Home to the Wild, page 4
Rae didn’t dwell on that for long as she, Larka, and Skai bounded through the prickly bushes and onto the scene. Snarling faces turned on them instinctively until Akira and Shadow realised it was them. A sigh of relief left them as they took up their protective positions once more in front and behind the injured Echo. Echo lay on the ground, his blood staining the crystal snow. His back leg oozed; the scratches were deep but nonthreatening. Quiet whimpers escaped him, a sign that, even though it was nonfatal, it was serious. Echo never complained about injuries.
Larka moved to him instantly, tending to his wound by licking it clean. My soul, what happened? she cried, turning to him for answers.
Before he could respond, from the bushes, three of Rae’s siblings appeared, their breathing harsh from their pursuit. Without a thought, they turned to Rae and told her what happened.
It was Hye, Rae, Rune said, anxiety in his voice as he stared at their father. We were returning to the Den when we heard, but we … we arrived too late to stop him. For a moment, Rune paused as he noticed their mother tending to Echo, he looked conflicted as to whether he should be speaking to Rae or her.
Swift took over from him, her white fur like their mother’s stood on end in rage. We do not know what he wanted, but he fled as quickly as he arrived, she said, her tone sharp. The coward refused to turn back and fight.
Frowning, Rae turned away from the wolves and sniffed the air. She could definitely smell Hye, but there was something strange about his scent. Stepping closer to the area where the scent was strongest, she drank it in deep. While there was a sense of anxiousness that Rae could smell, there was also something else that frightened her.
Excitement.
That’s not right, Rae thought, taking in the scent again. Why would he—
Her head flew up, eyes darting around every aspect of the Forest in front of her, her ears twitched at every sound as she searched for answers, bracing her legs, ready to pounce into action when she found it. And then she did. The heartbeat of Little One, waiting for her pack to return, and then—
Another heartbeat. Slow, deliberate, patient. The soft breaths of a hunter preparing to pounce.
Rae turned to her pack. The recognition and fear in her eyes passed to them, and then she turned to her mother.
Larka was the first to spring into action, taking the lead in the most reckless way Rae has ever seen her do: charging right towards the danger with no stealth or plan in place to attack.
It took Rae and the others too long to react after her mother had charged away. But when they did, Rae instantly took lead. We need a coordinated attack, she barked, pausing only briefly when the other trio from the search arrived. Thankfully, we have the advantage of numbers, Rae thought as she issued the rest of her orders. A group of four to the left, another four to the right, with Rae herself following Larka’s path straight ahead.
Skai, stay with Echo and make sure no other predator seeks him out, Rae finished, a soft growl in her throat when Skai attempted to protest. Everyone, go, now.
Then, Rae turned tail and ran. While she was fast, she was deliberate in her movements, following the exact trail that Larka had left behind to soften the sound of her approaching steps. While Hye would have heard and sensed her mother’s presence, with her actions now, it’d be less likely for him to notice her.
It was only when the snarling and hissing started that she quickened her pace, loping into the action over the hill as safely as possible. Once she emerged into the open, she was met with a standoff between Hye and Larka. Hye stood low to the ground, his claws extended and mouth open, exposing his long, sharp teeth as he focused in on Larka standing tall with her legs braced and ready to pounce. She stood in front of Little One protecting her from view. Though to Rae’s surprise, Little One wasn’t cowering like she thought she would be. She was growling at the cat just like their mother.
Rae closed in, a snarl building in her own throat, as she stepped closer to her sister, adding another protective body in front of her. Making sure to not lose sight of Hye, she checked on Little One out of the corner of her eye. She appeared unharmed but dazed as she watched Larka paw at the ground in front of them.
Yet, even with her show of defiance and the growing aroma of pure hatred rolling off her, Hye was not backing down. There was something in his eyes: a thirst, a need to do this. As he and Larka sized one another up, prowling back and forth in front of another, Rae took him in.
There was an anticipation in his movements, but he looked different from the last time she’d seen him – a tiredness about him – and she was sure she could see his bones showing through his thinned-out fur. He may have had the jump on Echo, his blood coating his outstretched claws, but that action alone had exhausted him.
His breathing was heavy as he paced, eyes never leaving Larka, even with Rae and the others in view surrounding him. There was something personal about Hye’s attack that Larka seemed to understand as she commanded to the group:
This is our fight. None shall interfere.
The family was silent. They had not expected a command for them to stay away, and so they moved closer. It was only when Larka snapped her jaws in their direction, her intentions clear, that they stopped and stepped back. You never interfere with a mother wolf.
Only Rae refused, keeping as close to her mother and Little One as she could, and if her closeness meant she could jump in to help, if necessary, well that was just a coincidence. Though if Larka’s stance told her anything, it was that if she interfered, she would face worse than whatever she would inflict on the cat. With that, she nudged Little One further back towards the hill. And with a quiet bark to the nearest wolf, Rune, she issued the order for them to retreat with Little One to the Den.
She followed them briefly, giving extra protection to Little One as Rune escorted her up the hill, and watched her mother engage with the cat.
Larka had always been an incredible fighter – Rae herself had witnessed this first-hand when they hunted – but this was different. She was in a frenzy, her teeth and claws lashing out at Hye to keep him back from the Den’s hill. Hye always made the first move, desperate and aggressive, but with no skill or precision, making it easy for Larka to push him back with a swipe of her paw.
Turning away from the fight, Rae checked on her sister, only to find herself surprised at what she saw in her eyes. Anger. And then their locked eyes.
Help her, Little One said, her voice more controlled and firmer than it had ever been before.
Rae smiled and nodded her head before turning back and rushing down the hill to her mother’s side.
That was the wrong decision.
Her reappearance and movement caused Larka to lose focus, her eyes dropping away from her target and towards Rae, giving Hye the opportunity to strike. He leapt forward, teeth bared and claws outstretched, ripping them across Larka’s side. A high-pitched whimper of shock tore from her throat as she was knocked sideways from the blow.
Barely standing, blood dripping from her side and down her maw, Larka shook herself slightly from the shock. Rae was ready to issue the order to the rest of the pack before Larka released a howling snarl and pounded forward into action.
7
RAE
The viciousness of the fight took Rae aback. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She watched her mother spring back and forth, side to side, lashing out with a snap of her teeth towards the cat. Rae could understand why her mother had held onto her power for so long.
Larka was a strong and calculated fighter, which gave her the advantage as she weakened her opponent as a wolf does their prey. With Little One no longer in sight, and even with Rae standing guard at the Den’s entrance, Larka was able to push Hye harder.
She got in close and personal, taunting him to swipe at her only to jump out of the way in time and send him off balance with a snap of her jaws at his swinging paw. After each attack of hers, she put space between them quickly so he wouldn’t have the chance to retaliate. His teeth were deadly. One precise bite could end it all.
Around her, Rae could sense the pack’s unease and frustration about not being able to fight. They knew that together, Hye would be dealt with quickly and easily. Their family was not one for spectating; it wasn’t in their nature.
But this wasn’t a normal fight. Rae knew that the cat had been seen around the pack acting strange for many moon cycles now, but he and her mother had never had reason to quarrel. As she studied Hye more, she took in his wild state. Around his maw frothing saliva dribbled down and onto the ground, his fur was matted and parts of it had been torn off showing sore skin beneath. Hye was not acting like a normal animal. He had become an unhinged one.
It was by focusing on Hye that she saw it.
The mistake.
Larka darted forward, jaw wide to target the cat’s neck with her teeth. A killing strike. But Hye was ready for her. He threw his head to the side, blocking Larka’s target, and leapt forward with his own mouth wide.
The sharp whimper echoed around them as her mother fell with a thump to the ground, her blood spattering across the last of the sun’s time grass and tainted the fallen snow, the flesh at her neck torn by the cat’s teeth. Rae howled and charged towards her mother’s side, ready to protect her. Her cry spurred on the pack, and they charged towards the enemy, ready to destroy him.
As wolf after wolf lunged, snapped, bit, and scratched, Hye grew more reckless. His movements were weak. Every swipe he made gave the pack the opportunity to strike him in return. But even as more of his blood stained the ground, the feral glint in his eyes didn’t fade.
Rae was sure that she had seen something like this before, or had heard tales of it at least. Of beasts who turned on their own or grew a thirst for blood from a hunger that could not be sated. As she watched the wild cat grow weaker, but never stop trying to kill, she realised it must be true.
Larka had told the stories, she was sure of it. Savage Blood, she had called it. Rae turned to her injured mother, who lay beneath Rae’s protective stance. Larka’s breathing was shallow, but her eyes were open and alert, staring at Rae. She knew that she had figured it out.
Rae needed to keep her pack safe, but she wasn’t sure how to signal the danger Hye posed without letting him know. As it turned out, she wouldn’t have the time to do so anyway.
The wolves were becoming just as sloppy, their anger making them reckless and less focused, and soon Rae and Larka were left in the open, a perfect line of attack. And Hye noticed this before Rae could bark an order out.
Even as claws ripped at his side, Hye barely reacted as he charged towards Rae, and she stepped away from her mother, closer towards him, ready to fight till the end. With wolves at his heels and bloodlust in his eyes, he lunged. Rae braced herself, teeth bared to attack, when a snowy white figure flew past her, colliding with the cat.
Silence surrounded them. The heavy thud of a single body and the pants of another were the only sounds that could be heard.
Shocked and in awe, Rae stared at the image of her mother standing tall. She was hurt and bleeding from her wounded neck, her maw and fangs coated in fresh blood that was not her own. She stood above the lifeless body of Hye, whose eyes laid wide open, his mouth frothing with blood-coated saliva.
The pack stayed silent, their breathing the only noise left in their once peaceful sanctuary. It was only when Kali, one of her siblings, broke that stillness by cautiously stepping towards Hye, that a growl echoed across the snow, stopping her in her steps.
Cold eyes turned to the young wolf, their voice leaving no room for argument. Respect is to be given to our fallen comrade. His actions and mind were not his own, Larka snapped as she limped towards the cougar, her movements tight and sore. He deserves to be returned to his home. So be careful in doing so – she turned to the pack – as we will take him there.
The family was slow in their reactions to her orders. The separation from their ways, the foolish fight, and now her injury had all brought her skill and leadership into question. Loyalty, however, was a powerful thing among the wolves. It was only after a secondary nod by Rae, given behind her mother, that the pack moved into action. Their steps cautious so as not to sour her temper.
Kali, Shadow, go collect Echo and Skai and bring them back to the Den. The rest of you… She looked at her mother out of the corner of her eye. Do as you have been ordered.
As they set to work, careful not to dig their teeth in too sharply, or come close to the frothed saliva, Larka stepped back. She turned away from their work, and before realising Rae could see her, allowed the pain that clearly was overwhelming her to show.
Her legs shook as she stepped away, and her jaw wobbled as if she were trying to hold back a whimper. It was only when she noticed Rae that she stood tall again, controlling her breathing as best she could to mask the pain.
Keep an eye on the others. I must check on Little One and make sure she is unharmed, she said, not meeting Rae’s eyes. Have Echo brought to my side when he returns.
Rae was unsatisfied with this. Mother, we must care for you first. You are bleeding! You cannot just—
I will not be spoken down to, pup! Larka snarled, snapping her head in Rae’s direction, her teeth bared and visible to the root. Remember your place. You may have the freedom and the authority over the others, but I can take it away as easily as I gave it.
Without another word, Larka walked off. There was an obvious need to limp in her stance, but her mother was prideful. No matter the pain, she refused to show even the smallest sign of it as she headed up the hill towards the anxious cries of Little One. It was as her figure disappeared over the top that Rae allowed herself to breathe. She’d never been afraid of her mother before, let alone been afraid for her. She took in the sight of the drops of blood that stained the newly fallen snow.
After a pause, waiting to see if her mother would return, and maybe apologise for her actions, Rae turned to the pack and trotted towards them, taking hold of a limb herself to help with the pulling of the body. Hye had been a large creature, and in death, his weight doubled. His territory was far, and it would take time to return him.
The sun was still high in the sky and so, with the respect for the wild that was ingrained in all its creatures, the pack began their journey.
8
LARKA
The ache shattered her. Not that she could show it, at least not until she was alone. Ferocity was her weapon for now. It was the only way to dissuade the enemies that would come once they knew of her weakness. A sick sensation built within her at the fear and betrayal in her daughter’s eyes caused by her actions. That sight alone was far more painful than anything she was feeling.
As she climbed over the hill, she was met by the whining cries of her pup. The pain, while still unbearable, fell to the wayside as she rushed to her side. Nuzzling her face, she breathed in her scent as her eyes took in every inch of her to make sure she was unharmed. It was only after a thorough cleaning of the minor cuts on her body that she felt satisfied with her pup’s well-being.
You are hurt, the small voice said. Placing a hand next to the injury on Larka’s neck, Little One whimpered. They hurt you, Mother.
Just as Larka would her own pups, and as is the way of the wolf, Little One leant forward and licked her wound. While she gagged initially at the unexpected taste, she continued with little to no complaint, cleaning Larka’s wound as best her small tongue could.
Eventually, Larka nudged her to stop. The ache hadn’t lessened, not really, but in her mind it had dulled. Little One stepped back, her mouth and nose covered in Larka’s blood. It was a jarring sight.
She cleaned the blood from the youngling’s face, relishing in the squeal it elicited. After finishing and determining her pup to be clean and no longer upset by the sight of her injuries, she turned to the wolves arriving behind her.
Echo, limping himself but not severely, came as quickly as he could to her side, with Skai, Kali and Shadow following slowly behind, head bowed. They stood in silence, awaiting her reaction and command.
Larka stood tall as she held their gaze, her tone and words holding no room for arguing: Hye is being returned to his territory. Join the pack and help them complete the journey.
The wolves stayed still, a few sharing a look between themselves; however, after a brief pause, they bowed their heads and quickly trotted past Larka before disappearing over the hill to join the others.
Only Echo didn’t move. His injury was shallow but had caught a vein, making the pain and blood flow more freely than normal. Even though it was clear that Echo didn’t have the capacity to help the pack in removing Hye, his disobeying of her orders affected Larka more than she expected.
She jumped at him, her body low, her teeth pulled back, the warning simple: disobey and suffer. Echo, however, was not one for such acts of violence or attempted dominance. They were equals, as they should be. He always, and would always, see her in that way. Instead of pushing back and responding, he released a soft and calming whimper.
The growl dissipated, and she loosened her position, knowing it was ridiculous to have tried. Slowly, after hearing how far their pack had travelled from the Den, she surrendered. Sliding to the ground and rolling onto her side, she released a heavy breath. Then another, and another.
Finally, she allowed the pain to take hold. While she was quiet to not alert any predators nearby, the agony she felt nearly tore her to pieces. Every ache, every tear, and every scratch came at her all at once, and she could feel herself almost losing consciousness again because of it. Echo and Little One, the two beings who seemed to know her better than she knew herself, came closer. Little One curled up by her belly, her paws petting her softly in comfort. Echo walked to her side, and with a gentle nuzzle to her head, he sat down and began surveying the land. From his position, he would see whatever might come their way. His language was clear: He would protect her so she could be weak.
