I move quietly through the familiar borders of the land I had always lived in. It is easy to tell that I have returned the spot that I was raised in. My red paws easily press into the ground feeling the swamp pull me in, as if welcoming back into its grasp, a bitter sweet gesture. I have been all over the place and I have been gone for a few seasons, but I’ve returned with knowledge. I know I should have come straight home after my visit in the mountains, but how could I resist the temptation of traveling around more often? The swamp would be fine and no one hardly needed me around. I figured the swamp would still be intact without me around and so I continued on, thinking perhaps I will continue to gather more information and increase my worth. The scents along my ebony and crimson form tell the tale that I have indeed been everywhere and met so many. The teeth marks along my shoulder and neck show that on my travels I was attacked, but thanks to a pack we consider our enemy they kept me alive and fixed me up. I am so very afraid that my kind will find out and I am nervous that the Angel pack will require some use of me for a favor. I just hope it doesn’t happen and if it does it has nothing to do with my pack. I may not know everyone and they may not know me, but I am at least trying.

As I move through the dark swamps I head towards the familiar den of my Alpha. I carry in my jaws a healthy plump badger. I hope my offering is pleasing to him. He has so many skulls and bones that I figured he might want a few more. As I near his den I lower my head and tail my movements slow and cautious. I am not of the royal heirs, there is nothing valuable in my blood, and so I am not nor ever will be considered an equal. The daughter of the lowest of the low is all that I am, but I hope to prove I can be something so very different. I know when Mother left me in the summer before I turned one I had felt his eyes on me and caught a faint whiff of his scent on the wind. I may not be his own flesh and blood, but I was still a part of the pack and needed to be taken care of…even from a distance. As soon as I reach the entrance of his den and I go still for a moment and simply stare at the black depths. One crimson ear points forward as I hear something move. The scent of our other Alpha Lilith isn’t as fresh as before, but I can only assume she has gone and left to check on her own children or maybe she is out doing something for the pack. As soon as I see the golden eyes of my Alpha peering at me through the darkness I tilt my head down respectfully placing the badger on the ground, nudging it gently towards his den with my muzzle. Bright violet eyes meets his own as I speak softly hoping he will be pleased that I accomplished his tasks.

“Sir…I traveled to Spirane and then I went to go visit the other packs too even this new one. May I stay and tell you more or would you like me to come back some other time?”

I don’t want to intrude or bore him if he doesn’t require my presence right now. I am just so happy and ready to show him I did something good. I seek that praise and I desire to be considered useful.