Todd

Todd was born a rogue, but that was never his mindset.  Ever since he was a young puppy he had always failed his lessons on stealing and raising havoc on the animals around him.  He was content in the area where the sky was open and uninterrupted by trees.  As he grew into a weaned puppy he had heard the chatter of his elders talking of the pack that had run them from the mountains and the young alpha who had taken residence in the area.  The rogues were meeting and even the pups' games now reflected fighting and war.  He listened to Zhopa the self-proclaimed leader of the rogues who had brought on the idea of ganging up on the young alpha. 

Night pelt was just starting to overtake the light of the day and Todd was around 5 moths old. He remembered hearing the barks he never wanted to hear from Zhopa and the rogues as they want to launch a surprise attack in the mountain territory at sunrise.  The young pup had never been this far from home, but he could take care of himself, as that was the rouge way with pups.  As he ran the moon bounced off his brownish and silver pelt.  He hadn't decided what he would say to the pack wolves, but he was determined to make sure they were not caught by surprise.  He knew many of the wolves were on the fence about attacking the large pack and if Zhopa fell they would flee as independent rouges always looked after themselves.

The moon was high as he finally found the pack of wolves in the mountains.  The mountain air brought a chill he wasn't used to, but he found the place full of beauty as his mom who had been forced from the mountains had sad.  He crossed into the pack territory and immediately was greeted by the snarls of a big black wolf and a slightly smaller yet stunning blue-coated wolf. Behind them a small pink coated pup who seemed to have just gotten off milk.  "What are you doing crossing the border pup, you smell of prairie.  Get back rogue pup." He cocked his head at the large black wolf in front of him.  "Raven he is a pup stop that you are getting grumpier every day!" "Jean you know that we were told to watch out for rogues.  They have been scented to close to us!" Todd spoke up.  "I am Todd and I am indeed a rogue..but I do not act to their code.  I have bad news and must talk to Accalia alpha of the pack. It is important."

It had taken Todd a long time to convince Raven he was not a threat but by the time the pup and two adult wolves had made it back to the rest of the pack they had been laughing and murmuring like pack mates. Raven took the young pup to Accalia's den and a few moments later. Jean was sent to find Apollo's hunting party to recall them.

The morning was drawing closer and the pups and sitters were secure.  Both scouts stood on either side of Todd with Apollo the beta and Accalia a few paw steps behind.  Mystic was running around getting her den ready and could be seen with different plants every time she passed.  Other she-wolves and pack males along with adols who chose to fight for their pack on the front lines were present.  Todd hadn't been on pack grounds more than a day's time and he knew most of them by name already. They were sweet and accepting and Todd being close enough of age to the adol wolves had chosen to fight the rouges.  They had their plan he would point out Zhopa and they would kill him and end the fight fast.

Quicker than Todd could under fleas the wolves were under attack with more rogues than Todd have even remembered seeing on the prairie.  They all carried different scents! Zhopa had somehow gotten rouges from other places. The snarls and yelps were everywhere, but Todd knew his roles as he ran under and through the paws of rogues.  "Raven got him 3rd tree from your left that large russet wolf with the scared eye!"  Raven howled out Todd's description and the scouts and hunters went for the large rogue wolf.    Zhopa disappeared into the band of rogues and Todd went back to his job to find the leader rogue.  The pup yelped as he was pinned to a tree and Zhopa snarled in his face.  "There you are you weak excuse for a wolf.  We found your nest empty and thought you got cold feet.  I never thought you would have the guts to climb the mountain."  Todd tried to break free of the larger male, but he knew being recognized as fighting on the pack side was a death sentence.  He felt the weight lifted off him as Raven and Apollo grabbed hold of Zhopa.  The rogue didn't stand a chance as the rest of the hunters came down on him.  Todd getting wise went for Zhopa and chomped down hard on his exposed neck.  He felt the rogue go stiff and then watched as the battered and beaten wolf fell.  Cries of retreat carried over the rogues howls and the rogues fled as quickly as they had come.

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Todd woke up unsure why his puppyhood was replying now.  He shook off his coat and walked out of the beta den he had been with the pack ever since and had watch new wolves come and seen pack mates die off.  He had watched some of the hunters of his puppyhood grow old and switch roles and even Raven was now part of the elder's den.  The two still had a weird bond and she had been his best friend in the pack.  Todd had been appointed to Beta and to take Apollo's spot on his death bed.  The former beta had died young due to complications of one of his injuries 6 moons after the battle.  Todd had come of age to resume adult responsibilities when Accalia had appointed him to the high esteemed spot.  He was a hunter now and every female wolf seemed to notice his every move.  He certainly was not a rogue anymore. He informed Accalia of the dream and she again repeated the same words. "It is an omen that Koda has foretold.  She knew the rogues would attack and explained that she had found fox hairs and omens suggesting you would save our pack as an adult. Rue her pup has shown the same talents and has said the same.  We must leave the mountains. Come sit Todd and I will tell you of Koda and Rue of the bear line have told me of your coming and what your future entails. "When fox pup leaves prairie for mountain air trust his song.  TIme changes pup to adult and ticks down.  The prairie will call to him when the pack must follow."

Todd shifted and looked up at the aging alpha.  "Accalia...these dreams of the rogues are becoming more vivid.  Wysteria and Jean are scenting them.  I think the rogues are going to come back.  We should follow Koda and Rue and move to my homeland.  I know it well the rogues can have their mountain and we can survive without the trees and in the open air.  I have heard the howls on the prairie air.  I fear that Lamia, Zhopa's mate might be mounting a large-scale attack for the mountains.  If we leave now and let them have it we could save lives. It is time to go. I will fulfill my duty to the pack."