Iaus

          The only part of the pup visible through the scrubby bush was his bright blue eyes as he peered out at his packmates. The adult wolves were milling around some recently delivered meat at this hour of the morning, while many of the pups were hard at play. The pups were closer to his bush, and they were the current target for his daily terrorizing. As one of them, a female named Vonnegaine, tumbled closer to where he waited, he grinned, waggled his tail, and prepared to pounce. As she passed by the bush in pursuit of another pup, the little hunter leaped out of his hiding place and landed squarely on top of the unsuspecting she-pup.
         "Iauuus! Get your furry tail off of me!" Vonnegaine howled, making some of the adults look over and chuckle at the pups' antics.
         "Got you, Vonnie! What are you gonna do about it?" Iaus grinned as he rolled off of his squashed friend.
         "I'm gonna get you for it, that's what! You better run!" She cried as she got up and launched herself at him, sending him skittering away and giving chase all throughout the camp.

—

         The young scout looked first left, then right. He had come to a thicket in a forest that he hadn't explored much before, and he wanted to be sure that the route he took was as clear and safe as possible. He was only one wolf, after all, and as his mentor, Vellichor, had taught him, there were many things in foreign places that he could not fight alone. He spent the next few hours wandering that wood, finding out about wolf packs that made their home there and possible areas that his own pack's hunters could come to to try to catch new prey. After a long day's exploring and travelling back across the moor, he made it home to the Redfeather camp.
         Upon his arrival he wanted to simply trudge into the den he shared with the other high ranking members of the pack, but he stopped himself. First he had to report to Fenn. She would want to know about the new pack he had encountered in that forest. Tiredly, he turned and made for the leader's favorite spot to sit and watch the night. She was there as usual, speaking to a couple of the hunters, and as Iaus approached he noticed a young wolf sitting a little ways off, looking uncertain and afraid. The exhausted scout looked wistfully back at the den again, but headed over toward the newcomer.
         "They bring you here to stay?" He sat down next to the young wolf who gave a little start.
         "Y-yes, I was looking for my pack, but I found them instead. They looked for my family, but eventually they had to give up and just brought me here," the young wolf sniffled at the thought of her old family.
         "I know how you feel. I was found by my mentor as a young pup. I wouldn't have survived if they hadn't brought me here, but I felt out of place for a long time. Trust me, though, it'll be okay with time," Iaus gave the foundling a reassuring look. Then he stood slowly, his tired muscles burning in protest, "follow me. They'll be talking for a while, so I'll show you to your new den on the way to my own." With that he led the way toward the den, thinking about the day it had become his own new home.

—

          Iaus awoke to a crisp winter morning breeze blowing in through the den entrance. He curled himself up tighter, resting his fluffy tail over his nose to ward off the cold. He did open one eye to look outside at the activity of the camp, though, and gave a warm chuckle as he was greeted with the sight of his mate and daughter trotting toward him and carrying a big rabbit. He sat up despite wanting to go back to sleep, greeting them with a warm hello.
         "You trudged into camp so late last night you didn't even say hello to me, so we all figured we ought to let you sleep this morning," Vonnegaine told her mate as she laid the rabbit down at his paws and then sat down.
          "The whole camp could hear you snoring, I think," giggled Vaike as she sat next to her mother.
          "Ah, well thank you for letting me know. I'm sure they'll all love me when I go out there now," Iaus sighed with a shake of his head. As he began his meal the two she-wolves told him about the goings on of the day thus far, and once he was done he spent the rest of this rare day off around camp, chatting with his packmates and enjoying the sun bouncing off the now melting snow drifts.

—

          The golden-brown and gray wolf strode into camp, feeling very worn out by the events of the day. First he had had to go and break up a scuffle outside of the pups' dugout that had awoken half the hollow early with growling and barking. Then it had been Vaike asking him what he thought of Hakaan. How should he know what he thought of Hakaan? The wolf did his job well and wasn't a disaster to deal with in Iaus' day-to-day work within the pack, and that was what he had told his daughter to her dissatisfaction. He shook his head just thinking about it. After that it had been all of the usual duties; hunting, accompanying the newest scout, Banrigh to make sure she was doing well, receiving reports and generally keeping order throughout the hollow. He was ready to report, then head to his den to sleep, and he was about to make one last sweep of the camp before he noticed Fenn sitting above the den, watching him.
          She beckoned to him with a swish of her tail and jerk of her head, and he adjusted his course to make his way up toward her. He lowered his head in a respectful greeting as he approached, and then sat down to listen to whatever it was she had to say to him.
          "Iaus, it looks like you've had a long day, so I'll put it simply: I am confident that when it comes down to it, the pack will choose you as their next alpha," the she-wolf told him matter-of-factly.
          "I- what? But, I'm almost the same age as you— not that you're old or anything, I didn't mean it like that!— and I'm certainly not the best wolf for the job! You really ought to ask Foulkes, or even one of the younger wolves who'd have more energy for this job! I can't possibly, Fenn, you've got to choose someone else," Iaus spluttered in disbelief.
          "Iaus, you should know by now that this decision isn't up to me alone. There's never had to be another leader before, but from the beginning we decided that the pack should choose who succeeds me, and I foresee them choosing you," the she-wolf got up, shaking out her fur, "you'll just have to make your peace with it. They love you, and for good reason. You'll do fine."
          The golden-furred she-wolf gave him a smile and trotted off down the rocky hill, leaving Iaus shocked right out of his weariness. He sat up on that perch for a long time, considering everything his leader had said and trying to imagine what it would be like to lead the entire pack himself.

— — — — —

Pretty, natural Honey (0.8%) stud, Iaus is available! 435+ stat | 7M | Only 70SC after refund! https://www.wolvden.com/breed/128710