Aleu yawned softly then lifted her head and glanced around. It was very early morning and the sky was still somewhat dark. She quietly got up then stepped out of her room that she stayed in on the old ship. She then silently tiptoed past her still sleeping father and leapt off the boat onto the soft sand below. She giggled to herself then ran in the direction of the waterfall.
Steele flicked his ears upward when he heard a soft yip. He opened his eyes and looked out of the mouth of the cave. Soon, Aleu appeared in view and he smiled brightly and began to wag his tail. He got up and ran over to meet her.
"Good morning, Aleu," Steele said. Aleu smiled and nipped gently at Steele's cheek.
"Good morning, Steele. I'm ready for my first lesson," Aleu said excitedly as her tail wagged. Steele grinned and nodded.
"Alright then, follow me," Steele said before he began to walk towards the more dense part of the forest. Aleu nodded and followed.
Steele rolled his eyes and chuckled softly to himself. He then stepped out from bush he was behind. Aleu glanced up nervously.
"Did I do it wrong again?" Aleu asked in a worried tone. Steele smiled softly then placed a paw on Aleu's back end and pushed down slightly.
"Get your butt and tail down. You should be closer to the ground," Steele instructed. Aleu grunted in frustration.
"Darn it! I will never get it right!" Aleu complained. Steele chuckled softly and nipped softly at Aleu's muzzle.
"Oh hush, you are doing well for a beginner," Steele said cheerfully. Aleu smiled softly.
"You mean that?" Aleu asked hopefully. Steele nodded.
"Much better off than I was when I started. It's probably because you have wolf in you." Steele said with a chuckle. Aleu giggled softly then looked at Steele for a moment.
"I know you told me a friend taught you to hunt, but you never went into detail. What was your friend like?" Aleu asked softly. Steele sighed and lowered his ears.
"Well, the first wild animal I encountered when I ran away was a fox. Her name was Fayac. She is the one who told me about the wolf pack I was in earlier. I told her I wanted to be in the pack and she offered to help me. As she taught me, we became friends," Steele reflected quietly. Aleu listened and nodded lightly.
"So… what happened to her?" Aleu asked. Steele sighed again.
"She was killed by one of the wolves in the pack," Steele answered. Aleu whimpered softly and nuzzled Steele gently.
"Oh. I'm sorry you lost your friend and teacher," Aleu said in a gentle tone. Steele gently nuzzled her in return then licked the top of Aleu's nose.
"At least I have someone to pass on her lessons to now," Steele said with a soft smile. Aleu nodded and smiled softly.
"That's right! Now, where were we?" Aleu asked before she crouched down to the ground. Steele chuckled and crouched down beside Aleu, demonstration the correct form.
"Pay attention and do as I do," Steele instructed. Aleu nodded.
Aleu yawned softly as she and Steele walked back to the waterfall. The sun was near setting now. Steele glanced over at Aleu and chuckled softly.
"I didn't think you would want to keep trying so hard," Steele said with a grin. Aleu giggled softly and nipped gently at Steele's cheek.
"I don't give up easily. Besides, now I've got some experience under my belt," Aleu said with a determined smile. Steele nodded.
"That's true. If you keep this up, we will be done in no time and then you can go on your first hunt," Steele said. Aleu beamed proudly.
"I look forward to it," Aleu said. Steele nodded then glanced at the sky.
"Looks like it is time for you to get home," Steele said softly. Aleu rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I know," Aleu said with a giggle. She gently licked Steele's muzzle then dashed back towards town. Steele chuckled and watched her go then headed back to the cave.
The next two days, the lessons continued and soon Aleu had learned all she could from Steele. On the third day she arrived, Steele met her with a proud smile.
"Today is the day, Aleu," Steele said when Aleu got to him. Aleu wagged her tail and grinned.
"My first hunt alone?" Aleu inquired. Steele nodded.
"Yes. You will have no help from me this time. I will just observe. Your hunt starts now," Steele said. Aleu nodded then smirked and sniffed the air. She licked her lips eagerly as the scent of caribou filled her nostrils. She slowly began to go in the direction of the scent and Steele followed a short distance behind.