CHAPTER FOUR---PART ONE

Zaine noticed a shadow barely visible amongst the snow and lunging he pounced upon another wolf. it wasnt a shadow wolf like the others that had attacked eairlier. "WHO ARE YOU-SPEAK QUICK AND I MIGHT SPARE YOUR LIFE" he growled still pinning the unfamiliar wolf down.

'i... im realy sorry,' Tia whined, staring fear struck into the smoldering eyes of the wolf who had pinned her, 'i...i didnt mean to disturb you,its just, i felt the need to, humm, its hard to explain, i just kinda felt drawn to all of you, the aura that you as a group posses, i am very sorry for the intrusion, please dont kill me!' she begged.

Venin nodded toward Snow Fall and watched Aykit silently. When she started to awake, he lay next to her and waited patiently. He drown out the rest of the wolves in the cave as her eyes opened slowly. "Venin? What happened? Why are you bleeding?" She mumbled weakly. Venin nuzzled against her as she tried to lift her head, yet to no avail. "Don't worry about that right now. Rest." He said slowly, making sure she understood. Both Aykit and Venin lay there silently in sleep, not disturbed by the new wolvf's arrival.

Kaike hurried over to Zaine and stared at the wolf under him. The strange wolf's pleads seemed harmless. She then turned to Zain suddenly aware of yet another wolf's presence.

The scene before him terrofied him for he had never seen a wolf so big in his life. He was about to turn away and flee when the sight of the Alpha she-wolf caught his eyes. There was something about her that made the male loner wolf's legs turn to mush. He then took one step forward.

Fallen hurried over to where Zaine stood. Quickly shoving him off the newcommer she helped the wolf up. "Forgive him, he's had a ruff afternoon, we all have" Fallen answered sadly. "What bring's you here"

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PART TWO
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Cylo could see her pack now and slowed down. She howled in surprise when she saw Dernor behind her. "I just want to talk to you!" he insisted. Cylo was torn, if she led him to the pack, it could get dangerous, but she wasn't as big or as strong as the other wolf.

Ember trotted out of the cave to stand next to fallen when he notised cylo and another wolf in the distance.
'we seem to have a lot of vistors today,' he turned to fallen almost cheerfully, nodding at where cylo and the other wolf were

Zaine let the wolf up "Apologies" he remarked only to pounce once again on yet another wolf. "IS THERE ANYONE ELSE" he spat frustrated as he pinned seti down amongst the snow looking around.

Venin perked his head up and peered over at the gathering of the pack around the newcomer. Aykit still lay next to him asleep, her breathing soft and slow. Although he wanted to get a better view of the wolf, Venin lay back down and nuzzled his muzzle into Aykits soft, whispy fur. He sighed deeply and closed his eyes, hoping he could get some rest after the long day they'd been through.

Tia shook the snow off her coat and looked at the gentle she-Alpha. 'i was passing through the vally looking for somewhere to stay since my family, well, they just, kinda; vanished when i was out hunting. i surched for them for ages, but with no luck, and i wound up here. i am sorry for disturbing you all,' she said throwing an appoligetic look at the three wolves befor her, 'i will move on now if you want, i only came neer because, you all seem, kinda majical together, and it was almost like that power was drawing me in.'

Kaike turned to the new wolf "What's your name" she asked firmly yet kindly in her atempt to act like Fallen. "I'm Krie and this is Kaike" Krie barked happily as she then turned and hurried over to Cylo unaware of yet another wolf.

Seti was taken by suprise that he had been discovered and pinned at that. He turned to strike but thought against it, if he was ever going to uphold his families honor this wasnt the time for making enemies. "I'm sorry-truly i am, please let me explaine why im here" he begged.

"My pack has recently suffered from an attack by the shadow wolves, that was why my loyal friend here struck. You may come with us if that is what you'd like, we're a bunch of lonely and lost wolves ourselves," Fallen then turned to Zaine who had pounced once again "And what of you" She asked as Zaine let the other wolf go.

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PART THREE
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Cylo growled in frustration. She veered away from Kaike and disappeared into the trees again, planning. Dernor, confused, followed her. "Wait!" he called again. He was strong enough to run for a long time, which Cylo had yet to learn.

star and shadow came out of the cave to see what was going on, 'i'll say we have had trouble, anoying shadow wolves.' Shadow exclaimed, coming to stand next too zaine
'what i would like to know,' star said thoughtfully,almost to herself, 'is how they keep finding us, its almost as if they have some one following and spying us, its not any of uss, we would have been able to see through that too easily, in fact, i dont think it is even a wolf, we would have discoverd that, and if there was a shadow wolf following us, if they were discovered, they would have no way of escaping us, and then we would know they were following us. Nyghtmare is not as sloppy as that, he would use something like... ,' she mumbled intensley through all the infomation realing througn her brain to her self. 'i think we may have a fox on out trail,' she exclaimed to the others, head snapping up to look at the others. they were all looking at her shocked, and only then did she realise that the gem was glowing brightly again, it was not her they were shocked at, it was the blue gem.

Zaine turned over to where Star had sensed the fox. He turned to Fallen "Are we going to go get that  no-go-flea bitten mongruel" he snarled.

The noise from the varoius wolves filled the cave, disturbing both Aykit and Venin from their sleep. Venin stood and stretched himself out slowly, still rather sore from not accepting any of the medicine from Snow-Fall. Aykit followed him in sort, feeling rather stiff and still tired. She glanced at him and smiled weakly, then licked the cut above his right eye gently. He smiled back as they walked into the group of wolves, observing. Venin had much calmer look on his face than he had ever had when new wolves were met, as Aykit observed. She couldn't take her eyes off of him, for some reason. She felt as if she owed him so much for caring for her so much and helping her. With the mention of a fox, Aykit looked away from Venin. She didn't know why a fox would work for such wretched wolves, but knew from experience how conniving and sly they can be. Venin perked his ears a bit at the news, but Aykit knew he wasn't as concerned as he should be. She sniffed the air deeply for a few moments, then turned to Star and the others. "There," She spoke softly "behind those trees, in the bushes. I can smell it."

Tia looked around, she was now very confused by everything, but didnt dare say anything

Kaike stood motionless gazing up at the direction she had sensed Cylo run to.

Seti frowned solemnly and said "I was passing by when i heard a distressed howl, i want nothing except to join your pack...if thats alright. Ive lost mine somewhere in the highlands and i fear to travel back to them" he frowned hopping the Alpha would let him. "I only ask to join your pack"

Fallen nodded kindly to the strangers "You both may join if that is what you wish" she turned to Zaine "No we must rest then hurry, the shadow captain has been wounded so he will stay far from here, it would be unwise to strike again, but that doesnt mean he wount, Zaine and Kaike wait for Cylo's return-the rest of you into the cave before you all freeze" with that Fallen turned to Ember and smiling kindly waited for him as they walked in together from the cold.

Cylo eventually lost the blue wolf and trotted out of the forest and back to the pack, exhausted. When she reached them she collapsed, panting

ember followed fallen into the starange warmth of the cave and padded to her side, 'i left my pack, when everyone elce here has been separates, kicked out, or has had their pack distroyed, i cant help but feal bad,' he sighed, laying down, resting his large head on his strong, though also large paws, 'i sometimes ask my self why i left, but i know why,and i am shure i made the right desigion, eventhough i may neversee them again.'

Once Cylo returned he and Kaike hurried into the cave away from the rising storm. he then turned to where Ember and Fallen sat. Zaine made a face at Embers comment. Perhaps the wolf was right, and perhaps the wolf was wrong. Never was a long time and time often had ways of changing. his only hope was that they'd never have to face them. as he hoped for his pack.

Aykit and Venin were both silent as they stalked closer to the bush. Aykit swished her tail as a signal for Zaine to come closer and help them to investigate their follower.

tia followed the other wolves into the well hiden cave,hapy to be wth others after loosing her family.two wolves came over and interduced themselves, the big gray male spoke,'hi,' he yapped happily, despite the harchness the wolves seemed to have endured,' im Ash, and this,'he nodded at the pale pink, smaller, she wolf standing at his side,'is my sister Rose, welcome' he said, rose smiled warmly at her,
'thank you, you are all so freandly compaired to the other wolves i have met befor,some of them were horid,' she shuddered thiking of the big wolves who had snapped at her, and chased her family out of their first home when she was very young.

Kaike turned to Tia and smiled kindly only to turn away. "Tell me about the other wolves" Krie smiled excited.

Seti took up a spot beside a large rock indent inside the cave. He was curious to see the other wolves like him who had become lost and abandond. With a sigh his thoughts turned to the gentle Alpha leader. She was a kind, wise and rather just wolf, but Seti knew there was also more to her. 'Maybe she IS the wolf i am looking for' he thought inwardly with a frown.

Easle trotted beside Ember and sank happily onto his massive paws curling into a round ball to sleep. He shuddered from the cold slightly as he moved close to Fallen's warmth. Fallen watched the pup for a moment then turned to Ember "I dont remember why or how i was driven from my pack, but what i do know is that i'm happy here, to the notion in my heart i dont feel so alone and empty, with you, and with everyone at my side i'm not afraid to face what dangers lie ahead of me, you will see your pack again, we all will, but even if they dont accept us back, there will always be one waiting"

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PART FOUR
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Ember smiled at fallen, 'with a pack like this wating, i'm not sure i want to go back,' he said, putting slightly more eagerness into it than he had ment too, then looking away embarised, his eyes settled once again on the gently sleeping Easle, 'what about his story, was he all alone when you found him? that must have been hard for one so young.' he asked, thoughtfully, 'i would have hated it, in a way, i was on my own in the pack, but not like he was im guessing,'
~~~
star currled closer to shadow, she was drained, emotionally and phisckily from the days events and was happy to be surrounded by all her friends, Shado and Falle especially, shimmer too, even though her little sister anoyed her intensly at times,she was still her family, 'the only left' she thought to herself. suddenly the image of a wolf crossed her mind, 'not the oly one,'she thought again,'cooper is out there somewhere' then she closed her mind off to a deep, dreenless sleep, shadows head resting on her back affectionatly.
~~~
As the wolves aproched to his hiding place, a young fox bolted out from the bushes, chasing a dove, missing it by an inch, than he saw the wolves, angry and snarling, and froze. the wolves looked at him, than realising,thet he was far to young to be involved, and did not carry a trace of the shadow wolf sent on him, desided that he was not the spy thet star tought was followng them. the young, odly white fox bolted away when the wolves seemed to loose intrest.
from his purch on the vally's peak, safly away from the comotion below, Sly watched as the fox he had used as a decoy distracted the wolves, now tence, trying to find his sent, that he cleaverly hid each time he followed the strange wolves his master wished him too, though, he was still annoyed that they had figgered out he was following them. Blood-moon and campion were coming up the mountin to find him, he got up and met them half way,'shal we return and report?' he asked, beeing carefulwith is tone, ' Blood-moon, who he knew wasnt fond of him in anyway, was not fooled by his act at inocence, 'of course,' she muttered annoyed, 'what did you find out anyway runt,' she asked him,
' they have been joined by two more wolves, a strong looking male he seems intelegent too he wated for the other wolf to approch first, but the femail looked harmles, she panniked when attaked, but there was somithing in her eyes, they were strange, i couldnt tell, but i think they were red, alot like some of you, yet she was nothing like the shadows,'
'i think he's lost it,' Blood sniggered at Campion,
Sly continued, ignoring the slide comment made by the black and red she wolf 'one of the pack wolved was followed by another stranger, but then she bolted into the forest again.' he reported.
'lets get back, i want to report to Nyghtmare,'his name sending the evil thril up blood-moons spine, just like she loved. she grinned, she would help him take over all the wolves, and destror the Wanderes, as they had become known to the shadow wolves, even if it costed her her life.

Zaine had followed Aykit and Venin but when the fox dissappeared he knew there was another one out there somewhere. He gazed up at the direction he sensed the danger but with a sigh turned away to the others. "Come on, we have a long way to go and your both in no condition to stay out in the cold" he offered as he helped them back to the cave. Once inside he turned to Fallen "It wasnt the shadow fox, it might have been a decoy, but that doesnt mean its not watching us" he frowned.

Aykit and Venin nearly darted after the fox, but stopped themselves once Zaine had spoken. Once inside the cave, they led themselves to the farthest point in the back. It was rather dark, not like the rest of the cage. Aykit lay down and tried to relax a bit, but left her head up to watch the newcomers' actions. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her yet again. Although, it seemed as Venin's was active as well. He didn't even lay down, Aykit noticed. He stood behind her, his eyes nearly glowing in the darkness of the cave as he furrowed his brow to focus on the wolves. The sat like that for a few moments until Aykit swished her tail around Venin's paw, wrapping it. He relaxed his eyes and smiled down to her. She looked up at him and smiled back, curling her tail a bit tighter around him. He lay down behind her, resting his head on her shoulders and looking at her. Aykit watched his eyes as they seemed to flicker, as if fire danced behind them, just waiting to break free. Suddenly, int he darkness, Aykit's necklace began to glow. Her colours faded and she became her white self, her eyes glowing a cool orange. The light hit Venin's face and made him glow as well as he watched her, the smile still lingering on his face. After the light faded, they sat, looking at each other for several minutes. With no warning, Aykit's necklace began to flicker rapidly with a brighter light than ever before. Her eyes didn't glow as the flashing continued. Both her a Venin gasped and sat up. Venin leaned in and examined it. "This hasn't happened before, has it?" He asked, even though he knew the answer. Aykit shook her head no and looked at the necklace as well. The light from the gem was glowing so brightly that in danced along the coats of the other wolves in the cave and illuminated off the walls.

tia ash and rose dropped their conversation looking curiosly and in awe at aykits necklace

Kaike turned to the unusual light slightly startled. She then turned to Krie who cowered behind her. She was startled at what was going on and she wasnt sure what to do.

Seti was driven from his musings when he noticed Aykit. Curious he slowly sat up to watch the scene before him. Something was either very wrong or she was extremely happy.

Fallen thought about what Ember had said about Easle. "He had been captured by man, and when he wouldnt fight his brothers he was branded a coward and as punishment for his kind heart the humans put him in a sack, tied it and left him to die beside a busy manroad where their machines ran violently, slaying those unfortunate enough to be caught on them at the wrong moment. He was terrorfied and many men passed by his sack never once touching it, when i found him he was malnourished, and rather close to death, he didnt know, well he didnt remember his real mother and upon seeing me i guess i just looked like her. i tried to leave him with another pack that had recently lost their own little ones but he refused to stay, i tried to tell him i would be facing too many dangers that i would never dare a pup to go to be harmed but he only puffed out his chest and said 'im not scared mommy' so i decided to take him with me, i couldnt deny his nor any wolf's help" she frowned sadly. "And in a way i needed him as much as he needed me"
Fallen suddenly turned to where Aykit and Venin sat. she was just as puzzled as the others. Watching curiously she turned to Easle who had waken and wanted to approach the glowing wolf only to be stopped by Fallen.
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The sound of feet splashed amongst the river as a wolf bolted with four shadow wolves hot on his heels. he wasnt sure where he was going but something drove him onwards. 'i hope your right mother' the wolf thought as it ran on panting frantically.
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Nyghtmare stood high on his mighty rock formation, his blood-red eyes glistened from the red of the moon that shimmered down upon his pitch-black silhouette, he licked his bloodied face contently as he turned towards the east. The wolf of legand was coming, he could feel it and he was ready. He would tear the hearts from each of the wolves and make each one suffer a slow and painful demise, he would start with the pups forcing the older ones to watch, then he would slaughter the others before their leader, and last he would shred the pack leader to bits making sure it was a highly slow death. the thought of what he would do to the wolves made him shudder with anticipation and arching his massive head back, let out a fierce and rather sinister laugh. 'Now to wait for my captains report, and my belovid" he sneered as he turned and dissappeared back into the shadows of his mountainside.

Ember looked over at Shadow and Star, with shimmer, who was too worked up to sleep, jumping on to her sleeping sister, attaking the fur of her neck, and then getting gently removed from her back by Shadow, only to attak him, then loosing intrest on him, went back to attaking star, and the cycle continued untill shimmer's tiredness caught up with her and she slumped halfway between numping from stars back to attack shadows ear. and with Shimmer fast asleep half on his back, haf on stars, shadow had little other choise than to lay his head down and shut is eyes.
Ember looked again at fallen, her sparkling eyes looking loveingly down at Easle. 'he certianly seems to love you more than anything elce in the world,' he paused thoughtfully, 'the whole pack doo, when you were,' he shuddered, 'taken by those vile, flee coverd, blood lusting monsters, they, were all distraught, it was like their soals,ther purpose, their whole worlds had been ripped from them, even those who only knew you for a short time, would kill them selves to get you back, they would have proably killed them selves if you had been snached away from them for good you made them feal whole, like thay had been missing soething their whole lives, and not realised it, ant then they see you, and you changed my entire life.' Ember, his words catching up to him, only just realising what he had said looked doen, embaresde, hoping thet it would have just passed over his alphas ears, but a large secrat part of his heart, desparatley wished she had prossesed it, and felt the same thing for him.

Zaine smiled at Ember's hint at Fallen's heart. Though he didnt let anyone else see he passed a smile to the packs extrememly stubborn wolf Kaike. He liked her in his own way and turning from his own embarrassment set his head gently onto his massive paws. It would be dark soon and the growing storm stirred his curiousity. With a snort he met Seti's gaze.

Aykit's eyes kept running over the necklace as her mind tried to understand what was happening. Sure, she was happy before. But that's why her colours changed before the flickering started. Has the necklace ever done anything other than glow during her coat changes? No, she was sure of it. Something was very wrong this time, but she couldn't place what. And why did her colours return to being gray without her eyes glowing? Was something interfering with her necklace? Answers to these questions weren't revealing themselves, no matter how much Aykit wished they would be. Pulling out of her thoughts, she stared nervously at the other wolves and mustered a small smile, even though her eyes showed her confusion. Venin was backed away from her now as the flickering grew faster. His eyes were wide and full of both confusion and interest. When he looked up at her, his jaw nearly hit the floor in a gasp and his ears shot flat. As he spoke, his voice shook and was so quiet that Aykit had to strain to hear it. She wished she hadn't as the words made her blood run cold and her mind come to a dead stop. "Aykit, you eyes. They're pure black."

tia looked worriedly at Aykit, then still looking at her spoke to Ash, 'is she ok?,'
'i don'tknow,' he replyed, 'this has never happend befor as far as i know,' all three wolves, rose speachless, gazes were lost in aykits black eyes.

Kaike turned to Fallen "Whats going on" she growled confused and rather worried. "there has to be a way to stop her"

Every instinct in Seti's body told him to run, but he stayed....for whatever reason he stayed, his body remained frozen as he stared at Zaine. There was something about this wolf that caused him to cringe in fear and yet want to challenge his very motives. Getting up he decided now wasnt the best time to try....not when he was soo close to his goal. he couldnt let his father down. besided this wolf was trouble, he had to wait for the right moment before he could get close.

Fallen turned to Ember and smiled, her eyes sparkling amongst the darkness of the cave. For a moment in time she forgot who she was and where she once came from, all that mattered was Ember as he sat beside her and with an inaudable whisper lovingly nuzzled him. "You've changed my entire life too" she whispered as she then gently licked his cheek as she got up and slowly made her way to the entrance of the cave to gaze out. Her thoughts now drifting upon what Ember had said and unknowingly she found herself smiling to a new sudden beat in her heart.
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The wolf was badly torn up from the fight he had just barely escaped from, the water blurred his vision but it was the only way to slow the shadow wolves down for they hated the water. He ran on his mind set on following what his mother had said before she died. As he ran he sensed a growing danger. Something was wrong and someone was in grave danger. With a light leap he began to bolt faster into an all out run.

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PART FIVE
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Star had woken, and with one eyey open, had unknowtest seen all that had gone on between her friend and Ember, she grinned, and got up, letting shimmer tumble to the floor,much to te amusment of shadow. Shimmer, still rather sleepy, yawned, and trotted over to curl her self next to Easle. she could see Ember, he seemed to be deliberating on weather to follow Fallen. Star made his desigon for him by following the alpha herself. she sat next to Fallen looking into the glisteng snow. she grinnet at her. 'there was always something there,' star said, 'the way he looked at you when we saw them, the first night in the vally. it seems a long time ago dosent it, when it was realy not very long ago at all.' star yawned, 'im hungry,' she declaired almost gigling at Fallens trance like state, 'is it all right if i go hunting, i wont go alone, ill take shadow and who ever elce wanst to come with me.' she stoped, something or some one was coming, she wasnt shure when, where of why, but it almost felt thet she had to meet them, but she said nothing. 'so, shall i go find some food?' barcked merrily.

Zaine gently rose to his feet and approaching Fallen said "I will go with her, and so will Seti" he turned dangerously to the red wolf. For one reason or another he wasnt about to let Seti leave his side.

Venin had no idea how to react to the way Aykit looked. She seemed different, like she was far from being herself. The flashing light from her necklace was reflecting in her black eyes, making her face seem very eerie. He backed away with his eyes wide and his ears back. Aykit's jaw was drooped and her eyes were extremely wide. She was staring off to the opening of the cave, seemingly in a trance. She stood, keeping her vacant expression, and began to slowly make her way outside of the cave. Venin followed, although hesitant, and watched her closely. With no warning, her speed picked up until she was running through the snow. Venin followed and tried to stay close to her, but felt himself getting tired faster than he'd hoped. He was in no shape to be chasing anything, let alone a wolf much faster than him. With a final wind, Venin rushed up next to Aykit. Her black eyes were narrowed and her brow furrowed. "Aykit... slow down! What are you after?" Venin huffed while trying to stay even with her pace. There was no answer from Aykit. In a desperate attempt to stop her, Venin leaped onto her and hoped his weight would be enough to pull her down. It was, he noticed, as they both slid through powdery snow and skidded to a stop. Aykit was on top of Venin in a flash, pinning him down by his shoulders with her paws and snarling at him. Venin sat frozen at the sight of his only friend being so possessed. Aykit swiped him with her paw once before getting off him and sniffing into the distance. Venin sat up with tears swelling in his eyes. He looked at Aykit and watched her as she looked at the direction she had been running in and was ready to take off. Venin leaped on her again, this time pinning her. She wriggled and fought her way out from under him, but Venin managed to grab hold of her necklace, stopping her from leaving. She tugged at it, but it didn't break. It took her awhile to tire, but he waited patiently. Her eyes were still black and vacant, but she seemed calmer as she slid down and lay on the ground. Venin sat by her head, but refused to lay down in case she attempted another run. "What were you going after, Aykit?" He whispered softly in her ear. As she spoke, her haunted, cold tone made the fur on Venin's back bristle and his ears twitch. "Shadow wolves."

Ashes tail puffed out in allarm, 'should we go help?' he said to his sister. 'i dont know, im not exactly shure what just happened.' Rose replyed.
Tia then spoke, 'no, this is something i think only Venin can fix, especialy since whe have no idea what is going on.'

Kaike looked at Ash and nodded in agreement. "Ash is right, but it couldnt hurt to help"

Seti was alarmed at Zaine's sudden choice in taking him with him, getting up he turned to the alpha then to Zaine. The look zaine gave him told him not to question his motives.

Fallen noticed Aykit dissappear into the snow and made a face, she watched the scene from a distance and turned to Star "You wount find anything for a while, the snow is too thick and a feeling in my heart tells me we HAVE to keep going, nomatter the odds, Zaine and Seti i want you both to wait for Aykit and Venin, meet us out of the pass as soon as possible, signal if trouble brews, the rest of you we must keep going now" Fallen warned as she got to her feet and took one more glance back towards the direction Aykit and Venin dissappeared into.

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PART SIX
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Ember gently nugged Shimmer and Easle to wake them, Shimmer rowled over in complaint. Ember chuckled. Shadow trotted over and gently lifted Shimmer onto his sturdy back, and easle onto Embers, then apperead at stars sholder, ready to move on. Ember, more slowley than shadow had, too woried to move quickly with Easle on his back, even though it was unlikely that the pup would fall, came to Fallens side, also ready to head off into the snow. Snow fall had gathered some of the herbs that she thought neccessary to bring with her, storing the others in a hollow in the cave, just incase they, or any other travveler should ever return.

Zaine nodded at his new task and watched quietly as Fallen and the others began their ascent up the mountain. Once the others were a good distance Zaine turned dangerously to Seti fangs bared "I'm watching you scuttlebutt, and if you try anything to jepordize the Alpha or anyone in the pack i will be there to tear every limb from your cowardly body, and that is a promise" he snarled as he turned in the direction Aykit and Venin had dissappeared too.

Aykit acted as if what she had said was completely normal as she stood and stared into the mountains. Venin made sure he was right next to her and was ready to chase her, if it was necessary. He was still shocked by her words, but wasn't about to let that get in the way of protecting her. "Aykit, no." His words were low and smooth, but still stern. "They're stronger, faster, and smarter than we are. There's more of them then us. We have no chance against them, not without Fallen and the others. We need to go back with them now, alright?" Venin moved to the front of Aykit. Her eyes were still black and her necklace hadn't stopped flashing. She narrowed her eyes at the land behind Venin and dug her paws into the snow-covered ground, ready to run. In a desperate attempt to bring her out of this haunting spell, Venin snapped his jaw at the rope of her necklace. She saw it coming and managed to avoid his bite, only to start growling and baring her teeth. Venin tried to grab the necklace again, but Aykit was faster than he was. Aykit pounced on him and pinned him into the snow, digging her sharp claws into his shoulders. He winced but kept looking into her fierce, hollow eyes. Venin pushed her off and stood quickly. She immediately ran after him with a snarl. Aykit bit into Venin's scruffy back deeply several times. He managed to cuff her face twice, leaving a cut on her cheek and one over her left eye. She continued to latch onto him and rip until he fell to the ground. The snow around them was red with blood. Venin forced his eyes open to see Aykit trudging off into the horizon, limping her front right paw. Venin's eyes fell shut as he let out a sorrowful, vacant howl before he blacked out.

tia was happy to be amoungst other wolves. she had been on her own for a very long time, and every one here seemed nice, but she kept woring about Aykit ad the others. then her thoughts turned to where they were headed, and who were the shadow wolves.

Kaike was Hesitant about leaving as she stared sadly down in the direction Zaine had dissappeared to. Turnin towards the Alpha she gave a faint snort as if she hadnt been interested even the slightest, but she already knew Fallen had seen her. Krie pranced ahead for a moment only to stop and turn towards Kaike curiously. Shrugging he bounded beside Tia "hi" she barked happily as she followed the wolves footprints that were nearly ankle deep to Krie.

"Is that a threat mutt" Seti challenged once the pack was a safe distance away from sight. "I'll make you eat those words" with that the wolf lunged "Nyghtmare's sparing me and my pack if i can bring the dead carcass of your packs pathetic alpha, back and with you out of the way i might be able to do just that" Seti's fangs clamped down hard on Zaine's thick, furry neck. To his suprise Zaine's neck was far toughter then he had anticipated-he barely even broke the skin. Quickly dodging Zaine's death defying crunch to his own throught Seti struck again this time his blow landed a shot on Zaine's neck scruff. "I was going to save it for later but the slight delema with your friends might come at a advatage, i could use them to frame your death" Seti snarled as he tore violently at the back of Zaine's neck.

Fallen Stood frozen in midstep. Something wasnt right but she couldnt abandon the others to go back, the shadow wolves were already on their trail. She took a step forward only to stop once more. "Star, take the others up the pass and whatever you do dont stop until you reach a safe spot amongst the trees" Fallen ordered as she then turned to Shadow and Tia "Shadow and Ash, come with me, Kaike protect the others" Fallen took one last look at the others and with Ash and Shadow hurried back down the slope.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The wolf was suddenly ambushed by a massive Shadow wolf that pounced on him from above in the trees. The shadow wolf's weight caused the wolf to collapse amongst the river. Trapped he struggled as the shadow wolf kept his face under the water. Darkness was beginning to grip him as he struggled violently. Remembering what his mother had taught him about fighting the wolf managed to use his sharp dewclaw to clip the Shadow wolf hard across the top of his chest. with a yelp the shadow wolf released him and though extremely weak and out of breath the wolf ran on again sprinting at the fastestest of speeds. His legs were beginning to collapse but the wolf sensed he was close. 'just a little more' he encouraged himself.

Ember was desparet to race after fallen, not baring to to lose her again, but star was infront of him in a flash.
'she is a lot stronger than you, or anyone may think,' she said, 'and that includes nyghtmare, thats our one advantage, we all are much stronger than he thinks,especially fallen.' she started to move off to the front of the others, not seeming to wory at all about fallen and the others, not even shadow. 'besides, ' she turned back to look at him as he looked back at the fast disaperaing wolves, 'ash and shadow arnt to bad at fighting either.'
Star lead the remaing wolves up the pass, ember stayed at the back, walking heavily, paws dragging in the snow.there was a grown, softles creaping towards him. 'oh no' he gasped under his breath 'not now.' but the others had hurd it too and had stopped. he spun round in time to see his packs to branch, his family, his old alpha, emerjing from the trees that borded ont half of the pass, their yellow eyes smoldering in the dim light.
the alpha, black, but not like the shadow wolver were. onyx. the alpha female beta, Embers father, the alphas brother and right hand man thunder, his mother sweet maple. the alpha pups, his elder cousins olive, who shot him a mensing glare and Fang, who gined smiggly at him befor turning his gase upon the wolves. taking a long time looking and grinning at rose, who swiftely turned her self away after glaring back at him.
'well well well ember,' onyx began menneslingly, 'you apperar to have broken the most imortant of out ancient rules, and you know what that means, 'he said, snarling, and smiling, the hunter wating to destroy pray. 'and any one who gets in the way shat suffer the same too.' then, ember saw that his family was not allown. there were 20 of the packs strongest wolves emurging from the shadows. they were horribly out numbered. Ember hoped that star would take the others, especial the pups away, he thanked his lucky stars that fallen had left. 'goodbie fallen,' he wispered, 'i love you,'

Zaine was suddenly blinded by rage and anger, his instincts had been right. The black and brown wolf spun around fangs clamping on the nearest piece of flesh he could grip-Seti's hindquarters. with a painful yelp he tore the red wolf from his neck and smashed him to the ground using every bit of strength to hold him there, eyes buring and every inch of fur on his back standing Zaine said "If you leave now and never return i wount tear your throat open where you lye, ive killed before with my bare fangs and i see no hesitation in doing it again" The sudden howl of Venin caused Zain to look up-an advantage seti took. the red wolf kicked his hind legs upwards and threw Zaine into the snow with a thud. Sneering he bolted in the dierction Venin's howl retorted. Zaine staggered to his feet limply as he noticed Fallen descend the slope with Ash and Shadow close behind. However Zaine was still enraged and bolted swiftly after Seti, as he reached the bottom the red wolf lunged again his fangs clamping down hard on his throat and before he could react the red wolf, with a power unmatched, tossed the massive black and brown wolf over the rather large hill slope where Zaine tumbled head over heels and slid to a stop amongst the murky mud below, it was there the darkness gripped him and he remained motionless.