Chapter 1: The Great Wolf Games (written on January 13th, 2022)

September 18th, 2012

The last days of summer graced Jasper Pack beautifully. Game was plentiful again, stable herds streaking under the bright blue. For the first time, the pups born from the last mating season could journey outside the family dens without adult supervision. At five months old, Humphrey and Kate's three pups were exploring the West of the United Pack. Each of them, at this point, had developed unique personalities. The oldest was Stinky, a dark grey male who was destined to become the pack leader. He was known to be a boastful brainiac. Next was a female named Claudette who had the tan fur of Kate. Everything she did she did with passion and devotion. Lastly, there was the pup who was half the size of the other two, given the name Runt, and he was assigned to become the only Omega out of the litter. Runt looked very much like his father, a light grey wolf with light shades of brown here and there. Unlike other wolves, Runt's personality was much more complex. He mostly had Omega qualities, but there were times where Alpha qualities would shine. He had confidence and curiosity, but he also had a tender side and an immature side that his siblings could never match. The three of them were at one of the best hunting grounds within the territory. A hunting party was chasing a herd through the meadow, encouraging the weakest of the caribou to separate, so they could be caught easier.

Stinky and Claudette watched from the top of a boulder. Runt, however, watched from a high branch in a tree. For whatever reason, Runt had the special ability to climb trees. He was the only wolf who could do so, and his siblings liked to exploit it. It was Runt who first spotted the herd because of the farther distance he could see.

"Whoa. Look at their stride," said Stinky.

"They're really tearin' it up," Claudette added. The hunting party was making quick work of the caribou. The herd began dividing into multiple herds that other groups of wolves were beginning to chase. "Good find, Runt!"

"Yeah, little bro!" said Stinky. "Your tree-hugging talents have done good today!" From an Omega's perspective, the herd looked more difficult than the Alphas made it seem.

"They would give you two a run for your meal, and leave me in the dust," Runt replied as he carefully got down from the tree. A modest group of caribou was moving closer to them. After the ungulates passed by, Stinky, Claudette, and Runt noticed that they were being chased by pups who were practicing their hunting skills. It would be many months before any pups were ready to bring a caribou down, but they were allowed to practice and develop their skills until the day they do. The pups that Stinky, Claudette, and Runt watched seemed to be pretty skilled at running, but when the caribou made a sharp turn, the pups slid and tripped over themselves.

"Let's show them how to do it," said Claudette. She and her siblings continued where the other pups left off. Claudette herself took the lead in the chase formation. "Okay, run them to the right," she ordered. The tan pup knew a lot from her mother who was one of the best hunters in the pack. Kate had taught her many of the complicated features of caribou behavior.

"Closing in!"

"Stinky, easy now," said Runt. Even though he was not going to be a hunter, Runt liked practicing with his siblings.

"Okay, Runt, now step it up," said Stinky.

"Coming through!" Runt informed as he began to split the caribou. The pups who were on the chase earlier now watched Humphrey and Kate's pups. One pup, in particular, was fascinated.

"Now run them to the rocks, guys," Claudette instructed.

"It's showtime," said Stinky. They hoped that pushing the caribou into the pile of boulders would break their formation. Instead, the caribou did one of their best defenses, a quick sharp turn. The three pups slid, but Claudette managed to turn her body around and go in the new direction much faster than her brothers.

"Thank you, Mom," she whispered to herself. She chased the caribou closely but suddenly quit her pursuit. That was when her brothers finally reached her. They were upset that their sister lost the caribou.

"Oh, Claudette, we could have been feasting," said Stinky

"Too young," she informed. There were hunting ethics that said, in most cases, the young could not be hunted. Despite the failed chase, Claudette appreciated the exercise. "But... let's hear it for the mom slide!" She made an elegant pose to show off her strong legs.

"Yeah. You're getting better, sis'," Stinky admitted.

"Great moves!" said a voice from a few yards away. It was from one of the other pups.

"Thanks," Claudette replied smugly.

"That turn—amazing!" It was a pup of a mix of brown and white.

"It's all in the paws," she said with pride. She turned to face the male who had complimented her. She gasped and felt a flow of interesting emotions. The brown and white pup was incredibly handsome! She remained speechless for several seconds.

"My name's Fleet," he introduced himself. "We're from the Northern team." His voice was much deeper than most pups.

"Hey, I'm Claudette." She turned to her brothers. "This is my bro, Stinky, and our younger bro, Runt."

"Yeah, younger by two minutes," said Runt, disapproving her last statement. She turned back to the wolf named Fleet.

"So the Northern hunting team?"

"No, Northern team for the Great Games."

"The Great Games? What is that?" asked Runt. Fleet then yielded a vigorous laugh. Stinky and Runt looked at each other in confusion.

"What's funny?" said Claudette. Hearing his laugh, a female pup with the same fur colors as Fleet came to the scene.

"Wait a minute. You really don't know. Where are you wolves from?"

"The Western Region," Stinky answered after clearing his throat. "As in THE Western Region." Suddenly, the female pup who just arrived started whispering in Fleet's right ear.

"Oh... right. Makes sense," Fleet said in response. Stinky, Claudette, and Runt found the overt whispering to be rude. It did not help that the whisperer had a constant smirk on her face.

"Was there something the pretty gossip girl wanted to share?" said Claudette.

"Easy," Fleet replied with a chuckle. "Magril says the Western Region took a pass at the Games."

"Took a pass?" said Stinky.

"When we hit Junior status, each Region sends in five Junior-aged Alpha wolves." Magril whispered into his ear again. "Huh? Oh. Correction, five Junior-aged critters. Doesn't have to be us Alphas. Just ends up being that way. You know... winning." Suddenly, a bunch of footsteps could be heard. Another group of pups was walking down the meadow. "The Eastern team," Fleet informed. He gave a howl to summon one of them.

"Yo, Fleet, ya gonna bring it?"

"Oh, we're gonna bring it, Ed," said the Northerner. Behind the Easterns, more pups came into view.

"And let me guess," said Claudette. "The Southern team?"

"Yeah!" Fleet answered. It seemed that part of the West's hunting grounds were being used by wolves from other packs. Only something official and important would allow that.

"Well, looks like everyone is going to bring it... except for us," said the tan pup.

"Fleet!" yelled an adult Alpha who just appeared. "Back to training!"

"Heh, heh," he chuckled nervously. "Coach is calling. Hey, since you're not in the Games, cheer for the Northern Pack!" He then joined the rest of his team.

"Did he just ask us to be his cheer wolves?"

"And as the Omega," said Runt, "I guess that makes me the water boy?"

"Come on," Claudette encouraged. "We need a serious discussion with Dad. Very serious."

Later...

Humphrey and Mooch were doing a celebratory ride down a hill. They were logboarding for the first time in months. Humphrey sat on the front end while Mooch on the back.

"When the Alphas are away," said Humphrey.

"The Omegas do play," Mooch finished with a rhyme.

"Gotta love those Alpha hunting trips."

"How long is Kate gonna be gone?" Mooch asked.

"At least five moons! Woo-hoo! YEAH!" The log flew off a ledge. It crash-landed, sending the Omegas into the air. Both of them collided with an outcrop, but they were okay. To them, it was one of their softer landings.

"Humphrey, my dog, it's been too long."

"Well, Mooch, I'm a hubby and dad. Had to put the Omega in park."

"Huh. Who knew? The bachelor with a bit... of a reputation—"

"And along came Kate, and I get tamed."

"'Tamed?' More like told to sit," Mooch replied. Both of them gave a short howl to express their stress but it was cut even shorter by one of Humphrey's pups.

"Dad."

"Whoa, pups, heh. How long have you been there?"

"You had us at... reputation," said Runt with a grin. He then winked at his father.

"Dad, do you know anything about the Great Games?" asked Claudette. Humphrey thought for a second.

"Yeah, we used to play."

"Well, why aren't we in it?" said Runt.

"Last time we checked we were all Juniors," said Stinky. "Though my skill set is more of a Senior."

"Seriously, Dad," Claudette groaned. Mooch turned to Humphrey.

"Hey, remember when Kate led us to victory?"

"Mom won that?!" said Claudette.

"She didn't win it... She killed it!" Mooch emphasized. "Remember the turns?"

"Dad, I'm feeling a little slighted here... and a bit snappy-jaw."

"Stinky, relax," said Humphrey.

"Yeah, well, I feel thrown under the stampede."

"Don't be dramatic, Runt."

"We're Juniors. We should be playing," said Claudette,

"Everyone should be playing. That's the point. The Games used to be for all critters, not just Alpha wolves."

"Yeah," said Mooch. "I did my Games with two bears, one Alpha wolf, and a squirrel."

"Huh. How'd that work out?" asked Runt.

"Not so good. The Alpha got hungry and ate the squirrel."

"Look, you know what our Region stands for," said Humphrey. "Until the Games return to being for all critters, we're takin' a pass."

"But, Dad, we're never going to be Juniors again! This is our last chance!" said Claudette. "I mean, Mom got to play."

"What can I say? That isn't how we roll."

"What if we formed a team?" Claudette suggested. "Huh? The right way. Include everyone and show them we can compete!"

"Claudette, the Games are in a few days... and it takes five to form a team. Those Alpha wolves you saw, they've been training all summer." Humphrey and Mooch then left the pups.

"We came. We pleaded. We failed," said Stinky. The three of them lowered their heads in disappointment. They really wanted to compete. Claudette wasn't willing to give up so easily. She would find critters regardless of what their father said. But not just any critters, critters who were Juniors. The term "Junior" referred to any wolf or other animal between three and six months of age. Between six and eight months, animals were referred to as "Seniors," but only Juniors could compete in the Games. And the Great Wolf Games were set to begin on the first day of autumn.