Honor daftly sprinted over the fallen tree log covered in wet dark green moss. The scents of the forest were overwhelming him and he could hear prey skittering in the undergrowth below.
His mouth started to water and he took one last deep breath, savoring the smell of rabbit. He could almost imagine the taste of freshly killed meat.
It had been almost half a moon since he's been in a pack and he'd never realized how lucky he was to have plenty of prey killed for him.
He'd been eating the tiny scraps of meat he could find. Most of the prey had gone to Stream, as she had lost a lot of blood during the birth and was terribly ill. But they could not seek help from the packs no longer.
The smell was enough to urge him to go hunting. But he couldn't hunt. If he was late, he'd be in even more trouble if he was late.
He realized he had tightened his grip on the little pup's scruff as she let out a pitiful wail. She was only three days old and should still be by her mother's side. But Kestrel's message had been strict on bringing the little scrap of fur.
He softly dropped the pup on the dried leaves and pine needles. "Don't worry, little one. We will be there soon...". His throat tightened. Why did they want me to bring her? Are they going to try to hurt her? "I will protect you...I just hope I'm strong enough".
Her ears still sealed, she could not hear his empty promises. He sighed and gently picked her back up. We really have to think of a name when I'm done with this.
He continued trotting through the moonlit forest and avoiding the exposed roots. He grew more weary as he neared the clearing of the meeting place. He could smell many wolves, both the packs had brought a few wolves.
He flicked his ear and stopped a few feet away from where the trees gave away into the clearing.
A few seconds later, a growl split the air. "I know your there, Honor. Stop cowering in the shadows and come join us".
It was his former leader, Kestrel. Her beta, Storm, stood besides her. Among the wolves of the pack, was the new hunter, Sunny, and Honor's sister.
She frowned and caught his eye as he stepped out of the shadows, gripping his daughter.
East Pack's beta stood on the other side of the clearing. It was the first time since the war they'd been in the same area without it being a battle.
"I see you listening and brought the little brat" East Pack's beta said. If Honor remembered correctly, his name was Redwood. "Now, we will begin the trial".
"The trial?! You said you just wanted to talk!". He backed up a step.
Kestrel narrowed her eyes. "You know very well a wolf who breaks a rule will get punished".
"But I'm already punished! I left the packs knowing I would be exiled, and I promise to never return....Please, I was once loyal to you. Just let my family and I live in peace. We won't bother you again".
All were silent and for second Honor thought they were going to let them go. Kestrel barked a short laugh. "Oh, Honor. So hopeful to see the good in others, even if it isn't there. You know deep inside I will not let you go".
Redwood stood up and Kestrel tensed. "Where is Stream?! I thought we said to bring the whole trio of liars!".
He bowed his head. "Stream is very sick, sir. The birth went wrong and she lost a lot of blood...She is not well enough to travel".
Redwood sniffed. "She was a beautiful young wolf and a great hunter...She could of had a great life in our pack and gifted us with many more talented pups but instead she runs off with a low-born male like you".
Honor parted his lips in the beginnings of a snarl.
Kestrel flicked her ear. "Watch it, Honor. Know your place".
The little pup was starting wiggle and whine but Honor was too afraid to put her down. "Ssh, it's okay".
"For the ancestors seek, is it going to cry all night like this?!". The wolves around him all narrowed their eyes.
Honor put her down, gave her a quick lick on the head and pushed her close to his chest. "She should still be by her mother's side...I should really get going before it gets colder".
Kestrel jumped into his only way out. "If you know what's good for you, you should stay right here. I have several wolves right here tonight that would be happy to bite into a traitor's flesh". She scanned the trees around them, flicking her ears.
Honor laid down, surrendering. "Please, Kestrel. I served you and the pack for my whole life and now I just ask for you to let me go. I have a family now, you know what it feels like to want to protect your family...".
She eyes softened as she thought of her lost family, but she snapped back into reality, raising her voice. "Family?! Your pack was your family but you choose to abandon us! And your the one to talk of family and love?!".
Honor flattened his ears. "I-I'm sorry-".
"I don't want to hear it!". Her eyes started down to the little pup nestled to his chest. "Huh, it looks weak. Does the little scrap have a name yet?".
"No, ma'am". A feeling of dread fell over him.
She rolled her eyes. "Talk about lousy parenting...but I think it's only fair if your leader gets to name it".
She reached down to touch her and Honor snapped his jaws at her muzzle. She flicked back and growled. "Let me get her".
He whined but backed away. She was confused why the warmth was gone and struggled in place. She let out a high pitched whine. She was cold, hungry and tired.
Kestrel let out a snort. "So pitiful. But then again, it's just a newborn". She roughly grabbed her by the scruff and flung her around as if she was showing her off. The little pup cried as sharp teeth dug into her skin.
Honor but his lip to keep from saying anything.
"Look at it. The result of a broken law, a pup bore from two wolves from opposing sides, a half-bred freak. She already looks weak and we know she hasn't been cared for properly. It probably won't won't make it through winter, I'd be doing your a favor if I killed her right now...But I'm not that cruel. Honor, your punishment is to not die or be banished from this forest."
"No, this punishment is to stay. Stay and raise your weird little family. Become the leader of your own pack and suffer as you watch each of them get weaker and weaker and then eventually die. Feel the pain of being alone in this sick, twisted world, knowing you could of tried helping them, but failed". A smile spread across her face.
She set down the pup on the forest floor. "Now, for a name....Hm, pack names are always choose by the parents and are nature related. But for this worthless little scrap we need something special".
The surrounding wolves let out laughs. Why are they laughing? Is it the cry of a little pup or my fear scent? I never realized how different they can be...I thought I knew them...
"That's it!". Kestrel's eyes lit up and glared at Honor. "From this day on, this little freak will be known as Worthless. It is a honest name and I'm sure she'll live up to it. She will be sent to live with her family of cowards and if she's ever seen in this territory alone, she will be killed".  Across the clearing, Redwood and the rest of wolves nodded in agreement.
Honor looked around in horror. That can't be her name!
"W-Worthless?! You can't call her that! She's just a pup-".
Kestrel turned to face him. "If it was really the will of the ancestors for this pup to be born, she will bear the name of a Alpha's choice! I did not want to hear you call her anything different, do you hear me?!".
He stumbled back. "Yes ma'am!".
She picked Worthless up and tossed her by his front legs. "Now get out of my sight. I wish to never see you on my territory again. And you better respect that, I let you live".
He bowed his head and grabbed Worthless by her scruff. He looked around last time at the hostile faces around him and dashed into the unknown depths of the forest.
Worthless swung dangerously back and forth as he bounded into den they were staying in. Towards the back of the cave, Stream's limp body was laying in the mud. Yesterday's rain had leaked in from the cracks and turned the dirt to mud.
He placed Worthless at her side and nudged her. "Stream, I'm back". She didn't stir and he nudged her again. "Are you hungry? I can go hunt...but our pup has a name now". He sighed and she still didn't wake up. That's weird...
"Come on, our pup is hungry. She needs to-". He finally realized her chest wasn't rising and falling. He nudged her hard, her body stiff and cold.
"No, no! Stream, wake up! You can't go now! You have to stay strong for our pup and watch her grow up. Please, Stream, wake up". Her eyes remained closed and he curled up besides her body, whimpering. I shouldn't of left her. We shouldn't of left in the first place! She could of had the pup in her pack and still be safe...Oh, Stream, I'm so sorry!
He closed and eyes and laid his head by her cold muzzle.
Meanwhile, Worthless dragged her little body around trying to find the warmth. She could smell her parents but her eyes were still sealed tight. She let out a whimper, hoping the a muzzle would nudge her in the right direction.
Honor looked down at her and sniffed. She's going to die without Stream...Everyone will be gone...Just like Kestrel said. Oh, she was right! But I can't go back now, he looked back at the little pup crawling towards him. I have to try to give her a good life.
Her nudged her and she curled into his chest, shivering. He sighed and looked out into the forest. Welcome to the real world, Worthless.