A Wolf's Tale

Confused and still high on a mixture of fear and adrenaline, the wolf broke into a run, leaving Fria behind him in where they had been moments ago as she jumped into the bushes. He didn't stop as he ran either, using his fear to push him along through the forest. Trying to remember where the damn territory border was situated was impossible in his fear induced state. Nevertheless, the wolf did his best, instinctively avoiding where he had been caught by Aria and where the dens were, heading east and unknowingly going towards the edge of the territory.

Not having anyone else to trust here but Echo and she had remained behind, he followed Fria as the wind rushed past the two wolves' ears. Duke said nothing as he followed closely at Fria's heels as she led him to this safe cave near the edge of the territory, the wolf's mouth parted as he panted with the exertion of the running he had been doing.

Duke collapsed once he had run into the cave on the floor, his sides heaving as he tried to get air into his lungs and catch his breath. His muscles ached from running and and he was still bleeding a bit from his wounds but they would just end up scarring over. The worst of the bleeding was at his neck where he had been bitten by Aria and then by Feather when he had been separated from the female. "What...what did...you...see?" he asked Fria, wondering what had startled her in the bushes. He knew he would need to leave soon. He just had to get his breath back first before leaving. But he might not even be given that time.

Duke warily lifted his head to look at Aria. "What if Chase tells the alpha that you helped me? He should be silenced for yours and Echo's safety," he said, thinking of how Echo had wanted to come with him. "Apollo's probably happy I've been banished," he said quietly, closing his eyes so the beta female wouldn't see him crying like a weak pup.

Duke nodded with a sigh. "I'll do that," he said with a yawn. "Both you and Echo be careful. I'll hunt after I get some sleep. What about water?"

Duke nodded and yawned. "Thank you Fria," he said tiredly, yet there was sincerity in his voice as well. "You could have killed me or turned me over to my former alpha or Apollo but you instead helped me escape the territory. I'll just wait until night to hunt and get water after today. But you should go before you're missed."

Apollo had now reached the alpha and sat down. "Did you find Aria?" he asked.

Apollo frowned. "You should force her to tell you where your pups are alpha," he said seriously. "They'll need the protection of the pack to survive." Nodding as he was asked to go round up the rest of the pack and make sure the banished omega was gone, he set off.

Duke didn't respond as Fria left. He just crawled further inside the cave and was soon asleep.

"Good," said Apollo as he saw Fria leap out of the bushes. Satisfied with that, he went in search of Echo and Chase, wondering where the hunter and beta male had disappeared too. "Chase! Echo!" he barked as he left the beta female and alpha male behind him.