บท 53: Wolves on Guard
Suddenly, the explosions stopped.
The wolves stood guard, positioning themselves in various places within the cave, ready for any surprise attack.
However, despite the tense atmosphere, nothing happened.
Dave was stunned by the surprise, fearing that the hunter beyond the stone walls would launch another attack with his staff.
And from the worried looks of the wolves, he guessed that they knew who the enemy was as well.
From what he understood, the hunter was after the wolves just as the wolves hunted their prey to survive.
But unless that hunter lived in the same cave with them, it wouldn't make sense.
What would be the need to destroy an entire underground ecosystem?
After a while, at least two hours, the wolf pack calmed down.
Dave peered out from behind some rocks, trying to spot the pup again.
What he saw, and unlike the pup he had been with for a short time, revealed a few differences.
This pup, now a bit more recovered and having been awakened, showed affection towards the mother who had taken it in and received comforting licks from the other pups.
The shiba inu pup he remembered was very different from this.
But, perhaps it was because it had been with the wrong group, like him and Beth, it was a possibility.
Yet still, something didn't quite add up... he didn't know what.
Suddenly, the alpha of the pack, the white wolf with an "X" mark on its forehead, walked over to the injured pup, closing its eyes as it began to lick its wound, offering comfort.
This made several of the female wolves present perk up their ears, and the same happened to Dave.
It was clear that before the alpha wolf did not show affection to the small shiba inu, but from what some of the female wolves began to infer, it could be because of the hunter's attack from outside that a rock may have hit the pup.
However, Dave knew it was his fault for the pup's condition.
He quickly rushed out and ran towards another pile of rocks to avoid being seen. Now the pack was guarding the entry points, so they wouldn't notice him if he avoided those spots.
On the other hand, he saw the second-in-command of the pack, a dark brown wolf, appear from behind some rocks, licking its muzzle.
Its eyes flashed with a green glow, turning black like the rest, catching his attention.
Dave watched intently from his hiding place, assessing the situation.
The wolves seemed calmer, but he didn't trust it. He knew that any wrong move could trigger a new attack or, worse, endanger his life.
The alpha, after comforting the pup, raised its head and sniffed the air. It seemed to have caught something's attention.
Dave remained still, holding his breath. The white wolf let out a soft growl, causing all the other wolves to perk up their ears and become alert once again.
At that moment, the dark brown wolf approached the alpha and began to communicate with it through gestures and growls.
Dave didn't understand the wolves' language, but he knew something important was being discussed.
The brown wolf's eyes lit up again with that green glow, which was unsettling.
Dave wondered if that glow had any special meaning or if it was simply a reflection of the cave's light.
Meanwhile, the shiba inu pup remained curled up next to its adoptive mother, its wounds still visible but apparently less severe.
Seeing that, in a dangerous situation, the wolves were willing to take care of the little one, and looking back at himself, he understood the difference in magnitude that distinguished them.
For a moment, now alone, Dave sat to contemplate one last time.
Deciding what he should do to leave the place and keep the pup safe with its own kind.
The only problem threatening its life would be the hunter outside, so if he could come up with a plan to drive it away, he could ensure it would live safe and sound for the rest of its life.
And once that was done, he would leave.
***
The gray wolf had gone out in search of the source of the explosion, fearing the worst. An attack on the pack.
When it left its hidden terrain in the cave, it sniffed the ground, detecting an unusual scent.
Someone had been hunting them for a while, and every time it went out to hunt it saw more remains of its previous packmates.
Its family was also in danger.
The gray wolf let out a small growl and approached the entrance of the pack's camp silently, hoping to see the enemy causing so much conflict.
However, upon reaching the site, it found nothing.
Only some thin dark brown hairs, which made it doubt its confidence.
There was something strange and familiar about them, but it couldn't quite identify it. It got closer to the hairs, sniffing them cautiously.
The scent was peculiar, mixed with a trace of magic that made it step back a little...
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