章 10: Chapter 10
As Nightlight and Atlas were approaching the strangers, Nightlight could smell them, before he saw them. They smelled like wolves, sure enough, but their odor was something different than a wolf. It was musky, and he couldn't tell what kind of animal gave off that scent. He could see the strangers ahead.
As of what Atlas said, there were six of them. They looked like wolves, but some were longer haired and some were shorter haired. One was huge, a bit bigger than Nightlight himself. It had shaggy grey fur, and was leading the pack. Another, standing next to it, was smaller and had orange tinted markings in it's fur along with white. Behind them three were pure black, and the last one was brown.
Once Nightlight and Atlas were a few feet away from them, he spoke calmly and clearly, "My name is Nightlight. I am the leader of this pack that has claimed these lands. My beta here tells me that you all would like to join us. Who is your leader?" The grey one took a step forward. "I am Rider sir. This is my family behind me. We have traveled for days in search of pack companions.
My mate is Khaliska, the mixed colored female behind me, and my brothers and sister are the black ones and the brown one is my half-sister. If we may, we humbly wish to join your pack. Please." Nightlight simply stood there in a moment of silence.
He said nothing, but his eyes spoke volumes. He looked at each of them, studying their build and structures. "I need to know something before I make my decisions. Are you guys wolves? Or are you something else?" Rider looked at his family, who looked back at him with worried and sad expressions. He turned back to Nightlight and replied, "We are wolf-dogs.
We're hybrids, and our pack made our lives a misery because of it. Ever since we left, packs didn't accept us because wolf-dogs aren't pure. They're half-breeds who don't deserve to be in packs. All the packs we ran into said that we were useless, and no one would need a "dog" in their pack."
Nightlight was silent. He had heard of such animals, but never met one. And now he has met six of them! He cleared his throat and asked, "So I know you are Rider, and your mate is Khaliska, so who are the others?" Rider nodded his head at them to introduce themselves. The brown one took a step forward shyly. She had golden eyes and a shaggy pelt. "I am Earth. I am Rider's half-sibling. He's never treated me any differently than a sibling."
A black one was next. He was long haired and had light green eyes. "I am Rider's brother Gunner. It's an honor to meet you." The short-haired black one was next. She was smaller, and had hazel eyes. "I am Storm, Rider and Gunners sister." the last one took a step forward. He had short fur as well, and had sky-blue eyes. "I am River...Rider, Gunner and Storms brother."
Nightlight nodded. Perhaps these wolf-dogs would be useful. After all, they had strong traits of a wolf and the cunningness of a dog. They would make fine hunters. Nightlight raised himself to his full height. He allowed himself to smile, and his tail tip flicked with acknowledgement. "I will let you join my pack. We could use a few more, and you guys look like you know what you're capable of. Come, I'll introduce you to the pack."
He turned and padded back up to the den, Atlas at his side. "You really think they're 'wolf-dogs'? I've heard of such animals, but they're rare. I normally don't see a wolf-dog pup survive to adulthood because their parents aren't the same species." Atlas made sure to make his voice soft enough for just Nightlight to hear.
"Look I know that as much as I do, but have you seen a wolf like them? We're normally just thick-furred. Besides, they look like they're good enough to be loyal and kind and brave." Nightlight said this with satisfaction. Atlas sighed softly. "Brother, you and I have met a wolf kind of like them. What about Blue? She's not the type of wolf you would normally run into."
"Well that's because she's a cross between two different wolf breeds Atlas. So basically she's a full wolf. Not a wolf-dog." Atlas nodded in agreement. "You have a point. I'll see how they do in hunting. And then you can decide on where to put them in the ranks. How about that?" Nightlight smiled. "You talk sense as usual Atlas. This is why I made you beta. You're doing great at it. On top of that, you're being a great uncle to your nephews. But I figured you would be anyways, and that makes me smile every time I see you with them, so thank you."
Atlas touched him with his nose. "Anything for you Nightlight." As Nightlight and Atlas approached the den with the wolf-dogs, the pack was there, awaiting their alpha and beta to return. Pandora bounded up to him and nuzzled his neck. "Welcome back love." she says smiling. He smiled and licked her cheek. "I assume she's your mate and the alpha female of your pack." Khaliska says kindly. Pandora looked at her and gave a nod. "Indeed I am. So far, we've been great leaders. We also have a family."
Rider cocked his head. "You have offspring?" he asks. "Akela! Kiba! Come here." Pandora called. The boys walked slowly towards their mother. Kiba went between Pandora's paws, while Akela sat down next to her. "Welcome back Dad. I see you brought some newcomers!" Akela says joyfully. Kiba was silent for a moment. "Indeed...he did." Kiba looked away disdainfully.
Akela turned to him, about to say something, but Blue came by and blocked his brother from view. "Sorry I'm late, I was busy hunting. Well, practice hunting" Akela smiled, but a low whine of terror filled his ears. Akela turned to see Earth backing away, her fear scent started to fill the air. "What's wrong with her?" Akela asks.
All eyes turned to the wolf-dog. She had her ears pressed down, her tail between her legs. "That smell...I know that smell anywhere. It's a dire stink, they're big brutes who only care about themselves." Blue took a step forward. "I'm only half-directed. Besides, I'm not like full blooded ones anyway…" Pandora backed her up. "Exactly, Blue means no harm to us. She's kind, sweet , gentle and brave. She has been with us for a few months, and has proved to be a loyal pack member." Earth settled after hearing this. "I'm sorry...I just...had a run in with them before. It wasn't...pleasant…" Rider nuzzled her. "We all have Earth. I'm sure we'll be happy here." Nightlight nodded. "Yes, you all will. I will place you all as hunters for now, and as you progress, I'll then place you in your proper ranks. Your trainers will be Ashton and Sky." Ashton and Sky stepped forward.
"You will be taught well by us...you'll do fine." Sky says kindly. Ashton barked an agreement. The pack started warmly welcoming the wolf-dogs into the pack. Nightlight watched from a short distance away. Maybe these wolf-dogs will prove themselves as worthy pack-mates he thought. He smiled, his pack was slowly growing. He thought that maybe having other wolves join wouldn't be a bad thing.
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