I close my eyes and slow my breathing, letting the sounds of the forest come to me. I smell the scent of a deer and a family of rabbits. Prey but I have more important things to focus on today.
I open my eyes and scan the clearing.
Red eyes glow from the darkness among the bushes.
I growl at the intruder.
The other wolves around me see it too, and we all crouch down, preparing for a fight.
The animal steps out of the bushes, and I recognize the black fur and the white paws.
He’s a wolf, but not one of us.
He’s a rogue, and he looks dangerous.
I step forward, baring my teeth and snarling.
The rogue growls and crouches down in response to us, prepared to attack.
“This is your last warning, rogue,” I say. “Run!”
The rogue leaps forward and attacks.
I dodge to the side and, in one
