Princess in the Rough
Chapter 9

Amber

“ECHO!” I screamed as she let go of Green Paw and slammed into the alpha. The Night Walker clan wolves kept chasing us but at least we were further ahead because Echo sacrificed herself and distracted the other wolves.

I was sobbing as I clung to Night Cry’s back and tried to understand why Echo would do such a thing. What did I do to deserve that? I thought we were friends. All these questions and possible answers raced through my head as we raced through the forest.

As we raced further away from the foreign territory the wolves dropped off one by one until it was just the white one that captured us in the first place chasing us.

Then it hit me, a gust of blueberry smell. I was in Moon Claw clan territory. “Keep going! Just a little further!” I cheered but they seemed to have smelled it to because they ran faster than they had in the beginning.

I heard a snap to my left and looked over just in time to see two wolves bust out of the foliage and ponce on our pursuer but we didn’t stop running until we were in the den. When we got to the den all of us collapsed and did nothing but pant. We covered three miles of land in just ten minutes. Despite the constant pressing questions, I fell asleep.

I dreamed about what would’ve happened if we had just gotten past the corrupted unicorn and into the city. We walked around this place full of carved, wooden houses. The pathways were littered with leaves and the ground was all grass. Wolves and humans walked around in the paths accept all the faces of the humans were blurry. Walking along the paths were giant, metallic beatles of all colors and inscribed on their sides was CAR. Don’t ask me how I knew that, it was all a dream. I looked over to my side and saw Echo, holding my hand as we rode Night Cry and Green Paw through the odd city; and we were happy. But then, like all dreams do, it ended.

“Oh wow. I hope that’s not what the city looks like.” I chuckled groggily and rubbed my eyes.

“Amber Fur, we need to talk.” Crescent Moon said calmly. When my grogginess wore off I realized that she was standing over me.

“Geez, were you there the entire time!” I gasped and backed up.

“Yes, now get up. The council and I want to hear everything and why I smell another clan on you.”

The council is the three highest ranking wolves in the clan. They gather behind the den where the forest meets the fields. Our den is special, our ancestors that founded the Moon Claw clan dug our den in the ground rather than replaceing a cave. Because they were willing to sacrifice their time, strength, and power, so we got the perfect location. A lake just about a minute away and the forest clashing with the plains. I marveled at the beauty of the council’s meeting place because I have never seen it before. There was a circle of trees, bushes, and vines that made it so the council’s meeting place was perfectly secluded.

“So.” I said nervously. As I looked around I saw that I wasn’t the only one, aside from the council, here. Green Paw and Night Cry must’ve arrived before me because they looked at me and the council impatiently.

“The council has gathered here today to discuss your adventures.” Silver Light stated as he sat in his spot as omega. He was tawny brown.

“By the strength of the scent, we can tell you’ve encountered a rivle wolf clan but have not joined it.” River Fall said as she too sat on her spot in the council as omega’s mate.

“Because this clan has scented my members we must discuss this to decide if they are a threat.” Crescent Moon said wearily, as if this was the last thing she wanted to be doing. I chuckled at the thought.

“So does that mean you’ll be asking me, us, questions or will we tell you the story?” Green Paw asked and laid down. Silver Light growled at him and he quickly sat back up and yawned. After Silver Light finished glaring at Green Paw, River Fall answered his question.

“Both.” She said simply.

“In what direction did you head when you first left?” Crescent Moon asked. Night Cry quickly answered the question.

“North. Towards the Forest Majesty kingdom.”

“Did you ever change direction?” River Fall asked.

“Yes.” I answered. “We stumbled upon a corrupted unicorn and had to change corse.”

“What direction did you go after that?” Silver Light asked.

“West.” Green Paw answered quickly but reconsidered his answer. “Wait, then we turned that way, and, never, eat, snowy, wendigos, north, east, south, west. Yeah.” He mumbled to himself. “West.”

The council went on for two hours until it finally ended.

“At last!” I cheered when Green Paw, Night Cry and I walked out.

“That was so boring. I can’t believe I’m ever going to have to do that when I grow up.” Night Cry sighed.

“Me too. There are perks, getting to be the omega’s son but that isn’t one of them.” Green Paw shook his head.

“You wouldn’t stop talking! I thought you loved it!” I laughed and the rest joined in.

“So Amber, what are we going to do now?” Night Cry asked.

“About what?”

“About Echo. She risked her life for us and I don’t know about you but I considered her a friend; and I never, ever, leave a friend behind.” That was my favorite thing about moon wolves. They were probably the most loyal creature’s in the universe.

“I say we rescue her. She was willing to help you accomplish your dreams even though she wanted to get home. I say we do the same for her.” Green Paw said firmly.

“Agreed. I think we should take a few more wolves though. Just in case.”

“We’ll take anyone who agrees.” Night Cry nodded and that settled it.

“What do you think their going to do with Mud Mane?” Green Paw snickered.

“Maybe we can trade him for Echo.” I suggested.

“If they haven’t eaten her already.” Green Paw whimpered. Night Cry glared at him. “What! I want to rescue her just as much as you but why would they keep a human around? It’s only the truth.” Green Paw whined. I sighed. It’s true. Why wouldn’t they eat her?