Little Wolf

Ch 28 By the Fire

We ranged around our kill for a little while, even after allowing the other pack to come in and finish it off. I wanted those who had never encountered real wolves to see some in action.

"Don't pay attention to the alpha right now," I told Sheep. "Watch the ones off to the side."

I pointed out how they were jockeying for position, hoping to grab a bite from the carcass. The alpha was dominating it right now, gorging himself.

"He has a pregnant mate holed up in a den somewhere," I explained to Sheep. "He'll eat until he can't hold anymore, then go back to her and regurgitate so she can eat. Not my favorite way to eat a meal, but she'll eat without risking the future of the pack."

We watched them for a while. Businessman was intent on listening and watching. Lone Wolf laid down relaxing, but his ears stayed up, testifying to his attention.

Fake dawn had me leading everyone back toward the Pointe. I felt tired but good. I gave a wolffish grin to Lone Wolf running at my side. He grinned back, knowing he was moving so much smoother now. My laughter welled up in me, and I let loose a howl appreciating this pack of wolves around me.

Lone Wolf's eyes lit up. I think he heard himself included in my howl. He let loose something that vaguely, with a stretch of the imagination, resembled a howl.

There was laughter all around as everyone joined in howling playfully—everyone except Sheep, who followed behind everyone else.

Lone Wolf kept howling like a wolf possessed, all of his excitement from our adventure coming out in his attempt at wolf-song. It was like he was telling the sky about tonight's hunt. His story was coming out with yowls, howls, grunts, huffs, snarls, and even barks.

Lone Wolf rushed at the others, barking and growling, snapping and swatting. I watched to see if anyone complained. No one did. Everyone was content to play with him. It was good to see him accepted and connecting with everyone there. There was wolffish laughter as he continued to yowl and howl. I let him get it out of his system. He was being a wolf, and he had gone without a voice for too long.

The night had gotten cold, which didn't bother us too much as wolves, but to sit and talk as men was a different story.

As we approached the Pointe, I leapt up the tree that held the permanent cache that Dad and I kept up here. There wasn't a tree I couldn't climb with my claws out, as long as it could hold my weight. Lobo was surprised to see me climb so easily. He kept shifting between man and wolf to use all of his senses as he watched me.

"Watch out below!" I hollered out as I dropped the old burlap sack, watching as Dad snatched it out of the way, pulling Lobo away from the tree as well.

"Trust me, the last place you want to be is under that tree right now," Dad warned.

I grinned as I let loose a stream, marking the treetop to make squirrels and such think twice about infringing on the tiny treehouse-cubby I had built as a kid to protect our stuff from the worst of the elements.

Before long, a small fire was going. Old Grey was the first one to claim a spot at it, curling up in wolf form. Dad handed one blanket to Businessman. I gave Sheep the other blanket myself. He looked up at me in surprise.

"Go ahead," I said with a small smile, "I've got a coat."

I was pleased when he put the blanket around Lone Wolf's broad shoulders. My eyes narrowed as he sat in front of the big man, who had shifted back to human much faster this time. Sheep was getting body heat from behind and fire in front. Lone Wolf and I shared a look. Lone Wolf just smiled and put his arms loosely around his charge.