The Law of the Pack, Part III
#6 of The Law of the Pack
The female wolf who had come to collect him caught up with Jim. She moved along side of him, but kept her distance out of respect for his social position.
"I haven't seen you around much before," Jim said, idly making conversation.
"That's because I'm a beta," the female said, matter-of-factly. Jim cringed, wondering whether he had just made an ass of himself.
"Hmm," he responded, in neither the affirmative nor the negative. They walked on, and neither attempted to start up any further conversation. They reached the den ten minutes later, and Jim swallowed hard as the beta wolf left him alone to face his fate. He climbed up the stones to the large cave that he and his younger brothers and sisters, as well as his mother and father, lived in, and encountered his mother. She walked up to him, and rubbed his head with her muzzle
"Jim, honey, welcome back," his mother said. "Don't you dare do that to me again," she added to the end, with a slight growl.
"Yes, ma'am," Jim said, taking a precautionary step back. Just then, his father appeared out of the shade of the cave.
"Hey, son," William said, walking toward Jim.
"Hey... Dad," Jim said, tucking his tail between his legs, and lowering his head, "I'm sorry..." William walked up, and lifted Jim's head with his muzzle.
"Don't worry about it. It's a big deal for me to just thrust it on you like that," William admitted.
"It is," Jim replied, "but I'll do what I have to for the good of the pack." William patted Jim on the head with the bottom of his muzzle.
"That's my son," he said, affectionately. "I remember when you were just a pup, and now you're all grown up, and you-"
"Still act like a pup?" Jim interjected, laughing. William chuckled.
"Only most of the time," William retorted. "Occasionally, you act like an adult, and then I question what's wrong with you..."
"Oh, thanks, Dad," Jim replied, sarcastically. "Seriously, though, what does this mean I have to do?"
"Well, you'll have to go away to school with the those betas who want to learn how to hunt, over the winter..." William admitted. Jim groaned.
"Dad, I already know how to hunt, why do I have to go to hunting school?" Jim asked. William shrugged.
"You may know how to hunt," the head alpha responded, "but can you command other wolves who are hunting? Do you know how to stalk prey to bring it down while minimizing injuries, casualties, and unplanned events for the rest of your pack?"
"Well..." Jim began, "no, I guess not... Man, that's going to suck... When do I leave?"
"That beta that came and retrieved you today? She's from the Eastern pack. You and her are going to head south to the south pack, and there you'll be trained. Dan, your instructor there, is a very good friend of mine, so don't act like a fool, or I'll hear about it." Jim sighed. He would do it, if it was what was best for the pack.
"Alright," Jim said, nodding his head. "I'll go; but I have to tell the guys first."