• Twigs snapped under his steps as he walked through the dark forest. The half moon provided him some light, but it was his vision that allowed him see through the dark, beautiful night. A long howl made his ear perk and grow curious of who it was. The howl sounded like it was in pain, like something was wrong. The wolf lifted its head up, taking in the scents. It was a female wolf, but there was another scent with her. The black wolf snorted and turned away from the scent. What use was he to those out there? Another howl filled the night from the same area. The wolf growled and took off into the howl’s direction.
    Curiosity is getting the best of him.

    A she-wolf whimpered in pain as she laid down in her den. Her stomach swollen and full of the new life she will bring to the world. She let out a howl, trying to send out a message to her sister, but no answer. She gave a low growl, growing tired of the pain she was feeling. She winced in pain, letting out another whimper. A twig snapping caught her attention as she looked up to see a dark figure. Her ears perked up and her tail wagged, showing how happy she was to see her sister had arrived. The scent than hit her, making her realize that it wasn’t her. The she-wolf gave a growl, but was silenced from the pain. The male wolf walked up to her, questioning what was going on.

    “W-what are you d-doing here?” The she-wolf asked, struggling from the pain.

    “Your howl was in pain, I…I got curious.” The male wolf said his head down to show respect to the Alpha.

    A growl came from behind the black wolf as an unexpected wolf attacked him. The attacking wolf pinned him down baring her fangs and growling, angrily.

    “Did you do anything to my sister?” She question, applying pressure to her front paw placed on the male wolf’s neck.

    “K-Kerlin, he’s o-okay.” The she-wolf struggled to say.

    Her sister released the male wolf from her under her paws and trotted over. She looked back at me and growled.

    “Get Out!” She snapped.

    The black wolf stepped back in the dark forest, keeping his distance from the two sisters. This is what he gets for at least trying to help another. His presence was never wanted from anyone. It is why he became a loner. He was about to turn and leave the two sisters, making them just a distant memory, but little cries caught his attention. Pups? His ears laid against his head and backed away slowly. It was one thing to mess with a she-wolf, but to mess with a she-wolf and her pups was begging for death. Kerlin, the she-wolf’s sister, ran to him with a determined look.

    “Are you up for a hunt?” She asked.

    He tilted his head, confused. Was she asking for help?

    “Well! Are you?!” She snapped.

    The black wolf quickly nodded his head and Kerlin passed by him, muttering to him to follow. He followed, still surprised that the wolf was asking for help.

    “Kerlin, right?” He questioned.

    She didn’t answer, just paying attention to the area in front of her.

    “Where is your Alpha’s mate? She shouldn’t be out here in a weak state such as that with out protection.” The black wolf said, out of curiosity.

    “He abandon her a long time ago. It shouldn’t bother a loner like you.” Kerlin muttered. “Why did you decide to come to my sister’s help anyways? It didn’t involve you in.”

    “I heard her howls of pain and I grew worried. My presence to others may not matter, but I wish to help.”

    “What is your name?”

    “Olphoran.” He answered.

    She stopped and looked at him, shaking her head. What is she doing?

    “The thought of being alone, never having one close to ones heart, never having companionship with others. A name that should never be given to a wolf.” She said, sadly.

    Olphoran looked at her confused and surprised. She knew the meaning of his name. That’s a first. Kerlin continued her hunt for food, keeping her muzzle high and alert. Every now and than she’d stop to strike a conversation, to see what he's been through as a loner, but for some reason she never got on the subject of his original pack. That’s good at least. His pack didn’t matter to him anymore, nothing mattered to him. Olphoran raised his head and took in the scents, trying to find anything good to eat. Rabbit, no to small; bear, no to dangerous; Buffalo, no to big; elk…just right. He lowered his head and snorted.

    “There’s an elk just a distance ahead. It is too weak to stay with its herd.” He said, speeding up so he could walk along side Kerlin.

    “How do you know this?” She questioned.

    “Being a loner has taught me more than I can learn with a pack.”

    He took off ahead of her, leading to the elk’s location. They arrived to see an old, injured elk trying to catch up with its herd, which was long gone.

    “You were right.” She said, astonished.

    “My nose never lies.” He chuckled, running at the elk.