Chapter 13: Chapter 13
The moon and stars were out now, and Akela was still looking for Blue. He called for her, both in words and howls, but he got no response. He was about to give up when he picked up her sent. Following his nose, he made his way up a steep hill, where he looked up and saw Blue sitting down looking at the stars that twinkled above. "Blue…" he says as he sat down next to her. He could see that she had been crying, and her eyes had a mix of sad emotions in them.
"Blue...I am so sorry that Kiba said that to you. I think it's my fault he's like this towards you. Maybe if I hadn't been so harsh in the beginning, he wouldn't have said all those things to you." Blue didn't reply, she just sat there in silence, still looking at the stars. Akela sighed and pawed the ground.
"Don't blame yourself Akela...it happens. I know you were just trying to stand up for me." Blue finally broke the silence. "To be honest, I would've acted the same way if he said that about someone. He shouldn't have been so rude, but stuff happens for a reason." She looked at him, her pretty light-blue eyes twinkling in the moonlight.
Akela looked at her, and allowed himself to smile. Blue chuckled. "By the way...what were you going to say to me earlier?" Akela's heart sank like a stone. "Oh...um...well, I care about you Blue. You know that." Blue looked at him, her face relaxed into a smile. "Are you lying?" Akela sighed and looked at the ground. All of a sudden, there was warmth on his cheek, and he looked to see that Blue was licking him. "I love you too Akela...I always have."
Akela smiled and buried his muzzle into her fur. Blue placed her paw on his and rubbed her face against his chest. Akela felt a rush of relief floods through him. He finally knew what Blue felt towards him, and it made his body tingle with that certain affection you get at a young age. As he and Blue were nuzzling each other, the wind blew the snow in spirals and made their fur blow lightly with it. A howl broke the moment, and Akela lifted his head and turned his ears to the source of the sound. The howl rang again, and he knew who it was. "My father's calling us back to the den, we should leave." Akela backed away, turned and ran back; Blue at his side. When they got there, Nightlight was nuzzling Pandora, who was crying on the ground.
"Mom? Dad? What's wrong? Where's Kiba?" Nightlight looked at his only remaining son. His eyes spoke his emotions: Sadness, pain, and heartbreak. "Kiba's gone…" Akela was confused. He walked up to his parents. "What do you mean gone?" he asks as he nuzzled his mother. Nightlight sighed. "He left the pack Akela. After you left to find Blue, he ran off in the direction of the territory boundary. Your uncle followed his scent and confirmed that he had left the pack. I'm afraid that he's not coming back."
Akela said nothing. He had nothing to say. He laid down and licked his mother's tears away. He couldn't blame her, but it was Kiba's choice to leave. Even though his brother was starting to become a jerk, he wished he hadn't left. He loved his brother, but without him here, what could he do?
A few weeks later, as the sun was at its highest, Akela was sitting on the hill where his father used to take him and his brother. It was a quiet day, and for the first time he wished that his brother was here; having a conversation with him. Making him laugh, smile and bring the joy they had always shared when they were pups. He sighed and looked out across the valley. "I'm sorry Kiba…" he said softly, knowing his brother was long gone by now.
"Akela…" called a voice. He looked over his shoulder, seeing Ashton approaching. "Hey Ashton. What's up?" The older wolf sat down next to him. "I'm afraid I don't have good news for you…" Akela's ears perked as he looked at Ashton. "I'm listening…" Ashton sighed and looked at Akela. "A neighboring pack has declared a war for our lands. They're bigger in numbers, and are big and ruthless. But that's not the bad part…." he paused as Akela studied his face. From what he saw, he knew it was going to be bad. "Your father wants you and Blue to run as far away as possible." Akela sprang to his feet. "What?! I can't do that! Let me help! I know how to fight!"
Ashton sighed. "That's not the point Akela...your father doesn't want you to get killed. He wants to keep you safe. Blue is waiting for you at the border, hidden from view. If you wish to say goodbye, now's the best time." Akela's heart raced, but he couldn't argue with a higher ranked wolf. He sighed and ran to the den, where his parents were waiting for him. He ran up to his father and buried his face into his chest.
"I love you guys...please be careful. Promise me you'll be okay." Pandora joined him in nuzzling his father. "We love you too son...we promise, and please...don't get yourself, or Blue killed." Akela's eyes filled up and tears finally spilled down his face. Nightlight sighed. "Just promise me one thing Akela…" Akela whined. "Anything…" "Carry on my bloodline. Build your own pack, and please...be safe."
Akela backed away and licked both of their faces. "I promise…" then he bolted off, without looking back. When he reached the border, Blue was nowhere in sight. "Blue?" he whispered. She poked her head out from the tall grass. "There you are...we have to go." Akela sighed. Blue got up and nuzzled him. "I know you're scared....but what else can we do? We'll get through this...together. Right?" Akela smiled slightly. "Right...come on, let's go." Blue nodded and walked across the border. Akela looked back one last time ...and then...leaves his family behind.
Days turned to weeks. Weeks turned into months. Blue and Akela were now young adults, and very far from home. They managed to make a small territory with small herds of mule deer and very little elk. Their den was made from a small opening on a hillside. It was just big enough for both of them to sleep in. They had battled many dangerous things to get here. Wolves, bears, and other predators.
Akela was out hunting, while Blue was at their den, sleeping. He managed to take down a mule deer buck. He ate his fill of the carcass, and ate extra to bring back to Blue. He padded back, his thoughts focused on his family. Had the other pack taken over his father's land? Did they get killed? He'd never know...He squeezed through the den entrance, where Blue was sleeping. Her belly was rounded in pregnancy, and their pups would be here soon.
"Blue?" he said softly. She grumbled, her eyes slowly opened. "Hi Akela…" she lifted her head and licked his muzzle. He smiled. "Are you hungry? I brought you some food…" she smiled. "You could say that…" Akela regurgitated what he had brought back, and laid down next to her, his tail wrapped around her. "How're the little one's doing?" Blue licked her bloody muzzle. "They're doing fine...they've been kicking hard every day. I'd say I'll have a few more days or so before I give birth." Akela nuzzled her face. "Have we agreed on the names that we chose?"
Blue nodded. "Yes…" she paused and looked at her mate. "Do you ever think about them?" Akela automatically knew who she was speaking of. "Everyday…" he replies sadly. Blue nuzzled him under his chin. "I miss them as much as you do...but hey, we're alive right? Your father would be so proud of you." Akela smiled. "I guess so…" All of a sudden, a loud, low even howl broke out. Akela's ears perked up. He growled low in his throat. "Someone's in our territory…" Blue sighed. "I know what you're thinking. Just be careful…"
Akela licked her muzzle affectionately. "I always am." He got up and squeezed himself through the hole. The howl broke out again, a lot closer than Akela had in mind. But for some reason...the howl sounded...familiar. And the scent....his curiosity got the better of him, and so he bolted towards the howl. He was a good stride away when he saw the stranger. His heart skipped a beat...Kiba!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone