Sneak Peek at Chapter 1 of Wolf Tribe

Hey guys.
This week I've been working on a story board for my Wolf Tribe novel. If you know me I probably mentioned it to you at some stage, but maybe not.
Anyway, I was thinking of giving you a sneak peek at chapter one which I've edited a few times already. I'd love to hear your comments and questions. I may not be able to answer all of them because I don't want to give the story away, but please ask them anyway. I'd like to know what's going through my readers heads when they finish chapter one.
Above all, enjoy!
So, without further ado, here's chapter one of 'Karcess: Wolves in Turmoil'

Chapter One

Karcess stepped carefully and quietly, but remained upright. You never knew who was watching you between the trees in Wolf Tribe; everyone had the sharp eyesight of a predator, and the last thing Karcess needed was to be caught acting suspicious. She looked about. There was no sight of any other tribe mates in the forest.

"Howler?" she called softly. "Howler?" She knew it was pointless trying not to be heard. If Howler could hear her call it meant any other wolf nearby in the hunting grounds could too, as well as some further off if they had their ears pricked. Even so she kept making her way carfeully through the woods. 

She paused beside a blackberry bush for a moment. It was too late in the season for berries, but the white spruce tree just ahead was all that was shielding her from a popular hunting spot of the tribe. Karcess carefully peered out from around the fronds, but drew back again, eyes wide, as she heard the lightest of paw steps just beyond. She looked around her. Still no-one was in sight and she hear no further sounds from anywhere nearby. Peering out from behind the tree again she spotted a brown timer wolf.

Karcess followed the path around the tree and stopped next to a burrow the wolf was sniffing at.

"You shouldn't run off like that Howler," she said to it. "What would people think if they saw a Wolf Master without her wolf?"

Howler looked up at her momentarily, then resumed sniffing the burrow.

"Come on," said Karcess. "We've got a job to do."

Howler pined. It was clear she didn't want to leave yet, but Karcess was late. The sun would be at its highest point soon, and most wolf Masters on guard duty made a point of being early. She reached down, but Howler scampered away between the ferns snd rushes to sniff at the next burrow.

Karcess threw up her hands, hissing through her teeth. "Howler, we have to go."

Howler looked up, her ears pricked. For a moment Karcess thought the wolf was going to follow her, but its head was tilted, eyes unfocused as she listened to a far off sound. Standing still as a great old oak, the pair listened. Straining, Karcess could just make out the sound of footsteps.

The creatures were large and in a small group. Listening closely Karcess could make out a rhythm and knew each one had only two feet.

Howler whimpered slightly, turning to Karcess.

Karcess looked up at the sky. The sun had reached the midway point which meant they should have been at the vines. The footsteps were coming closer. Although it was not unusual for one or two ordinary humans to join a wolf master on a hunt, these were already in a group, and were no doubt aware that Howler and Karcess should be guarding the prisoner at the vines. If they were caught, Karcess would need a good explanation for her tardiness.

Quietly, she sprinted back past the spruce tree in the direction she had come. Howler quickly caught up to her, and trotted off, out of the hunting grounds.

Please tell me what you think and share if you liked it.