Wednesday, August 1st 8:46 pm

Once more, the humans could be seen walking about in the open field. Having a campfire, dancing, and drinking are on the agenda. We didn't mind not being invited to any of their parties because they never invited any of us. We would intentionally mess with them when in fox form just to annoy them. Because it's hard to imagine somebody who wouldn't start to question their sanity if they saw a few foxes in a region where such animals aren't often seen. Something unusual can be said about this Texas town of modest size. We were all compelled to attend classes with the humans since there just weren't enough of us. The skulk had attempted to educate all of us at home, but because to the baby boom that occurred when I was three years old, this was no longer a viable option. We felt compelled to try to "fit in" with the other children who were human. They were able to pick up on the fact that something was off about us, which eventually led to us turning against them and them turning against us. Now that we had some free time away from our skulking duties, we would go look for them and their party place on the weekends, and then we would transform into foxes and crash the party.

Vix, my fox, let out a sound that was a cross between a snort and a cough. I was aware that she was giggling at the sight of the humans gathering in a circle to discuss what they had just seen. Much of my skulk were normal-looking foxes, either red, brown, or a reddish-brown tint. My mother and I both have a very white fur. According to my mother, the reason for this is that our bodies contain old DNA, and as a result, we are required to remain concealed. Vix and I did not share the same opinion.

When we go down to mess with them, Vix and I are generally the last ones to go down there. It throws people off since my fox is white and it lives in the south. 

As Vix and I run, feeling the wind in our fur, we create a tunnel in front of us and behind us to conceal our color from anyone who might be watching. Until the very last second, when we allow the wind shield to drop, and they are able to see us. The folks who saw it let out a stunned collective breath, and we quickly lift the screen up to conceal our movement as we make our way back up to the gorge.

When we get there, the students are already rushing to their cars, where some of them are loading their belongings while others have already started driving away. Even though I haven't been a student in a high school for the past four years, I still have a reputation for being a troublemaker within the skulk.

Suddenly, I’m pulled from the thoughts in my head from another voice invading them.

SABER! The Queen would like to see you in her chambers in 10 minutes, don’t be late.

Thank you, Mother Marge. I grumble back as I try to think of a way to make a 15-minute trip in 10.

We have this, after all, we are the fastest. Encourages my fox, Vix. I sit back in my mind and wonder about what my mother could want now while we make the trip back.

Ten minutes later

After running into my mother's house while still in fox form, I laid down on the floor. She appeared to be looking at me through her glasses as if I had just interrupted a private moment between her and the book that she was currently carrying in her hand. Her jet-black hair framed her face like it was in love with the form. Her emerald eyes were looking at me in a perplexed manner. Her grin was like a treacherous ascent that any climber would be afraid of. She then peered down at me from her height of 5 feet and 5 inches.

“Are you going to shift back and great your mother like a normal person would, or are you going to lay there all night?” The annoyance in her voice was obvious.

I rapidly changed forms and threw on the clothes that were knotted around my neck so that I could hang on to them. Bowing I said hello. The fact that she is my mother would lead one to believe that I may expect a hug from her or some other type of welcoming from her. However, the time we spent on the run diminished her capacity for concern. After my older brother was taken captive twenty years ago, she had absolutely nothing left in her. We had no way of knowing what happened to him, but the consensus among us was that they drained him of his power and then eliminated him. My brother, Zane was the closest friend I've ever had.

“Hello, mother. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” I said, still slightly out of breath from the run and shifting so quickly.

“Saber, what am I going to do with you?” She put a manicured finger to her lips and looked at me with question and worry in her eyes. Suddenly it changes to that of determination and purpose. “Oh, I know. I have a task for you to complete.”

“Yes, mother.” I stated keeping the strain and annoyance from my voice. She knew the whole time why she was summoning us, no need to act like it was something new.

“There’s a pack to the northwest of us, who has something we’ve been looking for. It’s been a long hunt, but apparently the new young, foolish Alpha hasn’t been keeping the treasure hidden like his previous ancestors. It’s a ring that holds great power to the one who wears it. It doesn’t work for normal shifters, so you should have no problem obtaining it. We will give you the location and everything you need before you leave. You have a week to prepare.” And with that I was dismissed by my loving mother, who had already turned back to her book, not caring that I was still sitting there.