The Alpha and The Stray

The Prologue

The full moon shone down on the river, glistening in the ripples of the water. An old she-wolf, sat at the shore, watching for enemies trying to cross. "Their numbers have been dwindling since the sickness.." she thought to herself, bristling her fur against the cool air. "..I doubt they'll attack us anytime soon." The old she-wolf, stood up, stretched, and yawned. Her cracked canines showing her age. "It's almost moon-high.." she grumbled to herself as she shook the cold air out of her fur, ".. the others should be done their patrol by now. They'll worry if they find in not in my den." She trotted back into the forest towards camp. The dead leaves crackling underpaw to remind her of the coming cold season. The pack has worked tirelessly through the hot season to ensure the pack would survive the cold. The old she-wolf slunk back into camp, and trotted towards the center, where her den was located. It was carved into the stone eons ago, the hanging lichen from the huge tree next to it, protected the entrance from the cold. As she approached, she could smell her Beta, Dust Fur, lurking in the shadows of the den. The she-wolf stepped inside, not sure why he was there. "Alpha Smokey Tail, you've returned." Dust Fur sat up straight and bowed his head to his Alpha. "Yes Dust Fur. What brings you to my den?" Alpha replied, gathering her moss nest together. Dust Fur lifted his head, his eyes darked as he spoke, "We've found the same loner scent inside our borders" he explained, slightly showing his teeth. Dust Fur was a fierce protector of the pack, but sometimes got a little carried away. "I'm sure it's just some lost human pet, " Alpha Smokey Tail answered, "It'll go away on its own, no need to fuss." she yawned as she laid down in her nest. "Keep up patrols over where it was scented, and if it's seen, chase it off, no need to hurt it" she continued, flicking her ears to dismiss him. Dust Fur bowed his head, and turned to leave the den, he'd relay this information to the patrols in the morning. Tonight's night guards paced outside the camp as Dust Fur made his way back to the warriors' den. Alpha Smokey Tail couldn't help but wonder who this 'loner' was. Any wolf would know to stay away from a packs territory. "This may be the start of something. " she thought as she drifted off into sleep.