Prologue

 

     Lightning flashed through a midnight-blue sky, and the threat of rain lingered over a usually peaceful valley. On the top of a nearby hill, a circle of twelve battle scarred wolves sat in vigil. Lightning flashed again; The wolves were sitting silently, with their ears pressed against their heads. One of the larger, younger males with a deep gash across his left eye lifted his gaze, then hesitantly cleared his throat, and began to speak. The others looked up almost simultaneously.

  “Tonight,” his voice cracked a bit under pressure. “Tonight, we have lost far more than we ever could have imagined. Alpha Leo is gone. We have won the battle, but the war is still to come. Since Leo is gone… Angel is to accept the duties of Alpha, and-,”

  “No.”

  “-she will be… what?” Angel had responded so quickly that it took Arro a moment before he realized she had spoken.

  “I said no."

  “But you are the rightful-,”

  “What part of no don't you understand?" Angel snarled.

  “Angel… why are you being so… hostile about this?"

  “Because this pack HAS an Alpha. My mother is the rightful leader of this pack.”

  “But Angel, Katana is old, and not capable of leading without Leo at her side.”

  “Lies!” Angel snarled, and lashed out at him, her paw making contact with his muzzle. “My mother is more than capable.”

  “Angel, I…” Arro stuttered, his eyes tracing the ground before him. “I didn’t mean… I only… Angel…”

  “Shut up, Arro. You’re making a fool of yourself.” Angel replied coldly, and lifted her lips to bare bone-white fangs. “I don’t need this pack and I can certainly live a fine life without

     An intake of breath told Angel that the crowd was watching. Intently. With one last glance around the valley, Angel took off into the woods, white-tipped tail flying behind her. Arro stood there, speechless, staring at the ground.

  “Arro.” A soft voice called, and Arro looked up into the eyes of an aged, dark-red wolf. Zev, an Elder. “Give her some time, friend. She just lost her father. She’ll be back no matter what she said.”

  "But she's right..." Arro sighed. "She doesn't need us."

  "Her body may not need us to survive, but her mind does. Believe me, Arro. I been here a long time. I know these things."

  "Thanks, Zev,"

  "You're welcome," the old wolf replied, and smiled ar Arro, who lifted his gaze to the stars. He pointed his white-streaked muzzle at the moon, and let out a long, loud, mournful howl for their fallen leader. The other wolves followed him, and soon the air was filled with their intertwined voices.

     From somewhere in the dark forest, a lone grey wolf answered their call.

 

 

Reviews

[Lilia]

I'm definitely interested! I love a good power struggle and a definitely a pack makes things more complicated. I especially like the way you made even the small details give a sense of the wolf, how they snarled instead of speaking, those sorts of things make it seem more binding in the plot. Keep writing, I'll keep reading.

[Wildecat]

A fabulous write, I enjoy stories about the struggles of the Wolf. Well done.