SEASON I CHAPTER I
In the high mountains of Ethiopia, two Ethiopian wolves can be seen practicing hunting skills together. The afternoon sun casting long shadows on the grass around them. The older wolf covers his eyes and starts to count as the younger wolf runs off giggling. After counting to 30 he uncovers his eyes, gets up and begins to look for the smaller wolf.
“Jahzara?” a male teenage wolf called out, slowly walking forward, and scanning the area of long wavy grass they were in. “where are you?” The teen wolf had a lovely orange coat with white fur on his chin, lower chest, and belly. He had a unique brown tuff on his head which matches the end of his tail. His yellow eyes scan the tall grass for any sign of life.
A giggle can be heard behind him and before he knows it, he’s tackled to the ground by a ball of orange fur about half his side.
“GOT YOU!” the smaller pup claimed, sitting proudly on top of the fallen wolf. The smaller pup being the same shade of orange as the larger teen. Her eyes hazel brown and her smile as big as ever.
“Indeed, you do!” the older wolf says. “you’re getting better each time! You’ll be ready to hunt before you know it!”
“Really Raza? You mean I’ll be able to hunt with you soon?!” she asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.
“Of course you will Jahzara” Raza replied, getting up into a sitting position as Jahzara hops off him “you just got to remember to be quiet and not giggle as that can alert prey that your close”
“Oh… Sorry Raza” Jahzara wined, looking guilty “I tried. I really did!”
“hey hey its ok” he places a paw on her shoulder “You’re still learning Zara and we all make mistakes. It took me a long time to be as quiet as I am now” he lets out a chuckle “I remember I was just like you, and it was hard for me to be super quiet. If we don’t make mistakes, we’ll never know how to improve. With practice I bet you’ll even be better than me one day!”
“No one can ever be better than you Raza! You’re the best hunter I know!” she says confidently, nuzzling him.
“Up for a few more rounds?” Raza says, nuzzling her back.
“Sure. But I think its your turn this time!” Jahzara replied with a smirk.
“You’re on!”
After a few more rounds of practice, both wolves looked up to the setting orange sun casting a warm orange glow on the land. Both wolves were tired and began the walk back to their den
“Do you think I’ll be able to come on the hunt with you tomorrow?” Jahzara asked. Raza could see the hopefulness in her eyes.
“I don’t think so” Raza replied “practicing with your big brother is quite different to hunting an animal. Animals can be very unpredictable, and you could get really hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing. Remember that time I hurt my leg and couldn’t walk for a week? That was from hunting. I promised mother I’d look after you and keep you safe and I intend to keep that promise as long as I can”.
“Aw!” Jahzara pouted “what about when I’m older and all grown up like you? Will you let me go with you then?”
“Hmm… that all depends on if you get better than me” Raza replies, smirking at his younger sister “I can’t risk you coming with me and not knowing what you’re doing and getting hurt”
By the time they reached home it was almost night.
Home was a cliff ledge with a small cave about 3,000 meters up the side of a mountain. The view overlooked the breathtaking Ethiopian highlands which stretched on for miles and miles.
“The alpha will kill us for being late” Jahzara said to her brother as they neared the den.
“Don’t worry about him. He won’t even be there. He’ll probably be busy with the pack” Raza replied confidently.
As they neared the den they saw the alpha of the pack, Malik, waiting for them. His eyes staring straight into Raza’s soul.
“Its past sundown!” Malik barked “I was about to send out a search party for you! Do you know how embarrassing it would have been?!”
“So much for him not being there huh?” Jahzara whispered, trying her best not to smirk.
“Shut up!” Raza whispered back before directing his attention to Malik “Yeah I know!” he spoke with an exaggerated sigh as he went with Jahzara to their little spot in the den. “I was with Jahzara, and I was teaching her how to be quiet and pounce and working on her hunting skills. We lost track of time and before we know it, it was sundown. We made it home safe so it’s all good. You don’t need to spend all your time fussing over us. She’s with me so she’s safe. Simple. No Problems.”
Malik narrowed his eyes “watch that tone Raza! You may be her brother but remember who I am!”
“Sure” Raza said, smirking a little “Your just jealous I’m a better teacher then you”
“Get. In the den. NOW!” Malik responds, glaring daggers at Raza “I am the alpha of this pack, and I will NOT be disrespected like that by a pair of immature pups!”
Raza walks past Malik, still with a smirk on his muzzle. Jahzara next to him.
“I think you’re a better teacher then him too” she whispers to her brother.
“I heard that young wolf! Get in the den now! Anymore from either of you and you won’t eat tonight!”
Jahzara simply giggles and follows Raza whispering “he’s only upset because he knows its true”
Malik simply glares at Jahzara then follows the to the den.
On entering the den, Raza could make out the many other members of the pack. All of them he’d known since he was a pup. Some old, some young. In the centre was some mole rats which to some would be disgusting. To Raza and his pack, its dinner. He and Jahzara take a mole and begin eating it all filling their stomachs up.
Once they have had their share of food both siblings make their way to their spot in the den close to the exit where they can see the amazing view. Upon reaching his spot he follows his little sleeping preparation routine. He first sweeps his sleeping spot with his tail, then he stands on his spot, spins around a few times and finally curls up in a ball, his tail draped over his snout. He watches as the other pack members go to their spots and begin to wind down some flopping on their sides some on their back, some on their fronts and some, like Raza, curled up in a ball.
“Raz, can I sleep with you tonight?” Jahzara whispered in her older brother’s ear causing it to twitch.
“Sure Zara. You know where your spot is” Raza replied.
Giving a quiet giggle, Jahzara quickly climbs onto her brother’s back, spins around a few times too before curling up in a ball just like her brother.
Just as Raza is about to dose off the large silhouette of Malik appears in the entrance. It slowly moves towards him before cuffing him round the ear.
“Remember you are hunting for the whole pack tomorrow Raza” Malik said quietly
“Yeah yeah I remember” Raza tiredly replied, yawning, and rubbing his ear. He then whispers under his breath “not like I don’t do it every day.”
“What was that young wolf? I expect better than this from you!” Malik hissed “this attitude of yours is really starting to annoy me! Even your sister has started to take it on! It’s ridiculous!”
“Whatever” Raza replied, closing his eyes.
Malik takes a deep breath and gets close to Raza’s ear and whispers in a threatening tone “you better not mess up and disappoint me tomorrow with the hunt. I’m fed up with you enough as it is with this attitude. Don’t even think about getting me angry! You know damn well what will happen if you disappoint me!”
“Fine whatever” Raza replies making Malik growl and walk off to his spot at the back of the den.
Once Malik walks away he hears a voice from above him “Will he really hurt you if you don’t do well tomorrow?”
Raza takes a deep breath “I hope not. But if it happens it happens. Just promise me one thing Jahzara”
“What?”
“If he EVER hurts you or threatens to hurt you, you tell me OK?”
“I promise” she replies quickly
“Goodnight Zara”
“Goodnight Raz”
Both siblings fall asleep. Both ready for the day ahead, Jahzara dreaming about one day hunting with her brother and Raza dreaming about hunting with Jahzara, getting loads of food and impressing the alpha.
