Prologue

This is in the perspective of Keira's mother, Rosalia, who encounters Vladmir while on a scouting mission.

          The Forest is my home and I'm ready to defend it. The scouts and I scour our territory, searching for evidence of trespassers, or a trespasser. As the Alpha female, I should be at the den, taking care of my 3 pups, Kale, Keira, and Lilac. However, my mate, the Alpha Mateo, insisted I go on the scouting trip. He's highly protective of the pups and I, but at least he understands my want to roam.
          Next to me, my sister, Tamara, yips, "Rosalia! Rosie!"
          I growl, hating my pet name, "Don't call me that! What is it?"
          She turns, sniffing at the wind, "False alarm, just a rabbit."
          I shake my head. Behind me, the Beta Rafael, barks a laugh, "You don't seem the type to constantly think about your stomach Tamara."
          She glowers at him. She may be small, but the fire in her eyes was easy to ignite. Rafael's ears swiveled, then he whined and licked the underside of her jaw. No surprise, after all, she is the Beta female. Tamara reminds me of her son, Bruno. He's a tough little one who's usually growling at everything that moves. No wonder he and Kale get along so well.
          The thought of Kale sends me into thinking about all 3 of them. Kale was the firstborn, so he'll become Alpha male after his father passes. Lilac is the youngest, but easily the most bubbly. Luckily, her intellect will make her a fine Beta. Then there's Keira, the middle child. Secretly, she's my favorite. She's feisty and headstrong, but can be very kind and caring at the same time. I believe she has the full capability to become an Alpha female, which she will one day be.
           Rafael growls at something to my right. Tamara and I look to the direction Rafael finds so dangerous. Then, I smell it as well. It's not a Bear...too small for that. Too small to be a Tiger either. The bushes rustle ever so slightly. My ears swivel upright, then go back down as I start to bare my teeth.
           A Fox jumps out at us, eyes wide in panic. Tamara lunges, tackling the thief with her superior strength. Rafael follows, pinning the smaller creature in the grass. It yelps and flails, "Please! Please let me go! I didn't take anything! I was just passing through! Please!"
           The Fox Clan were sly, but they were thieves and liars. I've had enough experience with them to know never to believe a word they say, "Who are you? What are you doing here? State your business."
           The Fox quivers, sensing the danger he's in, "I am Dinu of the Fox Clan. My wife is ill and I was told the herb to cure her lay of the Wolf Clan's territory."
           "Liar!" snarled Rafael.
           I called him off, but his teeth remained bared. I leaned down and sniffed at Dinu's muzzle, which was a strange coppery color. He snapped at my first attempt, earning him a snarl and clawing from both Tamara and Rafael. At my second attempt I discover why his muzzle was its color.
           Blood.
           I growl and push my paw onto his neck, "You were hunting!"
           Tamara growls, showing her canines to the frightened Fox. His eyes scan the area searching for an escape route. Not finding one, his head dips as he tries to think of one, "I ate before I left! Listen, have you seen the Nightgrin plant?"
           His eyes were sincere, his body still. What gave him away? As he said "nightgrin" his voice went up slightly, revealing another lie. Another thing, the Nightgrin is a flower with no healing properties. I felt very insulted, "You lie!" I turn to Tamara and Rafael, "Take him to the Den. Mateo will decide his punishment."
           They glance nervously at each other, "Rosie..." Tamara starts.
           I glower at her. She whimpers, "Rosalia, maybe I should go and Rafael stay with you to finish the scout."
           I roll my eyes, "Now why would you suggest that? I can take care of myself. Besides, you're the little sister I have to watch out for."
           "But you're the Alpha female. Mateo would be infuriated if he ever found out we abandoned you."
           "You won't. I told you to take the trespasser to the Den."
           "Please? I'll feel better knowing you're safe."
           I snorted in annoyance, "Fine, report back when you've..."
           "Rosalia, look out!" Rafael shouts.
           He shoves me out of the way as a ginormous paw come swooping down right where I was standing. I shake my head to find Rafael already in his battle stance, facing a Bear.
           This was no ordinary Bear, this was Vladmir, the Bear Lord. He had been born albino so he was hard to miss, but his red eyes and frightening size easily compensated for that. Now, Rafael and I stood face-to-face with this new enemy, "Vladmir! What are you doing?! You are not allowed on our territory!"
           He roars a laugh, "You think I don't know the Laws of the Forest? Foolish Wolf! I'm recreating them! Starting with your death!"
           Rafael leaps in front of me, "Over my dead body!"
           Vladmir growls a chuckle, "I can settle for that."
           He lunges at the Beta Wolf, who easily dodges the attack with a quick sidestep to the left. I lunged, aiming for the Bear's left flank. My teeth sank in and soon the coppery taste of blood soon filled my mouth, fueling my lust for battle. Not far away, Rafael leaps onto Vladmir's back, aiming for the spine. He hits the mark, but Vladmir's fur is too thick. I release Vladmir's flank and make a leap for his neck. To my surprise, he saw it coming and I found myself flying. I hit a tree and for a moment I blanked. Luckily I quickly recovered and was soon back in action. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tamara, her sandy fur a blur as she launches herself at Vladmir. "Tamara!" I shout, dodging another swipe of Vladmir's paw, "What's you do with Dinu?!"
           She bites into Vladmir's hind leg, blood staining the white coat, "I let him go! Your life is kind of more important than a simple Fox! We can track him down later!"
           I don't have time to reply because Vladmir was raising his paw for another blow. I dive to the side and duck under him, raising a paw and creating a small gash in his side. He roars in pain and fury, now sharing in my bloodlust. Rafael jumps off his back, unable to find a weak spot, "His back id too thick with fur! he shouts, barely escaping the swipe of the Bear's back leg, "I can't claw nor bite through!"
           Tamara appears at my side, "We can't beat this thing! We have to get back to the Den!...Rosie!"
           I ignore her, attempting another move. I leap on Vladmir's back, throwing all my weight onto his neck. I jump off and claw and bite his shoulder, the taste of his blood only fueling my want to see him dead. Through my peripheral vision, i locate Rafael yet again on the Bear's back. Only this time, VLadmir isn't letting him off so easily. He backs away just slightly, shakes and turns violently until Rafael is hanging on the side. All I see is the great paw raised, "Rafael! No! Get off!"
           Too late.
           I meet his eyes for the last time as Vladmir brings him down with a mighty swipe of his paw. He lands at the base of a fallen tree. Tamara howls and rushes to his side, leaving me with Vladmir. I snarl at the great white beast, a river of hate and anguish flowing through me. The Bear flashed his teeth, challenging me to avenge the fallen Beta. A challenge I willingly accept. I have one more move that will either bring this beast down...or I'll die trying. I dart forward, dodge his attack, and leap onto his shoulder, tearing into the flesh with my teeth. For a moment I hang there, waiting for the right moment when I'll go for the throat.
          I wait too long, making the last move I'll ever make.
          Swinging forward, I leap for the airway. Vladmir twists out of the way and unleashes his full power in the blow that sends me crashing into a rock. Several things snap in my body, but worst of all is the blood, my blood, flowing from my chest and side. Vladmir saunters up to me, standing on his hind legs and raising his paw for the final blow. Tamara comes, racing out of nowhere, attacking the Bear's arm and sending him tumbling back. She stands over me, growling and snarling at the beast. Vladmir stands, "This battle is over, but mark my words, she-Wolf, soon your whole Clan shall join your puny Alpha."
          He turns, limping into the Forest, leaving me and Tamara, "Rosalia! Oh..."
          She sees the blood and my broken body and whines. At that moment I knew, "Tamara..." I begin.
          Her full attention is focused on me as I weakly shift so I'm on my side, "No, no! Rosalia, please! Don't die, Rosie, don't die! Come on! I'll take you to Crispus! He can heal you!"
          As much as I wanted to believe her I couldn't. Water pricked my eyes as I realized this was it. Already I could feel my spirit leaving my body. I chose my last words carefully, "Tamara...Keira...w-watch her...tell her...she's always had my faith...make...make sure she grows to be the best...Alpha female...and Tamara?"
          "Yes, Rosie?"
          I was running out of time, "Tell Keira...she's my Winter Star."
          And I breathed my last breath, images of Keira dancing in my head. From below, I hear Tamara whisper, "Tell Rafael I love him."
          And I was gone.