Chapter 4: Captured
I was running for some time. Then I saw a grey figure across a field in front of me. It looked like it was Humphrey, so I yelled his name. Just as I started sprinting after him I tripped over something, maybe a root, and knocked my head on a tree truck.
Hours later...
I must have been out for some time because when I woke up he was gone. I started running into the general area of where I last saw him.
I woke up from the deep sleep with pain. I didn't know where I was hurt; I just felt it everywhere. What had happened?
I had been running through the forest, away from Garth and, hopefully, towards Humphrey. I had stopped for a while to catch my bearings. I had thought of Humphrey and hoped that he would be alright.
Soon, I started running again, this time with a sense of purpose. While I was running I had thought of my parents and how they would probably be worried about me. I was thinking so much that I hadn't notice the cliff in front of me; all I felt was no more ground beneath me followed by the sensation of making contact of the ground below at high speed. Then everything went black.
Much, much later...
Where am I now? I tried to stand up, but the pain was unbearable.
"Don't move, or you'll make it worse," a voice which sounded a bit familiar said. Chills began to creep.
"Where am I? Who are you?"
"You're in my den. As for who I am, I can't tell you."
"Why?" Why was this guy acting so mysterious? I managed to turn around enough for me to see him. He was not facing me, but I recognized the long scar on his flank. With a gasp I realized who this was. It was the leader of the Northern wolves. Matt. I recognized him from the meetings my dad had had with him when I was younger. It was too long ago, so I couldn't recognize his voice before.
"Matt," I hissed.
"Oh, so you recognize me Kate," he said turning around with a playful smile.
"What do you want with me?" I asked, fearing the answer.
"Winston and I... have fallen out of touch since the last time you saw me. *sigh* Those were the days. We had always shared hunting grounds, but he banned us from it since. Then, out of the blue... you and that Omega come in and... replace the friendship with the Eastern pack's."
"You better tell me this instant!" I yelled. "This is not how we do things! Pack law prohibits-!"
"Pack law! Pack law! MY PACK IS STARVING! And I'm not about to let the Committee take its unfaithful decision! This is my choice..."
"Then why am I here?" I asked.
"Well... in a new world... Leverage is the new player..." It came to me. I knew why I was here... I'm a hostage! "This is my ultimatum: trade your pack's hunting grounds, so my pack can get food, and only then will you be returned... maybe unharmed."
"How do I know that you won't go back on your promise?"
"Hm. You won't know. But if Winston or Tony try anything stupid, we both know the outcome."
"What if I escape?"
"Impossible. We are the Northerners!" he chanted. The Northern wolves were famous for their chanting. "No force in Jasper could outsmart us! Besides, look at the state of which your leg is in." I looked. One of my front legs was in a makeshift splint. "That wound will take moons to heal. Though I have to say, you sure dropped in on me." He winked.
"Have you told my dad about this?"
"I had sent a messenger before you woke up. He should be back soon."
"If you think he'll give his hunting grounds, you're crazy!" He came uncomfortably close, grabbing my muzzle and making me look at him dead in the eyes.
"Listen, Kate. What does he treasure more? His hunting grounds or his daughter? We're not evil... I am saving my pack members' lives by doing this."
"So that justifies everything you're doing?" I asked. He merely nodded.
Many miles away on Mount Victory...
Winston's Point of View
"A messenger from the Northern Pack, sir. He says it's urgent," Hutch announced.
"Very well. Bring him in," I said. Hutch allowed the messenger in. His expression didn't give a good feeling.
He was right; it was a Northerner. What does Matt want right now? We had stopped being friends ages ago. I couldn't think of a reason for him to want to contact me.
"Hello sir." He dropped his tail in submission.
"Report Northerner!" We both sat down. Eve was behind me.
"Sir... I'm afraid my pack leader has told me to tell you some dire news concerning your daughter..." At that moment, I was instantly wired. I told everyone in the general vicinity except Eve to leave us at once temporarily.
"Continue."
"She has fallen from a great height and unable to walk normally." Me and my mate gasped. "We took her in, and now she is receiving treatment for her injuries."
"That is good news. My we have permission to see her?"
"I'm also afraid that that's not an option."
"What are talking about, Northerner? We should have the right to at least see our own daughter within your borders!"
"I'm sorry, but... she is at this point... in our possession..."
Later...
After hearing Matt's ultimatum, I knew... this wasn't going to be an easy day...
