This book is dedicated to Mom and Dad, to my little Sister, to my family to whom I owe everything.154Please respect copyright.PENANAQ499xPtBny
Love you all so much, thank you for the wonderful life you've given me and the wonderful memories I will forever cherish.
-*-
*Sumar was in his prime.
The air felt heavy, as dark clouds hovered through the sky above, blocking the stars from view. It was humid and warm, dew drops glittered across the scenery.
Trotting amongst the vegetation, three large wolves made their way through the forest, pelts muddy and soaked with rain. A heavy silence loomed above the trio, as if an unspoken fear dwelled amongst them.
Quietly, the group marched their way through the marshy landscape, heads and tails low while their paws splashed mud and water at their underbelly. Behind, the silver and tan brown male heard whispers from his two companions.
"Whaddya think Alpha's gonna do?" Asked the dark brown female, her voice rasped and tired.
"With how unpredictable he is, who knows how he'll react. Either way, I'm glad I'm not the one who has to tell him...
- Quiet." Growled the leader, irritated by their voices alone but also by the fact they were right. The last thing he wanted was to confront his alpha and he too wish he was in someone else's place.
But reality had decided otherwise.
With the tension still high, the wolves broke out into a wide open field of tall grass, known as the Golden Plains. There, they picked the pace to a canter and swiftly crossed the area, unseen. Once the field crossed, they made it to a dense forest, where the trees gave them better protection from the cold rain bitting at their skin. But with their pelts soaked, they're jaws were already clicking with cold shivers.
After a good half hour, the trio reached an area where the vegetation seemed more scarce, opening to a small clearing surrounded by tall mossy boulders, the very walls of the place they called home. When they passed through the entrance which was framed by two tall oaks on each side, the trio were instantly greeted by the starring eyes of their packmates as all wondered the same thing. The group leader's stern glint in his eyes was what answered their questions and most made the wise choice to avert their gaze to elsewhere. Still, the imposing male could feel the pressure. Halting within the center of the clearing, the silver and tan wolf starred at the ground while his two companions separated throughout the den site and went on with their business.
With a quick breathe in, the wolf walked up to the stone entrance of a cave, known as the alpha's den. Upon entrance, a strong, pungent scent which he couldn't identify invaded the wolf's snout which almost made him gag. Slowly, he walked deeper into the short, narrow tunnel, roots from above gripping down in his fur like claws on prey as they tingled and slid across his back. About two feet further, the tunnel opened to a large cave which the floor elevated to a higher stone platform at the back. That's where he saw the form of his alpha, back turned towards him while he starred intently at the wall. The tan and silver male halted at the center of the lower plateau and kept his head at his shoulder level.
A voice echoed within the cave. "Is it done?
- I'm afraid not, sir." Replied the wolf, trying to sound as neutral as possible. "We've lost them somewhere in the woods.
- You lost them?" The Alpha sounded incredibly calm and collected, his head slightly turned over his shoulder as he spoke.
- Y-yes... We've lost trace of them near the--
- One doesn't simply loose a wolf, Vers." Growled the imposing alpha, teeth slightly barred. "Aren't you suppose to be the best tracker this pack has?" His words were sharp, and his tone sharper, visibly angered.
"I'm sorry Sir. But she managed to cover her scent and avoided stepping where she'd easily leave tracks!
- Hm. At least she's learned something..." the Alpha muttered, too low for Vers to comprehend. "Still, that is no excuse for you to come back without her!" While his head snapped over his shoulder, the alpha stood up and marched up to his packmate who instantly cowered to the ground. "Get back out there and FIND HER!!"
Angered, the alpha swiped his large paw at the other male's head and ripped a large chunk of his left ear off, ripping a yelp of pain from his throat.
A moment of silence passed and blood oozed from the fresh wound as Vers kept close to the ground, tail tucked between his legs. With a groan, the alpha leaned into his right ear and spoke with eerily soft voice.
"Find her, or next time, I'll gauge your eye out.
- Y-yes Sir, right away."
Satisfied, the large alpha turned around and walked back up to his original position, then sat down as if nothing happened.
"You have until the full moon. Go."
With a nod, Vers scampered out of the den, leaving a trail of scarlet drops behind as the wound still leaked down the side of his face. When he breached outside, his comrades eyed him with surprise at the sight of his wound but refrained from any comment.
Still, the dark brown female approached, a somewhat uncertain look on her face.
"What did he say Vers?
- We got until the full moon." Replied the tan and silver male, a little winded.
"Alright then. Where do we start?"
-*-
*Sumar: Summer Guardian / in his prime: it's the middle of summer
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