\n I Can't See The Forest For The Trees.

\n Written by, Wolfie Steel.

\n Part Nine.

\n  

\n Here come the usual rules, all characters used in this story belong to their owners and are used with their kind permission. There will be references to homosexual acts and violence, you have been warned!!!!

\n  

\n I head back down into the food storage area and find Kasa lying on his back with a satisfied smile on his muzzle.

\n  

\n "Alpha Wolfie, I haven't eaten like that in quite a while, thank you for your kindness, I promise that I will serve this pack in any way that is needed, be it hunting or defence, my allegiance no longer rests with the Lone Howl pack, there is only one Alpha that I will follow, and that Alpha is Wolfie Steel"

\n  

\n A sudden bolt of pride shoots through every nerve of my body, Kasa truly is Gideon's son, and in every way he mirrors his father, from the way he looks, to his the way he acts, Kasa is a younger version of Gideon.

\n  

\n Kasa now stands his still slightly infected paw begins to give way under his weight, so I stand a little closer to him to offer him support.

\n  

\n "Kasa, you may lean on my back if you wish, I know what it is like to stand on an injured paw so I know the amount of pain that you are feeling"

\n  

\n A look of determination floods into Kasa's eyes, he then puts more weight on his injured paw, forcing it to comply with his wishes.

\n  

\n "Alpha Wolfie, forgive me for saying this, but a weak Wolf is not a Wolf"

\n  

\n Ah yes, and there is the final sign that Gideon lives, repackaged in the fur of Kasa. I slowly lead the pup back towards the main cave, I look through the mouth of the cave and notice that darkness is falling upon us and another moon is about to rise.

\n  

\n Many members of the pack are now settling down for the night, a new sentry watch is just relieving the two previous guards to allow them to get some rest. I lay down on the cave floor to finally get some sleep, as my body greets the floor two young pups stand before me, Kasa and Starlight. The young Starlight begins to whisper.

\n  

\n "Uncle Wolfie, I know that an Alpha's sleeping mate is his Beta, Uncle Rion, but me and Kasa were kind of wondering if we could sleep next to you?"

\n  

\n I let out a gentle giggle as I nod.

\n  

\n "Pups, you can both snuggle up to me and Rion, but Starlight, make sure that your mother is ok with it because I don't need another scar on my face"

\n  

\n Stella walks up behind her son, a weak smile on her muzzle.

\n  

\n "Wolfie, don't worry, you will get no further scars from me, Starlight feels safe around you and Beta Rion, in fact we all feel safe around you both, so if my son wishes to sleep in your company, I have no objections"

\n  

\n With that settled Stella walks away but stays mere yards from her son and we all begin to settle down for our night's sleep. Rion rests his head on my back and quietly whispers to me.

\n  

\n "Sweetheart, I think it is safe to say that the pack now has ultimate trust in its Alpha and will follow you into whatever trials or battles we come across"

\n  

\n A feeling of pride flows through my body, and I have the thought that if my father were here he would have laid a paw on my shoulder, giving me strength, wisdom and courage.

\n  

\n <><><><><><><> 

\n  

\n It is early morning, the first rays of sun are just shimmering through the trees, and I gently rise from my slumber and quietly pick my way through the maze of still sleeping wolf bodies. As I arrive at the mouth of the cave, the two guards salute me; I nod curtly towards them both and head outside.

\n  

\n Once outside I head up onto the roof of the cave to take in the fresh air of the morning. As I sit upon the rocky roof of the cave the shadow of a wolf falls upon me, I turn my head to see Jason has woken and has joined me on the roof.

\n  

\n "Good morning Alpha Steel, I trust that you slept well?"

\n  

\n I let out a gentle giggle as I reply.

\n  

\n "Jason, just call me Wolfie, I don't stand on ceremony least of all with someone like you"

\n  

\n Jason nods and then sits next to me, he sniffs the fresh morning air as I do, and then at the exact same moment we both catch the scent of an ill wind.

\n  

\n "Wolfie, I smell the weak scent of danger in the air, it's almost like I know that within two or three moons something will happen that will test this packs ability to fight"

\n  

\n I nod gently.

\n  

\n "Jason, please set about bringing our warriors training up to scratch, because like you, I smell the signs of danger and I don't want to be caught unawares"

\n  

\n Jason looks at me and gives a little wink.

\n  

\n "Don't worry sir, the Steel Pack will be ready to stand and fight"

\n  

\n Jason now stands and heads back down to the cave to awaken the rest of the pack and to begin the training. I continue to sit on my rocky seat and allow the sunlight to bathe my fur in its warm glow; I hear Rion's voice behind me.

\n  

\n "You know hun, the way the sunlight hits your fur, it makes you look even more beautiful, which I thought was impossible. Wolfie, I know that you have asked Jason to train our warriors for battle, he told me that you both have a fear that there will be a great war very soon, sweetheart, I will fight at your side, but I think it would be prudent if Stella were to take charge of the females and the pups and lead them further into the cave system and keep them safe"

\n  

\n I stand and turn towards Rion and bow my head.

\n  

\n "Of course Rion you are right, we need to keep the females and pups safe so that they may continue the bloodline of the pack, as for you fighting at my side, I would like that I truly would, but I have to tell you, I fear that the attacking pack will be the pack that I was born into, they will not be an easy pack to defeat and I don't want to lose you"

\n  

\n Rion stands face to face with me and lays a paw on my shoulder and replies.

\n  

\n "Wolfie, you saved my life from the paws of the Anderson Pack, you then took me as a mate, it is now time that I repay your kindness, so forgive me for saying this but you have no choice in the matter, I WILL fight at your side and the Steel Pack will be victorious"

\n  

\n I cannot deny that the thought of fighting side by side with Rion filled me with an immense feeling of pride and love for him, but it also filled me with fear and dread at the thought that I might lose him in the battle.

\n