Lone Wolf: Eclipse
The Epic of Alpha and Moon
Prologue
The rays of sunset peeked from the clouds, flashing a lucent light. The wind whipped through the air, and the birds spread out their mighty wings, and flew. Flew like they had flown when they were born. Powerfully. The lily pads bobbled across the vivid lake, the ripples surged from stone to stone. “That day, this night, will be more powerful than the rest!” Shay finished. “But Shay,” peeped a voice from the crowd. Shay flipped her mighty head around and stared at the little pup. Streaks of blue and white fur were all around as he spoke. “Are you sure that there will be a tidal wave?” “No,” said Shay. The pups face brightened up. “A tidal wave, followed by an ECLIPSE!” Shay foresees. All the members of the Equinoa tribe howled with her prediction. The howls cornered Alpha, almost mocking him, while he desperately tried to escape. “B-But, it’s not scientific! The pup protested. “Just because the winds are strong and the sun seems to be falling, doesn’t mean there will be a eclipse!” The pup was always an interloper. The runt of the pack. Curiosity killed the cat, the wolves would say but he would answer with “I’m a wolf!” A wolf? A wolf! Yes a wolf! This mellow, calm, disciplined pup! Who was he? As he left the cave, he found himself asking that very question. “They think I’m a lunatic! I know what I’m doing!” The pup protested on the way home to his cave. The pup was unheard... for now. Would he howl?
Chapter 1
5 years later…...
When dawn rose from the dark, the young wolf was surprised to see murky dimness, and mist floating around eerily. As he walked through the damp forest his paws stuck to the dewdrops in the ground. He felt trapped in his own home. He saw light, but it seemed dark. He shivered with fright. The familiar forest was… Then, Shay emerged from the trees. “Shay!” The wolf exclaimed happily surprised. Shay scooted him forward with her paw. “Alpha! Run! We have to go to the nearest cave before…” Alpha heard a ripple behind him. Then he felt droplets fall onto his fur. The thundering noise of waves crashing surrounded him. He ran. He followed Shay into a cave, just as the tidal wave came crashing down the entrance. BOOM. Dust spread throughout the cave as the rocks collapsed, blocking the entrance. “No!” Aster screamed as she pawed the rocks. Shay shook her head. “It’s no use, we’re trapped. How much food do we have?” She questioned. “The seismic sea wave! It happened!” Aster said, panicking. Shay repeated her question, boldly. “How much food do we have?” Her voice shook like strong thunder. Alpha was intimidated. He should have believed Shay. Aster shook her head. “10 pounds.” Shay’s face turned grim. “That’s enough for 3 days, if we ration.” She said. Aster smiled a faint smile. “How are we going to get out?” She asked Shay. Shay ignored the question. Alpha knew they would be in here for more than 3 days, if they had it Shay’s way. When Aster was about to ask again, Shay reluctantly answered. “We could try chipping the rock.” Said Shay. While Shay and Aster worked on chipping the rock with their claws, Alpha went around in the cave to find supplies. “Why don’t you help Alpha?” asked Aster annoyed. “I don’t think chipping the rock will do much. While you chip it the crumbs of the rock are going to build up, and even if you did manage to chip it without creating a new boulder, you would use up all your energy and you would have to eat all the food, just to get back to chipping another rock.” Alpha explained. After Aster heard Alpha’s response, she just turned her head around and continued chipping. Alpha rummaged around Aster’s cave, searching for anything that might be useful. The 3 wolves were waiting for night to arrive so they could have a good rest. Alpha looked out Aster’s window and gasped. Shay walked next to him and nodded. “I told you.” She said. “You wolf pup’s ought to listen to the wise.” Alpha shook his head. “I-I.” he stopped. “Stop rambling and start watching. This only lasts for seven minutes.” Alpha watched the eclipse. Darkness coated the sun, and slowly, the burning rays of the sun overtook it, as the darkness became light. It was beautiful.
Days Of Trials
Day 2
Alpha was focused on getting out. He refused the meat that was being offered to him because, he was a vegetarian. No one knew that about him. He sometimes wished he was a deer instead of a wolf. No one knew that about him either. Sometimes he even wished he could be part of another tribe. No one would know that about him. Alpha placed a wood plank down and used his claws to carve a base. He tied the base to the plank with vines and made sure he could tilt it. “What are you doing Alpha?” Asked Shay. “Making a, lifting plank.” He said. A LIFTING PLANK?” Aster said laughing. Alpha waited for her to stop laughing. Aster got the hint. “Have fun.” She said as she went back to eating her meat. “Shay, Alpha is making a lifting plank.” Aster said bursting into laughter. Alpha normally was a mellow wolf who never got sad, or mad, but this time tears were rolling down his fur and his fur was soaked. “I’m never accepted, never loved. My parents abandoned me.” He whispered. “When will I find a place where I am wanted?” He asked. It was a silly thing to get pensive about, but after these silly things build up, sometimes you have to get a good cry. Wolves would argue that he was loved, because he was taken into the tribe, but Alpha knew there was a difference between being loved and being forced to take care of someone.
Day 3
Alpha had finished his seesaw. All he needed was something heavy, so he could lift up the stones. The only thing heavy enough was, their leftover meat. Alpha had to get it before they ate it today. As Alpha grabbed the meat with his teeth, he tried not to get any into his mouth. He pushed the seesaw under the opening under the rocks, and placed the meat on the other side. “Alpha what are you doing with our food?” Asked Aster angrily. Alpha had to hurry. As Aster lunged toward him, he slammed the plank down with his paw. Aster got entangled in the vines and fell, giving Alpha just enough time to use his machine. CRACK. The plank had broke, but it had also created a narrow pathway between the two rocks. Aster gasped in disbelief. When Shay woke up and saw this, she gasped in delight. “Aster, you did this?” She asked. “Actually…:” Alpha began. “Yeah!” Said Aster. “I used Alpha’s seesaw to break the rocks!” Shay high fived her. “Good work Aster!” She said ignoring Alpha’s squeaks. As the two wolves left the cave, Alpha remained, dejected. He was stupid to ever think he would get recognition. He was used to having this feeling, so he shook his fur and left. As Shay checked on all the wolves in our tribe, Alpha felt the urge to ask her a question. At first he was hesitant. Anyone would be looking at Shay. She was powerful, with her feathered tail and feather earrings, the circular blue marks on her fur. She was special, and respected, all Alpha wanted to be. Maybe he was already those things, but he would never know unless someone told him. “You are never anything until someone tells you that you are something.” Shay had once said at a tribe meeting. Alpha lived by that quote. Shay was something. As Shay was commanding all the wolves, Alpha stepped up onto the rock and nudged her with his nose. Shay stopped speaking and looked at Alpha, miffed. “What do you want Alpha?” She scoffed, bothered. “I was just wondering.” Alpha began. “Yes?” Questioned Shay. “How did you know that there would be a tidal wave? And an Eclipse?” Shay stared at him, wondering whether she should answer. “You are too young to know that Alpha. When you become older, you will still not understand. The power to foresee is why I became the leader of this tribe.” Alpha was disappointed but his face didn’t show it. His face showed anger. Shay didn’t like the expression of anger, and shunned Alpha as she continued to lead the wolves. Alpha stepped down from the stone. He needed a walk. A walk always helped him see straight. The lush trees and beautiful flowers surrounded him, as he had his lucid thoughts. “I wish I could control my actions, my thoughts.” He ranted. “I wish I didn’t have to depend on everyone else to do that for me.” Alpha stopped ranting and listened to his voice echo in the air and he realized, he had just done what he had wished. He shrugged, satisfied and waited for a further sound. When no sound came, Alpha stiffened, as if he was insulted. Alpha looked back at the tribe village. “Maybe I just need some space.” Alpha walked further and further away from the village until he saw an alluring pond, fresh with existence. He found a shady spot in a bramble and curled up his tail.
Chapter 2
He didn’t realize he was inert until he had awoken. He smelled a wolf. He searched around until he saw Shay! She was looking deep into the pond and closing her eyes. Her fiery self seemed to have been soothed. Her mouth moved but it made no sound. She was asking a question! Slowly, the ponds surface disappeared and it was replaced with a new one. Alpha was bewildered as Shay left the setting, unmoved. As soon as Shay had disappeared into the trees, Alpha took a closer look at the pond. He looked into it. “Focus Alpha.” He whispered. “Pond?” He started awkwardly. “What will occur in my future?” He asked. When he looked into the pond, all he saw was himself. “It doesn’t work for me.” He said deceived. Then, another figure appeared in the pond’s surface. Her face was wavy and unclear mirrored in the ponds surface. Alpha blinked and turned around. He saw the face of another young wolf, just as old as he. “If you don’t like your tribe that much, why don’t you come with me?” She asked. Alpha was startled. “H-How did you know that?” He asked. She looked at him mysteriously. “You don’t know how to foresee? It’s truly a shame that everyone knows but you.” She taunted. Alpha’s fur stood out on end. “Stop.” he commanded with gritted teeth. The female wolf shook her white fur, streaked with pink. “Didn’t you know? Your tribe obviously doesn’t want you.” She said. “They do.” Alpha responded in rebuttal. “I think.” He added weakly. The girl wolf laughed. It surprised Alpha how someone could sound so vicious and laugh so pure. “What are you hiding?” Asked Alpha suspiciously. “Nothing.” The female wolf responded. “Why should I trust you? I don’t even know your name!” Alpha enquired. “It’s Moon.” she said. “Now do you trust me?” Alpha shook his head. “Then why did you even say that? You ought to say what you mean. It’s like you're tricking me into getting information.” Moon complained. “Look who’s talking.” Said Alpha. “I will never betray my tribe to join a weird creep’s!” Yelled Alpha. Alpha thought Moon would be insulted and run away in fear. But she kept her stand. “Are you sure you want to make that choice? Haven’t you always wished you were part of another tribe?” She smirked. Moon had gotten the best of Alpha. “I guess I did.” Alpha admitted. “However, you cannot help me.” Alpha turned away, and felt Moon’s gaze burn into his fur. He heard a few pawsteps and the noise faded into the distance. Alpha couldn’t control his curiosity anymore. He turned back around and saw that Moon had gone. He wondered why he felt disappointed. Maybe it was because he had gotten a chance to a new life, but threw it away.
Chapter 3
Alpha was busy scuffling through the ground for acorns to snack on while the rest of his tribe ate cooked meat. He wrinkled his nose at the repulsive scent. Why was he so different? He whipped his head around when he heard a few pawsteps, light, and barely touching the ground. Then, at his feet he saw a pile of berries, and nuts. “No way!’ Alpha said happily. Sniffing it, he realized that it also smelled of something sweet. “Honey? That’s odd?” then he looked up and saw a dozen bees flying at him. Now that wasn’t sweet.
Alpha was busy licking the stings the bees had given him when he heard laughing. A streak of white fur flashed past him and he stood up, instinctively. “Moon?” he asked. Moon appeared in front of him laughing uncontrollably. “That was hilarious!” she said. “You did that?” Alpha said angrily. Moon wiped the tears from her eyes. “Yup. Funny huh?” Alpha growled and tackled her. Moon gave a yowl of surprise as Alpha held her down. “Stop it! Just leave okay? I don’t need you making my life more miserable than it already is!’ Alpha released her and ran into the forest. He felt the intensity of her gaze yet again burn into him and he ran even faster. He did not stop until he was sure she was gone.
Another chance. Wasted.
“What have you got there?” Shay asked. “Acorns.” Alpha mumbled, his mouth full. Shay snorted. “Acorns? You think ACORNS will feed us?” Alpha dropped the acorns to the ground. “Well they fed me!” He shot back. Shay turned her back to him. “Well if that’s what you bring that’s what you get.” Shay turned around. “Oh, and Alpha, if I see you bringing anything else that’s not fresh meat to camp again, I can’t guarantee you’ll be fed.” Alpha turned around and began to walk away but then stopped from a command from Shay. “UNDERSTOOD?” she said. “Yeah whatever.” he said. Shay gave a low growl and walked away. Alpha ran to the dirt hole he usually slept in, his mind whirling with thoughts. What do I do? I’m vegetarian! I can’t eat meat, much less kill for it! Alpha stood up and shook his fur. Shay didn’t say he couldn’t bring anything else but meat. She just said he couldn’t eat if didn’t bring meat. “I just won’t eat.” Alpha groaned. “Great. Lucky me.”
Chapter 4
Alpha’s stubborn refusal not to eat was what strengthened him. At least, that was what Alpha chose to believe. By giving up eating, he had also not given in to Shay’s threats. That’ll show her. Alpha gave a satisfied grunt. He couldn’t say it was hard for him to stop eating. After all, Alpha was used to the diet of a deer, not a wolf, it wasn’t like he ate much anyway. Additionally, unlike Shay thought, his tribe bringing in paw fuls of meat didn’t make him hungry, in fact, it made him disgusted, and ruined his appetite. Alpha rested his paws on his chin and gave a low yawn. He slowly closed his eyes and everything was black. Apart from the light of the moon of course.
Shay impatiently whipped her head around as someone entered her den. “What is it this time? Don’t tell me something went wrong again!” The wolf opened her mouth to speak, but Shay continued to complain. “Then again, what can I expect out of this tribe of idiots! Honestly, sometimes wolves act like a bunch of cubs!” Shay stalked out of her den. “Wait!” the visitor called. “It’s about Alpha.” Shay turned around, suddenly feeling a pang of concern. “What is it?” she called tentatively. “He is coping well with not eating.” Accalia said. “What’s the problem with that?” Shay asked. “I thought you wanted him to suf-” Shay growled and Accalia yelped and left the den. After Accalia had left, Shay settled down in her den and curled her tail over her paws. It’s so hard running this tribe.
Chapter 5
Alpha opened his eyes warily, and realized that darkness still loomed above him. It’s still nighttime. Cautiously, he stood up, making sure no one was near, he crept out of the thorn branches that protected his tribe’s caves from harm. As his gray fur snagged on the vines, he winced, not because of the pain, but because he knew that someone would find his fur and know he had gone. It doesn’t matter. He said to himself. I’ll be long gone before then. After he was a safe distance away, he began to run, indifferent to the sounds the twigs cracking made and the sounds of the leaves blowing off the ground. He narrowed his eyes against the strong wind blowing against him, and sighed. This is for the best. He reminded himself. After a while, Alpha realized he could travel no longer, and took shelter in an abandoned cottage that was in the woods. As fog began to float inside Alpha’s shelter, he suddenly felt lonely. To shake of the eery feeling, he took a few paces off from his shelter. Just as he was beginning to relax, he heard the noise of a branch being bent down. Alarmed, Alpha jumped up. He struggled to see who his pursuer was against the mist. With no warning, a tuft of white fur leaped on him from behind. As he looked into his attackers haunted blue eyes, he realized it was Moon. He was about to force his way up, but Moon pushed him deeper into the mud that was coating his fur. “Hey-” Alpha’s protest was cut off as Moon adjusted herself in the mud as well. “What are you doing?” Alpha whispered sharply. “Just keep your mouth shut for a while, will you?” Moon whispered back, with an edge to her tone. As Alpha continued lying in the mud, feeling awkward as it soaked into his pelt, he heard a low growl from the misty shadows. Alpha felt Moon stiffen beside him. Black Bear. Alpha pushed his muzzle deeper into the mud. Moon pushed us in here to keep us hidden. The bear padded closer to him, and Alpha felt it’s soft nose push into his mud sodden fur.
Alpha closed his eyes, in an attempt to hide his fear. He breathed a sigh of relief as the bear grunted and heaved its body away from the mud. It lumbered back through the woods, and Alpa felt Moon get up from the mud. Moon wordlessly began to lick the mud off her fur, and payed no attention to Alpha’s stunned face, as he recalled the events that had transpired just moments ago. “Um” Alpha began. “Th-Thanks for that.” He shuffled his paws in embarrassment. Moon turned around. “That’s alright.” Then she became more amused as she went on. “Wow that bear would have eaten you if it wasn’t for me.” Alpha felt stung. “Hey!” he started. “It would have eaten both of us. If I’m correct, I realize that you were running away from the bear too.” Moon shrugged. “True.” Then she dove back into the bushes, without rustling a single leaf.
Chapter 6
Alpha stared at the gap in the bushes where Moon’s tail had disappeared. He blinked a couple of times, then sniffed the air to make sure the bear wasn’t still around. After he knew that the coast was clear, he began to clean the mud off his fur, and started looking for a stream to rinse his paws in, and to get a drink. He was exhausted. After he was done, he sat down by the stream and flicked his tail from side to side. What Now? Dull with boredom, he began to flick pebbles into the stream with his tail, and they caused ripples across the lake. Alpha smiled when a lilypad bobbed over to him as a result of the ripples he had cause. He nudged it back into the water with his nose. “What are you doing?” Alpha jumped, and fluffed out his fur defensively at the sound of the noise. He then realized it was another wolf. He titled his ears towards the noise. “You should be hunting squirrels, not thorns!” Aster. It seemed like wolves from his tribe were out hunting. He crouched down low, hoping they wouldn’t pick up his scent. As soon as they were gone, Alpha quietly padded away, towards the foot of the mountains that roamed in the distance.
As the moon began to rise in the air, Alpha grew tired from walking.
This will not do. I cannot keep running away forever. And Alpha realized something that he did not want to. He needed help. With a sigh, he realized something else. He had to choose, back to the tribe, or forever a lone wolf, and he had to live with his choice forever.
Alpha began to roam the forest, searching for Moon, and seeking her help. He had barely begun when he heard a noise. “Who’s there?” He asked. “Were you looking for me?” A soft but sharp voice asked. Moon padded out from the bushes with an expectant look on her face. “How did you-” Moon silenced him with a glare. “Why did you want me?” Alpha stopped stammering. “How do you live alone?” For a moment, a sad look seemed to cloud Moon’s gaze, but it was only there for a brief second. “I learn.” She answered curtly. “Can you help me?” Alpha pushed. “Help in what?” Alpha closed his eyes in frustration that communicating with Moon was so hard. “Help me build a shelter?” He answered calmly. “A shelter?” Moon murmured. “You do have a shelter, right?” Alpha persisted, trying to keep patience. Why does everything she say have to be so cryptic? Then he remembered that he never got to ask how she found him. “How did you find me?” Alpha demanded. “How did you know I was looking for you?” Moon's gaze wavered, and she spoke smoothly. “One question at a time.” she responded. “Which question of yours holds more value?” Alpha thought, and didn’t like the answer.
Alpha dragged a small wooden log, and dropped them at the foot of Moons paws. Out of breath, he asked “Are you sure I need all these to make a proper shelter?” and he gestured toward a small pile of logs, that he had all gathered himself of course. Moon insisted that you must live in what you worked for. Alpha still had no idea why he had agreed to this reasoning. It seemed right when he heard it. Moon nodded shortly. “Of course! Are you going to live in a den with no roof?” Alpha gave a inaudible complaint that he thought Moon couldn’t hear, but he saw her prick her ears though she didn’t say anything. Who is this wolf that I have entrusted my survival to? Alpha pushed the thought away, just in case she could read minds too.
Chapter 7
After almost a week, Alpha could admit, he had started to get used to having Moon around, even if she was a bit controlling. Who am I kidding? She might as well be the Alpha! Alpha could also tell that she had gotten used to having him around too. Finally, Alpha couldn’t deny how impressed he was with his new home. Made with logs, and tied with ivy, it blended in with the trees and had plenty of space. There was a fresh pond of water right outside, and the trees and bushes were blooming with fruits. “It’s perfect.” he said to no one in particular. However, Moon, as always, assumed the statement was being addressed to her and acutely came up with a validate response. “I know.” Alpha made himself stop rolling his eyes. Turning around, Alpha faced Moon. “Thank you.” he said genuinely. “A lot.” Moon’s sharp tone temporarily faded into an understanding one. “You’re welcome.” Alpha looked up into the sunset, and the sun beginning to sink into an ocean of lavender in the distance. “I guess you should be going huh?” Moon turned away. “I guess so.” “It was nice to meet you.” Alpha said. For a brief second, he made a slight turn, to where the ocean had changed molten, and when he glanced back, Moon was gone. “I can’t say I expected less.” Alpha said to himself.