Redeeming the Lost (A Comforter's Tale)

Chapter 14

I was once more woken when Brunette stretched and got to her feet in the dim morning light. I groaned, wishing I could have slept longer. She nudged me with her nose and snorted before grabbing my scruff. I was beginning to take back that wish about wanting to be carried by my scruff instead of riding.

Our first stop was a creek, and I drank the cool water greedily. Brunette rustled around in some nearby bushes and came back with a mouse. It took her a few tries, but she managed to pull the skin and fur off before dropping it in front of me. Apparently, breakfast had been served.

I had never eaten mouse before, but it tasted a bit like squirrel. Once I finished, I began cleaning my face. Brunette must have decided that I wasn't doing it well enough since she joined in. The other adults frolicked in the water, almost as if they weren't bloodthirsty creatures.

I paused as I examined my aura more closely. It had shifted as I slept, becoming something that primarily targeted painful memories rather than calming a rage. Considering the ferals weren't eyeing me up as a snack, I decided to take a chance and leave it where it was.

It wasn't long before we were on the move again. I kept tabs on the scents around us as they ran, but oddly enough, I never smelled another pack or even any rogues. From how people talked about ferals, I would have thought they usually lurked around the borders of packs.

If I could pick up a pack scent, I could try sneaking away from this group and locating the border patrol. Even if they wouldn't let me join their pack, they would probably spare a couple of fighters to escort me to another one.

I wasn't sure where the ferals were going, but they were covering a lot of distance in very little time. Most big predators remained in a territory they defended, but since I hadn't picked up any older scents of these ferals, I doubted they had been here within the last month.

A deer made the mistake of running across the trail ahead, and the wolves took off like a shot. Brunette hesitated, clearly wanting to join the hunt, but uncertain of what to do with me. She followed the others at a more sedate pace, and by the time we caught up, the seven wolves were feasting on the dead deer.

She put me down and joined the mass of fur and muscle tearing at the deer. I remained by the base of a tree, hoping there would be something left when they finished. To my surprise, Brunette backed out of the group with a piece of meat in her jaws. I wagged my tail in anticipation and practically danced on the spot when I realized she was bringing it to me.

I yipped happily when she dropped it in front of me. As she returned to the rapidly-disappearing deer carcass, the black wolf came over. Without Brunette standing over me, I backed up in case he wanted the meat. He was massive – almost as big as an Alpha – I certainly wasn't about to fight him for the meal.

He ignored the meat and lowered his head to sniff my fur. Tilting his head as if confused, he bunted me with his nose, rolling me over as I squeaked in surprise.

A roar made him look up just in time for a dark brown wall of fury to crash into him. Brunette tore into him with her teeth, ripping out tufts of fur as her snarls split the air. The black male was caught off guard and tried backing up before standing his ground and retaliating.

I scuttled away from the brawling wolves. Brunette wasn't holding back, and I had never seen a more infuriated wolf in my life. The black male was holding his own, mostly because of his sheer size and strength.

The other wolves paused their meal to watch the two fighters, their body language showing their confusion. They clearly had no idea what this fight was about.

Finally, the two broke apart, still snarling at each other. Brown and black fur was scattered across the grass, although I didn't see any serious wounds. Blood oozed from a couple of minor bites, although werewolves healed swiftly, so the small injuries would be gone within a day or so.