by Jane H Wood
The melee of sounds travelled to the nearby river. Mira pricked up her ears and listened as water dripped from her mouth. Her mate was in pain; panicking, she raced back to their den.
Joel was almost hidden from view, bodies on top of him, ripping and pulling at him. Without hesitation she charged into the fight, hurling herself on top of the intruder, biting and tearing into his neck with newfound fury.
Brack watched, his mind in turmoil. Then Borrin joined in the frenzied attack, biting his father in pent-up aggression.
The pups crouched lower behind the tumbled trees, terrified and bewildered. They had never witnessed a fight like this in all their young lives. Tuke was panting rapidly, wanting to help his parents, and being the eldest pup decided he should be the one. Without a thought for his safety he ran to attack Dupeena.
Foolishly, Glyth raced after his brother, and before they knew it they were both caught in the centre of writhing bodies.
‘No, Glyth! Come back!’ howled Kegg, too late to deter his brother. Petrified, he watched his brothers now darting erratically on the fringe of heaving bodies, nipping at the attackers’ heels, just managing to keep out of trouble.
‘I’m going to help!’ he announced, and made a move to run. In a rush of paws his sister pounced on him, pinning him to the ground.
‘No, Kegg! You’ll get yourself killed!’ Skeena yelped. ‘We need to get to safety… Father would want us to! Come on, run!’ Without waiting she turned and raced into the forest, fully expecting him to follow her.
‘Come on, Kegg!’ she howled, not slowing down.
But Kegg was glued to the spot, gawping in horror at his mother and father fighting for their lives. And his brothers – he couldn’t see them anymore!
Silver broke away from the fight, panting in pain. She was badly wounded and blood seeped from her shoulder. It was then that she spotted the young female deserting her brother, leaving the deformed pup all alone. Seizing the opportunity, she slinked over to him. He was sitting motionless, mesmerised by the fighting, his little face shocked, and he sat there so placid – an easy target.
Her intentions were clear to Frez, for he’d been observing her. The old wolf howled a warning.
Brack bounded forward, finally deciding whose side he was on, and charged at the spiteful female, pinning her to the ground, his jaws hovering mere inches away from her throat, though he didn’t intend to kill her, just hold her there.
As Silver left the fight, Joel and Mira were able to break free and face their attackers, backing up a pace at a time, their eyes surveying each wolf, ready to engage again if necessary. Gower hung back, pleased that they were accepting defeat and leaving.
Mira caught a glimpse of Tuke and Glyth just behind them, edging backwards too. Their small movements strayed into Joel’s peripheral vision, and he too darted a glance behind him in utter astonishment. It was clear they’d tried to help them, but then he saw blood clinging to their fur. They were hurt! And in that instant his heart hardened.
Joel glared at his treacherous pack, first at the three miscreant individuals responsible, then into the impassive faces of the wolves standing on the fringe, watching their leader, apparently unconcerned about the outcome.
His son Borrin stood defiantly, staring at him with a look of pure loathing radiating from his cold eyes.
Brack remained poised over Silver, seemingly undecided whether to finish her off. Close by, Dupeena lay collapsed on her side, panting hard, her blood pooling on the ground.
‘You bunch of cowards! Ignorant and stupid wolves! See how you survive without me!’ Joel spat. ‘If anyone follows us, I’ll kill them!’ he added through clenched teeth as a mixture of blood and spittle dripped from his mouth.
The pair crept backwards, their sides heaving, while keeping their two young pups beside them protectively.
A voice, barely audible, cut through the air: ‘Run, Joel. Quick, all of you. Run!’ It was Frez.
The elderly wolf lay pinned on the ground. Gower had regained his wits and was standing over him, pressing his full weight onto the old wolf’s chest, with jaws open in some kind of obscene leer. He stood panting, his breathing coming in short rapid gasps as blood dripped from his tongue onto Frez’s frightened face beneath him.
It was a moment to savour, for Gower could see the pack was his, and a crazed expression filled his face as he looked down, soaking up the fear on the old wolf’s face. He felt powerful. Life or death; he held the balance in his jaws. But he already knew the outcome, and licked his lips in excited anticipation before delivering the fatal bite.
Frez twisted his head sideways at Joel.
‘Run!’ he gasped.
The little family didn’t wait; they turned and sprinted into the safety of the forest, disappearing from view. The pack didn’t give chase.
Gower had done his job, the pack was his now, and he lifted his muzzle to the sky and howled at the sun, victorious.
3
It was past noon on the second day, and despite everyone’s injuries the little family were maintaining a steady pace, heading in a south-easterly direction. With soft paws barely making a sound they entered the main boreal forest. The air felt warm and humid under the trees, the damp atmosphere pressing in on them.
Joel cast a cautious eye around him. He was leading the way, forging a trail through the dense undergrowth. Space was at a premium in this region, the trees growing almost side by side, their canopies touching, many intertwining and each vying for sunlight.
He felt Mira move forward to trot at his left shoulder. Joel noticed her slightly bobbing gait as she shifted her weight awkwardly onto three legs, holding her injured leg off the ground. Following behind her in single file were the pups, ploughing on bravely through the thick grasses. Everyone was hurting but no one was complaining.
He was proud of his family, the way they’d all acted. But he knew that escaping that fight without any fatalities was truly a miracle.
Gradually he began to relax, for this area afforded good cover if they should meet any trouble. However, their progress was frustratingly slow with Tuke and Glyth struggling at the rear, trying to keep up.
Unfortunately, this gave Joel time to think, and his relaxed mental attitude soon evaporated. He was seething at the injustice of it all… They’d been cast out! By his own pack! The more he pondered, the angrier he became. But he’d keep his feelings to himself, for it would do no good to ruminate over past events. It was his duty to find them a comfortable place to rest, because just lying among the shrubs wasn’t sufficient. Since entering the forest he’d noticed the ground was damp; the moisture clung to his fur and wetted his paws.
As time passed, the pace slowed even more as Tuke and Glyth succumbed to the pain of their injuries and the increasingly difficult conditions underfoot. His heart went out to them, for he could hear an occasional whimper escape their mouths. He wished he could help them, but they were too big to carry by their scruffs anymore; besides, dangling in mid-air would add unnecessary strain on their joints and muscles, and probably inflict even more pain, he surmised.
Joel purposelessly slowed to a walk. He shook his head, dislodging a strand of fur from the corner of his eye. His legs felt stiff and sore, but the bite marks would eventually heal. As regards his neck and shoulders, they felt really uncomfortable. And although the bleeding had stopped, the fur around those areas was a matted tangle of congealed blood. He shook his head again, annoyed by a swarm of flies buzzing round him.
After a while they emerged into a clearing and there, standing forlornly, was an old log cabin. It was a shabby little building, empty and abandoned, appearing to have been there for years. The door had broken off its hinges and lay on the ground in several splintered pieces, each one in various stages of decay. The open doorway beckoned, inviting them to enter the dark featureless interior.
However, Joel was wary; it
looked innocent enough, but it could be a trap.
‘Stay here. I’ll see if it’s safe,’ he announced, taking a few tentative steps inside. It was empty, with no obvious threat. The wooden floorboards were wet by the open doorway but were dry further back. He glanced up at the roof, deciding it looked solid and intact. With a low yelp he signalled the all-clear.
The pups entered and immediately lay down in the far corner, too exhausted to utter a sound. Mira limped inside, pausing to lick her paws before flopping down next to her youngsters.
Joel stood watching his family, understanding the pain everyone was in. He couldn’t bear it and twitched his ears restlessly before lying down next to Mira. The shallow rapid breaths coming from Tuke and Glyth drew his attention. The pups had drifted into a fitful sleep. He closed his eyes, feeling utterly wretched, blaming himself for the hurt they were suffering and what they’d all become.
After he’d rested, he felt a little more optimistic and ambled outside to explore. Located nearby was a hole in the ground – Possibly rats, he thought, sniffing inside the narrow entrance. The rodents had burrowed deep underground, making a home beside the rear wall of the cabin.
With distaste, he set himself the challenge of digging them out. Using his strong forepaws he scratched and pulled at the earth, his persistence making the hole wider. With a certain reluctance he pushed his shoulders inside and reached forward with his muzzle, searching for the disgusting creatures. He felt a squirming body trying to squeeze past his face in a frantic bid to escape. It squeaked in panic, but Joel’s teeth had already seized it, holding it in his jaws. Then, with quick reactions, another and another; he held them firmly and searched for more.
Within a few seconds he’d caught the adult and ten young offspring. He wriggled backwards, rump in the air, until he was free of the hole. With a rolling shake, he set about ridding his body of earth and fine twigs. When he stopped, the uncomfortable hard matted blood around his neck and shoulders had gone; although still sore the tangled fur had somehow freed itself. This minor discovery made him feel a little better.
Joel re-entered the cabin and dropped the meal in front of Mira. It was paltry rations, but it was something. The food was shared, and afterwards everyone felt a little stronger.
Kegg had chosen to stay close to his brother Glyth, trying his best to help and comfort him. Mira watched the brotherly connection between them, which made her wonder about the things Frez had told her. But she was too tired to think clearly, so lying on her side she nestled close to her pups, relieved they’d all escaped with their lives.
‘Rest now, for tomorrow we shall move from here and find a place we can call home.’ Mira’s voice turned into a yawn. ‘Sleep, my pups,’ she whispered, drifting off to sleep, her muzzle resting protectively over her two injured sons.
Morning arrived and Joel decided to take Kegg and Skeena on a hunting expedition. After all, they need to hone their skills, he thought, and it might be fun to teach them. But patience wasn’t one of Joel’s strong points and, with two inexperienced and excitable wolf pups tagging along, hunting was proving an irritating challenge. Their enthusiasm was commendable; however, their sense of fun warned any prey in the vicinity that wolves were about, giving them ample time to flee.
It was late afternoon and they would have to turn back soon, but Joel hated the thought of returning to Mira without a meal.
Something on the breeze caught his attention; tantalising fresh blood was on the air. Drawn like a magnet he quickened his pace, his two pups trotting after him. Ahead, the trees were thinning, then strangely came to an abrupt stop.
Joel was wary now, taking in the open space in front of them, stripped of its trees, the grasses and plants bruised and disturbed by what had taken place here. He knew by experience that humans were responsible. He spied a large fir tree standing away from the other spindly pine trees that fringed the clearing. Silently he drew closer, crouching beside some prickly brambles growing in its sweeping shadows.
It was imperative he kept his offspring safe.
‘I want you two to stay here,’ said Joel gruffly, ‘and keep out of sight.’
He made his move. The scent of blood was growing stronger, filling his nostrils, although he couldn’t see where it was coming from. Lying down among the shrubs, he scanned the area for danger, his ears twitching, catching a shrill cry coming from high above him. It was only a hawk circling overhead. Joel watched it glide effortlessly, then, sensing it was safe, advanced further into the clearing.
His nose guided him to a badly injured young deer. It was lying on its side among a group of mangled-looking shrubs, panting in pain. Several long lacerations extended from its middle back to a hind leg. Its blood glistened, dark and thick. It was obvious the incident had happened a while ago, and judging by the marks he surmised a bear was responsible.
But was it still in the area? He stared around nervously, then back at the vicious marks, deep and ragged, where a large paw armed with long sharp claws had raked the deer’s slender body. Even though the deer had got away from its attacker, it was near death now, its frightened eyes staring beseechingly at him.
Joel charged, quickly relieving the deer of its misery. Without wasting a moment he began ripping the flesh off the bones, gulping down chunks of meat, acutely aware that a bear was somewhere in the vicinity.
He stopped eating and stood stock-still, instinctively darting a wary glance in to the surrounding trees again. Something had alerted him to danger and he swallowed the ragged chunk of meat hanging from his mouth as he realised the reassuring sounds of the birds had ceased. It was quiet, too quiet.
Fearful for his youngsters he scoured the shady undergrowth, knowing roughly where they should be, for they were well camouflaged under the shadows of the trees. Then to compound his uneasy feeling further the hairs on the back of his neck prickled uncomfortably. Experience told him to move, and without hesitating he left the deer carcass and ran back to the pups.
Arriving beside the cluster of bushes, he searched for them but the pups had gone. But before he had time to think, the young pair bounded out of their hiding place in noisy excitement.
‘Quiet, both of you! I believe there’s a bear somewhere close by,’ he whispered harshly.
The pups quietened instantly. They had learnt their lessons well – the stories they’d been told of bears and the damage they could inflict with just a single swipe of a paw.
Joel nodded, satisfied they understood the seriousness of their predicament. Lowering his head he deposited some meat on the ground.
‘Eat quickly.’
Joel sniffed the air, wondering if he should risk another excursion into the clearing. As if reading his mind, his youngest son spoke in a strong determined voice.
‘Are we going to take any food back to Mother and my brothers? They must be hungry by now,’ announced Kegg, gulping down the last morsel. He sat up, concern showing on his young face while he waited for his father to reply.
Joel smiled ruefully; even though Kegg had grown, he was still the smallest in the litter, but what never ceased to amaze him was his son’s natural concern and kindness towards others, showing an empathy beyond his young years.
‘I was thinking the same thing, my son,’ said Joel emphatically, nodding his head. ‘I need to get more meat, but first I want you to listen carefully to what I have to say. If anything should happen while I’m gone, or if you see or hear that bear… I want you to run as fast as you can, and don’t stop until you’re back with Mother,’ he ordered, becoming serious again. Then, without a sound, he disappeared through the bushes.
Crouching down, he negotiated some fallen branches and skirted round the clearing until he was beside the dead deer again. He was alone but felt anxious all the same. With speed, he began feeding.
A twig cracked behind him. He swung round, expecting to see an angry animal charging towards him, b
ut there was nothing there. The whole area made him feel wary, jumpy even. The scent of humans and death lingered, stagnant around him.
Out of sight, somewhere in the gloom of the forest, came the sound of hooves thundering, snapping twigs and vegetation in their obvious haste to escape something. It was enough for Joel; he was already on the move when he caught a glimpse of a black shape limping through the trees on his left. He didn’t wait to wonder about it and ran back to the pups’ hiding place… but they had gone!
His eyes scanned the area quickly, pleased they’d done what he’d told them and were on their way back to the cabin. Turning, he saw a bear on the other side of the clearing. It had returned to reclaim its kill and was eating noisily.
Joel inhaled a breath of satisfaction and trotted away through the forest. A distant rumble of thunder rolled over the mountains and a chill breeze blew through the trees and onto his face. He quickened his pace to a steady canter, sensing a storm coming.
It was dark by the time he arrived back at the cabin, his fur soaked through from the steady rain he’d encountered on the journey. Mira was huddled in the far corner with her four youngsters safe and secure, nestled into her warmth. She lifted her eyes, relieved that her mate had returned.
‘Kegg and Skeena mentioned a bear, Joel! Are you all right?’ she asked fearfully.
‘Yes, I’m fine,’ he replied, keeping his voice low, and ambled across the wooden floor. He nudged her cheek affectionately. ‘But we must be careful; grizzly bears are dangerous and unpredictable… Is everyone all right?’ he asked, his attention drifting to the pups pressed against her belly.
As if to answer his question, Kegg and Skeena woke up and began their spirited account of how they’d run fast to escape the dangerous bear.
‘Quieten down, you two, let your father get his breath back,’ said Mira in mock reproach. Joel stood proudly, his eyes dancing with delight.
