Ruby

Three

    The sun rose high over the empty clearing. Brook stood up in the scorching summer sun and paced over to the kill table. Yawning, she leaned down and grabbed a limp crow.
    "Hey Brook." Turning her head, Brook noticed the anfang Thorn walking towards her.
    "Why hello there, Thorn. How can I help you?"
    "Well, Acorn and I were wondering if you could show us how to make a rabbit snare." Gazing around Thorn, she noticed Acorn waiting, not to far away.
    "Sorry Thorn, but I was planning on traveling out. Maybe Cactus can help you today instead, ok?" Brook saw their ears peak with interest.
    "Out? Where to? You mean out of the territory?"
   Acorn joined in the nagging. "Won't Coal be mad at you if you leave? Why do you wanna leave?"     
    "Go away!" she barked. "Learn to keep your snout stuck in your own business." Finishing the crow, she stomped over to Claws den. "Claw?" Brook leaned into the dark hut.
    "What do you want, Brook?" an annoyed voice answered in return.
    "Sorry, am I intruding?" Brook became nervous. She new her Alpha wasn't fond of needy wolves.
    "No, come in. What can I do for you?" His tone had hardly changed, but she accepted the permission.
    "I was wondering if you could send a howl to Shimmer for me and tell her I was heading across the borders." Before she could state why, Claw interrupted her with a blunt growl.
    "Why in the name of Moon would you want to go to Starpack!" Brook noticed he was beginning to anger from her request.
    "Wel-"
    "No! In no reason whatsoever will I let you  anywhere out of these borders when carrying the scent of a Night pack warrior. Your home here is all you'll need and all you'll get. Now go to your den. I won't hear anymore of it."
    Flicking his snout to the exit, he showed her out to the clearing. Who put a needle in his nest? Marching to the sanctuary, Brook barged in on Creek, who was organizing his herbs.
    "Brook! How can I help you?" Seeming a bit tensed, he looked up from his storage and kocked his head in her direction.
   "Hey, Creek. I was wondering..." she paused, causing Creek to tense up.
   "Yes?" he prompted, awaiting her question. Brook devised a plan in her head while Creek stay silent.
   "Do...do you think you could tell the pack that you needed help collecting fresh herbs, before coldfoot begins? I need to find an excuse to get out for a bit.." She reluctantly waited for a response. She knew Creek could keep a good secret, but she also knew he wasn't so fond of directly lying to his pack, in fear they might question his well-earned loyalty. But she really needed his help, and he was the most trusted wolf in the territory, despite being less experienced than others. Wolves could always count on his word.
   "....O-ok," he warily agreed. Brook was shocked with gratitude. He gave in so easily! But now's not the time to question, the sun will be half way through the sky soon, and I need to leave.
   "Thankyou, Creek. I'm glad you see how much this means to me." She dashed out of the young remedials den and to the narrow opening. However, just as she set her paw to the exit, a very familiar growl stopped her in her tracks.
   "And where are you going?" She turned her head cautiously, shocked at how close Coal stood behind her. His fierce glare tightened every nerve in her lean body. "You wouldn't be going to Starpack, now would you my sweet mate?" His blunt sarcasm caused her eyes avoid his at all cost, knowing one wrong look could give her away.
   "Why I'd never," mimicking a dramatic gasp, she played along. She spoke in an innocent tone, "I was simply headed out to collect herbs for Creek. How could you have so little faith in me, my wonderful love?" Teasing him, she slowly scooted closer to the exit. But he noticed and quickly straightened his expression once more.
   "Don't mock me Brook. Tell the truth." She tried her best to hide the uncertainty in her eyes.
   "I'm not...lying." It's over. I'm busted. I'll never hear the end of it, and poor Sunlight will a feeble wolf forever. Her face tensed. No, I won't give up now. "Huuuh" she let out a hollow sigh. "Ok, you caught me. I'm not actually looking for herbs, I just..." she gazed at the messy earth underneath her paws. "I'm actually going out to meet a friend! She's a lone wolf just outside the territory and we planned to get together by sun up and if I don't leave soon I'll be late and then she'll get sad. She doesn't have many wolves to call friends and I'd feel terrible for letting her down!" Not looking up, she waited for her husband to react. After a few moments of silence she glanced up to see her mate in slight shock with a questioning look on his face. He wasn't expecting that...
   "W-well, is she in Starpack territory?" he hesitantly inquired.
   "Oh no, no of course not. I've decided to trust your decision. I will get over it, and Sunlight has to heal eventually," she lied. Brook found that a pleasant look snuck onto Coals face.
   "Thankyou, Brook. I'm glad that you've come to your senses. Well tell the loner I think she's lucky to have such a loyal friend as you. Your secrets safe with me." Coal turned toward their den, pushed through the entrance, and disappeared into the shaded shrubbery.
   HAHA! Sike! she thought as she pounced through the tunnel exit and up the hill that enclosed the hollow. Now I've just got to get into Starpack region and find this Aqua Marine. I'm sorry for lying Coal, but it's for the best. No more secrets.