The Nekoma Shifters

Chapter One

The pack ran through the forests of Washington. They needed to set up a new territory, and soon. A pack their size wouldn't last long without one. Belladonna, the Alpha, could hear the other wolves through the pack bonds. The Beta, Melodie, was worrying about whether or not they'd have to deal with the leeches in their new home. One of the Omegas, a male named Kaltag, was wondering what kind of prey would be available. And Akino, Melodie's imprint, was worried about any other predators in the forests. As Belladonna slowed to a stop, the wolves behind her followed suit. Alpha, she heard through the mind link, Is this the place? It took Belladonna a moment to place the voice. Walker, one of the more submissive males in the pack. Yes, she replied, Kaltag, Mystica, Nukka, Aniu, Convel, Malakai, find out what there is to hunt here. Melodie, Asil, see if you can learn what types of predators live around here. Duchess, Akino, Aleu, Moonshade, make sure there aren't any leeches in the area. If you find any, do not engage. Report back to me immediately. Kylo, Shei, Lilukalani, Hercules, Niju, Liberty, set up a perimeter and start patrols. Kamik, Shila, Akna, Walker, look for a nearby water source. After a chorus of 'Yes, Alpha' from each wolf, everyone went off to perform their respective tasks. Belladonna began leaving scent markers by rubbing her fur against trees and bushes so that any creature that passed through would know this territory was claimed. The scent markers would also tell Kylo, Shei, Lilukalani, Niju, Hercules, and Liberty how large of an area would have to be patrolled. Despite their ability to shapeshift between human and wolf, the Nekoma pack preferred to remain in wolf form. The fact that they had markings not found in regular wolves and were the size of a small horse made it impossible to blend in, but that was only a problem if they were seen. Besides, if a human did see them and decided to tell someone, who would really believe them? Most people didn't believe in the supernatural, and the ones that did were deemed crazy by the rest of the population. And that's if whoever saw them didn't just assume they had imagined it. As Belladonna was marking another tree, Moonshade returned. Alpha, Alpha!, the young wolf 'spoke' excitedly, We found them! A coven of Cold Ones! They seem to have a permanent residence just outside of town. Duchess, Aleu, and Akino sent me back while they checked to see how large the Cold Ones' territory is. Did I do good, Alpha? Belladonna chuckled. Moonshade was always so eager to please. The young female had shifted and joined the pack not long before they had come here. As a submissive wolf, she was essential to the pack's well-being, since she gave the more dominant wolves someone to protect without them feeling like they had to prove that they're stronger than her. Submissives were often considered the most important members, next to the Alpha, of a pack because of this. Most packs Belladonna had come across had at least one submissive wolf among them. Yes, Moonshade, you did well, the violet-eyed wolf replied. Just then, Akino, Duchess, and Aleu returned. They were out of breath as if they had been running hard. Each bowed their head to Belladonna before approaching. We may have a problem, Alpha. We were establishing the size of the Cold Ones' territory, when we were discovered by an unfamiliar wolf. The wolf chased us from the area, and we had to take a detour in order to avoid leading it back here. It seems the wolf was guarding the vampires' land, Aleu informed Belladonna. This was not good. Another pack in the area meant they might not be able to make this their home. That wasn't what worried the Alpha wolf, though. Why was a shifter guarding a coven of vampires? Something was going on, and it couldn't be good. Shifters and Cold Ones were natural enemies. An alliance between the species could only mean that there was a threat bigger than both of them. Was it worth it to get involved, or should they just move on? This was the first territory they had found that could sustain them for any amount of time, so the likelihood of them finding another suitable place any time soon was slim. Belladonna sighed and finished marking the territory. At that moment, the other members of the pack started to return. The hunting party had brought back a couple grizzly bears for the pack to eat. Melodie and Asil reported that most predators were currently residing in the mountains, no doubt to avoid the vampires and local shifters. Kamik, Walker, Shila, and Akna had found a freshwater spring not far from their new territory. Hercules, Shei, Lilukalani, Niju, Kylo, and Liberty were the last to return, stating that they had found no immediate threat to the pack during patrols. After the pack had eaten, Belladonna told them about the vampires and local pack. Everyone was warned to never let their guard down, and to watch each other's backs. With that said, the pack then laid down to rest, as it had gotten quite late. Tomorrow, Belladonna would try to establish peace with the local pack, and find out why they seem to have allied themselves with the very creatures they were meant to destroy.