Bottle and a Gun

Russia
2040s

Brock leaned against the wall of the shady little tavern in the middle of the woods, waiting patiently. His apprentice, whatever his name was, was off practicing hunting, by the sounds of it. The man could hear his every move, and so, it seemed sloppier to him than it probably was. He glanced at his clock, then at the entrance to the bar, where a buxom stewardess was holding out a mug of ale for him.

He sauntered over to the girl, grinning wolfishly at her before taking the ale. "Thanks, hun." He winked, dismissing her by taking a large gulp of the stuff. It was much stronger than the stuff they had in America, but hey, travel demanded new experiences. His eyes on the woman, he barely noticed when his ward came out of the trees.

He turned and gasped as some moved behind him. He had definitely heard something but when he turned there was nothing there. Without a seconds thought he was moving out of the forest and back into the safety of the streets where he knew Brock would be waiting.

He walked over to his new guardian and sat down against the wall waiting. At least his parents never forgot about him. He couldn't say the same about Brock. He'd wondered off countless times now only to return to see another woman in his arms and Loki all but wiped from his mind.

Brock was winking at the girl when he noticed the boy's presence. "Oh, there you are short stuff. I was just telling... erm... Marianne here, all about you." He ruffled Loki's hair affectionately. "Did you catch anything yet?" He looked around the boy for evidence of any animal at all. He even sniffed, trying to give the boy a chance. "Would you like me to demonstrate?"

He watched forlornly as the stewardess excused herself and left, looking after her. He turned back to the boy and sighed. "You need to learn how to hunt as a human, you know. It makes hunting as a wolf that much easier." He nodded to the boy and offered a hand to help him up. "Let's go... erm... Ryder. We can even go visit the pack later. You just have to catch something first."

"Yes." He said his eyes lighting up. He loved watching him hunt. It made it that much easier to hunt himself. He'd always learnt best by copying. He took his mentors hand and jumped to his feet. He couldn't wait to see this.

"Really? You'll take me to see the pack?" He asked, he loved going to see them. It's where he wanted to be when he was older. Without being told to he ran off straight into the forest to hunt something down. The bigger the better.

Brock let out a laugh and followed the boy, already sniffing the air. Most of the creatures were in hiding, scared off by his apprentice's last attempt. Once in the forest, he placed a hand on Loki's head, telling him wordlessly to keep still. After a few minutes, he started walking, making his way silently through the underbrush.

Before them was a stream, and drinking from that stream was dinner, or as the human side of him insisted, a deer. Carefully, he edged his way around the creature,waiting for the perfect moment to...

He sprang, tackling the deer and taking its life with an easy twist of its neck. Grinning, he stood, looking for his apprentice. "Now its your turn, Ryder."

Loki watched in awe as his mentor easily took down the deer. He wanted to be able to do that. He wanted to be able to do it so badly. He let out a long breath then closed his eyes to listen, for a heart beat or little pattering of feet, anything to give away the presence of an animal.

Just there! The snapping of a twig. It was silent, but it was there he was sure of it. Without a seconds thought he got low and quietly headed towards the sound like he'd be taught. He sprung from the bushes and landed on top of a fox and snapped its neck before it had chance to do anything else.

With a smile on his face he turned to Brock his eyes glowing. "Did i do good?" He asked.

Brock watched and grinned, ruffling the boys hair. "Very well done, Ryder." He praised, lifting the fox up and throwing it over his shoulder. "We now have your first sacrifice to the Pack."

With a grin he lead the boy deeper into the forest, stopping in the clearing where he'd parked his jeep. Throwing the deer in the back seat, he opened the driver's side seat and slid into his seat. "Hop up front kid." He said, revving the engine. Once his apprentice had settled in, he sped away, tires spewing up dirt.

"Take a nap, Ryder. It's a long drive."

He smiled up at Brock, now eager to meet the pack. He'd proved himself now. Now one could say he didn't belong. He did as he was told and jumped into the passengers seat, kinda thankful that he didn't have to sit with the deer. Not because he was afraid, he just liked his space.

"I can't sleep now!." He said eagerly, looking back at the forest. He'd made his first kill.