Snippet #1491454

Sanse was curled inside his den, eyes half open as he observed the dust in the moonlight. The day had passed quickly. But there was much to think about. Perhaps he should order extra patrols. With the peace between borders, he hadn't seen fit to continue the stressful patrols. But a new threat had been proposed. And the pack must be protected. He shut his eyes, sleep soothing his mind as he slipped gently into the darkness.
Golden Cry had also been sitting in the den, staring outside. Her bright eyes reflected the lit snow. She sat alertly, as if waiting for something. She relaxed a bit as she saw more of her peers come into sight. Her stomach grumbled at the thought of food, but she didn't figure she needed it. She could catch something tomorrow, perhaps.
Golden Cry tucked in her paws as she lay down, still staring outside the den. Okari walked to camp - later than the rest. He was limping. Sudden worry came over her, but she stopped herself from springing upwards. There wasn't the scent of blood on him. Maybe it was something minor. She decided to ask tomorrow morning.

Sanse awoke, feeling strange. He shook his head, and got to his paws. He collapsed. His heart racing, he tried to get up again. With the same results. Suddenly fearful, he lunged forward onto his front paws - and fell face-forward. He scrambled into a sitting position. He wasn't in pain. His legs would simply not work.
Eventually he forced himself to stand, with his legs wobbling miserably. He took slow steps forward, extremely confused and terrified. This was unlike anything described to him before. He did not want to go and face his pack. He took pup-steps forward until he reached the spot where he usually bounded up the rocks to his den. He slid down, made a rough landing on the ground, and got back onto his feet. The whole way to the medic's den he was slipping or tripping or collapsing again. He felt the weakness in his muscles, too. He did not feel like he could jump, or run, or even trot. He did not feel like he could bite an opponent, lap up the tiniest amount of water, eat the smallest morsel of prey. He was completely and utterly weak. And weak alphas did not stay alphas. He plunged forward into the medicine den, to find it empty. His heart sinking, he turned back around and stumbled his way to the center of camp. He sat down, still perplexed, and watched his pack.

Golden Cry yawned widely. She got up, stretched, and walked out of the den. She saw Silver Moon prancing in the icy snow. Her attention was turned to the well-camouflaged alpha at the center of camp. She pricked her ears. "I wonder what he's doing." The practices of the older wolves was still a mystery to her.
She bounded to Silver Moon, and barked in greeting.