~ New Home ~
The white wolf ran through the snow, fresh powder flying behind her. She swiftly dodged tall pine trees, feeling her soft pelt brush them as she ran. She breathed in the chilled air, the breathing out in a white cloud. Her paws became numb as she ran through the dark forest, getting closer and closer to her destination. She panted as the trees rushed past her and the cool breeze chilled her fur.
She was sent ahead by her pack to scout for other threats, making sure everything was safe. The alpha female of the pack, Luna, was expecting puppies soon. While her pack of six was far behind her in the snow, the white wolf had slowed down to a walk. She smelt the ground, smelling a stale fox scent. She dashed up a small hill to a large hallow which was surrounded by thick trees and brush.
This would be great for the pack. She thought, smelling the clearing. She spotted a dark hole in one of the largest pine trees she had ever seen, and it was hallow, just the right size for a large alpha and her puppies. It was well hidden from the elements and predators.
“There you are June.” A familiar voice came from behind the white wolf. June turned fur on end.
“Oh,” her fur relaxed as she greeted the strange wolf, “it’s only you Glacier.” June walked over to her pack mate. “You frightened me.” She said licking his chin. He licked her forehead in return.
“Hm,” Glacier mocked his friend a bit, “Luna sent me ahead to accompany you in your search. She says her puppies are getting more and more restless.” He smelt the ground and noticed the hallow tree. “But I can see you don’t need any help finding us a place to stay.” He turned back to June, “let’s go tell the others.” He smiled at bit at the she-wolf and walked past her, letting his pelt brush up against hers. She nodded happily and followed him back through the thick forest.
They started to sprint, racing each other, dodging the thick pine trees, the fresh, powdery snow, once again, fly up behind them. They began to walk again as June scented her pack mates, one of them rushing up to them. Neither June nor Glacier could see through the flurry of snow. As the wolf got closer, June made out her light brown fur. It was Paige, the omega of the pack. “Oh, I’m glad you two are back. Luna has been getting more and more anxious.” She reported to June and Glacier as she shook in the cold.
“Is she alright though?” June asked in sudden concern for her alpha.
“Yes, she is fine for now. But I do hope you found a good spot for us.” Paige said, still shaking. June nodded and trotted past the skinny wolf to the rest of her pack, Glacier following her. She shook her snow covered fur and walked over to her alphas and sat down. Luna was laying in the fresh snow, looking exhausted and breathing heavily. Glacier had come up behind June and sat next to her. Luna opened her eyes and said, "Please tell me you have found a spot for us."
June nodded to her, "We found a clearing not far from here. There is a large hallow tree for you too." Luna's ears pircked up at the news.
"Good. Go tell Cody; the pack must move quickly." she said, panting again. June and Glacier nodded to her and June stood, facing Glacier.
"Tell the others we are leaving soon." she barked at him through the snow. He nodded happily and stood, trotting to the pack, spreading the news. June watched her old friend walk away, leaving her shivering in the flurry of snow. Beining to walk, she searched for Cody, who was the alpha male. She soon spotted the massive black wolf and trotted over to him.
"Hello June." Cody said to June as the chiled wind ruffled up his pelt.
"Hello Cody. Glacier and I have found a fairly large clearing not far from here. It is surrounded by trees and has plenty of cover." June explained to him proudly. He nodded and stood, going over to Luna, getting the she wolf to her feet. The rest of the pack has stood by now, prepared to travel.
Luna spoke quietly, "June and Glacier, you found this place. You will lead us too it." Gritted her teeth in pain she added, "quickly." She stated calmly. June and Glacier moved quickly to the front of the pack that now had Luna in the center of them. The pack traveled through the thick snow, and the dense trees and finally had reached the massive clearing June and Glacier had been before. The wolves could feel the sudden cover front the elements. Cody was the first to move around the clearing, smelling every stick and leaf. He had made a complete circle around the hallow and returned to the pack.
"It is clear. You did well June and Glacier." He said nodding to them, then went back over to Luna, who was now struggling to stand under the weight of herself and her unborn puppies. Together, they moved to the hallow tree and Cody layed Luna down in it.
Paige was the first to move of the four of the pack that were left at the entrance of the clearing, swiftly going in and out of holes in the bushes. “There is covering under here.” She said to her pack members whose curiosity had gotten the best of them and began to move around their new-found camp. June twitched her ear as she slipped into the hole that Paige had explored. Inside the covering of the brush, she noticed there was only room for three wolves at the most. I can just stay watch… she thinks to herself. Especially with the alpha female expecting puppies. She smelt the inside walls of the den and crawled back outside to the snowy clearing.
The other wolves in her pack looked at her, “There is only enough room for three wolves at the most.” Her pack mates ears and tails twitched uncomfortably. “But I’m offering to stay out and stand guard.”
“I am staying with Luna tonight.” Cody added quickly and walked back over to Luna, licking her head. The pack twitched their ears to their alphas and turned back to June.
“No. You need to sleep.” Glacier stepped in, touching Junes forehead with his nose. June nodded, happy to be relieved to rest.
“Thank you.” June said to Glacier thankfully and continued, “We can hunt in the morning.” She said as June and her pack mates slipped into the new den, curling up together into a warm ball, they dozed off to sleep.
