I opened my eyes in the den to see a couple of pups playing roughly. I stood up and shook my fur. I yawned quietly as I stretched my legs in front of me and my spine popped. It felt so good to stretch. I watched them play for another minute before they noticed I was awake.
"Hey, look! Shade's awake! How did you sleep?" Fang smirked as him and his sister approached me.
"He doesn't care, neither do I. Who cares if you slept well? Sleeping is for mutts which is what you are: a useless, color blind, mutt." Frost grinned.
"You don't have a drop of wolf in you. You shouldn't be here." I slouched backwards with a soft whine. They were both much larger than me, though we were about the same age I think.
"What color are my eyes? Can you tell me that? No. Because you're worthless." Fang snarled once more.
"You only speak words. Words of stupidity. You both only bully me because you are weak." I spoke too fast and wasn't able to think before I spoke.
"We are weak? Look who's talking! I'll show you who is weak!" Before I could move, I was quickly knocked over and felt sharp teeth in my shoulder. Letting out a small yelp, I snapped my jaws frantically, unable to reach Fang at all.
"Fang! Frost! Get over here! You need to be getting ready for your Ceremonies. Stop picking on Shade and come here."
"Mutt." Frost mumbled as they both headed towards their mother.
   I stood up and licked my shoulder. It wasn't my fault I was born color blind. It wasn't my fault I was born the runt of the litter. It isn't my fault I am a German Shepherd! I wish I could be normal, but I guess that isn't an option in the real world. I don't have any friends, so what? Friends aren't a necessity of life. Survival is.
   I left the den quickly to see if I could get something to eat. As I approached the pile of rocks that contained the food caught by the Hunters, I felt my pelt heat up as the wolves in the camp stared at me in disgrace. None of them understood why I was accepted into this pack, I didn't even. I have heard stories that my mother left me here to be cared for by wolves so humans didn't raise me. Other stories said my mother was killed on the territory and I was found, but not my siblings. Some wolves said Alpha Stream knew my mother and took me in... but I don't know if those are true.
   Rumors are rumors. Lies are lies. Bullies are bullies. It never changes. Rumors shouldn't be considered true, but many wolves assume a rumor is the truth.
   I grabbed a small squirrel which was perfect for my size. Usually I ate the bones as well. I crunched down loudly on the small, fragile bones. Delicious. Some said I was sent to kill everywolf. Others say I am a weird freak. I don't care. I try my hardest to stay in a good mood, but really, I never am. I just hide it. Once I finished the squirrel, I began towards the camp exit.
"Shade, you can't leave camp, your Subordinate Ceremony is soon." I paused at Stream's voice. She was the only one who didn't wish my death. I turned around slowly.
"How soon?" She had padded up behind me already. She started to flatten the fur ruffled on my shoulder and my head. I tried to pull away, but couldn't.
"Come with me. I have something for you." She led me into her den, nodding to her mate, Stone, for him to leave. He nodded back and left the den, dismissing the den guards.
"I was given this by your father last night. He said to give this to you the day of your Subordinate Ceremony. He is sorry he can't raise you himself, he said he wouldn't be able to and the things he did were too dangerous for you." She slipped on a bandana around my neck.
"It is red. It matches your fur."
"Thanks, Stream." She nodded solemnly and dismissed me.
   I bet she will be my tutor. What I don't know is what League I will be training for. I always wanted to be a guard, but I might be set for the Hunting League because of my strong jaws. I left the den and jumped down the rocks. The Ceremony will start around Sun high. I crawled through bushes to my secret spot and remained there until the Ceremony.