Once the sense of shock wore from his body, Cutie Pie found himself scrambling towards where his alpha would be. It was mid-day, so he would either be in the den with Dusk and the pups, or out on patrol. The coon hoped for the first, as he wasn’t sure if he could find the alpha in a timely manner if her were on patrol.
When he stopped at the large den opening, he peeked inside. Some wolves were slumbering inside, including a few of Two Tone’s pups. But, the alpha himself was no where to be seen. Cutie Pie frowned, shaking his head.
A dark colored hare scampered by quickly, followed by the multi-colored wolf scout. Oh, Two Tone’s adopted kid. Surely he knew where Two Tone was?
“Yo, Clay Fox.” The male paused, although his familiar companion did not. “Seen Two Tone?”
Clay’s head tilted. “Nah, he’s been taking the pups for some exploring things. I don’t know, I stopped following him much to see.” Clay had his own troubles he had to keep an eye out. It was true when they said an apple didn’t fall far from the tree, and he had his own paws full with his daughter Hawkeye. She she-wolf had grown from a chubby pup to a lanky adolescent, keeping her father always on his toes with her actions. Luckily for Clay, she didn’t mimic everything her father did. She remained a hunter in rank. If she would have chosen scout like him, he was pretty sure she’d be long gone from the pack itself.
“Check by the water hole. He might be teaching Melodi about fishing. Now, where did that rabbit go…Northhhh?” Clay’s multi-colored eyes glanced around for the dark rabbit. He grumbled, “Later coon,” before picking up his previous path, following the hare.
The water hole. Cutie Pie nodded, watching Clay trot off. Perhaps he would get lucky with the small tip.
It didn’t take the coon long to arrive at the water hole, and sure enough, there the large alpha was, his head dunked in the icey water, as bubble floated up. The small, split colored female sat next to him, oooing, and awing, and occasionally giggling, watching her father’s head dip below the surface. When he emerged, a slow flopping fish dangled from his jowls.
“An’ dis is ‘ishin.” Two Tone said with his mouth full, dropping the slimy creature on the shore. “While we don’t fish too much, it is a meal we can always try to get, if our herd rations dip to low.” The alpha explained to his daughter, as she rose to her feet and sniffed the fish. She squealed with the prey flopped lazily, lightly splashing the water as it tempted to get back to its frozen depths.
Melodi back pedaled, hiding behind her father’s leg as her wide eyes stared. “Gross, it’s slippery!” She stated, her head peeking from behind his large paw.
Cutie Pie watched the scene, before coughing slightly to get Two Tone’s attention.
The alpha glanced up, spotting his friend. “Come to join us for a little bit of fishing, Pie?” The male smirked, knowing all too well that his raccoon friend would be less likely to dive into the water to get a meal.
“Hah hah hah.” The chestnut coon started, sarcastically. “I’ll stick to forging for berries up here thank you very much.” He rubbed his paws on his thighs, before glancing back at Two Tone. “A white she-wolf requested you to meet her at the mid-peak ledge.” The raccoon said quietly.
“A she-wolf? Who was it?”
Cutie Pie shrugged. “She gave no names, but she knew yours somehow…And…I don’t think she is someone you should keep waiting Two Tone. Something seemed…off about her…” The raccoon all but whispered.
The alpha found his ears flickering on his head, contemplating. A lone sigh escaped his maw, as the fish was pushed back to its home. He stood up, nudging Melodi towards Cutie Pie. “Take her home. I’ll go see what this she-wolf wants.” Two Tone said with a frown.
“Can’t I come toooo?” Melodi asked, large puppy dog eyes following.
“Not today. Next time. Take her home Pie.” Two Tone said, shifting his scarf with his paws as he headed towards the peak.
[714 words]
