Black Ghost

Seven

That night the pack refused to all split off and go to their own dens. Captain led them into the nursery, the largest sleeping place, and laid blocking the entrance so that no monster could get in. Together they laid, curling up, pressing into one another. It was cramped and uncomfortable. All of Quiet’s pack mates smelled of distress and the den still reeked of sickness from the pups. But at least it made her feel just a little bit safer.

After a long space of time, the pack was asleep, although their slumber was light and anxious. Quiet couldn’t help but stay awake, her head resting on Gruff’s back as she looked towards the entrance of the den, watching the dark space above Captain’s figure for any movement. Her eyelids drooped, sleep dragging at her muscles and begging to drag her down into slumber, but she knew that if she fell asleep her pack would be dead when she woke. But oh, how tantalizing sleep seemed. Perhaps only a few moments wouldn’t be… so… bad…

A whisk of movement snapped Quiet back into consciousness. Lifting her head, she peered into the cramped darkness of the nursery. Were one of her pack mates awake and guarding them? Poking her nose in that direction she sniffed, but couldn’t find any smells that notified her of consciousness from one of her pack members.

Quiet let out a breathy sigh, shifting the way that she was laying and looking over towards Captain again with sleepy eyes. That’s when the black wolf’s head appeared in the den entrance.