Where Are My Cubs?

This is Part II of an earlier story.  Please read Part I before this one to get the context of the story:

Wayayanno stirred as soon as it was daybreak. 

She was hungry, and her three cubs would surely be hungry too. She was unsure about leaving them again after what happened last time. But food wouldn't just appear.  It had been a cold, hard winter, and food was scarce.  Luckily, she was a good hunter.  Patient and cautious. 

She had always provided for her cubs, and this would be no exception.

Atsani had been on her mind all night.  Had he survived his encounter with the brat pack?

Why had he taken an interest in her and her cubs? He was the "top of the tree" of the Appalachian wolf pack.

A light covering of snow covered the entrance to their den. She could see the halo of the sun rising, but that's all.

As she pushed her nose through the snow. She jumped back with what she saw.

A pair of wolf eyes peered in from the other side.  “The brat pack has been waiting,” she thought.

What was she to do?  She could not deal with all four of them.  How was she going to protect her cubs? Fear seized her, and she rushed to the back of the den. The cubs stirred, unaware of the danger around them. 

She pushed them behind, much to Danowoa's disgust. At the tender age of three months, he was ready to take on the world.

The face of a wolf appeared through the entrance.  Wayayanno felt a huge sigh of relief.  It was Atsani. Blood covered his face, but he was alive.

"Do not be afraid,” he said.  “The brat pack will not bother you again.  I have seen to that.”

She wondered what that meant but refocused on Atsani.  Once again, she asked herself, “Why?  Why was he doing this?”

"I caught this snow hare for you earlier this morning; I thought you would all be hungry.  Please come out and have it, or you can stay in there if you feel safer,” he said, offering her the hare.

The cubs grabbed it and took it to the back of the den. There, they fought and devoured it with enthusiasm.

“Let me come outside while they eat Atsani,” said Wayayanno, putting the safety of her cubs above her hunger.

When Wayayanno left the den, she noticed that cuts and bite marks covered Atsani's paws and neck. These scars stood out against his paler ones. He got those lighter scars from many run-ins with younger wolves trying to rise in rank.

“Are you badly hurt?" asked Wayayanno in a compassionate voice.

“These?” replied Atsani.  “They will be fine.  I am a tough old guy.  You should see the others.”  He added, trying to make light of it and reassure her.

“Where are the others?" she asked in a nervous voice.

“They will not bother you or your cubs.  They were bad for the pack's future, so I had to banish them to the other side of the mountain.  They will not return.  They have been defeated, and that is that.  That is the way of the wolves.  They will no doubt cause trouble somewhere else, but that is tomorrow’s problem.”

“I suppose you are wondering why I am doing this, Wayayanno?" he asked.

She began to see why he was the leader, and his wisdom and foresight were impressive.

“Yes, I have been wondering.  Please do not hurt my cubs.  Do what you must do, but please do not hurt my cubs.  They have done nothing.”

“Dear, I won’t hurt you or your cubs,” he said, like a wise old man talks to a younger one.

“The winters are getting harder to deal with, and I am not getting any younger.  I need to find someone to lead the pack.  A wolf that is kind and compassionate but strong and ready to defend the weaker ones in the pack.  A wolf that is wise about the ways of the white man and can keep as many of us alive as possible.  It is a lost cause; we are dwindling in numbers, and one day, there will not be any of us left.  We must fight on regardless.  That is what my father told me and his father before."

"Last year, the trappers killed my son, and I need a successor."

He paused and looked into Wayayanno’s eyes.  He could tell she knew what was coming.

“I have chosen Danowoa to be my successor.”

Wayayanno felt a flood of different emotions.  Her little man, the leader of the pack? 

What a responsibility.  He was still so young.

“I know this is a shock,” continued Altani. "He will stay with you and his brother and sister until he’s older. I want to help shape his upbringing. I’d like to share my experiences to help him become strong, kind, and wise.  Until that time, you will have my protection and care.”

He paused, waiting for a response, but none came.

Wayayanno looked up at the sky and sighed.  He was right, of course, and it was an honor.  It would provide a good future for them, at least in the short term. She felt tired, and some support would provide a welcome relief.

“Can I ask why you chose, Danowoa?”

Altani shifted his legs and changed his position. He needed to ease the discomfort from the fight with the brat pack.

“I have been watching you bring your cubs up since birth, although you did not know it.  I observed you from a distance.  They could not ask for a better mother.  Danowoa is very strong-willed; I can see it in how he plays.  I also see his love and care for his brother and sister.  They are admirable qualities.  I have seen them before.”

He hesitated before continuing.

“Danowoa’s father was my brother.”

Wayayanno froze in shock.  “What?”

Altani repeated his words, “Danowoa’s father was my brother.  Before the cubs were born, Chatan was caught in a trap.  He could not be freed and knew that he would die.  When I found him, there was nothing I could do. I promised that I would look after you and the cubs.  Chatan was going to be my successor.  I see the same qualities in Danowoa that my father saw in me and my brother.”

As he finished, the cubs emerged from the den, having devoured most of the hare.

“Thank you, Mum," said Danawoa, letting out a huge burp, "That was great!”  oblivious to the conversation.

He staggered over to the tree stump near the den that was barely visible above the snow and cocked his leg. 

“That’s better,” he said. “Who is up for a rough-and-tumble in the snow?” He looked at his brother and sister.

“See what I mean,” said Altani as he shuffled to sit next to Wayayanno so they could both supervise the play session.

Till next time,

Calvin

[Authors Note: Fiction is a new genre for me, so I am interested in any comments from more seasoned fiction writers - good or bad .]