Akita

Akita was born as a Leashed Wolf, a wolf owned by longpaws. Her mother and father-wolf seemed resigned to the lives of Leashed Wolves. At first, Akita searched for ways to escape, to see the wild beyond the silver mesh borders of their 'den'. But as she explored and tried to dig or tear her way out, the longpaws thwarted all her attempts. They controlled her with cruelty, forcing her into submission with fear.

Whenever she did something bad, she was punished by not being able to eat or drink for a day or night. If she did something really bad, the longpaws would clasp a cold silver collar around her throat and administer a painful shock at their will. They'd use long poles to sling loops of silver around her neck, using it to force her head to the ground. They'd tie her paws and clasp a longpaw device over her muzzle that kept her from breathing properly or opening her mouth.

As time passed, Akita gave up trying to escape. There was no way out. She was trapped here. Forever.

At nearly 3 moons old, Akita spied her chance, however. One of the longpaws didn't properly lock the gate one day. There was a small gap between the poles, just big enough for a pup of Akita's size to slip out. She knew that if she ducked through and got caught, she'd be in big trouble. But...this was her chance to get away from the longpaws...

She took it.

She waited until no one was watching and bolted for the gap. It was smaller than she'd anticipated. Her muzzle and head fit through easily, but her shoulders were wider and broader, hitting the metal of the poles. She pushed and shoved, struggling. Her shoulder hit the edge of the gate and it swung shut with a clang that seemed loud enough to wake the dead. Akita yelped in fear as the cold metal pressed against her neck. She couldn't back out or go forward. She was in awful trouble.

Akita strained desperately against the gate. She managed to force it aside just enough to get her shoulders through, bounding out the other side with her heart pounding in her chest. Scared, she took off running, swerving down the streets with reckless abandon. Even after the longpaw buildings had turned to woodland, she kept going.

She finally halted when a large brown male wolf stepped out of the undergrowth ahead of her. Akita yelped, skidding around to avoid crashing right into him. The male stared down at her, eyes wide with alarm.

"Whoa, there, little pup! What are you doing out here all alone? Where's your pack?"

"I-I don't h-have a pack," Akita stammered. She looked up with shy hopefulness at the wolf. "Could I join yours?"

The wolf frowned sympathetically. "I'm sorry, young one, but no. Not during ice-chill. There's enough prey to go around as it is. We can't afford another pack member." Akita whimpered, lowering her ears, but before she could feel too disappointed, the wolf added, "But I know someone who can and will accept you. Her name is Pepper. She leads Pack Trueno, my allies, to the south. Follow me."

The wolf turned and started trotting through the trees. Akita headed after him, feeling a little better knowing he knew someone who would help her. As they walked, they talked. The wolf was named Cliff, Alpha of Storm Pack, and Pepper used to be his pack's herbalist before she set out to make her own pack. He told Akita that Pepper was kind and warm-hearted and would accept anyone in her pack as long as they were kind and loyal to their Packmates.

When they arrived at the pack camp, Akita found herself instantly intimidated by the white-and-black she-wolf. She just looked like an Alpha, with an air of respect around her. Wolves were scattered around the camp.

"Greetings, Pepper," Cliff called.

The Alpha looked up and her expression brightened upon seeing the brown male. She bounded across to touch noses with him. "Hi, Cliff! Good to see you!"

Cliff wagged his tail. "I have this pup I found in the woods that I'd like to give you. She needs a pack and I don't have room. Would you take her in?"

Pepper looked down at Akita with soft green eyes. "Of course. What's your name, little one?"

"A-Akita," she stammered.

Pepper cocked her head. "Akita? That's unusual. I've never heard of a Wild Wolf with that name."

Akita pressed her belly flat to the earth, staring up at her fearfully. Cliff had said Pepper was accepting of new pack members, but he hadn't mentioned her feelings toward Leashed Wolves. "I-It's not a Wild Wolf name. It's a Leashed Wolf name." She dropped her gaze. "I was born a Leashed Wolf."

Gasps echoed around the camp and Akita chanced a swift look at Pepper. The Alpha's expression had dissolved into anger, lips drawn back from her muzzle to bare fangs, ears pressed flat and green eyes blazing with fury. A low growl rumbled in her throat.

"Longpaws!" she snarled. "They think they can own wolves and control them like pets!" She shook herself briskly, her growl fading as her expression softened. She leaned down to touch her nose to Akita's head. "It's alright, little one. They can't hurt you anymore. I'm guessing you know none of the skills needed to be a pack wolf?" At Akita's shake of her head, Pepper nodded. "That's quite alright. You're about apprentice age by now. And being an apprentice is all about learning how to be a true Wild Wolf." She raised her voice to address her pack. "Packmates, please welcome the newest member of our pack. Akita!"

Mate: Oak
Daughters: Thrush, Lark, Amber, Nara, Asuka, Sakura