Soot sniffled, the only good prey was on the Pack territories. He couldn't dare to go inside them again. Now the young wolf has been paying more attention to the borders. Giving up a fat doe because of them. He growled under his breath, it's not fair!
The uncontrollable thirst for dominance was in Soot's blood, he couldn't help it. He had to prove himself worthy of being an equal to these packs! He ran over to the river, the river that one of the packs claimed to keep as their own. He snarled, these packs were just greedy! Soot wasn't allowed to hunt on their territory, drink on their territory, or even walk on their territory! He jumped into the river, nose flaring, water sloshing, and paws paddling, he ignored the icy bite of the water.
A large gray wolf appeared on the shore, curling his lip, "I thought I told you to stay off of our territory!"
Soot growled, "I want to be allowed on your territory! So I can thrive! I won't let you selfish beasts keep me from doing that!"
Crooked Heart puffed out his chest, "Let me take you to camp, our leader shall decide this!"
Soot followed silently, he cursed inside his head. What was he thinking? He was challenging a wolf of who knows what position of the pack? Second in command? Most likely. The two wolves entered an area circled by dead brush, little hollows were made into the ground as dens to protect from the cold. The other wolves gave Soot a vicious snarl, some a curious stare, and pups bounced at his feet.
"Willow! Pike! Come back here!" The two pups walked away, heads drooping.
Crooked Heart led Soot into a larger den, the entrance was surrounded by rocks. This has to be the leader's den. The wolf inhabiting the den was large, even bigger than Crooked Heart. A scar dropping across his eye, an overbite showing his ferocity. Soot gulped as Crooked Heart spoke.
"Scar, I bring to you an outsider that dares to come in at the time to disturb your slumber. This wolf wants access to our water and prey."
Head rising, Scar opened his bright green eyes and stared at Soot. His glare was deadening, "He wants access to our water prey?"
Dominance rose in Soot's throat again, "Yes. I am tired of being left out to survive without the least bit of sympathy," He breathed.
"Sympathy? I gave you sympathy yesterday by letting you go with a warning!" Crooked Heart snapped.
Soot started to lower his head, but he realized, if he wants to be dominant, he needs to look overcoming. He stood taller, "I just want access to your water and prey. I have no intention of stealing more than I need."
Snarling Scar stood up, "It's not as easy as that, loner," He flicked his tail, "You want that small bit of access to what is helping us survive as well? You must fight my second-in-command."
Soot pressed his ears back, "And who is that?"
"You're standing right next to him," Scar snapped.
Suppressing a shiver of weakness, Soot stared at Crooked Heart. He forced his ears to stay tall, he would win this. For the sake of his own health.