Chapter 17: The Western Pack

The cold wind woke Humphrey the next morning. He slowly opened his eyes, not quite sure about why he was sleeping underneath a tree. But then it all came back to him. He remembered the logboard and Kyle. And getting banished from the pack. He was out on his own again and Humphrey was beginning to believe that he was destined for a life as a lone wolf. At least he was a fun-loving lone wolf, but that wouldn’t do anything to improve his situation.

Humphrey stretched his legs and yawned as he prepared to move on. As he looked around, he noticed a berry bush nearby. He grimaced at the thought that he would need to get used to eating berries again. After a horrible breakfast, Humphrey began to move out, wandering once again into the great unknown of the forest. The Mysterious Man closely followed him.

The air was filled with fog and mist, greatly reducing Humphrey’s visibility. He began walking slower to be sure he wouldn’t run into a tree or accidentally fall off a cliffside now that he was beginning to enter the more mountainous part of Jasper. He had decided the night before to try and make for the large valley he had seen shortly before he was banished. It seemed like a good place where he could settle down for a while.

He walked carefully through the fog for about an hour when he suddenly noticed a shape in the mist. Something was facing him. He could clearly tell that it was a wolf, but he still approached with caution. He had no idea who this was or what they might do to him. As he approached, he noticed another, shorter silhouette appear in the fog. The Mysterious Man also noticed the two figures and waited behind a nearby tree.

As Humphrey slowly approached the two, he saw indeed that they were wolves. He immediately rushed to them, grateful for the fact that maybe he could join their pack. The two wolves noticed Humphrey coming toward them and called out to him.

“Hey,” one of them called out. “Are you alright?”

Humphrey didn’t say anything in response.

“It looks like a pup,” the other wolf said, squinting to try and see through the thick fog.

“I think you’re right,” the first wolf said. “Is it one of ours?”

“I don’t think so,” the second wolf replied. “I don’t recognize him from either pack.”

“Me neither,” the first wolf said.

Humphrey rushed up to the two and stopped, trying to catch his breath.

“Hey there, little guy,” the first wolf said, looking down at Humphrey. “What are you doing all the way out here? And where are your parents?”

Humphrey’s face turned solemn.

“It’s a long story,” he said.

The wolves turned to each other.

“What could he be doing out here all on his own?” the second wolf said.

“No idea,” the first one replied.

Humphrey looked up at the two.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Hutch,” the first wolf said. “And that’s Cando. What’s your name?”

“I’m Humphrey,” he replied.

Cando and Hutch turned to each other again.

“He looks hungry,” Cando said. “Who knows how long it’s been since he’s had a good meal.”

“I agree,” Hutch said. “We should take him Winston.”

They turned back to Humphrey.

“How long has it been since you’ve eaten?” Hutch asked.

“I had a couple berries this morning, but I haven’t had any meat for a day or so,” Humphrey replied.

“Well come on,” Cando said. “We’ve got some fresh caribou you can have.”

Humphrey eagerly followed Cando and Hutch into the Western Pack where he saw many wolves going about their business. They looked at Humphrey, wondering who he was and why he was there. While he didn’t know it at the time, as Humphrey was being led farther into the valley and deeper into the pack, a new chapter of his life was about to begin.