Mike was a red wolf. A couple of black patches covered his flanks. He used to be a guard for the Eastern Pack, but now he was a scout for the Grand Pack. He was already assigned a mission. New pack chieftain, Garth, told him to check if anything was wrong or different beyond the borders.
He had been traveling for some hours now. Nothing to report so far. He was a league away from the southeastern border of the pack when he noticed claw-marked trees. He also smelled two things: apples and a message. It was a scent mark. He tried to read it. It said: "Stone's Territory; northwestern border."
I didn't know there was a pack here, he thought. He decided to tell Garth.
Later. . .
Garth was in what used to be the Western Pack's main den. It was a rock formation that stood on a hillside. A tree grew on top of the den. Its roots went downward in multiple directions like upside-down lightning. "Sir, there is an unknown pack a league away from our southeastern border."
"Really? Hmm... Must be new."
"What do we do?"
"Send them a treaty to keep peace between us."
"Yes, sir." The red wolf then exited the den. Lilly soon came in.
"Hi, honey."
"Hey, Lilly," he said back. He liked seeing her face. It made him feel good.
Later. . .
"Was that really Terra?" asked Stone.
"Yep. Omegas are so immature," said Rhys. They were back in Simon's cave.
"Where have you two been?" the old wolf asked.
"Oh, we met an old friend," answered Rhys.
"Oh." Simon was now not amused. At the moment all he thought was revenging the Eastern Pack.
"Anyone here?" asked a voice. Simon looked back to see the red wolf.
"Over here, sir," said Simon. Mike came to them near the mouth of the cave.
"Mike, sir," he greeted. He held out his paw, and the two wolves shook paws.
"Name's Simon."
"Is this Stone's Pack?"
"Yes, sir," he answered. Stone was surprised at how well Simon was handling it.
"Well, I'm from the—" Simon interrupted him.
"Wait, wait. Let me guess. Eastern Pack."
"Eh, not exactly," the red wolf replied. "No, the packs united." Simon was astonished.
How could such wolves unite back?
"Grand Pack chieftain, Garth, sent me to ask your pack chieftain for a peace agreement." Simon took one look at Stone.
"He's right here, sir." Mike looked at him.
"Hmm... He's a bit young. Well then, do you want peace?" Simon gestured to Stone and shook his head no.
"No, thank you," said Stone. Mike frowned.
"But... but... are you sure?"
"Yes. Positive."
"So, you should be going," said Simon.
"Uhh... yes." The red wolf turned away and walked slowly towards the Grand Pack. When he was out of sight, Simon burst with energy.
"Are you kidding me?! The packs united?! How could they?! What's worse, that Barf guy is in charge!" Stone changed the subject.
"Wait. Why no?" Simon turned back to him.
"Because. If they view us as potential enemies, they'll be so obsessed with this territory that they won't see us attacking from other directions. If the packs are united, then both the East and West are fair game."
Later. . .
Garth was getting worried.
Where were Stormfast and Stone? He decided to send a search party. "Hutch! Can-do!" he called.
"At your command, sir."
"I need you and a couple more Alphas to search the entire territory for Stormfast and Stone." Neither Hutch nor Can-do knew of either wolf, but they knew better than to argue with their chieftain.
"Yes, sir." Mike then entered the den.
"Chief Garth, they didn't accept."
"What? No, no, no, no, no! I fear something."
"What is it that you fear?" Hutch asked. Garth looked directly into his eyes.
"A possible future war."