Joseph IV
Having a massive pack of Direwolves at your disposal certainly made life easier. Almost too easy, Joseph reflected as the Megaloceros buck toppled over. Dozens of wolves converged upon the giant elk, snarling with glee as they mauled it apart. Within seconds, the beast was nothing more than a limp carcass.
Joseph charged into the fray with his spear raised high, shouting at the top of his lungs. To either side, Otto and Willam did likewise. The assembled Direwolves scattered from the fresh kill, growling as they eyed the newcomers. A few of the bloodthirsty beasts snarled at the humans, crouching as if to leap. Joseph shuddered but held his ground.
This was the job he hated most. No matter how long he spent around the Direwolves, they never ceased to frighten him. Ever since the night they attacked, Joseph had felt uneasy around the beasts. Unlike their alpha, many Direwolves still behaved like feral monsters around their human allies. Joseph often found himself wondering whether the current day would be his last.
The question had plagued him for ten days now. Luckily, he survived through them all. For all their growling, snarling, and glaring, the Direwolves never attacked him. At least not yet.
Joseph wasn't about to push his luck. He unsheathed his Sabertooth dagger and plunged it into the deceased Megaloceros, angling the blade upward. With all the haste he could muster, Joseph worked his dagger under the tawny pelt. Otto skinned the other side while Willam defended the kill. The assembled Direwolves watched impatiently. They never enjoyed the humans interfering in their hunts.
However suicidal their mission seemed, Joseph understood its necessity. Left to the wolves, the carcass would have been shredded into a bloody pulp. The only way the humans salvaged decent pelts was by skinning the kill before the wolves could feast. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.
Droplets of sweat trickled down Joseph's back as he worked. A dozen bloodthirsty eyes scrutinized his every movement. A few Direwolves paced back and forth, snarling whenever they neared the carcass. Joseph's hands trembled uncontrollably.
Having Winter nearby eased his tattered nerves. As the alpha male, the white Direwolf was privileged with the honour of feeding first. None of his packmates dared to eat before him. Undoubtedly, Winter's position was the only reason Joseph hadn't perished already. The other Direwolves would wait for their turns as long as their alpha hadn't finished feasting.
Even then, there was a strict limit to their patience. Joseph feared it was already nearing its end. He sawed fur from flesh with unprecedented haste. From the corner of his eye, he saw Direwolves shifting and snarling. Hopefully Willam could hold them off just a moment longer. . .
Snap! Joseph grunted in relief as his dagger slashed through the last tendons. Hide parted from flesh and Joseph snatched the pelt away. From the opposite side, Otto liberated a similarly sized fur. The other man nodded before retreating from the carcass with his newly acquired prize. Joseph quickly followed. An urgent tug at Willam's fur cloak got his attention. Together, the humans abandoned the butchered elk corpse.
Just in the nick of time, Joseph noted with an involuntary shudder. No sooner had they retreated than a number of Direwolves charged at the human group. The beasts snarled and snapped with reckless abandon as they drove the intruders away. Joseph hobbled as fast as he could, but his injuries still hadn't healed. Even now they hindered his movement, forcing him to stop for breath. Joseph whirled around and brandished his spear against the bloodthirsty horde. With rapidly mounting dread, he realized they weren't stopping. Joseph frantically waved his spear around like a crazed lunatic, bellowing at the top of his lungs. The monsters persisted.
Suddenly, a deafening howl pierced the air. Winter snarled ferociously, reprimanding his unruly subordinates with a vocal onslaught. The advancing Direwolves balked. Tails tucked between their legs, the beasts retreated to their alpha without a backwards glance. One by one, they ducked their heads and flattened their ears, seeking Winter's forgiveness. He growled, warning them against such behaviour again. The chastised Direwolves shrank away in shame, trying to make themselves seem as inconspicuous as possible.
Winter growled one final time to emphasize his message before returning to the Megaloceros carcass. Joseph sighed in relief, relaxing his grip on the spear. Occasionally, the alpha would discipline his packmates whenever they misbehaved. It was usually because of their harassment and aggression toward the humans.
"I think they're starting to like us," Willam grinned breathlessly.
Perhaps defying death on a daily basis had negative effects on sanity. Joseph burst out laughing at Willam's absolutely ludicrous idea. "You're insane."
"No, truly," Willam's earnest expression only plunged Joseph into another fit of laughter. The old man chuckled with him. "I was able to fend them off a few seconds longer this time."
"It's certainly an improvement over before," Joseph grinned.
Perhaps his companion was right. During the start of their uneasy alliance with the pack, the Direwolves hardly tolerated their presence at all. Only through persistent cooperation did the groups start trusting one another.
Joseph good-naturedly clapped his companion on the shoulder before following Otto, who had already advanced ahead. Weiss hauled his newly acquired pelt onto their wooden sled, which was parked between two massive snowdrifts. Unlike the rickety wooden board their group had used during their journey north, this was a fully-fledged toboggan capable of carrying passengers. Joseph took a moment to admire their handiwork.
They had laboured on this project for nearly a week; cutting trees until their hands were blistered and measuring dimensions until their heads ached. But in the end, their effort and determination yielded impressive results. The sled was longer than two Direwolves standing snout to tail. It only possessed a quarter of the width, but there was easily enough room to accommodate all the humans and even a massive heap of supplies. The main platform was elevated off the ground by a pair of sturdy runners, which allowed for swift travel and sharp turns. The wooden framework was crafted from an Ash grove near the camp.
Already, a mountain of furs was piled in the back, secured by a long fibre rope stretched taut by its immense burden. Otto unfastened the bondings and discarded his newly acquired pelt on the growing heap. Joseph dragged his own prize over and dumped it on the pile.
"That's the fourth elk today. We'll have enough hide to last a month."
"Perhaps even two," Otto grinned in reply, tying the rope back together with a crisp tug. Having disposed of his pelt, Joseph turned around to observe the pack.
Winter stalked up to their kill, silent as a shadow. Among his many other privileges, the alpha always fed first. The Direwolf buried his muzzle in the abdomen and tore it open. Winter devoured the choicest flesh and organs until he was stuffed to the brim. After feasting on his share, the great white Direwolf abandoned the kill unceremoniously.
Next, Winter's two betas took their turns. Shina, the old grey she-wolf, and Dust, the large brown male, approached the carcass together. Both Direwolves picked through Winter's leavings until they were satisfied. There was a cacophony of snarling and growling from the remaining Direwolves as the betas finished their meals.
When the carcass was vacant, the other wolves feasted. In pairs and sometimes larger groups, Direwolves mauled the elk carcass apart. For the most part, transitions between one group and the next were fluid and organized. Direwolves fed according to their rank, from highest to lowest. Occasionally, brief skirmishes would occur between the beasts, with the victor feeding first and the loser waiting their turn. The pack's dynamic was constantly shifting as some Direwolves climbed in position, while others dropped down. Watching their displays of dominance and submission was an especially confusing affair.
Joseph knew the feast was over when One-Ear approached the carcass. Without any exceptions, the cowardly grey omega was always the last to feed. The end of every community event was usually marked by his timid appearance.
Joseph clambered onto the wooden sled as the pack returned from their banquet, leaving One-Ear to pick through their leftover scraps and bones. Many Direwolves milled about, waiting for their alpha's next command. Joseph discovered that the beasts were significantly more docile after feasting on fresh kills. Whenever the Direwolves were happy, they were less prone to snap and snarl at their human allies. . . which would work in Joseph's favour for his next stunt.
He groaned apprehensively as Winter approached the sled, shepherding four of his largest packmates. The selected Direwolves were no less enthusiastic about their job than Joseph. Defying their alpha was out of the question, so instead the beasts took their anger out on him. They snarled and snapped, eyes gleaming with fury. Rather than back down, Joseph stood his ground. It was a nerve-wracking ordeal, but absolutely crucial. The Direwolves had to understand that he wasn't somebody they could bully around. Joseph waved his arms, shouted, and glared at his aggressors.
Unfortunately, things never worked the way he wanted. The Direwolves were completely unfazed by his resistance. They pounced with fearsome snarls, fully intent on drawing blood. Joseph tripped over himself in his haste to retreat. He would have died had it not been for Winter, who intercepted his subordinates with an outraged roar. The alpha reared up on his hind legs and swatted a Direwolf down before lunging for another. The two beasts rolled to a stop with Winter on top, snapping at his opponent's neck. The other Direwolf flattened his ears and flashed his underbelly in defeat.
The remaining three wolves quickly surrendered to their alpha with timid whimpers. Joseph exhaled in relief as Otto offered him a hand, pulling him up from the ground. Winter might be new at leading, but what he lacked in experience he easily compensated for with willpower. None of the other Direwolves could withstand his authority. . . luckily for Joseph, otherwise he would have perished long ago.
Winter reprimanded his unruly subjects with a few harsh growls before flicking his head at the wooden sled. Reluctantly, they shambled over with their heads hung low. Joseph gulped apprehensively as the four massive Direwolves trotted over. One glared at him with malice in its eyes, but a snarl from Winter made the beast avert its gaze. The four selected Direwolves unenthusiastically arrayed themselves in two rows before the sled.
Joseph approached the beasts warily, a bulky leather harness in hand. To either side, Otto and Willam carried similar contraptions as they advanced. Joseph's breathing slowed and his arms trembled. He stopped close enough to reach out and brush the nearest wolf's coat. The beast's fur bristled when it sensed him behind it. Joseph gulped nervously. With escalating dread, he closed the distance between himself and the Direwolf.
Joseph's grip was so unsteady that he practically dumped the harness onto his target. He expected the Direwolf to lunge at him, jaws frothing and eyes blazing. Fortunately, the beast only growled and remained still. He sighed in relief before bending over to adjust the leather straps. Joseph worked as fast as he could, his fingers flitting about like crazed insects. They tightened knots and straightened ropes, adjusting the harness to its new owner. He trembled as he worked, praying that he could finish without making any mistakes. The Direwolf certainly wouldn't enjoy waiting longer than it was obligated to.
Joseph retreated a few steps from the beast as soon as he was finished. Immediately, the short distance made him feel safer. Being in such close proximity to a feral Direwolf created a terrifying experience that Joseph wasn't keen on repeating. Unfortunately, there were four wolves and only three humans. . . meaning somebody would have to harness two of the beasts. Joseph was already dreading the ordeal to follow.
He searched the wooden sled for the final leather harness, only to come up empty-handed. Joseph turned around, scanning for the missing piece. Willam was currently struggling with the last buckle on his wolf's harness. He still hadn't finished adjusting his original piece. On the other hand, Otto had already harnessed a Direwolf, who was patiently awaiting its next order. The missing harness was in Otto's grasp, where he was currently adjusting it to a second Direwolf. The beast waited just as patiently as the first, even wagging its tail as Otto worked.
The man was half a wolf himself. He interacted with various pack members easily and they, in turn, treated him as one of their own. There was a mutual respect between Otto and the Direwolves. Part of it originated from his extensive bond and friendship with Winter. However, most of Otto's reputation was a result of his own initiative. One prominent incident stuck out in Joseph's mind.
During the first few days of coexistence between the wolves and humans, many beasts had attempted to impose themselves over Joseph and his friends. Winter protected them from many of the initial attacks. However, matters were entirely different when the alpha was off hunting or patrolling. The remaining Direwolves grew wild and unruly without a leader to chastise them. Most of them continued their previous attempts to dominate the humans.
One-Ear, the cowardly grey omega, was among this group of stubborn individuals. Emboldened by Winter's absence one day, he attempted to carve himself a new social niche by harassing the humans. One-Ear's fatal mistake nearly cost him his worthless life.
For Joseph, it was usually a terrifying ordeal whenever Direwolves imposed themselves over him. However, it was simply insulting when the low-ranking omega tried. The worthless beast posed absolutely no threat to him. Joseph wasn't frightened so much as annoyed. However, Otto was completely outraged.
The instant One-Ear bared his fangs and puffed his chest, Otto went berserk. He kicked the cowardly omega into a snowdrift before pursuing relentlessly. In a sudden flash of white, his Sabretooth dagger was free, gleaming for blood. One-Ear yelped in surprise, tail tucked between his legs. Otto slammed the beast against the ground, his eyes smouldering with fury. Suddenly, the blade was pressed against the omega's neck.
One-Ear rolled over, flashing his underbelly in defeat. It took the combined strength of Joseph and Willam to restrain their friend. Together, they managed to haul Otto away before he could stab the Direwolf to death. During the entire struggle, the pack was silent. However, at One-Ear's swift defeat they barked and snarled with approval. In their eyes, Otto had dealt with the threat just as efficiently as the best of themselves. From that moment, the Direwolves treated him as one of their own.
Respect travels a long way in this world, Joseph reflected as Otto finished the final harness adjustments. Joseph watched, envious of his friend's ability to control the Direwolves so easily. Otto had a natural talent for taming the beasts.
Joseph returned to the sled with Otto on his heels. The two men boarded easily, even with Willam already present; there was more than enough room for everybody. Joseph shuffled to the rearmost position, his back tucked against the heap of furs. Otto took his customary position at the front, his leather reins in hand. The straps were connected to each of the four harnessed Direwolves, who were growling uncomfortably. Otto silenced their complaints with a few hushed whispers.
Having four of the beasts was slightly excessive, but better than the alternative. Joseph knew that two Direwolves were capable of pulling the sled themselves, albeit slowly. However, four were required to keep up with the rest of the pack.
Winter howled to attract his pack's attention. The great white Direwolf bounded off toward home with his subordinates following close behind. Joseph adjusted his seat, balancing himself in the middle of the wooden platform. He gripped the sides to brace himself from falling. Up ahead, he noticed Otto and Willam doing likewise. When everyone was settled, Otto spurred the team forward with a shout and a flick of his reins.
The Direwolves sprinted forward at full speed, their long legs flicking the snowy ground. Immediately, the sled accelerated until it was barreling ahead at full speed. Joseph clung to the wooden platform desperately. Every jolt of the sled rattled his mending ribs, causing involuntary groans and curses. Powdery snow stung his eyes and gusts of wind pummeled his broken body. Joseph blinked back tears, struggling to see.
When Joseph's vision finally cleared, his initial panic melted away, replaced by delirious joy. They raced over gentle snowdrifts, fluffy as a newborn pup's fur. Trees and rocks vanished behind them, gone in the blink of an eye. The sled skimmed across the snow with unseen wings. They constantly found themselves airborne, propelled into the sky by icy white ramps. Joseph laughed with glee as they crested a muddy bank and soared over a churning grey river.
No matter how often he rode the sled, he never grew accustomed to its speed. Joseph had spent his entire life travelling on foot, apart from his rides on Sarah while the Triceratops was still alive. The lumbering beast, gentle as she had been, was no match for a team of Direwolves.
It was Otto's idea to harness the wolves, using their strength and speed to power the sled. It was always the same four beasts who formed the team; they were the largest and strongest of the pack. However, Joseph hadn't failed to notice the second connection the wolves shared. They were the former alpha's lackies.
Winter never truly forgave the beasts who had supported his father's killer. Forcing them to pull the sled was a form of punishment. Not only was it physically exhausting, but socially demeaning as well. Being chained into labour like slaves was completely humiliating for the chosen wolves. Whereas before they enjoyed high-ranking positions of luxury, now they suffered as low-ranking beasts of burden.
In fact, the entire pack's social hierarchy had been inverted after Winter's takeover. High-ranking wolves found themselves in low positions, and vice versa. Joseph knew the momentous change wasn't Winter's fault. The drastic social inaccuracies within the pack had originated from his predecessor's reign. The black alpha, desperate for support after his violation of traditional customs, had rewarded his most loyal supporters, regardless of their physical or mental prowess. The most renowned example of this was One-Ear's transition from omega to beta. The cowardly grey wolf didn't possess a fraction of the skills that qualified his position. Yet One-Ear's feverish support for the black Direwolf was everything he needed.
Alternatively, the black alpha punished those who refused to obey. Direwolves that had been loyal to Winter's family found themselves at the bottom of the hierarchy, regardless of their strength or skill. After Winter finally reclaimed his pack, he corrected the mistakes of his enemy by reverting the social order to its former state. Positive qualities such as ingenuity, cunning, determination, bravery, and strength, determined a wolf's position. Free handouts were completely abolished under Winter's reign. Ranks were earned, not assigned.
With that established, Winter's first move was to dethrone One-Ear from his position as beta. With the cowardly beast out of the way, there was suddenly room for a new beta male. Winter's packmates competed for the position. Many claimants appeared, but only one prevailed; Dust, the annexed brown alpha.
Joseph knew nothing of the wolf until Otto provided insight into the mysterious beast's origins. Dust had once been an alpha male himself; the leader of a pack of six. However, his position was lost to Winter's father after the white Direwolf returned north, reclaiming his summer residence. Dust had unknowingly encroached upon the white alpha's territory during his absence. Smaller and weaker than Winter's father, Dust was quickly overpowered by the larger Direwolf. Despite his valiant effort, Dust was defeated and assimilated into the larger pack.
Throughout the following months, the Direwolf did an excellent job of simultaneously remaining inconspicuous while also climbing the ranks. Dust's crippling defeat was a humbling experience that taught him a crucial lesson; no matter how strong you are, there's always someone stronger. Instead of denying that fact with stubborn determination, Dust embraced it. Rather than resent Winter's father for his victory, Dust respected him all the more. Gradually, the defeated alpha learned to obey and became a prominent member of his new pack.
Then everything changed.
The death of Winter's father threw the pack into pure chaos. The immediate effects were absolutely devastating. At the time of the white Direwolf's duel against the black, there were twenty-one wolves in the pack. After the fight, only eleven remained.
All five of Winter's family members were slain; his father, mother, brother, and two sisters. The young Direwolf himself had been exiled to the distant jungles, increasing the count of missing wolves to six. Furthermore, four other beasts had died on the night; three Direwolves that perished hunting Winter's family; and the former grey beta, who had died defending his friends.
At the end of that bloody night, ten wolves had either been killed or chased away. The heavy loss left the pack at half of its former strength, with a brutal new alpha in charge. Following the carnage, Dust distanced himself as much as possible from the black Direwolf, fearing the monster's wrath.
A handful of new wolves joined the pack in the subsequent months, replenishing their depleted ranks. Eleven grew to nineteen; nowhere near their previous strength, but a significant improvement over before. However, the abuse persisted. Their new alpha was a wretched creature, sullen and ferocious. He would take his rage out on the pack whenever something made him angry. Along with his mistreated packmates, Dust soon found himself secretly dreaming of his new alpha's demise
Dust's wish came true when Winter returned. The white Direwolf liberated their broken pack from the ruthless leader and set everything right again. Though young and inexperienced, Winter had a certain zeal reminiscent of his late father. Dust recognized greatness in the white Direwolf, the same essence that his father had possessed. When the position for beta opened again, Dust was eager to serve.
Joseph studied the lean brown Direwolf carefully. Winter's second-in-command was a loyal servant, though still learning to trust his human allies. Joseph himself had experienced a few unpleasant run-ins with the beast, none of which had ended particularly well. Though for what Dust lacked in amiability, he made up for with competence. The beast was an exceptional beta and had all the markings of a great leader. Dust was adept at handling unruly subordinates and commanding respect, traits that greatly helped Winter transition into his position as alpha. Dust's skills were absolutely essential to enforcing the white Direwolf's reign.
However, Dust was not the best suited for every aspect of leadership. When it came to making important decisions for the pack, Winter turned to his other beta for counsel. Indeed, Winter's male and female subordinates were polar opposites of one another. While Dust was bold and aggressive, Shina was calm and wise. The elderly grey she-wolf was the oldest in the pack, and with her age came years of invaluable experience.
Under Shina's careful guidance, Winter was able to govern his pack judiciously and responsibly. He was able to settle internal disputes between packmates and make the best decisions for everyone. But most importantly, Shina maintained peace between the humans and the pack itself. Without her, Winter would never have been able to unite both worlds.
Shina had been sociable toward the humans from the very beginning. Unlike her vicious brethren, the Direwolf immediately understood the importance of cooperating with her new allies. She had already attempted to coerce her packmates into behaving likewise. Shina had been able to create a general understanding amongst the pack that the humans were allies, not enemies.
Similarly, the beta female had been able to prevent the humans from provoking the pack into violence. Joseph was grateful for her intervention; without Shina's aid, he would have unknowingly offended the pack half a dozen times by this point. Fortunately, the beta female was always nearby to restrain him from acting spontaneously and offensively. Without Shina, bloodshed between the wolves and humans would have been inevitable.
Joseph watched the elderly she-wolf ease into a gentle shamble, slowing down from her sprint in favour of a slower pace. He glanced around and realized the other Direwolves were doing likewise. The pack had returned home. Instinctively, Joseph reached for his Sabertooth dagger. Ever since his first visit, the Den had always made him feel uneasy.
Winter lifted his head and howled. All around him, the returning pack mimicked the sound. Half a dozen unseen wolves returned the greeting from behind a grove of large grey shrubs. Winter disappeared into the undergrowth, swallowed up by the dark vegetation. One by one, his packmates followed into the leaves until only the sled remained. Otto gave the reins a gentle flick and they were suddenly engulfed by darkness.
Icy leaves slapped at Joseph's face as the sled ploughed through the bush. He raised his arm to shield himself from the worst of the vegetation. An instant later, they emerged into the clearing.
A great dark cavern occupied the centre of the grove. Joseph glimpsed movement from inside the wolf den. However, most of the Direwolves were outside grooming themselves, play-fighting, and reclining nearby. A handful perked up at the sled's entrance, eyeing the contraption sullenly. Many of them still weren't accustomed to having foreigners in their home.
The pack had kept the location of the Den a closely guarded secret since they moved here. Never before had outsiders been permitted inside the heart of their territory. . . at least not until Winter forced his subordinates into revealing their home. Since then, the humans had visited periodically ― every few days or so ― to slowly accustom the Direwolves to their presence.
It was essential for the future of both groups. Since the very beginning of their shaky alliance, the pack had made it abundantly clear that they were not abandoning their den to live with the humans. As fortified as the Lookout Hill was, the human camp was still exceptionally vulnerable without defenders and located far from valuable resources as well. Oft as not, the humans were out foraging or hunting. Without a pack of resident Direwolves constantly protecting their camp, the Lookout Hill was a dangerous location to call home.
On the other hand, the Den offered a safe haven for Joseph and his ragtag group. It was expertly hidden, located near an abundance of fresh food and water, and constantly protected by some of the deadliest carnivores in the north. It was perfectly clear which location would make the better home. But if the humans wanted to settle in the Den, they first had to gain the pack's trust.
The task was simple in theory but nearly impossible in reality. Direwolves were naturally territorial, and this pack's previous alpha had left the beasts particularly cautious and untrusting. So far, the humans had made some small degree of progress. The Direwolves were beginning to tolerate their presence for longer periods of time. Joseph hoped his friends would be able to move in soon.
Until then, their short-term solution to the habitation dilemma would have to suffice. Currently, the Lookout Hill was constantly guarded by a handful of trusted Direwolves. No more than two or three ever patrolled the human camp; the pack was already spread thin defending its vast territory and couldn't afford to spare more beasts than necessary. Furthermore, the Lookout Hill was located far away from the Den. It took time and energy to travel between the two camps.
So for now, small groups of Direwolves were periodically sent to guard the human base. The solution was far from perfect but better than nothing. After all, it was only a matter of time before the wolves and humans learned to coexist. Life would become exponentially easier once their two camps merged.
Joseph studied his future home as the sled rumbled to a halt. The Den itself occupied the epicentre of the clearing. It was protected on one side by a sheer cliff face. Rocks and shrubs surrounded the other three sides. All throughout the clearing, the muddy ground had been trampled flat by countless paws. The entire area was concealed from prying eyes by a barrier of towering bushes, tall as a mammoth and nearly as thick. The sheltered location and mild climate of the Den allowed vegetation to thrive.
From the corner of his eye, Joseph noticed something emerge from inside the Den and charge toward the returning pack. More specifically, straight for Winter. It was no more than a blur while sprinting, but Joseph glimpsed fiery green eyes and pitch black fur. The old alpha's ghost, he thought as it slammed into Winter.
The white Direwolf yelped in mock surprise as the bundle of fur clung to his coat. Growling ferociously, the small black pup struggled to stay balanced on the much larger wolf. Winter shrugged his unwanted passenger off goodnaturedly. The pup whined and cocked his head in disappointment. Winter nudged the small wolf cheerfully and summoned one of his packmates with a crisp bark.
A tan Direwolf bounded over with a Megaloceros leg in her jaws. She deposited the morsel on the ground before her alpha. Winter inclined his head in approval and she quickly retreated. With a friendly growl, the alpha slid the meat toward his young companion. The small pup immediately began gorging himself with vicious bites.
Otto chuckled at the sight. "A natural hunter, that Shadow. He better watch out. Here come his siblings."
Sure enough, two more pups were emerging from the Den. At the sight of a fresh meal, they immediately charged into the clearing with exhilarated snarls. The fluffy brown beasts were nearly identical in appearance but Joseph had learned to tell them apart; Dot was marked by the small cluster of white spots that adorned her back, while Dash boasted a sleek white stripe on her tail.
The sisters split apart at the last instant. Dot tackled her brother away from the meal while Dash ripped a morsel off and escaped with her prize. Shadow snarled as he freed himself and chased his attackers, barking ferociously the whole time. Winter watched the trio protectively as his pack barked and howled at their playful antics.
If Joseph didn't know any better, he would assume that the pups were Winter's own children. Such was the way they acted. But the truth was far from reality. The pups belonged to none other than the previous black alpha.
Winter had faced a moral dilemma after his victory over the old alpha. Upon being taken to the Den, he had been surprised to discover a litter of helpless pups. They were at his mercy. Something in Winter snapped the moment he laid eyes on Shadow, who was a mirror image of his father. Fury and disgust flashed across the white Direwolf's eyes.
But as abruptly as the emotions appeared, they were suddenly gone. Winter's eyes softened as the young pups trembled before him. Perhaps he realized they were completely innocent of their father's crimes. Or maybe they reminded Winter of his fallen siblings. Whatever the case, the white wolf chose mercy over vengeance on that fateful day. Winter ended the vicious cycle of murder and revenge by sparing the pups.
It was one of the very few times they had been shown compassion and kindness in their lives, and the pups never forgot about Winter's generosity. Indeed, they honoured and respected him like a father. As a matter of fact, the pups worshipped him more than their own biological father, who had always been cruel and abusive. Winter was the guardian they never had.
Despite his paternal bond with the pups, Winter remained completely indifferent toward their mother. The black alpha's mate had been none other than Sly, the omega female. . . mainly because none of the other she-wolves would have him. However, courting the alpha male had its perks including the guaranteed status of alpha female. Like many other upjumped cronies, Sly had enjoyed a life of luxury under the old alpha's reign.
Everything ended when Winter ascended to leadership. Sly had been demoted to her former position of omega female. Instead of taking the widow as his mate, Winter restored order to his pack by thrusting her to the bottom of the hierarchy where she belonged. However, the endeavour left the pack without an alpha female and the position was currently open for competition.
Joseph noticed Sly lurking within the shadows of the Den. The brown-furred female was quietly glaring daggers at Winter while he played with her pups. Suddenly, something in her demeanour changed. Sly realized she was being watched. Her head snapped straight toward Joseph and she growled. Without a second glance, she whirled around and scampered into the bowels of her nest.
Joseph shuddered and turned away. Something about that wolf unsettled him. It was only a matter of time, he decided, before she started causing trouble. Perhaps her actions would be sparked by anger or jealousy. Maybe she would grow tired of being treated as an omega after experiencing life as an alpha, however brief. Whatever the case, Sly was bound to snap eventually. Joseph would be ready when she did.
"You ready?" A steady hand clamped Joseph's shoulder. Otto gestured at the idling sled and its team.
Joseph nodded and braced himself against the sleigh. Winter noticed his human allies preparing to depart. The alpha gave his young wards a cheerful bark before shepherding the trio back into their Den. Winter reappeared when the pups were safely stowed away. He summoned a few Direwolves to his side and bounded through the bushes. The sled followed.
Within seconds, they were free of the vegetation and barreling toward the distant mountains. Most of the landscape consisted of snowy plains, broken by the occasional forest or hill. The vast emptiness seemed to stretch on forever. Growing bored of the monotone scenery, Joseph glanced around at the Direwolves accompanying the sled.
Most of the pack remained at the Den because only a handful of wolves were needed to escort the sled to the Lookout Hill. The journey was long but fortunately not very dangerous. Altogether, seven Direwolves travelled with the humans; the usual four who pulled the sled, Winter himself, and two of the alpha's trusted packmates. One of which happened to be Winter's older sister, Eclipse.
The black she-wolf shared the same parents as her alpha but came from a previous litter. Though they were both born from the same breeding pair, Winter and Eclipse were more like cousins or half-siblings than true brother and sister. Direwolves rarely remained with their birth pack; normally, they created packs of their own or joined previously established groups. Thus, wolves born from different litters usually never became acquainted with one another.
Nonetheless, Winter and Eclipse treated each other like siblings all the same. Tragedy had bonded the two together. With the rest of their family gone, the two wolves relied upon each other for support.
Joseph studied the other Direwolves travelling with them, but none of the beasts were particularly prominent within the pack. He had no idea about their origins or backstories. It will take more time for me to learn everything about these wolves, Joseph reflected. But time was a resource he possessed in abundant supply. With nothing else to do, Joseph let his mind drift as the sled rumbled steadily forward.
Gentle white hills rolled across the horizon, signifying a subtle change in terrain. Forests and fields fought for dominance over the landscape, deploying battalions of saplings and snowdrifts in their conquest. To the west, a frozen lake gleamed in the glaring sun. A chain of mountains loomed far to the north, large and imposing. The loamy behemoths were covered by trees that shifted and swayed in the wind like hairs. A few dark specks circled lazily around the mountain summits, like flies circling a corpse. Joseph felt his eyelids growing heavy. The steady rocking motion of the sled slowly eased him into a gentle slumber.
Joseph blinked to life, his head spinning from a chorus of shouts, screams, and snarls. The sled lurched left and right, nearly toppling over from the rapid movement. Joseph tried to make sense of his chaotic surroundings.
Roughly an hour had passed, he judged from the angle of the sun. Though it was hard to be certain with the sleigh spinning in circles. Otto was struggling to regain control of the contraption as his Direwolf team charged in every direction. The ravenous beasts were frenzied by the sharp scent of blood and fear. They snapped and snarled at their wounded prey; an unlucky Rhinoceros calf that had strayed too far from its herd.
Without harnesses to restrict their movement, Winter and his pair of wolves were cornering the beast. They snapped and pounced, driving the calf toward their bloodthirsty brethren. Joseph could tell the Wooly Rhinoceros stood no chance. It was only an infant, no more than a few months old. Unlike the adults of its species, the calf had not yet developed a thick coat of wool. Without the extra layer of protection, the infant would quickly succumb to the vicious attacks of its assailants.
Pitying the poor beast, Joseph unslung his bow and nocked an arrow to the string. The sled was still spinning around like a drunkard, making it nearly impossible to hit any target. Joseph drew the arrow to his ear and steadied his grip on the bow. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, but his concentration was focused on the wounded rhino. The sled finally stabilized itself, if only for an instant. It was enough.
Joseph loosed his arrow. The bow gave a sharp twang as its projectile took flight. Faster than Joseph could comprehend, his arrow zoomed toward the rhinoceros infant and lodged itself in the beast's eye. The calf collapsed an instant later.
Winter and his pack howled victoriously as they converged upon their fallen prey. It was already dead by the time they arrived. Otto eased the sled up beside the beast, grinning as he gazed upon their prize.
"Quite the hunt. Too bad you missed most of it."
"And let you have all the fun?" Joseph retorted. "Never."
The infant's hide was soft and supple. The humans were able to collect it easily. Joseph heaved the rhino's coat onto the mountain of furs atop the sled and fastened it tight. He waited patiently for the Direwolves to finish feasting before collecting his expended arrow. Joseph wiped the gore off in a nearby patch of snow, silently congratulating himself for another flawless kill. He was slowly mastering the bow.
When he returned, Joseph was surprised to find his friends loading the beast's carcass onto the sled. Half the corpse was gone, but it still outweighed all three humans put together. It took a great deal of grunting, cursing, and shoving to secure the carcass. Fortunately, there was enough room to accommodate the deceased rhinoceros.
"For Argentum?" Joseph inquired after the corpse was safely secured.
"Aye. Think it will be enough?" Willam was only half-joking.
Joseph shrugged as he climbed aboard the sled. There was barely enough space for him to sit. "We'll just have to find out ourselves."
Even with the heavy carcass weighing down the sled, the Lookout Hill was only a few minutes away. The journey home was incident-free. In no time at all, the human camp appeared on the horizon.
As he neared, Joseph noticed two distinct shapes patrolling the perimeter of the hill. Both wolves were the same shade of tawny gold. In fact, they were nearly identical save for their respective genders. Apollo, the male Direwolf, and his twin sister, Artemis, were mirror images of one another. Joseph found it impossible to tell the two apart.
Winter barked in greeting as he approached. The twins immediately loped to his side, bowing their heads before the alpha. Winter growled affectionately and granted permission for his subordinates to rise. When it came to interacting with the duo, Winter overlooked most formalities due to his personal relationship with the pair. The twins had been his childhood friends and guardians since the moment Winter first emerged from his mother's den.
The sled halted at the base of the hill. Otto climbed out and walked to the front of the sleigh, where the Direwolf team was idling. He stroked their fur and began unhitching their harnesses. Joseph vaulted from the sled and stretched his weary limbs. He was loath to approach the wolf team for fear of inciting their wrath. It would be much easier to let Otto release the beasts on his own.
Willam joined Joseph, frowning at the rhinoceros carcass. The corpse weighed more than all three humans put together. It would be an ordeal to drag the beast all the way up the Lookout Hill. In the end, it was Joseph who suggested that they slice the carcass into more manageable portions. Willam readily agreed to the plan.
Though the rhinoceros infant's flesh was tender, it still took the better part of an hour to complete the job. Otto came to help when he was finished unhitching the Direwolf team and unloading all their supplies. Joseph and his friends chopped the carcass into roughly a dozen chunks. They split the portions equally between themselves and started up the Lookout Hill together.
Though the tall hill gave the camp its namesake, the human home was actually located on its shorter neighbour. The second hill was more heavily fortified and offered greater protection from the elements. Presently, the Lookout Hill was simply used to watch for enemies, though it had become mostly obsolete after Winter's establishment of a regular Direwolf patrol around both hills. The deadly carnivores had better senses than any human, and could detect enemies approaching from miles away.
That being said, both hills had been fortified in the event of an attack. The shorter mound was encircled by a ring of tall wooden stakes around its perimeter. Behind the wooden palisade was a short but sturdy wall of stone. Countless rocks and boulders had been rearranged to form a solid barricade. The stone wall wouldn't stop any determined attackers, but it would certainly slow them down. A short ditch had been entrenched in front of the barrier, adding yet another layer of defence to the hill. The bottom had been lined with jagged rocks and sharpened stakes.
A few sturdy planks bridged over the narrow moat, allowing easy passage to the other side. The drawbridge could be removed at any moment to isolate the hill from enemies. Joseph slowly made his way across, careful not to stumble and impale himself on the spikes below. He made it over safely, only to find himself pressed against the wooden palisade of sharpened stakes and the stone wall behind it. Both fortifications were as tall as Joseph himself, preventing access to the camp. Joseph circled around the barrier until he found the secret entrance to within.
Excavated at a discreet angle, the sole passageway to inside was impossible to find unless you knew what you were looking for. Joseph carefully lowered himself between two boulders and crawled under the wall. The entrance had been constructed underneath the fortifications so the humans wouldn't have to remove and replace stones everytime they wanted access to the camp.
Joseph emerged from the passageway and found himself inside the camp. He scanned his surroundings as he waited for Otto and Willam to rejoin him. In the very center of the hill was a huge firepit, rimmed by a circle of soot-stained rocks. Although the fire was currently extinguished, a pile of firewood lay nearby for when new flames were needed. Apart from a handful of weapons and tools piled around the hilltop, the camp was surprisingly tidy. Most of the humans' possessions were stored inside the only visible structure; a small igloo huddled between a pair of sturdy boulders.
Their sleeping cots, spare clothing, and other various items were safely stashed within the snow hut. It had been Willam's idea to construct the igloo. The old man had experimented with different materials to find more efficient ways for surviving in the north. He had discovered that packing blocks of snow together created insulation, trapping heat inside the hut. The system worked better than most campfires when it came to warming a survivor up.
However, the igloo wasn't for any of the humans but rather Argentum. With Joseph and his friends out hunting and foraging most days, the young Tyrannosaurus was left alone. There was no way for Argentum to keep the campfire going on his own, so certain measures had to be taken for the infant's survival. Luckily, the igloo was perfect for keeping the cold-blooded beast alive and well.
As if thinking about the infant could summon him, Argentum emerged from the igloo and growled to acknowledge Joseph's presence. As usual, the young Tyrannosaurus was accompanied by Spectre. The albino Direwolf was Argentum's constant companion. Being outcasts from the pack's hierarchy, the two beasts had quickly bonded with one another. Now they were practically inseparable.
Argentum was no Direwolf, that was painfully clear. . . and painfully troublesome. If the humans and Direwolves had trouble getting along, Argentum's situation was a hundred times worse. The infant was drastically different from both his human masters and Direwolf allies. This physical disparity had caused harassment and discrimination. Most wolves treated Argentum like an omega, even though the infant wasn't part of their pack. This problem would already have been bad enough with any other creature, but Argentum was a special case.
The infant's violent tendencies and rapidly growing size resulted in defiance and retaliation against the abuse. Argentum had already clashed with a few Direwolves. Luckily, Winter and the humans had managed to separate the combatants, but not before blood was drawn and wounds were inflicted. It was only a matter of time before fatalities resulted from the disputes.
Otto's solution to the problem was to keep Argentum isolated from the wolves, at least until they learned to accept him. There was certainly enough distance between the Lookout Hill and the Den to separate the quarrelling beasts. Until then, only a handful of Direwolves was ever introduced to the Tyrannosaurus at a time. Interactions had certainly been more peaceful following Argentum's isolation, and he had even befriended a few of the more cooperative wolves.
Until recently, Spectre had been the omega male. The other wolves had seen his small size and albino status as signs of weakness. Even after One-Ear had taken Spectre's position as omega, the albino was still treated like an outsider. The only creature who had ever viewed Spectre as an equal was Argentum. Following their initial introduction to one another, the outcasts became fast friends. Spectre was like a mentor to young Argentum, passing his wisdom and experience onto the infant.
Amusingly, their unique dynamic remained unchanged despite Argentum's rapid growth in size. When they first met, Argentum was smaller than Spectre. Currently, the Tyrannosaurus was slightly larger than his friend and still growing. It was only a matter of time before Argentum towered over the albino. Joseph had no doubt that every other member of the pack would be dwarfed in turn.
Without any warning, Argentum roared happily and charged somewhere to Joseph's right. He swerved away to avoid a collision with the infant, and turned to see the source of the commotion. Willam had emerged from the hidden passageway only to be pummeled by a few hundred pounds of overjoyed Tyrannosaurus. The old man was thrown backward into the stone wall, laughing with glee despite the surprise attack. Argentum's rapid growth became especially obvious when compared to his master. Before, the young predator had stood at Willam's waist. Now, Argentum reached the old man's chest. Willam grinned as the infant rubbed affectionately against his side.
Joseph felt something warm press against his own chest. He glanced down to find Spectre nuzzling his side in the hope of panhandling a free meal. Joseph had forgotten about the Wooly Rhinoceros meat in his arms.
"Why hello there," he grinned at the wolf. Spectre barked in reply. "Good to see you too, friend." Joseph dangled a chunk of meat before the albino, and Spectre eagerly accepted the offering.
The small wolf began tearing at the meal timidly, scanning his surroundings for potential aggressors. Joseph smiled and stroked Spectre's pale white coat. The albino Direwolf was truly different from his brethren. Aside from Winter, Spectre was the only wolf that Joseph trusted. The small beast had never acted aggressively toward any of the humans. Instead, Spectre had tried to befriend his new allies through acts of submission and goodwill.
An outcast needs all the friends he can get, Joseph reflected. It had been the same with Hawk. The small Dilophosaurus had been rejected by her own kind due to her small stature. She had turned to Joseph for a companion, and it seemed the same was happening here with Spectre. It's a start. Joseph offered the albino another chunk of meat. Perhaps it is possible for us to get along. It won't happen today, or tomorrow, or even a month from now, but eventually the Direwolves will trust me. It's just a matter of time. . .
Author's Note:
Sorry this was three months late, but here's an extra juicy chapter. It's not my longest, but longer than most. Thanks for everyone who came out with name suggestions. Don't worry if yours wasn't chosen. There are plenty more opportunities to come.
The Dweeb 4252, thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! And there will be a few children, though none of them will be POV characters.
The Last Z Fighter, unfortunately I won't have respawning and leveling in my story. However, I do intend on adding some not-in-game creatures to the story eventually!
BlackHum3r, thanks for the name suggestion, even though I didn't take it. Don't worry, there's always next time!
Blueberrium, thanks for the name suggestions! I didn't exactly take your suggestions for the twins, but the greek/roman gods idea inspired me to choose Apollo and Artemis in the end. Also, you are completely correct! Betrayals will happen eventually, and then some exciting action can kick off!
King Endercreeper, this is definitely the part where they become a huge northern powerhouse. And your prediction is absolutely right. Human competition is closer than you think as well... maybe even next chapter. But then again, who knows? (except for me lol)
JesuMesu, thanks for the support! I hope you enjoy the rest of my story!
IWillNotDie, yes the rage mechanic will indeed be included! Quite unfortunate considering the effects...
Guest, thanks for the support and name suggestions! I couldn't take any of yours, but there's always next time!
Friday Knight, thanks! I'm glad your enjoying my story!
Tamahawk, thanks for the name suggestions! Unfortunately, I couldn't take any of yours, but don't worry! There are plenty of chances to come!
Geust, you're 100% right!
DefendIce, yes I take suggestions for names but not tames!
RebelVale23, glad you're enjoying my story and the mind connection element of it! Otto's talent is only just beggining to develop.
Dinolion92, glad you're loving everything lol! Thanks for the name suggestions as well! Don't worry if they aren't chosen, there are plenty more opportunities in the future!
haydenunstopable, thanks for the suggestion but I already took someone elses name. You can always keep suggesting next time!
Thanks for taking the time to check out my first fanfiction, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I will try my best to upload as regularly as possible. Feel free to comment, ask question or criticize my story, review is always welcome. And if you like what you saw, make sure to check out the other ARK: Survival Evolved fanfictions out there. Have a great rest of your day or night.
-DaRumpyBurr