A Son of Wolves

Chapter 15: A Dark Future in Store

Tony batted his way through the dense jungle like forests of northern jasper. He was out of his mind; he was committing treason against his pack, his Alpha responsibilities and his co-leaders. But what choice did he have, he had to save his pack from the human. If he got rid of one then he'd get rid of the others, as they were sure to follow Ever since Leo came it started, so it was to do with him. The Northern pack was his only chance as resurrecting the United Pack to its former glory and power. He walked for two days after his brawl with Leo, he admitted he lost to himself, but he was old he knew as well, it wasn't exactly the fairest of fights. But that still didn't take his mind off the fact that he lost.

He took his journey slow, with age may have come experience and knowledge, but it came with a slipped disk and creaking old bones. Leo's inflictions didn't help in the matter, it only prolonged his journey. The Northern Pack weren't the most trustworthy of packs. They were well known for their power, strength and bloodthirstiness. They never worked with another pack, if they did, they were sure to turn on them when they were most vulnerable and claim the territory for themselves. Kill all the wolves, if they were nice, let the she-wolves live, but only for the males to fool around before they had the decency to end their suffering. But that was only if they showed mercy, sometimes they didn't. The pups were killed before their families, they had no mercy. They were the strongest pack for miles, but they never dared attack the United Pack, for they had numbers, whereas the Northern scum didn't. The United Pack was made up of near one hundred wolves and pups, this pack was only forty. But they were strong, battle hardy wolves, if given the right cue or entry into the pack, they could demolish anyone or anything, even the United Pack.

Most would think Tony was out of his mind to go and find them, but he had history with their Pack Alpha Leader. They went back a few years during Alpha School. At the beginning of the third day, he howled in the direction of the pack for their leader to hold a meeting, and he was answered and given safe passage into the territory. A few hours later, pack scouts came in and escorted him into the pack and to their leader. The Northern Pack territory was a wasteland, much worse then the Eastern territory. Here they had little prey, not big prey. Mostly, these wolves would feed on rats, hares, squirrels, even birds if they had the chance to catch one. But Tony heard about their blood lust for humans, that's why he came to them. The trees were near bare, the ground was hard and dirty, barely any grass grew.

He was escorted to the Leader's den and brought to a halt as the entire pack surrounded him and started snarling in his direction. The Alpha den was much like Winston and Eve's, it was up a slope and a rise was right outside for pack announcements. It was there that the leader wolf stood and looked down at him with pearly white teeth.

Sanali, jet black furred, bright green eyed, Alpha she-wolf of the pack. One of only few packs to be led by a she-wolf, but one heck of a leader she was. She ascended from her father, who in her eyes now was a pitiful excuse for a leader. But it wasn't always like that. She once feared him. Before Alpha school she was raped, beaten and put to near death by her father and his friends. They'd take it in turns, one straight after the other so she never had a break from the searing pain that coursed through her small fragile body. This first started when she was three moons old and continued to her early youth before she started Alpha school. She wasn't old enough to conceive, but old enough to be scarred for life. Her father missed her during Alpha school, but not in a fatherly way. She returned as a full grown she-wolf as the rank of Alpha and due ti the current leader having no mate, heir to his throne, a stunning example of a leader. She was the sweet and caring kind, so many thought at the sight of her she would not last long back here. The day she came back her father tried to rape her again, but this time she was more willing for it to happen. She presented herself to him, but when he tried to mount her, she spun around and slit his throat. She was proclaimed the next leader wolf of the pack, and her father's corpse pinned to the top of her now den to prove what she was capable of. Now it was her father's friends who had to cower from her. She brought the pack to an entire new level of fierceness. She was never raped or beaten again. She took what her father and others did to her all those years ago and now channelled all that anger against those who stood in her way. She had no mate, no heirs to her title, she was two years younger then Tony, seven years old, she was the judge, jury and executioner of the pack. When she returned she put the pack through the same training she went through, only to a higher and more intense degree.

Tony knew the leader wolf from Alpha School, even befriending her to a point. They trained hard and worked together. Towards the end of spring when their final assessments were coming to an end, they had multiple one night stands together, but never considering marriage or being partners. They spent many nights together in the same den, but never feeling any love towards one another, mere companionship and the experience of a lifetime.

Sanali grinned down at Tony while he stood with a firm and confident posture. "Tony…" She smiled. "What brings you up all this way from the United Pack?"

"Help." He answered. "I need your help."

"Come, let's take this inside." She said gesturing to follow. He walked up the slope and walked just behind her as he followed her into the depths of the den. He noticed the skeleton attached to vines above the den, what was left of her father. He looked back as they continued into the large den built like a mansion, the largest of all. If she was the leader of the pack, she wanted to live like one. She turned around as they stood in the centre of the den and walked back up to him. "So Tony…" She grinned and grinding her body under his chin. "What help do you need?"

"Not that help." He chuckled. She was only teasing him; she was far too old for those games they used to play. "I have a problem." He added as she moved away and sat opposite him.

"What kind of problem?"

"A human problem." He sighed and seething at the word and thought of it.

"Ahh, so it's finally got to you has it?" She giggled. "Words been fast to get here of the humans invading the west. How are you handling?" She replied, but her tone of voice suggested she was amused.

"We have a human in our midst…" He started. "He lives among our pack and insists he is one of us. I can't get him to leave; I can't convince Winston or the pack that he is a danger to us and needs to be exterminated, if not, eradicated from this world."

"And you need us because…?" She asked not seeing the point.

"I can't get the human out; the pack is falling to the humans and our prey running scarce. To reclaim the pack to what it once was, I must destroy it and the human."

"So you want us to get the human out?" She questioned.

"You're pack is undeniably the strongest around, I need you and your pack to help me. If I get rid of this one human, the rest will follow him." She looked at him, actually intrigued by his offer.

"What's in it for us?" Her next question was.

"You may use our hunting grounds for a month. I know how scarce food is around here. You may use our grounds to feed yourselves for a month."

"Make it three." She was pushing her luck, and Tony was almost ready to pull out. But he needed their help; he had to have their help.

"Deal." He said taking her paw and shaking it.

"We have an arrangement." She smiled. "You may rest in a den for the night and get on your way at first light."

"Just be sure, if any if my pack is hurt, then our deal is terminated." He warned.

"Only the human's blood shall be spilt." She swore. "Nala!" She called out. Moments later, another female came trotting in. "Take our guest to an empty den, assure no-one disturbs him."

"Yes ma'am." She said with a nod and then motioning for Tony to follow. He arose to his paws and started flowing after the she-wolf. But seeing him, Sanali felt a pang in her chest.

"Tony?" She then asked, her voice carrying a much sweeter tone like she used to have. He stopped and looked back out her. "How is Garth?" She asked.

"He's fine."

"Please look after him." She said as she tried to hold back a tear.

"He's our son; I'll fight the entire human race to keep him and his mate safe." He smiled before walking out and her tear fell.

Leo was experiencing a new thrill in his short life. He learnt how to track, stalk and sense what was transpiring around him from his mother, but she wanted to take it to the next level, she was sure that he was ready for this step. Hunting. Although she'd admit she wasn't the best for teaching him at the moment and in her state, she wanted to try. Her plan to convince the pack she was attacked by hunters wasn't her greatest, and she admitted it. But it did the trick. She ran back to the site where she met the humans after peeling off from the group. She reached the edge of the sage patch, only to see two of her friends, Reba and Janice scenting the area to determine whether or not it was true that she was consorting with humans. She found a sharp rock and sliced it across her shoulder. Her face contorted as she did and made the bleeding wound and to hold back a scream. But as she did it, she put her mind else where to try and block it out. She dropped the rock and then ran out in the patch, pleading for help and saying how the hunters were after her. She was taken back to the leader den for healing and the pack was convinced she was attacked and not meeting with humans. Leo or Humphrey weren't impressed, but at least it worked and she wasn't going to be thrown out the pack any longer.

The day after, she had a bandage from Leo's amazing bag of things he stole from the site and healed her leg over good. But Leo's latest plan for the site required something more, and this plan was a serious one. He needed bait first, so he had to catch something. Kate mentored him on what she could without walking much, but she found it hard. So she called for Garth who came minutes later with Lily and he then started coaching him. If he could teach Lily who was an Omega to hunt, then so could he to Leo.

He went through the five stages of hunting with Leo. Tracking, Stalking, Sensing, Acting and the Takedown. Tracking and Stalking was no problem, the last three he didn't know anything about. Garth believed and learnt himself through the saying "learning on the job", so learning while actually doing it. Leo managed to prove at his request that he could track and find his prey using his senses and he was able to stalk towards his prey, in this case, it was a large thick log Garth placed a little distance out from some long grass. Leo was able to stalk through the grass, barely making a sound, but then he was in foreign territory. Leo had to sense and spot the perfect prey out of a herd of caribou, A.K.A the log for now. But he had to spot an elder, calf or sick caribou via sensing them. Then it was acting, he had to know when to act, the wrong time and he blows the entire hunt and dinner for him or the pack. The perfect chance to act was during grazing or when it's looking to other way and its neck was exposed. The takedown was something he knew he wasn't going to be able to do. Garth explained how if you can take it down as quickly as possible, then it's easy and far safer. Try not to run it down, if you can, bring it down as soon as possible by taking it by the throat and not letting go until it stopped shaky. He was disgusted by the fact that he was being asked to strangle it or somehow rip open its throat. He didn't have fangs, or claws, nothing to do that. So he came up with his own way.

He ripped off a long stick off a tree, one nearly as tall as himself. He found a sharp stone with what seemed like a bladed edge and started sharpening the end to form a point. He tested it out by hurling it like a spear at a tree, and it dug deep into the bark and stuck. He was ready now. But Garth didn't want him to try on the log, he went back to his saying, "learn on the job" and took Leo to the hunting grounds.

"You can't be serious." Leo exclaimed quietly as he and Garth ducked in some tall grass and staring at the Caribou herd.

"It's the best way to learn." Garth pointed out. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"Fun for you, you guys are made for this."

"Humans make good hunters, as you know." He chuckled.

"Still, they have guns and I don't."

"Do you want this bait to do whatever it was you need to do?" Leo looked from him and back up to the herd. He really did need the bait. "Then get going before they hear us." He added as he shoved Leo forwards. Leo started crawling along the ground and towards the herd, what was going through his mind? He was at the end of the grass before he realised. His heart beat frantically in his chest, his breathing he tried to quieten. He looked up and to his right. Kate, Humphrey, Lily and Garth who just joined them sat looking down at him from a tall cliff and hoping he does well, but mostly hoping he didn't hurt himself. Wolves can and have been killed in the hunt before. But it was all in the learning if he messed up. One thing he learned from Garth was that he shouldn't always be good and try to be perfect. Make mistakes on purpose, make mistakes, get into trouble; it's the best way to learn.

The herd were fifteen feet out of the grass, so there was no chance he'd get to them before he was spotted by one of the sentries. He carefully arose to his feet, but stayed in a crouch position while he looked around the herd carefully for his target. His wolf like empathic ability stepped up as it sensed out his victim. He spent a few moments watching each individual and their bodies, detecting whether or not it was old, young, injured or sick. He knew not to go for a mid aged male; there was little chance he'd take it down in his own.

Kate looked down nervously, shuffling her paws a little in anticipation. Winston and Eve approached from the side of the cliff. "What's happening?" She asked as they approached.

"Leo's hunting." Humphrey smiled.

"Leo…hunting?" Winston questioned as they sat beside Humphrey who pointed Leo out the them.

"I guess it's in his blood isn't it." Eve sighed.

"He's not a human's hunter mom." Kate said. "He's a wolf hunter."

"By "wolf hunter", do you mean he hunts with us or he hunts for us?" Lily giggled.

"I'm not sure whether or not to be worried by this." Winston rasped.

"Don't worry dad, we'll all be fine." Kate smiled as they continued watching.

Leo thought he found his target, one that seemed to have a slight limp. But it was in the centre of the group. Maybe, if he got the group running, and if he thought he saw right, then that individual would fall behind and he'd be able to catch it. But that would mean exposing his position. There was a large log, what seemed to have been once a thick tree lying not far from the herd. He could use it for cover and maybe get one before they were spooked.

He emerged from his hiding spot and ran to the fallen tree, skilfully silencing his footsteps as he did. But before he even made it half way, he was spotted and one of the sentries released a warning cry, therefore alerting the others who then started to get spooked and run. He ran faster, now knowing he was seen and therefore his stealth wasn't needed. He ran with all his might before the herd moved and used the tree to his advantage. He used it to jump higher and cover more ground and gain height. He brought his spear up and above his head, ready to plunge it into anything under him. Only it didn't help or do anything for that matter. The herd scattered away from him and as he brought his spear down, he missed his target and the herd started running. He pulled the stick out the ground and started to run after them, soon seeing his target in sight. He was correct in assuming it was lame, for it was falling behind the herd, but it was still moving faster then Leo. Kate, Humphrey, Lily, Garth, Winston and Eve stood up and started walking along the side of the cliff to carry on watching. The caribou rounded a corner, but its herd mate continued to fall behind but still gained ground against Leo.

Leo saw an opportunity, so he took it. He veered left and climbed a small rock to run around the inside and catch back up to it. But now he was on higher ground, whereas really he should be on the ground. He looked right, his prey right below him. He ran faster, and then made the choice that could have just cost him the hunt. He veered right and ran for the edge of the cliff and jumped. The caribou continued to run, unaware of Leo's move. But he made a stupid mistake. He put too much power into the jump and as he came down, he started to fly over his target. But he had a quick reaction thought. He brought the spear above his head as time felt to him to have slowed. But as quick as he did that, he plunged it down and around, under his right arm and released it. He came crashing to the ground, and managed to put a roll into it as to soften the fall. Although he didn't get back up to his feet, he lay on the ground as the dirt flicked up from the herd settled around him.

He panted heavily, not wanting to look behind him to see if he hit it. But he then reached his arm out behind him and over his head without looking, only to feel something soft. He wondered what it was, as he started prodding it and moving his hand around. It was shortly after he grasped something hard and followed it down and to feel something wet. So when he pulled his hand back and saw blood on it, he smiled and howl in victory. It was only a few seconds long until he sat up and looked around at the dead caribou with his spear through its neck and bleeding out. He jumped to his feet and cheered himself, as his family started doing from the cliff and howling in congratulations.

He picked himself up and looked down at his kill while his family came down, Kate hobbling down as fast as she could without hurting herself with her mates support. Garth was first to run ahead of the group and congratulate his student with Lily flying into his open arms and him catching her in flight. She over exaggerating it more then she really had to and telling him how she failed the first time she tried with Garth. Eve was third to congratulate him and them his mother, father and Winston who helped Kate come down. Kate managed to gain enough strength and push herself up onto his chest and lick his neck and face affectionately. "Well done Leo. I knew you could do it."

"Thanks mom." He said nuzzling her back against her neck.

"You'll make one fine Alpha." Humphrey added and jumping up beside Leo. He stumbled a little to take both their weight, but he stood firm.

"That's a point." Winston said. "Eve, how many wolves, let only humans, can take down a caribou on their first hunt?"

"Not may." Eve replied.

"I failed on my first hunt back from Alpha School." Kate added. "You did better then me."

"I don't know why, but the last few days iv'e just felt.. so alive, is the beast way to put it. Like i could run forever." Leo said.

"That's got to be a sign that you're meant to be an Alpha."

"Oh stop it." Leo said as the moment began to grow awkward around him. He was then reminded about the reason he did this, why he went through the entire morning learning to hunt and to achieve this feat. His parents clambered off him and he walked back over to the kill and examined it, it was perfect. This was the moment where the family, including Leo, began to worry. This could go horrifically wrong. He took the left back leg of the caribou and began to pull, he only needed a leg, the rest could go towards the pack and tonight's dinner. He pulled and pulled, but the only thing it did was make a sound that the joint was coming loose, but it didn't come off. Garth saw his struggle and offered a claw to help. He went up to the base of the limb and using his claws, he began cutting into the skin and deep muscle. Leo began to find it easy to twist and pull until eventually he pulled it free. The limb bled massively as he held it.

"You're still going to do it?" Lily asked.

"I said I was going to make life at the construction site a living hell, and that's what I've been doing."

"But isn't this a little drastic?" Humphrey questioned. "Not that I care about them, it's just we're more worried about you."

"I'll be fine, just keep the pack in the Valley and I'll be back as soon as it's done." He reassured.

"Please be careful Leo." Kate said licking his free hand.

"I will." He said rubbing her head. "I'll be back soon." He added and then walking away.

"Don't bring them back with you this time!" Garth called out to him.

"Huh?" He said back. Kate only bashed and hushed Garth as they walked on and Garth and Humphrey took the caribou and started dragging it back to the pack for a part of tonight's feast, the Alpha's will have to do another hunt later on.

Leo grew more uncertain of this the more he walked to his destination; this may be taking things too far. But then again, if it worked then at least it'll send a clear message to those people. The last three days were a laugh. He met up with Rick and Ciara the day before yesterday to play some serious pranks on the site, the days they didn't meet up, Leo did on his own. The day after they destroyed the water works at the site, Leo was on his own, so he had the entire site to himself. That day was the second time he made his message known, to get out! That day he demolished as many generators as he could get too. Without power, they couldn't use drills or other powered tools.

The second day Ciara and Rick met up with him at the site, only the three of them. They did the same after they only brought in replacements for the generators, but they also filled the cupboards of the managers office and the living quarters for the workers with soil, bugs, a few snakes that they found slithering around near by and other nasty things they found. On the same day, Humphrey told his son of a spot that practically belongs to the snakes, none of them venomous, but the wolves didn't like going there. He found it and baged as many as he could and brought them back to the site where he, Rick and Ciara filled up the diggers, cranes and other vehicles with them.

When the third day Leo wasn't sure what he could do, it wasn't exactly like he had a prank kit with him. His imagination was starting to lag now. But it seems on that day, nature was going to side with him. It rained like never before, so the site was closed down for the day. But as he stood in the tree line with his parents who were with him in plain sight, the manager came walking out his office block and saw him standing there with these wolves. They shared a glare at one another before Leo turned around and walked away. Neither was going to give up without a fight. But this day was a good day, for Leo that is. It was going to be the worst day ever for the construction people. He wanted the leg for bait, but for what you ask?

He emerged out the trees and found the river he had been to a few times before. He was cautious and was reminded of the things that could be out here. But it was those things he was after. He wanted a bear, and this part of the river was where he was warned not to go because there usually was one or two. He found one as it roared to his left after picking up on the smell of blood. It raised its giant muzzle and looked over at him with the bloody limb in his arms. "Hey there big guy." Leo said calmly and stepping side ways towards it. It felt threatened by his movement and reared back and stood on its hind legs. Leo was awestruck. "Very big guy." He added. It roared at him again while it dropped back down making the earth beneath Leo's feet tremble at its weight. "Look what I got for you." Leo said holding it out for the bear but then beginning to step away. "Come on now, nice and easy." The bear, now licking his maw started following after Leo as he led it back through the trees.

He never had to run, but he did have to pick up his pace as the bear did, but it never made any attempt to catch him. It was like the bear thought it was playing with Leo, wanting to play with it before it took him down. Leo was fully prepared for it, should it attack him. He led it around the Valley, at some points it started to lose interest, but Leo was quick to get its attention again.

Finally after an hour of luring it he reached the construction site. As it came in sight, he then ran for it and the bear started to charge for him to catch him. Leo threw the leg into the site and the bear followed the scent of blood rather then Leo. It came barrelling out of the trees, but then it saw moving targets and plenty of them in the form of humans. Leo hid behind a large rock and watched the chaos unfold. The bear roared and the workers didn't even have to look to know a bear was around. They began to run, dropping whatever they had or were doing as the bear plodded on into the site to find something to eat, whether it was human or not. Leo jumped over and sat cross legged on the boulder, wanting to laugh as the bear chased away everyone. The manager came running out his block with a few other suited men. "Get the rangers!" He screamed. Moments later, a few men carrying rifles and wearing park ranger uniforms came running passed him. At the same time, he saw Leo sitting there with a smile and laughing hysterically. "Did you do this?" He demanded. Leo had never seen so much rage in someone before, but because it was this guy, he found it hilarious.

"I'm a kid." Leo answered. "You really think I could lure a bear all the way across the park to here? You really think I would do all that just to get you guys to go away?"

"I don't know, would you?" He asked still steaming mad and standing ten feet from him.

"Yeah, I would." Leo chuckled.

"I don't know who you think you are or what you think you're doing, but this has to end."

"I agree." Leo answered just as he heard three gun shots, signifying that the bear was killed. "Pack up and go away."

"Listen we're not…"

"No you listen!" Leo snapped and jumping off the rock. "I'm not going to stop until you stop doing this. I will destroy everything again. Stop building, take the cull of the pack and go away! That is my last warning." Leo said before he turned around and started walking away. But then he was stopped when the manager spoke again.

"This is not the end of it boy." He said. "Come back here again, and I will see to it your furry friends don't live to see the next hour. I will see to it that you are locked up until you are fifty for trespassing and destruction to property. Is that clear?" Leo's eyes widened, he didn't know what to make of it. But he couldn't back down, he wasn't going to crack. Whereas this guy would crack at some point and go home. Leo walked away without saying another word, feeling as though he won this fight and he was proud of what he did. He was never going to quit, he wasn't going to stop until they were running for the hills.

Another chapter done and the big question answered. Tony's plan involved the Northern pack, and it seems he had some real history with their leader hey hey? And Garth's mother at that, all those good times they had at Alpha school had consequences it seems. But what is going to happen next, who is going to do what first. Is Leo going to back down, or will the Construction manager first? Only time will tell. No updates tomorrow at any time guys i'm afraid, got to go to that amazing place that keeps my pay check. I should be able to get one up on Friday though, so until then. : ) (Clown face, sorry if you get tired of these, but i find them funny. hehehe)

The FalconWolf