"Rise and shine, joven."
A gentle nudge and Kate's eyes popped open to find she had indeed survived the day, the she-coyote having kept her word to watch out for her.
"Hurry up and eat a little. We'll be leaving soon." Said coyote pushed over a chunk of javelina meat she had taken from their new stockpile towards Kate. The golden wolf yawned and stretched before coming over to eat. The peccary did taste boarish, but it was good.
"Thank you for this, and for looking out for me." Kate said between chews. "What's your name by the way?"
"Natalia, and there's no need to thank me, you've done us a great favor! I just wish mi marido estúpido, my idiot husband would act a little more appreciative for it." The smaller canine muttered this last part with some annoyance.
"Your husband?" Kate inquired.
"The alpha you were dealing with. Manuel."
Kate's eyes bugged, so unable to believe someone so sweet would go for someone so. . . not sweet that she temporarily forgot her manners. "That psychotic brute was your husband?"
Despite this, Natalia laughed good-naturedly. "Si, he is. I know it's hard to believe, but he isn't always like that. However, when it comes to opposition that persona is usually what gets him what he wants."
". . . And he'll keep his promise?" The female alpha asked, still wary.
"He will so long as he wants to see his cachorros. His pups." Natalia smirked. "Speaking of which, I need to get those chuchos in to eat before we leave. No doubt their wrestling in the dirt again."
Marching to the opening of the rock crevasse, the she-coyote shouted in a voice polar opposite from the sweet and gentle one she used before, "BOYS! Get off your Hermana and get your cola difuso in here to eat! Don't make me come after you or so help me Jesús I will drag you all by your orejas!"
The stern tone, while startled Kate at first, sent a rush of familiar warmth through her chest.
"Lo lomento. Forgive me." Natalia quickly said to her guest. "Children, you know? Have to take a strong approach with them or they'll run rampant all over the desert."
Kate chuckled, "You're fine. Actually, you quite remind me of my mother. She's got a sweet, gentle personality until she runs out of patience with you."
Natalia laughed, "Sounds like my kind of wolf. Pity, she doesn't live anywhere near here."
Before Kate could reply, four gangly-legged, teenage coyotes came tumbling into the den, yelping, laughing, and insulting the other as they grappled with one another.
"Diablos Pequeño." Natalia muttered in disgust. "Children! Save the brutish behavior for outside!"
"Yes, mama." All four coyotes, three boys and one girl said in unison as they all untangled themselves from each other.
Natalia sighed, exasperated. "Unfortunately, they all have their padre's personality. Even mi pequeña y hermosa hija. My little, beautiful Sofia."
Kate giggled as she watched the four teens lick themselves clean of the dirt before absolutely devouring a javelina carcass in the corner like they were starving monsters. Although Sofia had to compete with three boys, she held her own fairly well, swallowing mouthfuls before the three could snatch them from her.
It made the she-wolf grateful she was only born with one sister and an omega at that.
"She will grow to be a strong alpha one day." Kate said, staring fondly at the girl.
Natalia hummed, a loving smile on her face. "Have any pups?"
While the question was casual and innocent enough, it still managed to twist something painful in Kate's heart. "No, but I hope to one day." God willing.
"Haven't found the right wolf yet?" The she-coyote asked as if she heard this excuse a million times already.
"Actually, I have, but. . ." Kate paused, unsure how much she should reveal. While she didn't think Natalia would care much, if word spread to her husband, Kate dreaded to think what he would do with that information.
"But?" Natalia pressed, curiosity piqued.
"Oh, uhm. . . we just have a few things to work out."
An amused snort left the she-coyote. "Ah, lover spats. I've had quite a few of those."
"Yeah. . ." Kate sighed as her earlier worries with Humphrey began to resurface. What would she do if she found him and he wanted nothing to do with her? What if he found a new home with a new pack and she came in and messed it all up for him? Would she be able to earn his forgiveness? But what if he declared he no longer loved her?
"Don't worry, joven. Whatever you two are arguing about, you'll get through it. Besides, the reconciliación, the making-up, is the best part." Natalia gave her a sly wink, causing the golden wolfs face to warm at the implication.
"Ew, mama!" One of the boy pups groaned in disgust. "Not while we're eating!"
The mother coyote laughed with delight at her children's chorus of dramatic noises of displeasure, her eyes twinkling with the type of joy and love that Kate could only dream about. It was obvious her pups were her world.
They set off a few minutes later, the moon just barely cresting the mountaintops in the distance. The coyotes never walked in a straight line or in any kind of organized formation. Instead, constantly scattering everywhere to sniff, leave a scent marker, or explore something interesting. The only ones who kept going in a somewhat coherent direction was the alpha Manuel and alpha-female Natalia.
It drove Kate mad that they didn't seem interested in any sort of discipline or decorum in the least amongst their pack, allowing everyone to do whatever the hell they want whenever the hell they wanted. It made for an excruciatingly slow traveling convoy. Multiple times, Kate was tempted to say something, but the risk of angering the alpha or worse, being abandoned forced her to hold her tongue. Was this what being an omega felt like?
Kate groaned quietly to herself; at this rate, they wouldn't reach this supposed transportation before sunrise. They'd have to sleep the day away again and there went another ten precious hours!
The alpha wolf kept glancing up at the starry sky, hoping to spot any sign of Marcel and Patty flying overhead, but at this point, she wondered if they were even still looking for her. After all, there were many times she had taken refuge in places out of their sight and could've easily flown right passed her. She just hoped that if they did give up, they would go to Humphrey and keep an eye on him.
Humphrey rose before the day break and crawled out of the hollowed log he'd spent the night in. The grass and mulch under his paws cool and crisp from the morning dew. He made his way to the river for a drink before choosing a high, flat rock above the water to perch himself on.
From this angle he had a perfect view of the flawless sky without a speck of trees to mar it. Satisfied with his position, the gray wolf waited patiently for the sun to show itself.
It was a breathtaking sight when it did. Having only a handful of experiences in witnessing the sunrise, Humphrey could remember the few being absolutely beautiful. This one in particular, however, was exceptionally memorable in comparison to those indistinct snapshots. Oranges, reds, and purples swirled and bled together in a fiery explosion that bathed everything in a warm, golden glow. The myriad of colors stretched far into the dark blue and black like spilled paint, lightly sprinkled with only the brightest stars left.
The lone wolf sat there and watched the colors slowly fade to brighter blue and when the last star disappeared, he decided it was time to search for breakfast. He eyed the trickling water that parted around the rock shelf he occupied and the fish that occasionally swept by with the currant.
His first few attempts at fishing had been absolute failures, but he knew that didn't mean he couldn't fish. He just needed to change tactics.
Humphrey made his way back to shore and followed the downstream as his mind worked up new strategies.
Finally, he decided the best course of action was to learn by doing. So, he sank one paw into the chilly water, then another. The smooth river rocks along the bed slipped and shifted under his weight but he eventually found his balance and moved into the center of the river, the water reaching mid leg. The fish below glided through his legs without touching him, briefly pausing to examine them before continuing on their trip. He waited for another school of fish to swim close before dunking his head into the water, teeth snapping blindly.
For the briefest moment, he felt the sleek, wriggling body of his aquatic prey brush against his nose before quickly darting to safety right as he attempted to snap it up.
"I almost got ya that time buddy!" Humphrey exclaimed, popping up for air. "I just need to be faster. Just a little faster!"
However, as he repeated the process again, and again, and again; each time coming close, so very close but never quite able to get a grip on the slippery thing. It was late into the morning before Humphrey decided he needed to try something else.
Crawling out of the water and shaking out his fur, the grey wolf went further down the river to where the currant was a little slower and the fish milled about, feasting on algae, plants, and insects that dotted the surface.
Maybe, He thought as he sat at the edge. If I could get them to come close enough first, I'll be able to grab them.
Humphrey examined the rocks on the shore, selecting one light enough to scoop up in his mouth but big enough to create a ruckus. With a wide swing of his neck, the lone wolf lobbed the rock into the middle of the river with a loud Kerplunk! Indeed scaring the fish straight out of the water.
A large salmon smacked the young canine in the face causing him to yelp in surprise, plopping back into the river before he could even attempt to snatch it up.
With a grumble, Humphrey shook his head and began searching for another stone. His new method was sound, he just needed to be better prepared to catch his prey when they flung themselves at him.
Alas, even though Humphrey was expecting the flying fish this time, it was a lot tougher catching them than it'd first appeared. Still, he kept trying, hoping he could develop the skill with enough practice, but after the sun moved to mid-afternoon the hunger was becoming near unbearable. Instead of plucking up another rock, Humphrey whined and pace back and forth along the river's edge, trying to think up a new strategy.
Maybe I should look for something else in the meantime and try again later. He considered with a begrudging sigh.
Humphrey was about to turn away from the water when he heard the rustle of bramble on the opposite shore. A bush shook lightly and out popped a familiar black reflective circle. Dead Leaves' raven eye was watching him. All three humans were watching him. Suddenly, the stakes felt higher as if he needed to impress them, or give them more of a reason to keep following him. Which was ridiculous considering they were the reason he still wore this infernal collar! Regardless, they were also the reason he still breathed and he didn't want them to regret it.
It was then that an idea suddenly struck the young canine. Humans fished, didn't they? With no claws and no teeth and they still figured it out. Surely, he could too. Humphrey recalled a few times in his life where he spotted a human sitting at the edge of a lake or floating in these contraptions called boats with a stick and string in hand. He wasn't about to go hunt for a stick and string, but that wasn't what really caught the fish. It was the bait they stuck at the ends of the hooks that dangled off the string. The fish, lured by the temptation of food, would wander over to clamp their toothless mouth on the hook before roughly being yanked out of their home and into the suffocating air. Except, in place of a hook would be his jaws.
Energy renewed from excitement, Humphrey pranced over to where the rocks were less cluttered on shore, exposing a rich, moist patch of mud. If he were a small, slithery legless creature who liked to live in the earth, this would be the perfect spot to choose, he thought as he began to dig. The clay-like mud was sticky and caked easily into his coat, dying his grey fur brown the more he worked. Refusing to let up despite this, he was in an elbow deep hole when he spotted his first wriggling, pinkish worm.
It was a rather disgusting looking thing and he hesitated to pick it up in his mouth, but another grumble of his stomach reminded him he was in no position to be squeamish and carefully plucked it up with his front teeth. At the water again, he held it on the surface, keeping a firm enough grasp to not let it slip away, but loose enough he wouldn't squish it, and waited.
Several embarrassingly long minutes passed where Humphrey was left to question the ridiculousness of his position. He could only imagine the thoughts going through the human's heads. His eyes drifted to the bush they continued to hide in, confirming they hadn't grown bored and wandered away. Even as his patience was quickly draining, he didn't dare even twitch in fear it would ruin everything and he'd have to wait twice as long!
Blessedly, a beautiful, big, pink salmon came drifting close, closer than any of the others had before even when they were examining him in the water. Instantly, he felt his body stiffen with anticipation, his ears perking as his legs slowly shifted in preparation for the final lunge.
Come on. . . just a little closer, you little soggy nugget. You know you want it!
The fish opened its maw to reveal a row of small, pointy teeth about to clamp down on the bait.
With a quick jerk of his head, Humphrey snatched the hapless animal out of the water and clamped his fangs deep into its body. The thing wriggled and squirmed violently in his mouth, but he hung on tightly, desperate not to lose out on food after all this. Rushing back to shore, Humphrey spat out his prey and watched in bewilderment as it frantically flopped on the ground, trying to suck in water that wasn't there.
Unsure what else to do, Humphrey quickly bit off the salmon's head and immediately the violent movements stilled.
Relieved, the lone wolf began to chew on the head in his mouth and moaned in bliss at the flavor. It wasn't nearly as good as red meat, but for a wolf with an empty stomach it might as well have been sirloin steak! While he polished off his kill, he felt joy and pride seize his chest as his accomplishment finally sank in. He had done it! He had successfully taught himself how to fish!
Grinning from ear to ear, Humphrey glanced at the bush and saw the raven's eye hadn't moved. This could mean one of two things. They were either still there or they had forgotten their machine again like they did in the tree after the storm. He narrowed his eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of one of them, but when all remained silent, he felt his tail lower in disappointment.
That was until he spotted something shifting in that same bush. Immediately, he recognized Scruffy kneeling between the branches, dressed in clothes the same color as the foliage around him save for his face which appeared amazed in what he hoped was due to witnessing his newfound skill.
They probably assumed he was incapable of such feats, having lost hope in him after witnessing his numerous fails and saving his tail from a near death experience. He couldn't blame them, he too had been losing hope in himself to survive alone in the wild, but here he was! Proving not only to them, but to himself he had potential to accomplish what few other wolves managed.
Feeling a surge of confidence, Humphrey stuffed the rest of his catch down his throat before strutting over to his hole to pick out another worm.
The strategy was perfect! Besides the digging, it took very little energy and the risk of failure was zero to none even for a wolf so lacking in many physical aspects.
By the time evening came around, the lone wolf had gathered over a dozen salmons. Much more than he could bare to eat. So, once he gorged himself on his bounty, Humphrey selected the next biggest salmon from his leftovers and carried it over to where the two-legged's were still pretending to hide. That amazed look returned once more to Scruffy's face as Humphrey dropped the salmon at his feet.
"Here. Just a small token of gratitude for saving my hide back there."
Not bothering to wait for an answer, knowing the human was incapable of understanding him, Humphrey turned to trot back to his side of the river where he buried what remained of his leftovers.
Once finished, Humphrey glanced up at the sky and decided he had enough time to go look for a new temporary abode farther down river.
He knew he couldn't keep this up forever as much as he would've liked to. The days were going to eventually get shorter, the weather colder and fiercer, and the prey thinner and fewer and he would need to pick out a more permanent den to call home during the winter season. Maybe even find a hunting party to join temporarily.
Nevertheless, that was still a long ways away before he had to think about that and now he wanted to enjoy his journey in solitude across country. When the time was right, he'll know home when he sees it and this just wasn't it. True, this location is quite breathtaking and teeming with plenty of prey and other sustenance, but he knew there was more to the world than just this. He wanted to go much farther than here. As far as he could until there was nothing left to remind him of the old world he came from and the things he left behind.
Maybe I should go west? Humphrey mused to himself, glancing in that direction. He knew a couple states over he'd run into the coast where nothing but sparkling blue waters stretched farther than the eye could see and warm, golden sand would sink between his paws. Ooor. . . I could head east where the land is perfectly flat with fields and plains of grass.
It was a difficult decision to make and one he considered thoroughly as he walked until he stumbled upon a nice, thick nest of bushes that would do well in concealing him for the night. He was just about to crawl into them when the melodic sounds of dozens of wolves howling stopped him, sounding a little bit closer than they were last night.
The grey wolf stood there and listened for a while, deciphering its meaning.
The pack had caught something. . . something big. . . a moose! A large one! The beast had put up a fierce fight, but in the end, they were victorious with only a few injured. A much more successful night and now they were going to celebrate the blessing by gorging themselves with this meat.
Once again, Humphrey waited for them to finish before he tilted his head back and howled about the tale of his struggles to fish and his eventual success after several various methods. How this would be his first food cache he'd ever built and this would be the first night in days where he'd go to bed completely full.
He didn't know if they could hear him or if they even cared, but it felt good. Like he was sharing his story with somebody, since apparently Marcel and Patty deserted him and while the humans made okay company, they weren't exactly conversationalists.
When he was finished, Humphrey sat there, staring up at the stars and moon until a wide, jaw-cracking yawn announced it was time for sleep. Dragging himself into the center of the bushes, he curled up between the branches and allowed the exhaustion to pull him into a deep sleep. Thus, ending another day.
