus feinted to the right to avoid the charge and coiled his legs for a massive leap that landed him next to the old one.
Using his momentum he slid underneath the old one to grip his jugular vein severing it. The ancient deer dropped with a snort. "You did well young wolf" he communicated to his hunter "thank you old one" Lycanus replied by letting go of the elder to allow him to die in peace. "The son of White Fang has returned to claim his father's place my debt is paid old friend" the elder thought as he took his final breath. He let out a resonating howl to honor the spirit of the one who would keep him fed.
From two miles away Edd smiled as he knew his dog would be fed well for the next few weeks. "So muffin we need to talk.'' Said Marie stalking over to Edd with a predatory smile as she jarred him from his reverie. "Well Marie it would seem that we certainly do need to talk as he spread out a blanket and motioned for Marie to join him. "Oh Oven Mitt so forward" Marie flirted causing Eddward to blush furiously enough for it to be seen. "Oh My" thought Eddward.
AN:/ So here is chapter 2 everyone I will be featuring Lycanus every so often as the story progresses. Thank you for reading Let me know how you like it if you feel so inclined best regards,
Almond Butter