Hiking Mountains

Burdens o' Plenty

His grandmother watched the approaching wolves, eyes narrowed in disgust. This was their land, and they weren't about to give it up to this pack. The cold, winter air of day bit at her gray fur, which bristled in anger. She let out an eerie, long howl from deep in her lungs that rung in the air around her. The other five wolves joined in, giving the intruding pack a fair warning. She and her mate howled the loudest, trying to make their pack seem bigger and stronger.

The other, larger pack howled back. They were no fools. They came rushing forward, charging the smaller pack, and targeting the old alpha wolves and one of the subordinates who had fought the pack before, leaving the others to run. 

His grandfather leaped and twisted throughout the snow as he ran, his bones creaking. He shoved his way down the hill, losing his footing along the way, and tumbling down. He recovered and headed for the frozen river, the intruders now on his tail.

Once he reached the river, the wolves tackled him to the ground. His neck was being torn at, and his body was aching with age and horrible new pains. Once their job was done, they headed back to their pack, leaving him for dead. He lay there, barely able to breathe, and in too much pain to continue. Blood was pooling beside his head, and the dark liquid slightly reflected the light. The last thing he saw, was his family running off in the distance.

The pup's grandmother had taken off, barreling into the wolves after her. She fought with all her might, despite being outnumbered. They latched their jaws around her legs, dragging her to the ground. They tore at her stomach, and then stopped, leaving her white fur covered in blood. She gasped for breath, and then she was free.

The intruders had won and left a mark on the family who had escaped with their lives.