Fake Fate - Chapter One

Instructions

Zera yawned and stretched, enjoying the warmth of her den before standing up and walking outside. She stopped to survey her skulk. There were three families in hers. Rise, one of her friends, was talking to his cubs. Rise's mate, Feather was watching from a distance, with Stella, another friend. Stella's mate, Rye, was talking to Gorse, Zera's mate, and Stella and Zera's cubs were all play-fighting together. There were nine cubs in all. Feather had three, Stella had four, and Zera had two. Rise's and Feather's cubs were called Finch, Henry, and Noni. Stella's cubs, Goldfish, Hyena, Alamo, and Ethan, were play-fighting with Zera's cubs, Horse, and Clara. Zera smiled as she watched but she knew she didn't have time to relax. "Rye! Stella!" She called, causing both foxes to turn. "Have you hunted today?" She asked. Rye shook his head, "We're waiting until the evening. We have enough food to last until then." Zera nodded, accepting his answer. “I’m going to scout our land and make sure no other animals have decided to make their home nearby. I’ll be back by noon.” The other foxes all nodded, “See you at noon,” Gorse said. Zera turned and headed out of the clearing. Her shulk’s land wasn’t very large. They shared their land with many different shulk’s, but Zera wanted to make sure no other animals had settled there. Coyotes tended to come often. So did raccoons. Wolves sometimes came but most packs already knew the foxes didn’t want them here. Zera opened her mouth, seeing if she could smell any animals. There were plenty she could smell. Rabbits, birds, squirrels, but those were welcome. The more there were, the more food the foxes had. Zera continued forward. “Hello, Zera.” A voice said. Zera looked behind her, expecting to see a fox but instead meeting the blue eyes of a gray wolf. Zera bared her teeth. “What do you want, wolf?” She hissed. The wolf, not seeming at all concerned, smiled. “I want to talk to you, Zera.” She said. Zera scowled, “How do you know my name?” She demanded. The wolf laughed, “Sorry, I thought I had introduced myself. My name’s Shimmer. I’m the Paws of the Elders.” Zera raised an eyebrow at this. “I highly doubt an Elder would come to meet me.” She said flatly. Shimmer sat down in the grass, looking amused. “You know wolves consider lying to be a very horrid thing. I am Shimmer and I have been sent by the moon to retrieve you.” Zera tilted her head, still not convinced. “For what?” She asked. Shimmer hesitated. “I’m not allowed to say.” She finally said, “But we must go now. We do not have time to waste.” She stood in a swift motion, indicating that Zera should follow. Zera didn’t. “What about my shulk? My family?” She demanded, “My cubs? If I leave without warning, they’ll worry.” Shimmer started walking. “I’m sorry, Zera, but we don’t have time to waste. You can tell them when you get back. Come on.” Zera reluctantly followed. “Why are we in such a hurry?” She asked, “Where are we going?” Shimmer sped up, “The moon gave me a sign. There are two other animals included and we have to get them before the sun sets.” Zera caught up two Shimmer. “Two other animals? More foxes?” She asked. Shimmer shook her head, “No. The next chosen creature is a rabbit.”