Between Two Worlds

Chapter One

“Hi there, Duma! How was your training session with Alpha?”

I muzzled Thorn’s shoulder on my way in camp. He was a cheerful purebred wolf, with dancing blue eyes and a pale gray coat. He had a huge habit of shapeshifting into deer and prancing around camp, tricking my pack mates he was prey until he shapeshifted back into his wolf and lunged at them. Quite amusing, actually.

“It was fine,” I mumbled, dragging my ragged tail on the sandy ground. My muscles were sore from my hard work, and my mouth hurt when I moved my jaw. “Just a bit tired.”

“I see,” Thorn muttered, narrowing his eyes when he saw my bruises and scratches. “Are you sure you don’t need to see any of the ravens?”

I nodded, numbly making my way to the portal between our world and Earth’s. I leaned forward, looking for my mother to return from her journey. She and some of my packmates had went to Earth to search for weak points in its surface so we can send the deer to heal it.

Deers were known for their ability to make plants grow. I am being taught to have that ability by Thorn, who knows a little bit of everything.

“Duma?”

I jumped. The gray wolf poked me nervously with a paw. “Sorry,” he apologized. “You were daydreaming. Are you alright?’’

I turned away, and I gazed deeply into the beautiful glow of the portal.

“I’m fine. I’m just worried about my mother.”

Suddenly, several bodies burst from the portal, and Thorn pulled me back as my mother barreled towards us. I pulled myself from Thorn’s grasp and I stared at the patrol in awe.

My mother and the patrol was covered in scratches and minor injuries. They shook out their fur and cleaned their claws, and I narrowed my eyes as I caught a familiar scent.

Outsiders.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” I scrambled to my feet as I saw her race towards my father, who was making his way out of his den. As my mother whispered into his ears, I saw his eyes widen and his fur bristle. He turned his head towards me, his eyes serious but with a grim look. My mother turned to look at me with worried eyes, then she beckoned me with a flick of her tail.

When I hesitated to move, Thorn poked me reassuringly. “Go ahead,” he whispered. “I’m sure it’s very important.”

I nodded and prowled to the massive den on the edge of our camp. It was eye catching. It has moss growing on it and a little waterfall could be heard from inside.

“Duma.”

I shook out my tail nervously as my mother said my name. I rarely get these kind of talks, and I pricked my ears nervously.

“What’s wrong? You summoned me?”

My parents exchanged worried glances, and I took a deep breath. I knew what they were going to say. I never knew my time would come so soon.

“Duma,” my father whispered, “It is time for you to take your first steps into Earth.”

I nodded my head numbly. All the training and preparation I’ve gone through will now be put to the test. Before, I felt so ready. I was always eager to explore a world unlike our own. Now, I’m nervous. What kind of threats will I face along the way?

My mother lowered her head. “Your father and I have taught you and showed you everything we know. We have made you work harder than any other member of our pack. We know you are ready.”

I turned my head to my father, expecting some advice. He just shook his head and glared at me with challenging blue eyes.

“You will be taking Thorn with you,” my mother spoke. “He knows just as much as you do, and I’m positive that you’ll be safe with him by your side.”

“We gave him the same talk earlier,” my father said. “He knows what to expect, and I’m sure you do, too.”

I lifted myself to my paws. “Yes,” I whispered. I raised my head to meet my parent’s gaze. “I’m ready.”

My father had told the experienced warriors about the journey Thorn and I would be taking. They were told to help us prepare before we left at moonhigh.

Word had gotten around quickly that we were leaving, and for the rest of the day I was surrounded by whispers and stares. It was extremely uncomfortable having dozens of eyes staring at you, but after a while I got used to it.

Thorn had enjoyed most of the attention. He would brag about how he was chosen to accompany me on this trip, and the younger members would ask him how it felt to travel with royal blood.

“Well, I’m royal blood as well,” Thorn said proudly, lifting his head to reveal his blue crystal on his chest, “so I must go. This is my destiny and I get to be with my favorite cheetah all the way!”

As the pups shrouded him with questions and dares, I wandered away towards my den, where I splayed out lazily among my bedding. I was already beginning to feel stressed, and our journey hasn’t even started yet.

The human’s world seems so exciting, yet it sounds dangerous. I have seen my packmates go into the portal before. Some came back without injuries and huge grins on their faces. Most came back with battle scars and deep wounds from the Outsiders.

Most didn’t come back at alI.