Winter of the Wolves ; Chapter One

Instructions

1 - North I flew through the brush as my tail behind me caught on snow blanketed leaves and burrs. My friend, Raine raced behind me, and I shrieked playfully as he gained on me. His brown fur stood out amongst the wintery forest like a sore thumb. “I…” Raine strained as he got closer, “Gotcha!” He pounced onto my back, tumbling me over, rolling us both over, and stopping at the edge of my mother’s feet. I got up, still giggling, and looked up at my mother who rolled her eyes playfully. Her cream white coat blew softly in the brisk, winter air. “Come pups, the sun is setting now,” cooed my mother’s friend. “Aw, come on Pine,” I whined, “we never get to stay out!” “That’s ‘cause you’re not supposed-ta, North,” stated Rain matter of factly, with his slight lisp messing up the consonants of his words, “We hafta wait until our First Howling!” “That’s not for a long time though, Raine!” Interjected a pup who looked almost identical to Raine, except for tan colored splotches under his eye. It was Lupin, Raine’s brother. I had never really paid much attention to Lupin, as he was much quieter than Rain and I, and a few months older than us. “Yeah, you’re no fun anymore, Raine! Now Lupin’s my best friend,” I teased, to which Rain bent down into a pouncing position. “Oh, sure; who’d want to be friends with that bozo-” he started, but was then cut off by Pine. “Shush, pups…” her orangish-brown ears ticked forward, as she listened for a sound the rest of us couldn’t hear. Suddenly, five large, menacing Dark Wolves stormed out of the forest violently. Lupin, Rain, and I all jumped behind Pine and my mother with sheer fright, as the biggest He-Wolf stepped forward. His dark coat had scars and patches of skin where his fur was missing. Across his brow was a patterned scar, designed with the Mark of the Moon, an ancient symbol that was once symbolized as the dark times we must overcome, but had been morphed over centuries to show loyalty to the Dark, an evil force working to overthrow the Light. “Shadow,” Mother snarled. Her golden eyes, which were normally flecked with light, were dim and fierce. “Whynter,” the wolf named Shadow growled in response as they started slowly circling each other, and Pine pushed us back, growling deeply as she bent down to be ready to pounce. “Hand the gem over, and nobody gets hurt,” Shadow stated. “With you, someone always gets hurt,” my mother replied. “I said,” barked Shadow, flexing his sharp claws out, "Hand over the *gem*!” “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Recoiled Mother, taking a protective step cautiously toward us. “Give me the pup!” My mother turned to us sharply and barked, “Go, pups! Run!” Shadow suddenly pounced our way, but Pine stepped forward, and the rest of the wolves continued to fight each other, as the other Wolves in our den ran out to defend Mother and Pine. “MUM!” I called fearfully, but someone dragged me back, as they dashed into the forest. “C’mon, North! We have to go!” snarled Lupin, putting me down, and shoving me forward as him and Raine ran, making me follow behind them. Then suddenly, a huge, Dark She-Wolf tore from the branches, and I flew off the edge of the cliff, down into the river bank… And woke up.