Dagger was walking around his territory. The warm breeze blew through his fur, he inhaled deeply and sighed. He spotted a puppy sitting in front of a wolf. "And what happened then?" he asked the wolf excitedly. The wolf looked up at Dagger and gave him a wag of her tail. Dagger smiled back. It was Winter, his beloved mate for life.
Winter turned back to the pup. "Your father then took down the mighty alpha with his powerful jaws and strength, giving the pack the peace they needed. So you see little one, your father is a hero." The pup turned to Dagger, and he instantly knew his name: Star. The black pup wore a white star mark on his chest, based on his name. Star yipped excitedly. "My father! A hero!" He ran up to Dagger and pounced on him, yipping and barking excitedly…
Dagger awoke with a jolt. He sprang to his paws, and looked out at the morning darkness. He looked around, the pack was all settled down, sound asleep. He looked down at Winter, her chest rising and falling in deep sleep. He had dreamed of his family at peace, and Winter had mothered one beautiful pup. Our son.
He thought about it excitedly, he had to get his pack to help. He bent down and nuzzled Winter's head. "I'll be back later my love...I promise." he whispered down to her and quietly made his way to the border of Akela's territory.
He hesitated, before stepping over it and broke into a run, his tongue lolled from the side of his mouth as he did, when he started smelling familiar scents, he stopped. It felt really weird smelling his own pack members. I need the patrols to get here. He took a deep breath, no one was close by except...he paused as he smelled a very familiar scent. His litter-sister Raina was close. He followed her scent, and when it became very strong, he paused and looked around. He couldn't see her, but she was nearby, he could sense it. She's probably up to her old hunting tricks.
A low growl from above, made him look up. A wolf pounced from the branch, pinning him down with her weight. She snarled low in his ears, before chuckling half-heartedly. "I gotcha that time Dagger." Dagger scoffed. "Hello Raina…" She got off him and shook herself. Dagger stared at his twin sister.
The only thing that separated them was her earring, which she was given as a pup. "It seems you've gotten better at your hunting skills huh?" Raina chuckled. "Well I don't want to brag but...yeah you could say that." Dagger looked around his childhood home. The pack had made sure that their scent was all over here, and it burned his own nose. "You guys have kept the territory markers very strong. What's the catch?"
Raina growled and scratched her ear. "That phantom pack...that's what. They're sneaking into our territory and stealing our prey. If they were even brave enough, they'd challenge us for our lands, but they're cowards." Dagger knew that, remembering his mate, he said, "How about you help me get the pack to defeat them."
Raina looked at her litter-brother, stunned. "Why? What've you been up to?" "Well heh...funny you said that. I um...have a mate now, and her family is being kept as slaves in that pack. I promised I'd help her get them back. But I need allies...and...well…" Raina studied her brother closely. "Are you saying that you need our pack to challenge the phantom pack? Are you insane?"
Dagger looked into her eyes pleadingly. Oh I hate it when he looks at me like that...Raina let out a long sigh. "Alright...fine. We'll see if some of the others will help. But then we're done afterwards, got it?" Dagger replied with a wag of his tail. Raina nodded. "Good...now come on. We have work to do…."
Winter woke up and let out a long yawn. She looked around, and noticed her love was gone. Where is Dagger? She got to her paws, and stretched out her shoulder carefully. It didn't hurt as much no more, at least that was a good sign. "Sis you're awake! Good." Koda bounded up to her, nuzzling her face. "Where is Dagger?" Koda shook himself. "He left to get his pack to help us get Grandfather back." Winter sighed, she hoped he wouldn't get himself killed. It would just end up breaking her heart. "So...how's Mom doing?"
Koda turned to the den. "Why don't you go check on her? Dad went on a patrol with Uncle Kiba." He gave her ear and affectionate lick. She smiled, and padded to the den. She peered inside. "Mom...are you feeling up to some company?" Blue looked at her. "I am always dear...come on in." Winter looked at her mother, and the two day old pups next to her. "Aw, they're so cute!!" Blue chuckled. "Hard to believe you were that small once huh?" Winter looked at her siblings.
Three had black fur, and the other three had white fur with black patches. "Which ones are the boys and which ones are the girls?" Blue looked at her new litter, she gently cleaned them with her tongue. "The boys are the black ones. You're sisters are the other ones. I'm pretty sure their coats will change over time, that's not rare."
She looked back up at Winter. "I heard what happened to you. I'm glad you're okay, but I need to know why that wolf attacked you in the first place." Winter shrugged. "I was in his territory, and...well…" Blue shook her head. "Well...wolves will always be wolves...depending on their species."
Winter thought about her grandfather's pack. "Mom...are you aware that Grandpa is alive?" Blue's ears perked up. "What? They are?" Winter whined. "That wolf's pack has them...and so Dagger left to see if his pack could help get them back….I hope he'll be okay." Blue smiled. "He will honey…." She sighed and looked outside. "If I wasn't nursing, I'd help get my family back, but...it'll be up to guys." Winter nuzzled her face. "We will Mom...and we'll be back before you know it." A low howl from outside made Winter's ears perk. "I gotta go...I love you."
She went outside, where Koda was standing protectively in front of her. "Koda what's wrong?" He peered over his shoulder at her, his teeth bared. "I smell dires...lots of them." Drool was spilling from his jaws, this was the first she saw her brother this way. She looked over him. The smell of dires burned her nose, it made her eyes water. The bushes rustled, and Koda snarled, puffing up his fur. His hackles raised, he barked a challenge. A familiar face came out, he was panting from exhaustion, but he looked fine either way. "Dagger!"
Winter bounded up her mate, and nuzzled him. She could smell blood on his fur, and she backed away. He had claw marks going along his face, and his paws and muzzle had fresh blood on them. "What happened? What did you do?"
Dagger looked at her softly. "I had to fight my father for control of the pack. He said it was either that, or he'd let your pack die. I...I didn't have a choice, I…" He looked away for a moment. "Dagger…" Winter could see tears falling from his face. She'd never seen him cry.
In fact, she'd never seen a dire wolf cry. "I know my father hated me, but he was my father. He was my alpha, and I couldn't be a coward. I feel horrible…" Winter licked his muzzle comfortably. "It's alright Dagger. I know you're trying to help, my father would be proud of you. You're helping us, and that's what counts."
He looked at her. He chuckled. "Heh...yeah I guess so." He nuzzled her face. "I love you…" he murmured. Winter placed a paw on his. "I love you too…" "Alpha! What kind of wolf is she!?" The voice was cold and brutal. Dagger growled low. Winter looked past him.
A dire wolf padded forward. His left ear was gone, and his right eye was also gone. "She doesn't look like a fighter. Why her?" Dagger spun around and snarled. "Shut up Mace...you're not in charge here. Stay out of it." The dire called Mace scoffed. "Who is he?" Winter asked. "My beta…"
Mace walked up to Dagger until they were face to face. Though Dagger was a bit bigger, Mace stood taller in his presence. "I am your beta Dagger, and I have the right to speak. You're so called "mate" looks weak and insecure. So...let me ask you again, why her?"
Dagger bared his teeth. "You will not address her so disrespectfully. If you keep it up, you won't be beta for much longer." Mace bared his own teeth, and as soon as he did another dire padded forward. "Back down Mace...you know better." It was a female who spoke this time. Mace turned agrily on her. "You should know your place Sparrow. This isn't your fight."
Sparrow growled. "You should listen to me too actually. I am only a rank under you...so I have a place to speak too." Dagger growled his agreement. Mace turned back to Dagger. "I have been beta since your father was the alpha. If he was here—`` "But he's not here! Is he?" Dagger snapped. "You saw it with your own eyes Mace. I killed my father in combat for leadership...it's the hardest thing I've ever done. Since I am your new alpha, you are now demoted.
Sparrow takes your place as beta. You are now a patroller, and if you keep it up I will banish you from the pack." Mace's jaw dropped. "What?! That's not fair by far! I am staying as your beta, whether you like it or not." Dagger was about to say something else when Raina cut in. "How dare you talk to my litter-brother like that!
He is your alpha now, and if he wants to demote you, he can! So stop acting like a selfish puppy and back down, before you make it worse!" Mace growled at her, but Raina bared her teeth in return. "Don't make me kill you Mace…" Mace scoffed and walked away.
Dagger barked at him. "Where are you going?" Mace paused and looked over his shoulder. "I'm going to find a real pack to join, since you won't be a good enough leader. Have fun leading these filthy rats to their deaths, I wouldn't have helped you." He flicked his tail and bolted off. Dagger howled with rage, but Winter licked him soothingly. "Calm down Dagger, let him go. You know he's wrong." Dagger opened his mouth to speak, but another pack member stepped forward.
"Alpha...listen to your mate. Honestly, I'm glad you're our alpha now. Your father was very cruel, and your gentler side is good news for us." The rest of the pack barked agreements. "Plus...we get to fight the phantom pack, and take back our lands they stole from us." another pack member barked. Dagger's tail swished, he turned back to Winter. "We need a plan...got anything good?" Winter shrugged. "No...but my father might. Let me call him." She threw her head back and let out a long deep howl. She paused, and another howl answered her. "He's on his way...we just got to wait."
Akela appeared moments later. He looked confident. Winter tilted her head. "Father...what is it?" Akela smiled at her. "I have scouted around the phantom pack's territory. The only place they don't guard is the river, it gives us a way in and out." he walked in the center of the dire wolves. "I have a plan, and if we're going to make this work...you need to hear me out. Clear?" The dires barked. Akela nodded. "Good. Here's what we're going to do…"
The sun was setting...and the pack was in position. Winter was at the base of the phantom pack's territory. Dagger was next to her. "Remember your father's plan. And please...don't get killed." Winter nodded. "I won't." Dagger nuzzled her. "Return to me safely my love…" Winter licked his muzzle, and ran into the phantom pack's territory. She started walking through, and their scent was stale here, but she knew that wouldn't be long. They need to find me quickly, I'm already anxious.
She walked a good amount, before their scent got stronger. Come on...there! A huge white wolf appeared from a bush. His teeth were bared and a threatening snarl came from his mouth. "What are you doing here? Get out!" Winter stood her ground, despite her fear. She bowed down in front of him, submissively. He tilted his head. "Are you deaf? I said get out!" Winter ignored him, turning over on her back, exposing her belly. The wolf scoffed.
"I should kill you...but I won't. You'll be a prisoner like the others of your kind. On your paws, now!" Winter did she was told. She got to her paws and kept her head low in submission. The wolf snarled at her. "Follow me...if you try to escape, I'll rip your throat out." He turned and padded east, Winter close behind him. They came to a large boulder, but when he pushed it, there was a hole. He turned to her. "In you go." Winter paused and looked inside. She could see many wolves in this hole...most looked rather young. A hard nip hit her flank and she yelped. "I said get in…" the wolf said again darkly. Winter jumped down the hole, and he pushed the boulder back over it. She looked up, knowing she'd get outta here soon...