Illustration by TheGreyscaleRainbow

The Oozaro Wolf Pack

A noble leader rose before the rest of her pack, and exited her den. She sat at the entrance and looked out at the sun that peeked just over the pine woods. The sound of birds singing their morning song echoed in the trees, as wolves continued to sleep. The morning dew dripped from blades of grass that stretched across the ground below the den, which set upon a low cliff of a large mountain. The wolf’s mate had yet to return from a long trip he’d left for a few days ago. She knew it would take some time for him to make the journey, but she couldn’t help but worry. He insisted on going alone, and she hated being away from him. Still, she had to be strong for her pack. They were all counting on her leadership, and for them she wouldn’t show her concern.


“Good morning Tribal.”


A well respected member of the pack greeted his alpha, standing tall and proud before his leader. He felt privileged to be a member of her pack and have her as his alpha.


“Good morning Snarl, why are you up so early?” Tribal asked in response to the brown calico wolf beside her. She smiled, happy to see he was up early like she was. She relied on him to assist with the pack while her mate was away.


“I was heading out to hunt for the pack. With Loki away, there’s no one to lead the troops, so I thought I would fill in for now.” Snarl explained. He had been a member for quite some time now, so he thought it be best if he helped out where he can. Leadership was one of his strengths, especially since a lot of the young wolves look up to him for guidance.


Tribal sighed and nodded, “Yes, that sounds good. Loki will appreciate everything you do for us during his absence. I too appreciate the help.” Tribal smiled at Snarl with grateful ice blue eyes that shone out from black face markings that covered her white fur.


Snarl nodded and turned to exit, “We will be sure to catch something big, listen for our call.”


“Alright,” Tribal nodded in return, “The Oozaro Pack is counting on you.”
With that, Snarl exited and ran ahead. A large hunting party followed behind him as they ran deep into the woods in search of a meal.


“Help her…”


A whisper in the wind caught Tribal’s ears as she looked over her shoulder trying to find its source.

“Snarl? Is that you?”


“Help her please…”


The voice spoke again, and soon Tribal realized it wasn’t coming from any physical form. A spirit had made contact with her and begged for her assistance. However, he didn’t ask her to help himself.


“Who is she?” Tribal asked in confusion, her ears lowering in concern.


“She’s my daughter, the only one I left behind. She’s too young to be on her own, please help her!”


The spirit’s plea was urgent. It was obvious the one he spoke of was a pup, and Tribal wouldn’t leave any young behind, even if they weren’t her own. Her maternal instincts are far too strong for that.


“Where is she?” Tribal asked, as she stood to her feet. She would leave immediately, there was no telling how long this young pup had been out on her own.


“On the east side of the mountain’s base, my den is located beneath the largest rock.” The spirit explained, his tone grew relieved.


“Might I ask her name? So that she knows I’m not her enemy.”


“Her name is Securus.”


Once she heard the name, Tribal took off. Her sleek body build allowed her to move faster than the others, so she would reach the mountain in no time at all. She bounded through the forest, kicking up loose snow behind her. Her eyes focused on her path as she weaved through the trees and dodged any obstacle.


Once she arrived on the other side of the forest, a foul scent had clouded the air. Tribal lowered her ears, she knew that smell all too well; she’s faced it many times. The odor of decaying flesh. She followed the scent to the den, and found a larger wolf laying at the entrance and a smaller pup between his paws fast asleep.


“The spirit…it was him..” She spoke in a soft whisper looking at the big black male wolf, and staring at his grey markings that covered his face and back. Once she realized who the spirit was, he appeared behind his body.


“Thank you Tribal.” He spoke softly and bowed his head to her.


“May your spirit run free to the stars; she is now safe with me.” Tribal said, and bowed her head in return. Then she gently lifted the small pup by the scruff being careful not to wake her. She padded away with Securus still fast asleep.


When she finally made it home Tribal laid curled up next to the pup in her den, waiting for her to wake. She couldn’t even imagine what the poor thing had been through; finding her father dead. All she knew now was that she was safe, and Tribal would not let anyone or anything harm her.


“Who’s the kid?” A familiar voice asked at the entrance of her den.


“Toxic, good to see you.” Tribal greeted with a smile, turning her head to look at the bright green eyes of the black and grey wolf.


“I believe, she will be our second beta.” The leader explained, looking up at the other.


“After what she’s been through, she has proven to me she’s strong, and loyal.”
Toxic smiled as she entered the den. “She will be a fine beta. I will help train her.”


“That would be wonderful.” Tribal responded then stroked the fur along Securus’ back with her muzzle.


“You’re home now, Securus.”

It had been months since Trick had escaped his fate of death. He ran from the mountain lion the moment it dropped him when it was shot. Now living on his own, he hid in rabbit holes that he stole after eating the occupants. Unfortunately, he now had to figure out a new plan as he’d grown too big to fit into them.


Luckily for Trick, his sister would always drag him out to watch the other wolves hunt. Thanks to this, he’d picked up some maneuvers and was able to track and kill small prey.


“Whatcha doin’ kid?” A red colored wolf called out to him. She was laying on a fallen tree and kneading at the trunk like a cat.


“You can get killed out here on your own, ya know?”


“Why’s it any of your business?” Trick sneered at the female. He growled at her, showing his teeth with ears pressed back against his head.


“Oh you’ve got to be kidding.” The female laughed at the pup. “You think you can take me on in a fight, kiddo? You’re gonna die sooner than I thought if you’re that dumb!” She hopped down from the trunk and stalked up to Trick.

She was obviously bigger than he was, and definitely stronger. Smirking down at the pup, “My name is Blood Claw,” she said, “What should I call you, other than brat?” The wolf swatted at him hard enough that he rolled away and slammed into the base of a tree.


“Unf!” Trick yelped and shook his head as he stood back to his feet. He growled, “The name’s Trick! Remember it so you can tell your friends after I kick your ass!!” He snarled and dashed at her once more, jaws open to bite.


Unfortunately, Blood Claw was much faster than Trick and easily ducked away from him. She bit down on the back of his neck which caused him to release a loud yelp.


Black ears perked at the cry of a young wolf, and Loki’s head raised to alert. He was on his way back from his journey and ran to where the sounds of a gruesome fight were coming.


“Release him now!” He barked and growled at Blood Claw when he caught the sight of a young wolf in her jaws.


Blood Claw knew better than to challenge an alpha of a pack. She would be outnumbered if he were to call for back up, so she added more pressure to the bite just enough to draw more blood, then released Trick and shoved him to the ground.


“I was only playing with him. He’s pathetic! Doesn’t realize to survive in this world he needs a pack.” She rolled her eyes, “He probably ran away like a wuss.”


Loki growled once more at Blood Claw, which was enough to make her finally leave.


Trick shook off his injuries and set his golden eyes upon a black wolf with white face markings. He instinctively bowed his head, lowering his ears in submission.


“H-hello, thank you for helping me…” He spoke in a nervous tone with his tail between his legs.


“What’s your name boy?” Loki asked firmly.


“It’s T-Trick…My name is Trick.” Trick replied.


“Why are you on Oozaro territory? You could have been killed by that wolf or one of my members had I not shown up.”


Trick thought for a moment about what Blood Claw said, and he came up with the perfect answer to Loki’s question. It was obvious with the way Loki presented himself he is the alpha of the Oozaro pack.


“I came to join your pack sir.” Trick replied, and he laid on the ground to show more submission to the alpha.


Loki shook his head, “You’re too small. Now get out of here before my pack finds you.” He stepped over Trick and started to leave.


“But sir!” Trick leaped to his feet and followed after him, “I can be strong! Please let me join! I’m a good fighter just–please!!” He lowered his ears as Loki continued on, completely ignoring him.

Trick watched the leader disappear into the shadows of the pine woods.


As night came, the snow began to fall once more. Trick dug up an old badger set, big enough that he could fit himself into it.


The voices of the wolves he met today rang into his mind.


He’s pathetic! Doesn’t realize to survive in this world he needs a pack!


You could have been killed.


You’re too small.


Tears fell down his muzzle as he closed his eyes.


“I don’t want to be alone anymore.”