Fallen Wolves #1: Dark Stars, Katie Radgowski [classic books for 12 year olds .txt] 📗

jump over it. "You'll love this place, Fang. It's lovely and peaceful. Plus, plenty of fun!" 

 "I bet!" Fang boasted as he walked close to his Carer. Fang always wanted to think of her a his kind, gentle mother but he couldn't. Something in his mind refused to carry it to his brain. Or memory box. 

 Snowflake stopped walking after some moments. They stopped near a sandy beached pond. The water was washed silver by the moonlight, rippling as the lilypads floated lazily around. A frog croaked nearby, as a long white rivered waterfall fell into the pond from above a cobblestone cliff. Sprays of water hit Fang gently as his paws sunk softly into the wet sand. The moon was directly above the pond. It was lovely and a peaceful sight. Fang loved it already.

 "My Carer took me here when I was a Pup." Snowflake exclaimed as she sat down and gazed longingly over the pond's view. "We played in the water, counted the stars in the sky and built sand dens. We also catched frogs and skipped stones across the water. The fun we had was not enough." A ting of sadness drove her voice.

 Snowflake's Carer died a month later after Snowflake became a Carer. Her Carer was old and got sick. She died shortly after she got badly ill. 

 "Want to go play in the water?" Fang asked, hopeful enough to cheer her up. Fang wanted his Carer to be happy, joyful for once. 

 "Sure." Snowflake smiled, a misted in her long past memories. 

 Fang raced off the shore and into the pond. His teeth chattered as the water soaked into his fur and touched his skin. It was extremely cold! How could anyone, such as a frog, like this kind of water? 

 "I-It's f-freezig-g!" Fang gasped as he climbed out of the pond, fur drenched and eyes wide. "How c-can you s-swim in t-that? 

 "Easy." Snowflake responded. She suddenly launched herself into the water. Fang blinked his eyes to make sure he saw what she done. 

 Well, not EXACTLY in the water. 

 Snowflake landed on a smooth, gray stepping stone in the water. It was barley visible, but it was there. She jumped to the far other side of the pond, near the waterfall. She barked to Fang. "Come on over here! It's warm!" 

 Fang followed her. He slid into the water where the waterfall was. It was warm, drenching the coldness from his skin. He pawed a lilypad away as he swam over. 

 "This is epic!" Fang announced. "I never felt this much fun in my life!" 

 Suddenly, Fang felt something slimy and cold on his muzzle. He heard a croak and a amused chirp from Snowflake. EW! It was a toad!

 "Ah!" Fang screeched as he tumbled back. The toad let out a deep croak as it jumped into the water with a plop sound. 

 Fang's head emerged from the surface. Snowflake was laughing as she barked. "Toad fight! Just pick a toad up with your paw and throw it. Come on, Fang, it's fun." 

 Fang snorted as he saw a slimy green toad on a lilypad. Grabbing it quickly, he threw it forward and it hit Snowflake's head. Fang howled in amusement as Snowflake shook the toad off, laughing too. 

Snowflake and Fang had a toad war for the next twenty breezes. Snowflake won, knocking Fang with two more hits. But both wolves admitted it, it was pretty fun. 

 ... 

 Snowflake and Fang rested on the shoreline. The whole next hour, they built sand dens, swam, told jokes and jumped into the water from the waterfall line. Now, the two rested, looking at the bright, gleaming stars. 

 "You know," Snowflake began, "I've never had this much fun untill my Carer passed. See, Fang, you have good in you. You just gotta show it, from fun or pain!" 

 Fang giggled as she nipped his ear playfully. "Yeah. Snowflake, I hope you live forever. So you can see me get my Pure name and stuff." 

 Snowflake's eyes were dull as she replied. "Me too, sweetie. Remember, wolves can't live forever. Nor can any creature. Only Sky Lupus, the great wolf Spirit, can." 

 "I know." Fang muttered. 

 Fang looked up at the sky. The stars were twinkling, some bigger then others. He swore he saw a starry wolf, running through the sky, howling with others. 

 Spirits. I'll be up there some day, with Dad and Snowflake. Endless prey and sunlight, it'll be perfect. Fang thought. 

 "Come on." Snowflake murmured in his ear as she got up and stretched. "Time we should be heading back. The rest of the Pack should be back by now." 

 Fang got up and stretched his hindlegs. His scars on his belly stung a bit, but he didn't care. Pain didn't kill fun. 

Fang followed Snowflake into the forest. The pool rippled one last time behind them before it stopped. 

 For now, at least. 

 

 

 

Chapter 7: The Graduation

Fang felt excited as he let Snowflake smooth down his fur. He was gonna be a Trainee! Moon Leader announced it yesterday night, and Fang couldn't wait to see what he will be! Misty was excited too, with Twig and Feather. Flint wasn't going to have his ceremony today, since of his injuried hindpaw. Fang was glad, too, so the blackie didn't show off his rank at the clearing. 

"I'm so proud of you." Snowflake murmured as she licked Fang's forehead. "Make me proud. Best behaviour?"

"You got it!" Fang yelped. "I won't let you down, mum!" Great. The mum word. Here we go again. How long will I say that?  

 Fang padded out of the tunnel and into the hollow, Snowflake closely behind. All the Pack was there! Carers, Hunters, Defenders, the Healer and everyone! He saw the Pups in the front, waiting for Moon Leader to come down and salute what their rank was, chosen from Spirits. He padded forward, sitting beside Misty. 

 "This is awesome!" Misty was shaking. "I can't wait!" 

 "Me too!" Feather agreed from beside her. "It's just too epic to think about!" 

 "I don't care what rank I get." Twig suggested calmly. "I just hope it's a good rank to get the Pack more of what it needs." 

 "I want to be a Defender." Fang barked excitedly. "Just think about it!" 

 Moon Leader then padded down the ivy covered rock that led to the uphill of the hollow, where the leader's den and General's den was. It also led to Star Gulley Creek. 

All the wolves went silent. Fang puffed out his chest, licking down some fluffed up fur. He needed to look his best. 

Moon Leader stopped in front of Twig. Her pelt was sticking out, with dull eyes and a strange, reeking scent coming from her. Fang wanted to wrinkle his nose but he forced himself not too. He might not get ranked. 

"Twig, I have spoken with Lupus." Moon Leader began in a strong, deep voice. "He said he wants your rank to be a Defender. You have wisdom, strength and bravery. All is needed for that rank. Join your new Soulmates." A Soulmate(s) is a wolf who is in your rank. 

 Twig brightened as he got up and dipped his head. Feather gave his shoulder a swift nudge. He blinked a "thanks" at her before he padded to the other Defenders. Storm, the Head Defender, trained the Trainees. Soon, more will join. 

 Moon Leader came in front of Feather. Feather seemed nervous, trembling slightly. 

 "Feather, I have spoken with Lupus." The wolf Leader repeated. "He values you to train as a Hunter. You have swiftness, a force of speed, and an agile body. Go join your Soulmates." 

 Feather got up and accepted Misty's and I's cheerful looks. She bounced over to the Hunters, where the Lead Hunter, Wind, gave her a lick of welcome. 

 "Misty, I have spoken with Lupus." Moon Leader went on. "He said for you to be a Hunter. You have sharpness to eye, speed and alertness. Join your Soulmates." 

 Fang licked her shoulder before she joined Feather and the Hunters. 

 Fang's heart almost stopped as Moon Leader stepped in front of him. Her blue eyes glazed as she began. "You are to be a Hunter. Lupus believes in your speed, quick brain and strength. Go join your Soulmates." 

 WHAT? A HUNTER? 

 This couldn't be happening! He needed to be a Defender! But Moon Leader moved on to the next Pup and Fang dragged his paws to the Hunters. 

 "Yay! We're together!" Misty exclaimed as she licked Fang's nose. Fang nodded cheerfully as Feather's tongue lolled out. 

 Fang didn't want to be a stupid Hunter. He wanted to be with Twig!  

Soon, the wolves cleared as the ceramony ended. Snowflake burst over, with Fang's friends Carers too. Snowflake licked Fang's cheek sweetly. 

 "Good job, Fang! A Hunter! Lupus chose well, as always. You'll make a great hunter, I know you will." Fang got quite annoyed at Snowflake's boasting. 

 "But I don't want to be a Hunter!" Fang complained. 

 "Don't worry, it'll be fun." Snowflake reassured him with a nuzzle. "I wanted to be one, but chose the other rank. You'll do great!" 

 Fang sighed. Didn't she understand? She wanted to be a Carer. I DON'T want to be a Hunter. It's totally different in concepts! 

 Misty and Feather were led off by Wind. Another multi-colored female wolf Trainee, Maple, followed them quietly. Snowflake whispered in his ear. 

 "Go with them. Make friends with new wolves. And have fun." 

 Fang pressed his cheek onto hers as he bounded after them, his paws itching to run after Storm. 

 

 

 

Chapter 8: Stampede!

Fang was surprised on how big the territory was as he padded shoulder by shoulder next to Misty. The tall, endless trees and curling vines seemed big, but what about the streams and huge boulders? Amazing! 

 Wind led them to the end of the forest territory, where it met the valley. Wind was small and swift but nice and funny. Fang liked him as a mentor, but still had the heavy pull for the heart of defending the hollow with Twig. The irony! 

 The valley seemed endless. It had short, green grass and a few green shrubs here and there. It was flat, but there was some steep hills around the area. Fang even saw brown specks in the distance, where he made out the grazing elk. 

 "Okay." Wind instructed as they stopped at the valley's border. "There are rules you must understand about valley hunting. First, when hunting, make sure it's bright and sunny outside. Weak, poor weather is dangerous, with lightning and pouring rain. Second, make sure you hunt elk with more then one partner. A group leads to less injuries and greater success. Third, mainly, make sure you know the hunting rights before chasing moose. Moose are big, deadly creatures." 

 Fang and the Trainees promised. Of