Snow Flower: Flower's Fang

By Madison Keller

Wet snow sprays from Arara's paws as she bounces after her father, who is checking his trap lines. Falling snow from the trees platters around her. In the distance branches crack and fall, broken by the weight of the melting snow.

She's supposed to be at school today, but she convinced him to take her hunting instead. School is horrible anyway. This is so much better. The warm spring air brings her spirits back up that had been brought low by schoolyard bullies.

Her father's ahead when there's a loud crack right above her head. Arara freezes, staring up at a giant branch falling right towards her. She screams, but the branch stops falling inches from her upturned snout. Hovering there, weightless. Held, she realizes, by her. This changes everything.

Snow Flower is a Prequel Novella to Flower's Fang.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rainbow Dog Books
• Release date: Dec 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9780990716730

Madison Keller

MADISON KELLER lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest. When not writing he can be found bicycling around the woods of Oregon or at the dog park with his adorable Chihuahua mix. Madison has transitioned and now goes by Ian.

Book preview

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

ARARA BARRELED AROUND the den, crashing into the dried mud walls and throwing around the pillows that lined the living room.

Noooooo! She howled, nimbly dancing away from her mother’s grab. I won’t go to school, I won’t!

Eraka, Athura called, as she continued to grab at Arara, come help me catch your daughter.

Arara, listen to your mother, Eraka bellowed from somewhere farther in the den.

Arara stuck her tongue out at Athura and charged around her straight into the back hall. She raced down the narrow tunnel, popping out into her parents’ room and tackling her father. He looked down at where Arara clung to his leg with a bemused expression and then went back to strapping on his hunting pannier.

Dad, take me hunting with you instead, Arara pleaded, digging her claws into his fur and scaling up his side.

Ow, ow, he muttered and pried Arara off with one paw, then set her on the floor. His paws were half her height. When he plopped her down he kept his arm on her so she couldn’t move. He crouched down and pressed his nose to hers.

Arara, Snow Flower- Eraka began, cutting off as Athura trotted into the room and settled down next to him.

You have to go, Athura said.

Athura, let me, Eraka murmured to Athura, and then returned his attention to Arara. She squirmed under his gaze.

Dad, tell mom I can go with you. Arara wagged her tail. She’d never been hunting before, while school was known and dreaded.

True, for the first couple of days Arara had been excited and eager to learn. But that was before she’d met Kerka. The first day he’d left her alone, although she’d known from his thoughts that he had stared at her most of the day wondering what was wrong with her. Arara hadn’t been able to say anything to him about it though, because her parents had made her promise to keep her telepathy a secret. She’d been able to hear others’ thoughts since she was born, but her parents told her other Jegera couldn’t; they could only hear thoughts sent by gefir.

The torment had begun on the second day. Kerka was the ringleader, but by the end of the first week other puppies had begun to follow him. Arara couldn’t handle it any longer.

Arara, I know you are excited to learn how to hunt. And now that you are old enough for school, I’ll start taking you with me on occasion. Eraka said. But you need to learn how to read, and write, and how to be a member of the clan.

No, Arara pouted, folding her arms and sitting on her haunches. I’m going to be an Alpha-Guard. I don’t need to learn any of that.

Even Guards need to know how to read and write, Arara. Athura snapped.

Calm down, Athura, Eraka said. Arara, don’t you want to go play with all of your friends?

Arara growled, turning her head away. I don’t have any friends.

What about that cute little boy-puppy who came over to the den yesterday? Gror? Eraka smiled and licked Arara’s nose with his tongue.

I guess I like Gror, Arara conceded. But Kerka is mean to me. He said my white fur is ugly and that my tail is broken.

He’s just never seen white fur before, Snow Flower, Eraka prodded. And your curly tail is perfectly natural.

I told him that. Then he pushed me in the mud and peed on me, Arara huffed.

Eraka’s eyes widened and he turned his head away to stare at Athura.

Athura’s ears went back and she growled. You were out hunting that day, and didn’t get back till late. I’d already bathed her by the time you got back to the den. I talked to his father, and Grawka told me it wouldn’t happen again, so I didn’t think you needed to be bothered.

Arara, has Kerka bothered you since then? Eraka turned back to Arara and spoke to her softly.

Arara hesitated before answering. Not as much, but he still does. And only when the teacher can’t see.

Eraka and Athura shared a frown.

I suppose one missed day of school won’t matter. Eraka told her.

But she’s so small... Athura scooped Arara up and hugged her.

I went hunting for the first time at that age. Eraka sat up and shrugged. I’m sure she’ll be fine. And I’ll be right there with her the entire time.

She might be the same age as when you first went hunting, but she’s not even half as big as the other puppies. Athura squeezed tighter until Arara yelped and struggled free.

You can’t go treating her differently, Athura. Eraka grinned and looked at Arara. That settles it. Go put on your shorts and vest. There is still snow up in the foothills, and we don’t want you getting cold.

Arara barked in delight and scampered off to get dressed.

CHAPTER TWO

ARARA TROTTED ALONG behind her father, trying her best to keep up. But with each step of his four legs, he got farther from her. At least the thick pine branches that blocked out most of the light and made it hard for Arara to see also meant sparse to nonexistent ground cover.

A twin pair of yellow eyes became visible for a brief moment in the gloom, probably her