Fang

The morning dawned clear and I was up before the first rays hit our den’s entrance. Hunting with LongFang was always a pleasure and even though I had never been on a hunt for knowledge I was excited to my core. In anticipation I kept running to the mouth of the den to be there the moment LongFang opened his eyes. When he finally did and started with his normal morning routine I nearly begged him to hurry but was able to bite my tongue.

My DenMorther had showed me how sorry she had been about her behaviour the night before feeding me a couple of extra juicy morsels but this morning I was barking up her tempered side and she finally nibbed at me to get out of the den. That made me do a retake I wanted to let LongFang know I was eager to go but I did not want him to think me a pup and leave me behind. So I chose a spot not far from the den and pretended to be hard at work tearing grizzles from a bone.

“LongFang!” I yelped when he finally walked out.

“Calm yourself pup.” He growls letting his tongue hang out of his muzzle to take the sting out of his words. “I know you are a very inquisitive one but Keep your questions for now.” He turns his attention from me and callsWildHunt over to join us. “Go to the Harpy Queen and ask her to please send a messenger here.” LongFang instructed.

“What is a Harpy?” I think at him. LongFang just cuts me a look that has me follow him in as much silence as I can muster.

It feels as if we have to wait forever before a strange bird comes into view flying low over our heads.On closer inspection I am stunned to see that the creature looks like a crossing between a human and a bird. She has long thin limbs and a sharp yellow beak but her eyes are big and human so is her ears. She has no nose that I can see. Her body is mostly covered with feathers although there are some smooth spots here and there.

“LongFang you asked for a messenger?”The bird creaturestats sweetly bowing her head.

“Indeed. I need to get a message to Ian pack brother of the Alpha Michael.” Usually pack minds are not shared with any apart from other wolf packs. LongFang is making an exception for this creature.

“Yes I know one like that. He likes to come live free from time to time.” She muses and I get the feeling she likes Ian.

LongFang grins then he turns absolutely still and serious. “The one known as Jenny is dead and I need Ian to come and witnessthe circumstances.”

“Oh no.”She sighs. “I’m not surprised thought, she was forever bullying her way in everywhere and who knew what.”

I look away still unsure about killing a cousin to our pack. The Harpiedoes not miss a thing.

She looks straight at me. “Well now if you killed her that would be interesting to know indeed.” She looks me over intensely. “Hmm.” She muses running her tongue over her lip inspecting me from head to paw and back again. “You should let this one come and visit us LongFang.” She purrs.

LongFang just barksout a laugh. “Now my dear you know what the Tribunal law states.” He reminds her.

“Yes always with those pesky laws, they take all the fun out of everything.” She pouts and I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for her.

LongFang actually manages another barking laugh. “Will you take the message?”

“Of course consider it delivered.” She says off handedly to him with a wink my way before turning and flying off.

LongFang shakes his head. “Why did she want me to come visit?” I question him.

He looks at me and says with a grin. “You don’t want to know about that yet son, but let me put it to you in a way you might understand; there are only female Harpies no males.”

I thought about it for a moment but then decided that it was better that Ididn’t.

I saw LongFang think for a moment then frown and immediately howl. “WildHunt! Where are you?!”

WildHunt sends back. “Don’t worry I am on my way back. The Queen was insistent on me giving you a message, saysthat it is almost time for youto,and I am repeating her words,‘Come and renegotiate your little treaty.’”

“I bet she does want that.”LongFang shakes his head and thinks. “Hmm maybe I should let Ian handle those negotiations this time around,I’m not as young as I used to be.”

WildHunt‘s mind keep bringing up the harpies making LongFang snarl. “Don’t even think about it WildHunt.” I am surprised that LongFang adds. “All males will stay away from the harpy territory is that understood?!”In his commanding Alpha tone no less. Whatever these creatures do to males must either be very bad or from WildHunt’s look very interesting.

LongFang finally turns his attention back to me. “Well it will be a few days before Ian can get here. I think it’s time you see more of the world than this little forest we live in.”

I follow LongFang as we head up into the mountain passes and my entire world gets turned upside down in the span of 9 short sunrises. The pack mind is faint this far away and I miss them but LongFang keeps my mind occupied with providing for us atlest his thoughts are clear to me.

It’s one thing to be told stories of things out there it’s another to meet those stories up close especially having them invade the pack mind. First I am introduced to a Yeti, and after my first initial shock wears off I realize what a totally ice chilled being he is. Although I will not miss taking meals with him, it’s hard chewing on solidly frozen chunks of meat. Next cameSirens that live in Crystal Lake, a place I had been warned not to ever explore the reason now clear. Their mental voices grate inside your skull and they all speak as one being even when there are clearly many minds.

We only skirted around the edge of the Harpy territory and even though I would have loved meeting their Queen I didn’t press for an introduction. I had a feeling LongFang was avoiding them for a personal reason.

Bigfoot and the Abominable snowwoman who actually shares a cave high in the mountains had me laughing so hard my sides still hurt. At first I thought they really disliked one another with all the bickering going on but LongFang explained that it was their way of telling each other how much they loved one another. It made no sense to me at all but it sure was funny.

LongFang even introduced me to a demigod named Perseus, who looked human but had been born with powers over the sea.So many other creatures roamed around it was hard for me to keep track of the ones I met and according to LongFang I hadn’t even met half of those that existed yet. My mind was spinning when we finally made our way back to our den.

WindChaser and the others were waiting for us when we returned. DenMother came to me immediately nudging me affectionately while inspecting me as always for any wounds. There was again only acceptance in the pack mind and I couldn’t help grin just being home again. The world is big and there are many interesting things in it but nothing compares to being at home with my pack around me and my mind filled with their love for me.

“For the time being PaleFang I want you to stay close to the den.”LongFang orders.“Idon’t want there to be any more misunderstandings.” Sweeping his gaze over the rest of the pack he shows an image of the Werewolf Ian he had invited to come here. “If any of you see him and whomever he might bring with him I want you to bring them straight to the den where I will be waiting.”

Everyone sent their acknowledgement of the order and then goes back to what they were doing before we arrived back. Everyone but WindChaser of course.

“So what did you do? Where did you go? What was that thing you showed us in the lake?” These and many other questions run in tandem through his mind while he looks at me pleadingly.

I look at LongFang for permission to answer him and receive a nod before heading out to our favourite spot to indulge my milk brother and no doubtedly other younger siblings. At first I tease them a bit only showing them some boring scenery along our recently travelled path. The pleading looks get to me though and I give them all I stored up in as much detail as I can. Their little face’s light up as they watch in wonder and that alone makes me wish we had seen even more.

The rest of the day goes smoothly for the most part, a few of the others cometo me wanting to know more about what I had shown the younger members but other than that it is uneventful.The hunters bring back a few deer and a moose in honour of our safe return and in part to celebrate our Alpha’s recovery the pack feasts together.