I had never known anything other than the comfort of my den and the company of my pack. I was used to it, and hadn't questioned it until these recent days. I wanted change, and finally decided that today was going to be different. I wanted to venture outside. And now was perfect, considering my parents were out training my brother, Snowblind for the first time. This was my chance, and so I began to work with it. I took my first step outside.

The rays of warm evening sun beamed down onto me, making me flinch a bit, but it didn't take long to get used to. The air was rich with scents, everything was so complex and I felt a pang of excitement at these brand new sightings. I broke into a sprint, I didn't have all day out here! If my parents found out, they would certainly be mad. But for now, I was in euphoria. But just as fast as it started, it ended, that euphoria being replaced with shock as I felt myself falling and then was greeted with a sharp pain. Everything started to disappear and I felt my consciousness slip away.

It all got lighter as I was awoken by muttering, which progressively got louder as I tuned into my surroundings. "W..what's happening?"

I managed to blurt some words out, just to be followed by the familiar tone of my mother.
"You really ruined it for yourself this time, Thunder. It took far longer than it should have plucking those thorns out of your flesh."

My ears perked in surprise and I lifted my head, wide awake at this point.
"Wait, what?!"

This time my father responded.
"You just happened to have to destroy your brother's day by getting yourself tangled in a thorn bush. Things like THAT are why we forbid you from leaving the den at such a pathetic age!"

I pinned my ears back as he snapped and attempted to think of a reasonable response.
"I-I'm sorry! I just wan-"

I was cut off by him again. "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY OF IT! IF YOU LOVE THE OUTSIDE SO MUCH, THEN I'LL GIVE YOU THE FANTASTIC PRIVILEGE TO SPEND THE NIGHT OUT THERE! AND YOU WILL NOT BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COLD!"

I  shot a wide eyed look at my mother in search of compassion, but found none. I nodded stiffly and subtly, still in shock as I watched both wolves stalk back to the corner of the den where they would be sleeping. My brother began following behind, but stopped to turn his head toward me. "Today I was announced the strongest member of our pack, and you get this. Seems fitting." He chuckled before continuing on his way. I felt a tingle of rage in my chest and proceeded to let out an embarrassingly silent growl as I prowled toward the exit of the den.