🗻 Zogarth (Alpha) 🏔️🦉

Mate: Salonitah - Salonitah was the first wolf recruited into Kafila Pack.
Her adventurous spirit often leads Zogarth to step outside his comfort zone, encouraging him to embrace spontaneity and excitement. Meanwhile, Zogarth grounds Salonitah, reminding her of the importance of responsibility and focus. Originally hailing from the cozy Scatchwah Sidanelv pack, Salonitah grew up in a tight-knit family with her loving parents, Selu and Bidziil. Though small in number, their bond was strong, and it's this foundation of love and support that fuels Salonitah's adventurous heart as she forges a new path with Zogarth.

Chapter 1. The Last Gray Wolf

Part 1. Puppy Life: The Unknown Forest

The forest was eerily quiet as Zogarth, a small grey wolf cub, wandered through the underbrush. The sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, but the warmth of the day did little to soothe the chill in his heart. Orphaned and alone, he had lost track of time since the day the hunters had come, their loud shouts echoing in the distance, sending his family scattering into the woods.

Zogarth sniffed the air, hoping to catch a familiar scent, but all he found was the earthy aroma of damp soil and the faint rustle of leaves. His little paws carried him to a clearing where he paused, looking around with wide, anxious eyes. "Where are you?" he whimpered softly, his voice barely above a whisper. The only reply was the gentle breeze that swayed the branches overhead. His stomach growled with hunger, and the scent of something warm and feathery wafted through the air. Zogarth's instincts kicked in, and he crouched low, eyes narrowing as he spotted a barn owl perched on a branch, its head swiveling as it scanned the surroundings.

With a determined leap, Zogarth sprang forward, his paws barely making a sound on the forest floor. The owl, caught off guard, fluffed its feathers and turned to face him, eyes wide with surprise. Just as Zogarth was about to pounce, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Stop right there!" Tyto, the barn owl, swooped down, landing between Zogarth and the unsuspecting Alba. "You're breaking the rules of the forest, young wolf!"

Zogarth skidded to a halt, heart racing. He had never been so close to catching his prey, but the stern gaze of the owl sent a shiver down his spine. "I… I was just hungry," he stammered, backing away slightly. "I didn't mean to—"

"Hungry or not, you must respect the balance of nature," Alba added, her voice firm yet compassionate. "You cannot hunt us! We are members of the Parliament! Where are your parents? They should have taught you that!"

Zogarth's ears perked up in confusion. "Parliament? What's that?" he asked, tilting his head.

Tyto fluffed his feathers, his expression softening as he realized the cub didn't know. "The Parliament is a council of wise owls, like us, who watch over the forest," he explained. "We ensure that everything remains in balance, preventing greed and disharmony among all creatures. It's our duty to protect the forest and its inhabitants."

Alba nodded in agreement. "And that includes ensuring that certain owls, like us, are not hunted. It's against the rules of the forest. We are here to guide and teach, not to be prey."

Zogarth felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He had acted out of hunger and ignorance, not realizing the importance of the owls' role. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing. "I didn't know. I just… I was so hungry."

Tyto's expression softened further. "It's understandable, young one. Many creatures struggle to find their way when they're alone. But now that you know, you can help maintain that balance instead."

Feeling sheepish, Zogarth nodded, his heart swelling with a mix of regret and gratitude. Right on cue, Zogarth's stomach growled again. "So… what am I allowed to eat?" he asked, looking up at the owls with hopeful eyes.

Tyto nodded thoughtfully. "You can eat mice, but only after dark. It's important to follow the forest's rules, especially when it comes to hunting."

Zogarth's ears drooped slightly. "But I've never hunted before," he admitted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice.

Alba exchanged a glance with Tyto, then smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, little one. We can help you with that. Tonight, we'll show you how to hunt."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a twilight glow over the forest, the owls guided Zogarth to a clearing where the mice scurried about, oblivious to their presence. With their expert guidance, Zogarth learned the art of stealth and patience. Soon enough, he caught his first mouse, and with a mix of excitement and nervousness, he took his first bite, savoring the taste of success.

After their meal, the owls perched nearby, their expressions turning serious. "Zogarth," Tyto began gently, "what happened to your parents? How did you end up alone in the forest?"

Zogarth's heart sank at the question. He looked down, his voice trembling as he spoke. "I... I don't want to talk about it." He laid down and sniffled.

The owls listened with sympathetic hearts, their feathers ruffling softly in the evening breeze. "I'm sorry, Zogarth," Alba said gently. "We're here to help."

Taking a deep breath, Zogarth sniffed and looked up at them with newfound determination. "I promise I will obey and honor the rules of the forest," he declared, his voice steady. "Once I grow up big and strong... I'll use my wolf body to protect the Parliament!"

Tyto and Alba exchanged impressed glances, their hearts warmed by Zogarth's resolve. "You have a brave spirit, young wolf," Tyto said, nodding approvingly. "We would be honored to take you under our wings."

"Together, we can teach you the ways of the forest," Alba added, her eyes shining with encouragement. "You'll learn not just to survive, but to thrive and protect this beautiful place."

Part 2. Adolescent Life: Becoming an Owl

As the days turned into weeks, Zogarth grew into a spindly and awkward adolescent. His limbs were long and his movements a bit clumsy, especially when he tried to mimic the graceful flight of the owls. Alba and Tyto watched with a mix of amusement and concern as Zogarth attempted to master skills that were inherently owl-like.

"Now, Zogarth, remember to spread your legs wide and balance on your toes," Alba instructed as Zogarth tried to perch on a low branch. He wobbled precariously, his tail swishing back and forth in an effort to maintain his balance.

"Like this?" he asked, his voice filled with determination, though his body seemed to have a mind of its own.

"Close! Just a bit more—" Tyto chuckled, trying to stifle his laughter as Zogarth flailed and nearly toppled off the branch. "Perhaps we should focus on something more suited to your talents, like tracking or howling."

Just as they finished their training session, a tawny owl perched nearby, watching the scene unfold with a bemused expression. He snorted, shaking his head. "Well, well, look at this! You two are lucky you haven't been kicked out of the Parliament for this absurdity!" he hooted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Alba and Tyto exchanged glances, their feathers ruffling slightly in annoyance. "And what would you know about it, Tawny?" Tyto shot back, his voice sharp. "At least we're trying to teach him something worthwhile."

Zogarth, however, remained respectful, remembering the lessons of humility and kindness he had learned from the owls. He looked at the tawny owl with wide eyes. "I'm just trying to learn," he said earnestly. "I want to honor the Parliament and help protect the forest."

The tawny owl raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Protect the forest? With those spindly legs?" he scoffed, but there was a hint of curiosity in his tone. "You really think you can keep up with the likes of us?"

Zogarth straightened his posture, determination shining in his eyes. "I may not be an owl, but I'll find a way to contribute, even if it takes time."

Alba and Tyto exchanged proud glances at Zogarth's response, their hearts swelling with admiration for the young wolf's spirit. "That's the right attitude, Zogarth," Alba encouraged. "Every creature has their own gifts to offer. Just because you're different doesn't mean you can't make a difference."

The tawny owl, taken aback by Zogarth's confidence, fell silent for a moment. "Well, we'll see about that," he finally said, a hint of respect creeping into his voice. "Maybe you'll surprise us all."

As the tawny owl flapped away, Zogarth felt a mix of relief and determination. He turned back to Alba and Tyto, who were watching him with warm smiles. "Zogarth," Tyto said, his voice filled with pride, "we are so impressed with how you handled that. It takes a lot of strength to stay respectful, even when others are laughing at you."

Alba nodded, leaning down to affectionately preen Zogarth's fur with her beak. "You've grown so much, my dear, and we're proud to have you as part of our family."

Zogarth felt a rush of warmth at their words, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. "I just want to make you proud," he replied, his voice earnest. The bond they shared felt stronger than ever, and he couldn't help but feel like he had found a true home with them.

"Now, let's celebrate your progress!" Tyto declared, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "How about a little race? Let's see if you can keep up with us!"

Zogarth's ears perked up at the challenge. "You're on!" he exclaimed, excitement bubbling within him. The owls took off into the sky, their wings slicing through the air with grace, while Zogarth sprinted after them, his legs pumping with determination.

The wind rushed past him as he ran, his heart pounding with exhilaration. He could see the owls gliding effortlessly above him, but he focused on his own rhythm, pushing himself to go faster. With every stride, he felt the ground beneath him, the thrill of the chase igniting his spirit.

As they neared a wide clearing, Zogarth summoned all his energy and leaped forward, his paws pounding against the earth. To his surprise, he found himself gaining ground on the owls. With a final burst of speed, he crossed the finish line just as Alba and Tyto landed gracefully beside him.

"I did it!" Zogarth panted, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I actually won!"

Alba and Tyto hooted with delight, their eyes shining with pride. "You've truly outdone yourself, Zogarth!" Tyto exclaimed, ruffling his feathers in excitement. "You've become quite the runner!"

Zogarth beamed, feeling a rush of joy at their praise. "Thank you! I couldn't have done it without you," he said, his heart swelling with happiness.

Part 3. Adult Life: The Formation of Kafila Pack

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the Great Smokies as Zogarth padded softly along a winding path, his senses alive with the sounds and scents of the forest. The air was crisp, filled with the earthy aroma of pine and the distant melody of a babbling brook. He had ventured further than usual, his heart eager for adventure.

Suddenly, a rustle in the underbrush caught his attention. Zogarth paused, ears perked, and watched as a small, elegant figure emerged from the shadows. It was an Arabian fox, her fur a stunning blend of russet and cream, with bright, inquisitive eyes that sparkled with intelligence.

"Hello there!" Zogarth called out, his tail wagging with curiosity. "Who are you?"

"Iqra," she replied, her voice muffled by her attempt to chew off a black band around her neck. Zogarth tilted his head, intrigued. She rushed forward, her focus shifting to the collar. "That's not important! Right now, I just need to get this thing off! Can you use your jaws to bite through it?"

Without hesitation, Zogarth stepped closer to help. He gently grasped the collar in his powerful jaws, feeling the cool metal against his teeth. With a moment of struggle, he pulled and tugged, the collar resisting at first. Iqra winced and tugged in the opposite direction, trying to break free. With one final, determined pull, Zogarth felt the collar give way. It slipped off Iqra's neck and fell to the ground with a soft thud. Iqra was thrust backwards by gravity, but once she got up, her eyes shined with relief and gratitude.

"I'm free!" she exclaimed, doing a little dance of joy. As Iqra burst free from the collar, her energy seemed to ignite the very air around her. With a joyful yip, she zoomed around Zogarth in a whirlwind of russet fur, her movements a blur of excitement. Zogarth watched in awe, his head spinning as he tried to keep up with her rapid pace.

"You look different from the foxes I've seen!" he called out, feeling unsteady on his paws. "Where are you from?"

The little fox skidded to a halt, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm from Israel! It's a place far away from here, full of bustling markets, ancient ruins, and something called 'hummus'!"

"Hummus?" Zogarth echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What's that?"

Iqra hopped, a playful grin on her face. "It's a dip made from chickpeas!"

Zogarth shook his head, intrigued but puzzled. With a wave of her paw, Iqra began to list off more unfamiliar words: "Falafel, shawarma, za'atar…" Each word rolled off her tongue with a rhythm that fascinated Zogarth. "I can read these things!"

"Read?" Zogarth asked, tilting his head. "How did you learn to do that?"

At the mention of reading, Iqra's expression shifted, and a distant look clouded her eyes. She seemed to drift back in time, her mind racing to a memory that felt both vivid and surreal. "I grew up in a place where humans studied animals," she began, her voice softening. "They were curious about us, especially after they learned about the farm-fox experiment. The Russians were raising foxes to be more domesticated, like dogs, but Israel took it a step further, trying to unlock something incredible within us." Iqra continued, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "I was moved to a special group in a research facility. Humans taught us things—how to solve puzzles, how to understand symbols. One day, as I was looking at a rectangle filled with shapes I began to... understand it. I had spent hours trying to decipher it, and suddenly, I began to make sense. Those symbols are called words, and it's what humans use to communicate with each other!"

Zogarth listened intently, captivated by her story.

"My pupmates… they couldn't read like I could. They didn't understand the danger we were in." Iqra took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. "I found out that we were really going to be used for... They didn't see us as intelligent beings; we were just products to them."

Zogarth felt a chill run down his spine. The thought of being treated that way was unfathomable.

Her eyes sparkled with a fierce determination as she recounted her daring escape. "I knew I had to get out before it was too late. One night, I jumped onto the vehicles they used to transport us. I was terrified, but I couldn't let them catch me. I finally leaped off, and that's how I ended up here."

Zogarth's mind grappled with the harsh reality Iqra had faced. "So, the Toolpaws… they're dangerous?" he asked, trying to process the information.

Iqra nodded solemnly. "Yes, gray wolf. They can never trusted! Not even a little! The humans see us as products for their own experiments, not as friends or companions."

"Iqra," Zogarth began, his voice filled with a mix of grief and sadness, "I'm sorry that happened to you. I... I want to build a community where all animals can be safe. Hopefully far, far away from Toolpaws."

Iqra thought for a moment. "What if you started with us? We can call it the Kafila Pack—Kafila means 'a group on a journey' in my language."