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It was a clear, quiet day. The leaves of the expansive forest didn't stir, it seemed as if almost nothing did. Everything was silent. The sun beat down harshly on the lush vegetation. Suddenly a limping form was visible through the thick trees. He held his head high, his single ear angling forward. A sleeping next of rabbits didn't notice him go by he was so quiet. He glided across the landscape like a ghost, and in a sense, that was how he felt. He was getting old, and this was something that he hoped to take in stride. While his skills weren't as sharp as they were in his youth he could still take on a spry youngster.

Suddenly he froze. Had he really just thought the word 'youngster'? Really? Him, the stud of years past was thinking of everyone else as youngsters? He snorted softly and shook his head, continuing his trek forward.

He came to the clearing where he was supposed to meet the adolescent wolf he was going to train. He wasn't there yet, so the pup was running late. he shook his head and sat down on the soft grass, letting the sun hit his blind eye and soak into his fur. While he waited, he remembered the past...

Cort was young and foolish. he had always been a cocky wolf and always challenged the older ones to fight. he always had to prove himself, always had to make himself seem the strongest. but one day he bit off more than he could chew.

A friend of his, Steven, had bet him he couldn't take on a full grown lynx and win. Cort had scoffed at this and took his bet, his mind spinning with the praise and recognition he would get later from the other wolves when he accomplished this impressive feat. He strutted off and away, not thinking in the least of what the consequences could be for this.

The Lynx near where his wolf Pack lived where cruel and fierce. they were overly large and knew how to use this. Sometimes they were caught killing young pups and there was a fierce rivalry between these two species. The lynx tended to be huge, shaggy, and pungent. To take on a fully grown one was a suicide mission!

As Cort headed deeper and deeper into the Lynx's territory, he was still cheerfully cocky and overly confident of his skills. His paws scraped loudly across the fallen leaves on the forest floor, announcing his presence to every living creature near him.

And soon enough, a pair of bright green eyes focused on him from behind a screen of bushes, glittering menacingly. It was a lynx, one of the biggest in the area. He was huge, his shaggy mud colored coat looked dull. His huge paws had razor sharp claws, and when he opened his muzzle to grin, he displayed a set of sizable yellow fangs. The only thing he had on his mind was fresh meat, and wolf meat at that. He crouched, his bulk hidden behind the bushes, and waited until Cort had come closer. When he was close enough, the big cat sprung, screeching and spitting as he landed on Cort.

He dealt a mind-numbing blow to his head, ripping his ear off entirely. Cort yelped, rolling to face the cat. The lynx chuckled, lunging forward and swatting at Cort's face. He was still off guard and the swipe hit him full in the face, right on his right eye. Cort howled, reeling backwards. he couldn't see out of that eye! He only saw out of one eye! He whined, backing up and swinging his head as the Lynx rounded on him again, preparing for the final killing blow. On impulse, Cort suddenly lunged forward, snapping his jaws open and launching himself at the Lynx. it was surprised, rearing back a little and exposing it's throat. Cort clamped onto this, clenching his jaws shut as tight as he could. The lynx hissed, trying to shake him off. Cort kept himself locked on the mighty creatures throat. The lynx could feel the fangs slowly digging into it's windpipe and it panicked, slamming his paw down as hard as he could on the wolf's left hind leg. He was pleased when he heard the bones shatter and the muscle beneath the fur revealed. It slashed at the leg again, deepening the cut and further damaging the bones. His eyes flickered, the life slowly going out of them. He sighed, what was left of the air in his lungs leaving him in a great whoosh as it died. The giant lynx collapsed on his side, limp.

Cort jerked his head a little bit, then let go, trying to walk backwards as he put weight on his leg. He screamed, falling over and writhing in pain. But that only made it worse and he whimpered, trying to claw forward. There were huge flashes of white exploding in his mind, the pain exploding visibly. Then, mercifully, he blacked out, wondering dimly what death would be like as he spiraled into unconsciousness.


Cort woke up much later in a soft pile of leaves. When he opened his eyes he was horrified for a moment that he could only see with one eye. he thrashed, reopening his wounds. Suddenly a warm paw lightly touched his forehead and he relaxed, looking upwards. It was the pack's Healer, Gabrielle. She smiled gently at him, her rich golden fur sparkling in the sunlight. He had always liked her. Even though he flirted with all the she-wolves, he loved her the best. She gently pushed him back down and sat next to him, her face taking on a hint of sadness.

Cort, I'm so sorry you have to hear this right after you've woken up...but...your leg had to be amputated. It was either that or you would die. She said softly.

For a moment he was shocked. His leg was gone...? He looked down and indeed the only thing that was there was a stump, which had begun to bleed again from his recent thrashings. He stared dumbly at it, then looked back at her, and then the stump again. How could this have happened to him? was it because he had been so cocky? That he believed her could do anything? Right now, he had no answer. Right now, he was in pain and in shock. He would have to adjust with a whole new way of life...

As the memory faded away Cort looked sad for a moment. His life had been hard after that. he had to retrain himself how to adapt to his disadvantages. But now he was one of the most respected wolves in the area. the others were always sending their pups over to him for him to train, and he did it. He was glad to do it.

Speaking of pups...Here was the one he was supposed to train now! He quickly stood and barked at the lad; "You! You were supposed to be here ages ago! Now start and give me drills!"