by Sophie Torro
But loyalty has its limits. Years later, unbeknownst to her, Aurora will be forced to discover just how far her loyalty will go.
CHAPTER 1
Today…
“I think she’s daydreaming again,” a wolf quietly snickered from down below. He earned a chorus of hushed laughter from the workers closest to him. The noises travelled through the hard walls of the cavern and right into Aurora’s ears.
The white wolf blinked a few times, feeling confused as she was pulled away from her memories. I’m not a pup anymore, and I moved away from my village moons ago, she reminded herself. I live in the Sky Pack Kingdom now. And I work here… in this cave.
The wolves down below continued to laugh and sneer. “I can hear you,” Aurora abruptly growled at them. “And I wasn’t daydreaming. I was reminiscing. There’s a difference!” Her voice bounced throughout the cavern and tunnels, causing a loud echo.
Aurora was hovering in place high above the cavern floor. Her elegant wings flapped to keep her airborne, and occasionally smacked against the pointy stalactites that hung from above. Aurora’s paws were streaked with dirt and mud. Her pads were cracked after so many moons of digging. So, so much digging.
Aurora shuddered as she glanced up at the cavern roof. There was no sunlight down here. No breeze, no snow, no sky. Oh, how she missed the sky. It doesn’t matter how I feel, Aurora fiercely told herself. My work in this cave is more important than anything else.
“What are you ‘reminiscing’ about?” questioned a wolf as blue as the sky itself. She smirked slyly. “Let me guess, Aurora. Is it about the time when Queen Tempest supposedly saved you from a big scary avalanche? When she told you to never give up on your dreams, and about the power of friendship?” The sky blue wolf nearly fell over laughing.
Aurora dismissively looked away from her and the rest of the scornful wolves gathered below. “Save me from an avalanche? Yes,” Aurora replied. “Power of friendship and following my dreams? No. What she actually said was to stay adventurous, and that the Sky Pack needs bold wolves like me in it.” Aurora proudly puffed out her chest.
“Sure,” a cloud white wolf sarcastically replied. “We totally believe Queen Tempest, of all wolves, told you that.”
A scraggly wolf suddenly limped out from the depths of one of the tunnels. His pelt was full of mud, and dust swirled around his paws whenever he moved. “If Queen Tempest is friends with Aurora,” he laughingly wheezed. “Then I’m the long lost heir to the throne!” His words earned a laugh or two from the rest of the workers.
Aurora’s pelt grew hot with embarrassment. “You don’t have to believe me,” the winged wolf told them, frustration spilling into her voice. “It doesn’t matter what any of you think. Because I’m telling the truth!” She let out an angry growl, baring her fangs in an attempt to silence her mocking coworkers.
An elderly wolf abruptly stalked into the main cavern, emerging from one of the interconnecting tunnels. “No fighting!” she screamed at them. Her shrill voice sliced through the cave like a sharp fang. “And no talking unless you have direct permission from me!” Her grey fur wildly bristled, and she threateningly displayed her claws.
“Yes, Shiver,” Aurora’s coworkers mumbled in unison. The crowd lowered their heads and scattered, leaving Aurora alone as they returned to their work. Some were digging tunnels with their bare paws, others used their power over the wind to blow rocks away, and others were carrying baskets of gems from one place to the next.
Aurora stiffened when she realized that Shiver was looking—glaring—directly at her. Aurora quickly turned her head and began to claw at the cavern roof. Please let me find something, she wordlessly pleaded. Please don’t let Shiver see me empty pawed! Aurora frantically dug her claws into the roof, wincing as dirt showered her face.
“Aurora!” Shiver abruptly snarled. “Give me a report on your progress today.”
Aurora felt her heart sink. She’d been so busy remembering her encounter with Queen Tempest that she forgot to actually do her job. “Um,” Aurora cautiously responded. “I haven’t found anything yet today. But don’t forget about how many crystals I found yesterday.”
Shiver bared her fangs. “That’s not good enough,” she snarled grumpily. “Aren’t you supposed to be the hardest worker here? What’s wrong with you?”
Aurora’s ears flattened. “Nothing, Ma’am,” she quickly replied. “I was just distracted this morning, that’s all. It won’t happen again.”
Shiver glared at her for a moment, her yellow eyes glowing oddly in the dim lighting of the torches. “Very well,” Shiver finally grumbled. “Do not disappoint me again, or else I’ll fire you. Who’ll look after Queen Tempest then, eh?” Shiver’s lips curled into a mocking smile. The elderly wolf turned her back and disappeared down another tunnel. Shiver immediately began to yell at some other wolf.
Aurora let out a sigh. Shiver is right, she thought. Queen Tempest is counting on me to be the best that I can. After all, she saved me and Blizzard from that avalanche. I owe her more than just my best. I owe her my entire commitment—and some White Elemental Heart shards.
After pushing away her distracting thoughts, Aurora began to dig, and dig, and dig. She kept her eyes sharp for any trace of the priceless crystals.
White Elemental Heart was the source of power for every wolf in the Sky Pack. It was the magic of the crystals that granted a wolf his or her power, even before birth.
According to legend, the powerful crystals have existed since the beginning of Elementa itself. Nobody was completely certain of the truth, though.
Aurora did know this, however. Whenever she unearthed a shard of White Elemental Heart, she felt her power rapidly increase in strength, just by holding the crystal in her paw. It felt like she could fly from one end of Elementa to the other, in a matter of seconds.
The other packs all had their own Elemental Heart crystals as well. Red Elemental Heart for the Fire Pack, Blue Elemental Heart for the Water Pack, and Brown Elemental Heart for the Earth Pack. That seemed to be the only thing any of the elemental wolves had in common.
The other packs don’t deserve to have powers like the Sky Pack does, Aurora thought with a sniff. They only use their gifts for evil, from what I’ve been told.
Aurora’s claws suddenly scraped against something smooth. That familiar jolt of power rushed through her veins, encouraging her to dig faster. After a few moments, half of a glowing crystal was unearthed. Pleased, Aurora clamped her jaw around the white gem and began to pull. The crystal wouldn’t budge. “Huh,” Aurora huffed to herself. “That’s odd.” She tried again, this time with more strength, but to no prevail.
Aurora curiously began to dig near the earth surrounding the white crystal. Maybe this crystal is bigger than it appears, she thought hopefully. What a find! This will please Queen Tempest for sure! Aurora couldn’t help but smile, and she began to dig with just a bit more enthusiasm.
Aurora wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Shiver appeared in the cavern again. “Closing time!” she howled. “You’re all free to go home now or whatever. I don’t really care.” At Shiver’s words, all the wolves began to eagerly rush to the exit of the cave, yapping excitedly. Shiver began to follow, then paused when dirt fell from the roof and landed near her scuffed paws.
“Sorry about that,” Aurora told Shiver without removing her eyes from her work.
Shiver’s thin tail impatiently waved back and forth. “You comin’ or what?” she barked.
“Not yet,” Aurora distractedly responded. “I think I’ve just found a really large piece of White Elemental Heart. I’ve almost dug it all out. I just need some more time.”
Shiver shrugged. “Whatever,” she grumpily told Aurora. “Just don’t get crushed by a boulder or something.” Shiver suddenly closed her eyes and used her power. The air immediately became freezing—so cold, in fact, that the fire from the torches instantly went out. The cavern was now darker than dark.
More frigid than freezing. Aurora had to blink her green eyes a few times to adjust.
Without saying another word, Shiver left the cavern behind, leaving Aurora alone in the freezing darkness. Except she wasn’t alone, not entirely. In the darkness, the crystal appeared to glow more brightly than before. Its soft light flickered over Aurora’s fur as she continued to dig.
Finally, after what felt like a moon, Aurora managed to free the Elemental Heart from the hold of the cavern. It was awkward to fly while holding the weight of the crystal in her paws, but Aurora continued on nevertheless. Queen Tempest is going to love this, she thought proudly. This is the biggest crystal I’ve found so far!
Aurora glided out of the tunnel and flew into the starry night sky beyond. A full moon hung in the inky expanse, causing the Sky Pack Kingdom to glow in its silver light. Wolves were everywhere Aurora looked. They wrestled playfully in the snow, walked from one den to the next, or even flew in the cloudless sky. Music and cheerful howling filled the air.
Countless dens and stone fortresses filled the mountainous kingdom. Some were tall enough to touch the clouds themselves, and were dusted with fluffy patches of snow. Aurora’s heart swelled with pride for her home as she took it all in. The Sky Pack Kingdom was truly beautiful.
However, nothing was more beautiful than Queen Tempest’s royal castle. The fortress was nestled between two nearby mountain peaks, allowing it to overlook the entire Sky Pack Kingdom. The castle stretched high into the sky, catching the frosty moonlight on its stone pillars and granite balconies. Guards marched or glided from one place to the next, their silver armour shining magnificently.
Aurora began to fly toward the castle, holding the Elemental Heart crystal firmly in her paws. Aurora landed a respectful distance away from the guards, deciding to walk the rest of the way to appear less intrusive. She heaved the massive crystal onto her back, then trudged up the snowy incline.
“Did you see those Earth Wolves flee when we raided their village the other day?” one guard sneered to her friend.
He nodded eagerly. Tiny lightning bolts rapidly travelled through his silver fur. “Sure did,” he responded. “They scattered underground as quickly as cockroaches. Heh.” The guard froze when he spotted Aurora. “You there!” he barked. “State your business!”
His companion cuffed him on the ear with her paw. “Don’t you recognize her?” she hissed from the corner of her mouth. “It’s that weirdo who’s obsessed with Queen Tempest. She comes here, like, every day to give the queen something. It’s so bizarre.”
Aurora ignored the guard’s rude remark. “Hello,” she respectfully greeted. “I’ve come to deliver this for the queen. I work in the royal mines. Queen Tempest has directed us to search for White Elemental Heart crystals for her collection.”
“Yeah, we already know,” the she-wolf guard snapped. “We’ll deliver it to Queen Tempest for you.”
“But…” Aurora protested as the guard snatched the crystal off her back.
“No visitors,” the wolf with lightning powers yapped. Without waiting for a response, the two guards turned tail and padded away, taking Aurora’s crystal with them.
“Please tell Queen Tempest that Aurora sent that!” she called after them. “Aurora—her most loyal citizen! She… She knows me!” The guards didn’t respond. Aurora’s tail drooped. Oh well, she thought glumly. At least Queen Tempest will be pleased with me. After all, she must have recognized all my hard work these countless moons… right?
Aurora fiercely nodded. Of course she has, she told herself. Queen Tempest and I are pretty much best friends. I’m certain that she’s grateful for every crystal I bring her. Queen Tempest has just been too busy to visit me yet, that’s all.
“Um, excuse me?” came an unsure voice. A pawful of guards had been watching Aurora in the distance this entire time. “Can you, uh, can you please leave? I don’t think wolves are allowed to just stand here… staring.”
Aurora felt hot with embarrassment. “Oh, yes, of course,” she stammered. “I’m sorry.” She whirled around and leapt into the air. A crisp breeze flowed through her fur and feathers as she lifted higher and higher.
Maybe I should find another crystal for Queen Tempest, just in case the first one isn’t satisfactory enough, Aurora wondered. She abruptly shifted her wings and allowed the wind to carry her to the mines. After all, Queen Tempest expects the very best from me. She practically told me so herself that day! I won’t just bring her one more crystal. I’ll bring her three more. Aurora tried to ignore the stinging pain in her cracked paws.
As Aurora arrived at the mines, she noticed that a wolf was pacing near the cavern’s mouth. Aurora rolled her eyes. Here we go again, she thought disdainfully. More looters or foolish explorers. Don’t they know the cave is off limits to the public?
“Excuse me,” Aurora called to the wolf below. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. The caves are dangerous if you don’t know what… you’re…” Aurora trailed off. She recognized that wolf’s pale blue pelt. “Blizzard?” she asked, landing in front of him. “Is that you? What are you doing here?”
Blizzard’s eyes were full of concern. “Hey, Aurora,” he responded. “I’ve been putting this off for a while, but it’s time you and I talk.”
CHAPTER 2
Aurora uncomfortably shifted her paws. The cold snow made her cracked paws sting, while the icy wind buffeted her fur. “You want to talk now?” she ruefully asked Blizzard, earning a hopeful nod from her brother. Aurora kicked at a loose pebble. “Now isn’t the best time, Blizzard. I have to find some more crystals for Queen Tempest.”
Blizzard opened his mouth to protest, taking a small step closer.
Aurora’s ears flattened. “And besides,” she continued before her brother could speak. “You and I haven’t exactly spoken with each other for a few moons.” Why are you here now, of all times? she wordlessly added. Why do you suddenly seem to care about me? Aurora looked away from him. She pushed past Blizzard and walked into the dark mines.
Blizzard’s spiky tail drooped. “I know I’ve been distant ever since we moved here,” he told Aurora while following closely behind her. “But I’ve had to be.” When Aurora’s fur began to bristle, Blizzard quickly added, “It’s not because of you. Well, it is a little bit. Argh, that came out wrong!”
Aurora gave him a glare. “Yeah,” she growled. “It did.” The white wolf unfolded her massive wings and flew to the roof of the cavern. Aurora busily began to dig. Her tattered paws immediately stung with pain. “Just tell me what you want, Blizzard.” So you can leave me again and disappear for another couple moons. Aurora’s jaw clenched.
Blizzard was silent for a long moment, struggling to find the right words. “What?” Aurora pressed. “Earth Wolf bit off your tongue? Relax, I’m just joking.” Blizzard had tensed up at her joke, like he always did whenever Aurora mentioned the other elementals. It was the strangest thing.
Blizzard lashed his tail. “It might be easier to just show you instead of tell you,” he responded. “Why don’t you come with me, Aurora? Then you’ll understand everything—why I haven’t spoken with you for moons, why I’ve been distant since we moved here, and why… and why I needed to stay away from you all this time.”
Aurora let out an angry snarl. “One thing I’ll never understand,” she spat, “is why you’re acting like you can’t trust me with something!”
Blizzard hung his head, closing his eyes as if her words had caused him pain.
Aurora sighed. She hadn’t meant to sound so harsh. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ve missed you a lot, Blizzard. We were so close once. I’m just angry that things have changed so much, and I don’t even know why. Is it something I did?”
Blizzard met her gaze. “It’s something you were led to believe,” he responded. “Something we were all led to believe, Aurora.”
Aurora had no clue what that was supposed to mean. However, she kept quiet, waiting to hear what else Blizza
rd had to say.
Blizzard clenched and unclenched his paws. “The moment I saw the truth for myself, I realized that things couldn’t be the same between us,” he continued. “Not until you saw the truth for yourself, Aurora.” Blizzard’s prickly ears perked up, while his dark blue eyes shone with desperation. “That’s why I’m here now. I want things to return to how they were. But you have to trust me, Aurora. You have to come with me. I promise that everything will make sense then.”
Aurora was silent for a long, long time. “I’m sorry,” she growled while looking away from him. “I don’t have any time for nonsense right now. You should leave, Blizzard. Only workers are allowed here.” Aurora began to dig into the cavern roof.
Blizzard let out a frustrated snarl. “This isn’t good for you, Aurora,” he protested. “This obsession with the queen. Nobody should be worried about pleasing someone else this much.” The fur along Blizzard’s spine started to rise. “You’re a wolf with wings, for Elementa’s sake! You don’t belong in this cave and you know it, Aurora.”
Aurora paused. His words had struck her like claws. Blizzard had said her darkest thoughts out loud, confirming her deepest, most secret worries. Perhaps Aurora was taking her loyalty to Queen Tempest too far. Maybe she was spending too much time in the mines. The only reason Aurora took on the job was so she could please Queen Tempest. Was it time for Aurora to start putting herself first?
Aurora grew cold with fear. How could she think such a thing?! There was nothing, nothing, more important than pleasing Queen Tempest.
Blizzard immediately noticed the stricken expression on his sister’s face. “One night,” he blurted. “Just have fun with me for one night. We can go now and be back within a few hours. Queen Tempest won’t mind. She allows all of her citizens to enjoy the night, and that includes you, Aurora. Please come with me. I promise that you won’t regret it.”