Forest's Journey

“We’ll stay and look after and fight for your pups for three months whether you’re chosen or not. If The Pack of the Sun led us here, it must be for a reason. If you aren’t chosen, it probably means they want us to take care of your family. If that is the case, they probably have some other important destiny for you that they will reveal in time.” assured Forest.

“Thank you so much. We owe you everything.” said Flower.

“Don’t mention it.” replied Grass.

“It’s getting late. Anybody up for a hunting patrol?” asked Forest.

Forest, Leaf, Grass, Rye and Thorn volunteered to hunt with him while the others stayed behind to look after the pups. Forest led the group naturally, and for the first time he felt what it was really like to be a leader. He coordinated the hunt almost perfectly, and they even managed to catch a rabbit and a bird in the park without startling many humans.They carried their prey back to their camp once they’d caught enough.

“We had very good hunting today.” Forest commented as he set the prey down.

“Yes, indeed. Everyone’s going to have enough. Normally we won’t, because usually it’s just either me or Thorn hunting and we never get enough.” said Flower, her eyes glowing with joy.

The group shared the prey happily and chatted. It was the first time in days any of them had felt so relaxed. After night fell and the wolves got ready to sleep, Forest told Flower, Thorn and Violet that they may be visited by the Packs of Sun and Moon in their sleep. Forest hoped Flower and her littermates were chosen because they seemed like kind and friendly wolves, wolves that Forest would want to become the Alphas of the new packs.

“Welcome to the hunting grounds of The Pack of the Sun and The Pack of the Moon. I want to first welcome Flower, Thorn and Violet into the huge community of pack wolves. Their many brave actions have proved themselves worthy to be pack wolves, and soon pack Alphas.” announced Beech.

“Thank you. I’m honoured to be welcomed back as a pack wolf. I’ll try my best to serve my future pack.” replied Thorn.

“And I’ll try my best to serve and my future pack,” promised Flower and Violet.

Forest smiled as he saw the 5 tiny pups sleeping soundly at Violet’s paws. It was reassuring to know that they had been welcomed too.

“Wolves, do you see the light leading to Forest’s paws? In the waking world, only Forest can see this light. This light will guide you to the new territories. Always follow and believe Forest. He is always under our guidance.” informed Beech

“Yes, of course.” agreed Flower, Violet and Thorn.

“While you’re all here, I should tell you the names of the wolves who are to become an Alpha in the new territory.” decided Beech.

Everyone’s ears perked up with in

“Forest, Bush, Leaf, Grass and Flower will be the Alphas. The others can choose to live in whichever pack they like.” announced Beech.

The wolves nodded, rather pleased with Beech’s choice. The world around them swirled with darkness as they were brought back to the waking world.

“The Pack of the Sun and the Pack of the Moon visited us during the night!” Thorn said excitedly the next morning.

“Yes, you’ve all been chosen. Congratulations. After three months, we can get going and travel to our new territories.” said Forest.

“But we’ll all have to split up once we get there.” Flower groaned.

“We can always remain friends and hang out occasionally.” assured Forest.

“Excuse my asking, but what is your backstory, Bush, Leaf, Grass and Rye?” Thorn asked curiously.

“I was raised up like a normal rogue, being taught to hunt and fight when I was 6 moons old and being driven from my home when I was 12 moons old. I had lived alone for 3 moons before I met Forest.” answered Bush.

“I was three moons old when my mother abandoned my littermates and I. I don’t know what happened to her, whether she was killed, captured or if she had just abandoned us. It was cold that day, and my littermates all died of hypothermia. I was on the verge of death when a kind, old she-wolf picked me up, warmed me, and fed me some fresh prey. Unfortunately, she couldn’t look after me for long as she was frail and old herself, so she left me near an animal shelter just two weeks later. I refused to be adopted and pampered by humans, so I went back to the alleys and found Grass and Rye. It looked like their mother had also abandoned them and their other littermate had also died of hypothermia. It happens a lot more than you’d expect on human streets. I took them in and took care of them. Fortunately, the old she-wolf had taught me how to hunt in case I needed it. I never hunted enough, but at least we had something to eat. We had been living together for 10 moons before we met Forest.” replied Leaf.

Forest nodded with admiration. He always thought his childhood was tough, being the Omegas’ sons and all. But it looked like the life of a wolf born in a human town was much, much harder.

One moon after Flower and her littermates met Forest, Violet’s pups were beginning to learn how to speak. It was time to name them.

“I have decided I want my pups to connect us all when we go to the new territories. We mustn’t forget the friendship we have shared.” decided Violet.

“So what have you decided to name them?” asked Flower.

“I’m not going to. Forest, Bush, Leaf and Grass is.” replied Violet.

“What do you mean?” asked Forest.

“Each of the five packs is going to raise a pup and the Alpha of that pack is going to adopt and name him.” answered Violet.

The wolves were shocked and confused. Leaf spoke up first.

“I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that we’d all be honoured and delighted to raise your pups, but you can’t possibly do that. Connecting the pack is not worth separating pups from their mother and each other.” said Leaf.

“When we get to the new territories, we’re going to be so busy setting up the new pack that I’m not going to have any time to take care of five pups. It’ll be extremely difficult to bring the five pups along with us when we’re out recruiting wolves. But if each pack takes one, it’ll be easier to take care of them. Each pup will also get more attention and care. Loneliness will be an issue, yes, but the pups’ overall well-being is an even bigger issue.” argued Violet.

“But you’re going to miss your pups a lot!” Grass exclaimed.

“I am, but I’m also content with the fact that it’ll be you who are raising the pups. You’re all going to be such great influences for them and I trust that they’ll grow up to be noble wolves.” said Violet.

“Thank you Violet. We’ll treat the pup we adopt like our own.” promised Bush.

Forest picked the thoughtful pup, Bush picked the strong pup, Leaf picked the caring pup and Grass picked the adventurous pup.

“What should we name them?” Grass asked.

“Dunno, but it should be something connected, so that they’ll always remember that they’re littermates.” replied Forest.

“How about the 5 elements? Wood, Fire, Earth, Water and Metal?” suggested Bush.

“That’s a good idea, but I was thinking of something more direct and obvious.” said Leaf.

“Like?” questioned Bush.

“We name the pups after ourselves, but put ‘son’ after it. So Forestson, Bushson, Leafson, Grasson and Violetson.” suggested Leaf.

After some consideration, all the wolves agreed it was a good idea. Violetson’s name was changed to Flowerson, so as to match his littermates’