Chapter Fourteen

Elkherder had been allowed to resume his duties. After a beating from Hawkeye, he was out on the hunting grounds stalking prey with Swiftfoot and Fena again. The herbs were getting ready to leave for the winter, traveling up to Ridge Top. Calves were still dependent of their mothers, but the three wolves were particularly skilled at hunting them.

Swiftfoot was fast; she would break the herb apart and single out one to take. Elkherder would then use his endurance to herd the chosen prey toward his sister Fena. Fena would surprise attack; slowing the prey down and giving Elkherder and Swiftfoot time to catch up and help bring it down. The plan never failed, and today, as dusk approached, they had taken another calf down.

Swiftfoot and Fena dung into the kill while Elkherder howled for the rest of the pack to join. His mother and Hawkeye would come. Then Swiftfoot would bring food for her brother Flint who was on guard duty with Nightcry today.

It was surprising Hawkeye didn't kill Nightcry; he had killed his own little siblings what was one more on his record? But still Hawkeye allowed Elkherder's new friend to live.

The small red wolf ripped hot flesh from the calf's side. He chewed it sparingly and then swallowed. He did have much of an appetite. Suddenly an idea came to him. Flint would need to eat and Nightcry hadn't be allowed to fed since he came to the pack, but maybe Elkherder could sneak him some food.

"Swiftfoot," the male said. The female glanced up, her mouth stained red. "I can take meat to Flint for you, so you can stay and feed longer."

"Why?" she asked, her voice cold. Her stare was hard, narrowing. She suspected something.

"Fine, I didn't have to offer," Elkherder said, shrugging. "I just thought I could help."

"Fine, go to him then." Swiftfoot tore a large hunk of meat from the fading carcass. She leaned over and let go once the male had it firmly in his jaws. As he started away, he met Hawkeye and his mother making their way toward the kill. Elkherder nodded to the both of them and continued on. He acted normal but he could still feel his brother's eyes burning into his back.

Nightcry was still between the two pines when the red wolf arrived. The brute was holding up well. An adult wolf could go a week without food, but living off of rabbits at Ridge Top wasn't really eating in Elkherder's opinion. Nightcry must be starving.

Flint was barely paying attention. His gaze was clouded with drowsiness, and he had begun to rock on his hunches. But the moment he smelled fresh meat he perked up.

"Did you have a good hunt?" he asked in greeting. Elkherder dropped the meat by the beta's paws. He then proceeded to rip off a small chunk and toss it toward Nightcry, who caught it flawlessly and swallowed it. "What are you doing?" Flint snapped.

"Hawkeye wants the trespasser to eat so he'll last longer. Not sure what he's planning though," Elkherder replied.

"I wasn't told anything. The beta is always told what's going on."

Suddenly, another wolf appeared. For a second Elkherder wasn't sure who it was, and was ready to be found out, but when his sister Fena stepped into the clearing he felt a surge of relief.

"He told you," Fena said. She padded up to Flint's side, batting her beautiful eyes. "I was there, remember? He said it this morning." The light grey moved liquidly around the darker male, and he nodded sheepishly.

"Now that you mention it…" he said slowly, following the she-wolf's every move, "I do remember."

It took all of Elkherder's strength to not laugh. He knew his sister had no interest in Flint, but it was fun to see her toy with his emotions. It gave the outcome he had been hoping for and Flint didn't mention the meat given to Nightcry again, and finished his own meal.

The rest of the pack returned shortly later, greeting one another in the clearing. Hawkeye was still not saying anything about Nightcry's future in the pack, and Elkherder was getting nervous. He pulled his sister aside as the pack settled down for the night, the starry sky gleaming overhead.

"What is it brother?" Fena asked. She walked beside the smaller red wolf a distance; to be sure they were both out of earshot.

"It's Nightcry," he brother replied, "I want to bring him to his family. They're not far, we could get him out while the pack is asleep."

Fena sighed and shook her head. "If you're sure it will work I will be on your side."