CHAPTER ONE
    “I’ve got it!” Shade squeaked.
    “Hurry!” Emerald barked, trying to keep up with him.
    “Corner it there, quick!” Kitmira barked.
    Shade turned the rabbit toward the thick thorn bushes. It was getting tired. Shade pounced; he landed perfectly on its back.
    “Bite it!” Neko commanded.
    Emerald lunged forward and sunk her teeth into its neck.
    “Good catch!” Mamma called.
    “Did we hunt like a pack?” Kitmira asked.
    “Yes, very good pups!” Shayla, their mother, walked over to examine their kill.
    “Hunting already?” Their father, Smoky said trotting up to his mate, “They’re hardly allowed out of the den on their own.”
    “We’re old enough!” Neko announced.
    “I know you are.” Smoky agreed, “Shayla, may I have a word with you please?”
    “Inside the den pups,” Shayla ordered, “you can eat your kill.”
    “Alright Mamma.” Kitmira groaned. The pups dragged the rabbit between them back to the den.
    “Come this way.” Shayla led her mate to a quiet spot where she could still see the den through the trees. “What is it Smoky?”
    “Something has happened,” he began, “the pack is acting strange. The Alpha isn’t speaking to anyone, and all the higher ranked wolves are avoiding everyone. There have been some arguments going on too.”
    “About what?” Shayla asked, after he went silent for a long moment.
    “I’m not exactly sure. I try to listen, but they leave when they notice me.” He explained.
    “Is that all that’s going on?”
    “Mostly, I haven’t seen any violence or anything.” Smoky sighed,”I think we should get back to the pack; if the pups are old enough to hunt they’re old enough to live with the rest of the pack. It’ll be safer anyway.”
    “Alright,” Shayla agreed, “But let’s wait until tomorrow.”
    “Okay.” Smoky nodded, “We’ll go tomorrow.”
    They walked back to the cave, trying not to show their nervousness.