Aleu

She laid in the den with the others in a light sleep. Her muzzle was warmed by the sunrise stretching its beams into the opening of the den. She was waking up late as she hadn't been able to get to sleep the night before. Looking over the pack members of the den she could see that Kaleua and the old female still hadn't returned.

It worried her a little bit as usually they refrained from hunting at night, however she also knew Kaleua had a habit of being slightly overconfident and over providing for the clan. It wouldn't be out of character for her to have stayed out over night to try and catch a feast for the clan to eat the next morning, but it wasn't Kaleua she was specifically worried about.

The others hadn't stirred in the den just yet and Aleu was now wide awake and limber. She felt the urge to do a survey of their territory and check for any intruders, just in case. She decided to head off out of the clearing, hoping that when she returned Kaleua and the she wolf would be back safe and sound.

Trotting along the edge of their territory Aleu made sure to monitor the strength of the markings. She had made it very clear to everyone over the past few weeks that their land must be strictly defined. In times like these you wouldn't want a younger foreign wolf trespassing through unknowingly and putting themselves in danger because they didn't know any better.

This train of thought humoured Aleu for a second. She had to remember that she wasn't much older than the wolves she was referring to, they would even know more about boundaries than she did, however she still wouldn't take any chances. If there were foreign wolves crossing onto their lands it would be taken seriously.

Aleu continued on her journey along the outskirts. It seemed the scent markings were all very strong, she was pleased with that, and glad that the others had taken to her suggestion seriously.

It had been a very stressful couple of weeks for her. It would have been difficult learning to run a pack in normal conditions. With a possible rival pack lurking and the uncertainty of their future she was beginning to learn that there was far more to running a pack than anyone could have ever taught her.

The pack at the moment consisted of older and middle aged members, very few younger wolves. Since the previous winter had been spent in conflict and change, very few members had been able to pair off on their own for a little while. This had left them with decreasing numbers this year. Which worried her greatly. Although it would be less mouths to feed it would be clear that their numbers wouldn't withstand against another growing pack.

All she could hope would be that the coming year would be easier, and it didn't seem to her like that was much of a possibility anymore. Despite this, she would always keep a shred of hope. That was all see could do.

Suddenly her vision went black. Her movement stopped and she crouched low to the ground. Then she was granted back sight, but not from her perspective. She heard the caw of a raven overhead, but felt it within her. She saw herself on the ground and then took flight. She was hoisted above the great pines and headed left of her position. It was a few hundred yards but it went by in a flash. It was then that she saw the white mountain wolf. She was puzzled for a moment then caught sight of what looked to be Kaleua's body underneath him.

That was all she needed. Opening her real eyes and being gifted back her vision she took off in the direction she had just been shown. Her heart was racing and her blood was pumping and boiling. This didn't look good at all.

Jumping out from the trees her heart sank and stomach turned. Laying on the ground was the old she wolf and under the presumed culprit was Kaleua. Just a glace was all she needed. Her eyes filled with fury and her instinct to protect was ignited.

She bounded toward him like a tractor trailer. He didn't have enough time to become aware of her presence before she had him by the throat. Aleu knocked him off Kaleua tightened her grip. She used whatever strength she had in her body to pin him down on his back, digging her claws deep into his coat. She wanted to draw blood.

Awakened by a deep unnatural growl, Kaleua came to her senses. She saw Aleu in a furious fit about to put a quick end to the mountain wolf. She acted quickly shouting her name,

"Aleu, let him go, it's alright! Aleu he saved me!" She pushed Aleu off with both her paws.

Aleu had heard her voice and had loosened her grip, which was a lucky break for the snow wolf because Aleu was convinced he wouldn't have had much time left at that point. Licking the blood off her white teeth she continued to stare at him has he got to his feet. Still looking quite strong despite the near loss of his life. He had his back turned and shook his long fur.

"What's going on?!" Aleu questioned, still very emotional as there was still one pack member on the ground lifeless.

"Two intruders were here last night," Kaleua answered in a somber tone while staring at their old friend, "I was about to get myself killed when he yanked me back and held me down. I would have foolishly chased them till morning if he hadn't. I could have got myself killed too." Kaleua admitted. Her head was down in mourning her tail was low and her ears were pinned to the back of her head.

Aleu turned to the mountain wolf, "You kept her safe?"

The white wolf, who had regained the majority of his regal looking stature nodded. Aleu was a bit disappointed that her ferocious attack seemed to have done very little. Although his lack of fighting back could have been due to his rough night with Kaleua.

"Why were you here?" Aleu asked, still slightly weary.

"The other pack have depleted almost all the resources from their side of the island. I had to move from the mountain." His deep voice spoke, although Aleu could hear the obvious lack of sleep in his voice.

"So they are going to need food from here now," Aleu said, realising that the quiet months of winter were surely over. She looked over at her pack mate who was clearly in need of rest herself. "Two of you head back to the den, and get some rest. We are going to need to figure out what our next move is. Don't tell the others what has gone on just yet, I need to be there."

Kaleua nodded, and signaled for the mountain wolf to follow. The two headed back to the direction of the den and Aleu brought her attention to her fallen pack mate.

Trotting over to her damaged body she placed one of her paws on her shoulder. The over whelming sense of guilt took over her. She didn't want to let the others see her weak, she knew that even though she hadn't taken full leadership that it wouldn't benefit anyone from seeing her like this.

She couldn't help but feel like this was her fault. Tears formed a path down her snout and fell onto the ground. She was supposed to protect these wolves, which was what she had been brought here to do. She had failed so greatly here, the unnecessary loss of life was disheartening. She may have even lost two wolves had the white wolf hadn't interfered.

"Where was I when this happened?" Aleu thought to herself, almost swallowed in the depths of her guilt. "I should have been here…"