Ol' Flint the Crow

The Runt's Tale pt. 6

The bird was gone. And all I could do was stare stupidly at the night sky. The memories of my son's beautiful faced haunted me. The sounds of The Alpha's wails turned my heart cold. I swiveled around like I was in a dream and saw The Alpha ripping apart Mother Bear's stiff shoulder. He was merciless, taking all his anger out on the poor bear whose eyes were dilated and vacant. She was dead and the animals, she was supposed to protect, were scattered across the lands, leaving her home empty and joyless.

Leaping off the deceased beast, my mate paced in front of the gaping door to the cave. Each time he reached the base of the apple tree, his body would dart around and barrel back to the bear's corpse where he would growl and gnash his blood stained teeth.

Everyone in the pack kept their distance, knowing that their leader was not in the mood to discuss whether they should take a rest that they were in desperate need of from their agonizing battle. The only wolf foolish enough to interrupt The Alpha was The Omega. He, being a stranger, had no idea of what we were accustom to do during one of The Alpha's outburst which he was becoming quite known for every time Flint eluded us.

"Kind wolf brother!" grinned The Omega as he wagged his tail and strolled closer to the enraged wolf. "Y-you'll remember my help? Right? Take poor me with you! I-I can be a great help. I'll find this crow for you again. I will! I will! Please... I've nowhere else to go... Everyone has left poor me alone... Kind wolf breth-"

"Grawwrrr!" The Alpha took a mighty swing and dug his claws into The Omega's face tearing his skin asunder.

The skinny wolf was cast aside and fell in a heap on the floor. He licked his cheek and tasted his own blood trickling down his snout. Whimpering and shaking, The Omega gazed up at The Alpha standing in front of him with his jaws snapping down like he was about to finish him off.

"Please! Please!" whined The Omega. "I've done all I could for good wolf... brethren! Don't kill poor me!"

The Omega's pitiful pleads only caused The Alpha to growl louder as he struck the wolf beneath him a second time. The Omega howled again making my heart thump in sympathy. Knowing that it was foolish to get involved, I cautiously stepped over to my mate and stood in front of The Omega in an attempt to stop this madness.

Scribbling on the ground, I wrote, 'Dear, there's no need for this. Let the wolf be. He did all he could. There's nothing we could have done to stop the bird. At least you took out his eye. Perhaps that is justice enough.' I stared at the other wolves, noticing how worn out they were. Then I continued, 'Your subjects are all tried. We need to bury our dead and discuss our plans. Isn't it time to think about what's best for the pack. So many have died. Is it worth another hunt to find this crow? Is this Flint worth more wolf lives?'

All of a suddenly, The Alpha became enraged, and to my surprise he charged at me. He snapped his jaws on my neck and with a tug, he slammed me against the dirt viciously. I could barely believe what had happened. My head spun around in disbelief. The Alpha had never stuck or bit me ever since Adeline left him so many years ago. Gazing up at his glowing eyes, I whimpered in fear. Even the pack was at a loss for words at what their leader had done. However, they backed away from the raging wolf, clamping his jaws on me.

"You would allow this child killer to go free?!" howled The Alpha while he slashed my face with his claws. "The murderer of my child?! Don't you ever deter my pursuit, Runt! I will have that bird's head splattered into bits beneath my paw! If you get in my way or try to stop me again, I'll not hesitate..." he jabbed his claws into my back then darted away from me while growling furiously.

I lied there on the ground, unable to move. The pain was not the only thing keeping me down. It was shocking to witness The Alpha's venomous outburst. The Alpha left everyone unnerved and fearing what he would do next. No one could dare object to his decisions. Our hunt would go on forever judging by my mate's fervent dedication to revenge.