New Moon Forest

As moon pawed her way through New Moon Forest , the intruder's words penetrated her mind and played over and over. Who sent them? Was it a wolf? Maybe an intruder like the lion maybe? Moon was slightly moved by those words which made her uneasy. She looked to her mate for consultation and reassurance. "Shade I don't think this is something that can go unanswered. Did you recognize him or the scent? What do we do now? We have no defenses and having pups with a threat like that is not something on my agenda."

Shade had been thinking about ideas to fortify the territory but with just two wolves, how would any of that work? When Moon spoke up, he turned an ear to her as they walked through the forest. "I didn't know who he was. For the time being we must look for a place to seek refuge until the threats have passed." At the mention of pups he felt himself blushing. "We will get there." He chuckled, licking her nose.

Moon smiled as she too found herself blushing slightly. In her heart she knew she would make a great mother, caring for the future of the pack. Her mind settle to return her focus back to the danger they faced not long ago. "An outsider....what now? Should we visit one of the other residents to investigate?" The alphas had made a truce with some of the other predators and prey and moon thought maybe, just maybe they might have seen or heard of such danger in the area.

Shaded nodded to her statements. "After we seek refuge, we may consult the neighboring pack of the North." He said, pausing at a hilltop somewhere in the forest. He figured they should look for a hiding place. For a brief moment he thought that it would be best to find it first...the pups, when they had them, would have a safe place to remain.

Moon nodded her approval and began scenting the area while looking for a place to seek refuge. Moonacre's mind raced with endless questions....Did they still have allies to depend on? What if the neighboring pack was no longer their ally? Moon shook her pelt trying to defuse the thought of being betrayed by an ally. For now at least, all she could do was wait and see.

As they began to search for a reasonable retreat for any invasions, Shade heard a twig snap before he saw a brown and white wolf spear out of the trees. "Kanu..." He said. The Male nodded and paused before Shade. "Moon and Shade...I still joke about the two of you being the irony of yin and yang." Kanu had kept his head low in respect to being in another territory despite being Alpha of the Northern pack.

Moon's ears fell slightly back as she didn't expect the surprise appearance of a very acquainted ally to appear out of the brush. She straightened herself to a friendly but dominant posture. "Nice to see you too Kanu. How are things in the north? Have you seen any suspicious activity, have you?"

Shade and Kanu exchanged looks before Moon spoke up. Kanu smiled at her. "Yes, things have been quite peaceful in the North but..." shade looked at him seriously. "What happened?" He asked. Kanu fell silent. Shade shuffled his paws, seeing that the Male was having some trouble speaking. "Let's find a safer place to talk." Shade suggested after a moment. He glanced at Moon for confirmation to let Kanu join them in their search for a place of refuge from the enemy.

Moon thought for a moment, considering the circumstances. She had only known Kanu for a year, but Shade seemed to have faith in his friend and she trusted Shade with her life. "Very well, come with us. We should speak on private grounds." The she wolf rose to her paws as she padded forward beckoning the others to follow her.

While the trio headed for the sanctuary that provided much better protection from foreigners, not far up the trail was Murrok, a rogue, black wolf who stayed purposely low to the ground since he picked up their very unfamiliar scent a little while ago. His coat blended very well with the dark soil except for the yellow orbs that glistened a little from the low light. What is this smell? he asked himself in his mind.

Shade and Kenu followed with a nod as Moon led on the search. After a few minutes, Shade discovered a path leading down into a ravine. "Look!" He exclaimed. "Seems there is a path here."

Moon stood silent for a moment as she stared down into the ravine. She spoke in question of her mate's finding as she was unsure of the location being suitable for her tastes. "Here? Are you sure this is a good idea? Maybe something with more foliage", She suggested though she knew the entire group would have a say in a sensitive matter like this. Whatever the decision she would submit to it otherwise. Not all her thoughts were sorted clearly and this was one of those things.

Murrok's eyes continued to stare at the three as they passed him by. He remained completely low and quiet. Three wolves way out here he questioned himself. What could possibly be interesting? Curiously, he watched.

Shade smiled at Moon reassuringly. "We should check it all out and if it doesn't work, we can come back up, okay?" He hadn't caught wind of the stranger nearby. Kanu took the lead down the path and shade waited for moon to go first so he could bring up the rear.

Moon nodded with a thankful smile. She nuzzled him before following Kanu into the ravine. Moon had the feeling something may be watching but she kept the thought to herself for now.

Soon enough a light breeze blew by Murrok, picking up his scent and carrying it through the air. Since the male could feel it as his fur danced a little, he rose up off the dirt and checked his surroundings.

As shade descended into the Ravine as the caboose, his fur ruffled in the wind and his nose cause a scent it seemed he glanced over his shoulder with a light growl. His tail flicked high and his guard went up. Someone is near...

Murrok simply decided to lay low and kept his ears up and alert. He wasn’t about to be encountered by an unknown source.

Moon had made it half way down the ravine path and turned to know her mate seemed hesitant. She caught his slightly uneasy expression. Did he sense the presence of something near also? Moon kept it to herself for now unless shade saw otherwise. Still, She expression concern to see if he was alright. "Shade, you alright?"

Shade looked back at the others. Kanu was a good distance ahead already but had paused to wait for them. "Everything is fine." He replied, not wanting to worry the she wolf. "Let's keep going." When they would come back this way, should they need to, Shade would explore the scent.

To The Secret Passage