The Unknown Path

Chapter 1

Stumpy walked through the streets of the city, looking around the sights of the broken down place. It's said that... years ago... things called... Humans... lived here... but they died so long ago due to a virus. Stumpy looked at all of wolves on the pavement, eating at scraps of food or bones. They're so hungry... He looked down, looking at his own plump frame. Maybe father shouldn't keep all the food to his group... He ducked into another lane filled with knocked over trashcans, he could feel all their eyes on him, scrutinizing the younger male pup. He went to the scrap pile and started to take a piece of food off the top pile, he dropped it with a yelp as he felt claws dig into his haunches.

"What are you doing!?" His father, Slate, snarled.

"Getting f-food!" Stumpy whined, squirming.

"Oh yeah!?" Slate let him go and, with a mighty swat, turned his son around to face him. "Well wheres your contribution to the scrap pile!?"

Stumpy winced inwardly. Oh no... I forgot to get a scrap. He looks up at Slates towering form. "I- um-"

Slate growled at him, short tail raising in aggression. "You were out daydreaming again, weren't you!?"

"I- No!" Stumpy shakes his head rapidly. "Of co-course not!"

Slate snarled and clawed at Stumpy, claws just grazing his nose, but still sent a jolt of pain up him. "You. Little. Brat! Do you want me to send you off to the forest!? So you can die like your mother!?"

That was a question that Stumpy had two answers to, he felt torn between wanting to see the beauty of the forest up close and not wanting to die his mothers death, he looked down, shoulders hunched. "N...no..."

"That's what I thought." His father whipped around, fur bushed up. "No food tonight until you bring home four scraps!"

"Four!?" Stumpy couldn't hold back a gasp. "But- father- that impossible!"

"Nothings impossible." Slate let out a deep chuckle. "Maybe this time you'll come home with a few scars and a grasp of what survival really means." He then padded into his can and disappeared inside of it.

Stumpy sat their, ears drooped. Not fair... He rubbed his nose.

"Hes mean, isn't he?" A silky voice sounded behind him.

Stumpy turned around to see a beautiful tortoiseshell she-wolf padding towards him, her green eyes gentle.

"Oh, hello Spotted." Stumpy let out a short nod, greeting his step mother. "Hes not that mean... this is just the usual."

Spotted sat down, wrapping her fluffy tail around herself. "I know that you really want to go into the forest, whats stopping you?"

Stumpy's ears flicked, looking down. "I... Well.. I've heard so much about mothers deaths... I don't want the same thing to happen to me."

Spotted sat next to him, lending her warmth and her sweet scent, Stumpy leaned into her. "I know you're scared... But you're strong... And brave... I have full confidence that you will make it."

Stumpy looks up at sure. "Y...Yeah... Yeah!" He perked up. "Thanks Spotted!"

Spotted let out a chuffing sound. "Don't mention it little one."

Stumpy smiled and licked her cheek, which she responded with a light affectionate nip, and Stumpy trotted off.

Stumpy padded along the streets merrily, eyes bright and a little prep in his step. He ignored all the eyes on him, wondering, hostile, and hungry. He left the city and balanced on the fence between his old life, and something that could change his future forever. He shivered softly at a blast of cool, fresh air and scrambled down, his hard pads hitting the soft grass, he couldn't hold back a few chuffs of happiness and broke into a run into the forest, he inhaled the beautiful mixed up scents, rolling into the leaves, climbing up trees, and playing in little streams.

The next time Stumpy checked the time, it was midnight. Oh geez. He stood up and shook out his pelt. I should get home. He sighed reluctantly and padded throughout the forest, he kept walking for a long time till he realized he was lost. Uh oh... The forest seemed very dark and closed in to him, he slowly started to walk again, his paws now covered in mud. This isn't the same forest as before. He shivered harder, trying to plow through the mud.

Hissssssss

He heard a noise behind him, he whipped around, the hairs on his pelt rising, he looked around to see nothing. It must just be normal forest sounds... He tried to soothe himself. You're being paranoid. He started walking again, ears flicking. He barely had time to react as something rammed into him and pinned him down. His eyes went round as he tried to see what was attacking him, but it was too dark. Stumpy pawed at the creature, looking surprised as he felt fur. It's a wolf!? It's stronger than dad! Stumpy was able to throw Slate off from time to time, but this cat was as hard as a rock. He felt that hissing noise again, and something shot past his face, just barley brushing his fur but it sent a horrible pain through him. OW! He yelped. What is that!? It's a demon! He found a way to jerk away from the wolf creature and run. It chased after him, jaws snapping at his hind legs, but he didn't stop running, gasping out for breath, he knew he couldn't run from it for long. I don't want to die! Panic flowed through him. Please! Someone! Help me!

A gust of wind flowed past Stumpy, almost knocking him off his feet, he heard the wolf let out a low snarl of fury and struggle.

Stumpy turned to the wolf to see it was a large well muscled male, with a dark purple color and black markings on it, he had large fangs which he was using to spit a black liquid on the vines that had wrapped around his body.

Vines?? Stumpy was confused. But- how!?

"That's enough." A deep and commanding voice sounded behind him. Stumpy turned around to see a large looking silver tabby she-wolf with icy blue eyes and white paws and a white chest. The wolf had a star on her left eye and three scars on her right leg. Stumpy immediately wanted to bow down to her.

The male snarled at the she-wolf. "What are you doing here?" He demanded.

"I could ask you the same thing," her calm look met the males aggressive one. "You're on Moonpack territory."

The male looks around, as if just noticing that, then hissed out something that sounded like 'frogs and toad guts,' "Okay, okay, i'm sorry! Now let me go!"

The she-wolf stood on top of a rock, looking regal, eventually she flicked her ears and the vines retreated from the male. "Get out of here, Venomfang. I never want to see you again."

The male called Venomfang spat a curse at the she-wolf and ran off from where he had come from, leaving Stumpy with the she-wolf.

He looks at the silver wolf, flinching as her eyes sharpen.

"Now... what is a city wolf like yourself doing here?" She jumped from her rock and went up to Stumpy, towering over him.

Stumpy crouched down, looking up at her. From the aggressive look in her eyes, he felt as if the tabby wolf was going to finish whatever Venomfang started.