Swiftkill-journey of the pack

Chapter 8 -part 1/1

Swiftkill watched the rabbit for a few moments before she jumped on to it. It wasn't the biggest kill, but it was enough just for her. She then lapped water from the river and turn back to return to her cubs.

As she reached the rocks she cautiously looked around. She felt danger in the air. Something was there. Swiftkill took a step towards the cave and then it happened. From above a puma looked down. He growled and snarled at Swiftkill. This was his territory and he wasn't letting this wolf into it. Swiftkill knew it was a dangerous fight but she couldn't risk him find her cubs. She howled loudly and they leaped towards each other, claws and teeth connecting immediately. The puma fell first against the rocks, but quickly recovered. Swiftkill attacked again but the puma was faster and stronger, he held her down biting at her body and face. Swiftkill yelped and fought back, pushing the puma off and scratched his body with her claws. Together they tumbled down the rocks, rolling over and over bruising their legs and cutting their bodies.

Swiftkill landed first at the bottom, but as she stood the puma fell on her, breaking his fall but injuring her further. Her paw snapped and Swiftkill howled in pain. She tried to stand but her foot just gave way. The puma stood up and shook his head and body. He glared at the wolf, his scars bleeding down his sides. "This is the end for you" he snarled and stepped towards her "You are going to die alone". Swiftkill pushed her body back against the rocks, the puma moved close, his panting breath filling the air. As he leaped towards her, bearing his teeth out for the final kill Swiftkill turned away waiting for the pain and hoping that her cubs wouldn't have the same fate. The puma landed with a thud, then a howl and yelp, then silence. Swiftkill opened her eyes quickly, but the sunlight blinded her and she couldn't see what had happened. As the vision returned she saw the puma laying dead on the rocks beside her. Behind him stood a tall strong wolf. Swiftkill shook her head and peered at the beast. She dare not believe what she saw "Troy" she whispered "Troy is that really you?" The wolf smiled and winked at her "Yes Swiftkill, it's me" "Troy, but how, I saw you die" spluttered Swiftkill. "It's a long story" smiled Troy, "and we have a small journey to make, I have some friends you might like to meet" Swiftkill tried to stand, with Troy at her side she felt stronger already. "Wait!" She said "I can't go yet, I need to show you something" Swiftkill turned to go back up the rocks. Troy helped her "why are we going up here?" He asked "wait here" replied Swiftkill. She went into the cave and then returned with the cubs, all four in her mouth. "We can't leave your babies" she said to Troy. Troy's eyes filled with tears. He sniffed each of the cubs, covering them in his scent. He then nuzzled up to Swiftkill. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I wasn't there" he started but Swiftkill stopped him "it doesn't matter" she purred, "you're here now, and we need you, all of us". "And your pack needs you" whispered Troy "they're waiting in our den about an hour away".

Swiftkill picked up two cubs and Troy the other two. On the journey back to the den, Troy explained that her had been washed up downstream and had made his way back to the forest. Eventually he had found the other wolves and lead them to the safety of the den. But he had never lost hope and every day since he had ventured out hoping to find Swiftkill. Today he had finally found his love and the pack was complete.

The celebrations ran long into the night back at the den. The other wolves howled in the moonlight rejoicing at the return of their alpha female and her new cubs. Troy and Swiftkill however were the happiest. They knew that their bond was forever. Swiftkill looked over at Troy caring for the cubs. She hoped this time would last forever, she had her pack back, she had her cubs safe and most of all she had Troy, her true love. Nothing could stop her happiest.

Epilogue

High on the mountain top a lone female was searching. She had travelled from far below in the depths of the forest. She needed to warn the alpha female. They were coming, the men were coming and they wanted her and her pack ... But that's another story