Yay, chapter 8. I did have a small problem with this chapter so it is not amazing. Hope you enjoy anyway.
'We are two sides of the same coin'
The pack walked slowly toward their next stop. A large city that was famous for breeding war animals.
The pack decided it would be easier for them to stay undetected as they thought of their next move. There were a lot of large dogs that lived in the city so a five more would not stir attention.
Toboe pricked his ears as he saw the entrance to the city slowly coming into view. Hige looked down at his paws that were wet from the early morning dew that had collected on the lush grass that surrounded the settlement.
Blue lifted her head as the smell of humans slowly drifted through her nose. Kiba and Tsume stopped in front of the three other wolves.
Kiba shifted into his human illusions and looked down at his tired pack. They had been trekking through the valley that led to the city for six days. There had been little food to hunt the wolves had refused to sleep for the last two days because so many humans used this road. Kiba refused to let his guard because he was tired.
"I think it is best if we enter the city as humans." Kiba said, his piercing blue eyes watching his pack as the wolves shifted form as well. Tsume rolled his head around, "Remind me next time you make us do a death trek with no stops to stretch more often."
Blue smiled as Toboe walked to his role-models side and spoke quietly, "I told you, Tsume, to stop being so tense, it's bad for your back."
Hige ruffled Toboe's hair, much to the latter's protest, "You can't teach an old wolf new tricks, runt."
"Keep calling me old like that, Porky, and you'll be in the grave before me."
Blue shook her head, "Instead of bickering we should be finding a place to rest."
Hige nodded, "Right Kiba? Hey Kiba wait up." Hige yelled when he realized his leader had already started heading towards the entrance to the city.
The wolves disguised as humans ran to catch up with their leader although Tsume just walked with his hands stuffed into his leather pants pockets.
The five wolves avoided the toll gate and snuck into the city undetected. Now inside the massive capital, they realized how expansive is was. Along the entire perimeter were training grounds fenced off by steel wire. A few of the fields held a few animals being trained by their handlers. Past the large fields was the buildings themselves. Shops were open selling anything from food to horse Armour.
Restaurants were open on every second corner. Scared men and heavily muscled women relaxed as they bragged about their animals. Toboe yelped loudly when a wheel of a horse-drawn-carriage ran over his foot.
"Pay more attention to what's happening around you." Kiba advised heading into the center of the city. Houses tall and strong stood along the cobble stone road. "Porky you said you knew someone who could find us a place to stay." Tsume said glancing at the laid-back teen.
Hige nodded, "A jackal and her mate live here in this city."
"I've never met a jackal before." Toboe said walking next to Hige and looking up at the older male, "I've met crows and polar bears not to mention horses and deer but never a jackal."
Blue looked at the ground when she spoke up, "Jackals went into hiding years ago. Humans tried to kill them because they are believed to usher souls to the afterlife. The legend itself comes from Egypt were Anubis is supposed to be a guardian of graves"
Toboe placed his hands behind his head, "But if they are supposed to be guardians of graves surely that's a good thing?"
"You would think so but humans have a tendency to shun that of which they do not understand." A female voice said.
The wolf pack halted and looked at a small red-haired adult with a male counterpart who had a auburn hair.
Hige grinned and waved lightly, "Yo, Xing."
The female jackal in disguise nodded her head lightly, "Good morning Hige."
"Hi Xing, I'm Toboe this is Kiba, Blue, Tsume and of course you know Hige." Toboe introduced to the jackals pointing to each pack member as he said their names.
Xing gave a light smile, "Nice to meet all of you. This is Meng, my mate, he does not talk much."
As predicted Meng remained silent but bowed his head gently.
"We cannot stay in the open like this. I imagine you wolves snuck in." Xing said already walking down the street. Passing between the busy people with great skill.
Kiba nodded his head as he followed the petite women, "Where are we going to be staying?"
Meng lifted his hand and pointed to a tall stone building a few streets away from the animals.
"It is a motel, an elderly woman runs it. She lets us jackals stay hidden, in return we stand guard on the top floor and report any predicaments to her."
They passed a few more streets; Blue watched the tracking dogs being trained or relaxing by their master's side. Blue bit her lip as she realized how much she actually missed Quent, she yearned for the sense of great purpose she received when working with the man.
The group of six finally arrived at the motel. The jackals led the pack to the back of the building. After slipping into the warm corridors they walked quickly to the very top floor.
Tsume paused for a second in mid-stride. His golden eyes studying and memorizing all the daggers and knives which were being kept in a glass cabinet. He wondered if he would be allowed to take one to replace his old life which had become blunt with age. He decided to ask the jackals sometime in the near future.
The group finally stopped- Hige whining since he had been yanked away from the passage that led to the kitchen- waiting for the jackals to open the plain wooden door.
Meng produced a key from his pocket and unlocked the room. The room itself was a semi-circle. Its walls were lined with artifacts from all over the world. Skulls of extinct animals were placed strategically above the large window that overlooked the whole city.
The floor had a red, spongy carpet that reminded Kiba of Cheza's eyes.
The arctic wolf shook his head in anger. He had no time to think about a rose that had lost its blossom that had drawn attention away from its myriad of thorns.
"Thanks for letting us stay here." Kiba muttered politely, already feeling drowsy after days of travelling.
The jackal couple nodded and then left the room, giving the wolves peace as they gave in to their exhaustion and sank to the ground falling into a slumber.
Thank you for reading. Thye next chapter won't have alot of the pack but more how Cheza is working with Darcia and her new life.