Frozen Secrets: The Wolves of Elementa, Book 1

by Sophie Torro

  Aurora’s breathing became sharp and quick. If what these guards say is true, then Queen Tempest has created the most powerful weapon in all of Elementa, she realized. With a crown built entirely out of White Elemental Heart, Queen Tempest will be unstoppable. Her power is already unmatched, but while amplified with the crown… Aurora shuddered, unable to allow that thought to play out in her mind.

  “Queen Tempest says that she’ll freeze the entire ocean first,” the leading guard said with a smirk. “She’ll turn all those pesky Water Wolves into icicles. After that, she’ll blow the entire Fire Pack off the continent. When that’s done, she’ll turn the Earth Pack’s desert into a world of snow. All of Elementa will soon belong to the Sky Pack.”

  The two other guards laughed. Was this nothing more than a joke to them? If Queen Tempest succeeded with her plans, then thousands of innocent wolves would be lost. Elementa’s fragile balance would be destroyed. Nothing would ever be the same again.

  Aurora’s jaw clenched. Fury and terror pumped through her veins. She needed to do something. She needed to make up for her mistake of helping Queen Tempest. She needed to save Elementa from being destroyed forever!

  Aurora carefully lifted herself just a feather’s length off the ground, readying herself to spring at the three guards. She wanted to fight—wanted to do anything but sit here and listen to how she had helped create a monster. Aurora’s emotions were clouding her judgement. Her paws trembled. She was furious with herself for being so foolish.

  Just before Aurora could leap at the guards, Ember gently placed his paw on hers. She gave him a startled look. Although Ember was unaware of Aurora’s role in helping Queen Tempest, his orange eyes seemed to tell her, I understand that you’re angry. I know what it’s like to want to fight. But you need to let it go.

  Aurora reluctantly backed down, lowering herself once again. Ember quickly moved his paw away, looking embarrassed.

  The leading guard let out a raspy cough. “Come on, you two,” he told his companions. “Let’s get out of here before we choke on the scent of salt water. I’d be shocked if that traitor Aurora could stand to stay in a place like this. Let’s keep looking.”

  Together, the three guards left the cave to continue their hunt. Aurora and Ember didn’t dare move until they were certain the Sky Wolves were long gone.

  “Finally,” Ember huffed. “I thought they would never leave.” He leapt down from the cavern’s ledge, landing with a thump on the sand below. Ember shivered when a breeze pushed into the cave.

  “Here,” Aurora said, removing his cloak and passing it back to him. “Thanks for letting me borrow it. That was kind of you.”

  Ember threw his cloak over himself without looking at or responding to Aurora. Instead, he walked along the edge of the lagoon, peering into the depths until he managed to spot Nautilus. Ember splashed one paw in the water to alert him. “You can come out now,” he said.

  Nautilus cautiously floated to the surface and lifted his head out of the water. Concern filled his eyes. “What in Elementa just happened?” he asked. “Who were those wolves? I couldn’t see them or make out their words. I could only hear vibrations.”

  Ember lashed his tail. “Queen Tempest is going to kill us all in a few nights,” he growled unkindly. “And there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  Nautilus gasped, accidentally sucking in a mouthful of salt water. He coughed dramatically. “What?” Nautilus spluttered. “How?”

  Aurora grimly explained everything to Nautilus—about the Sky Pack mines, about Queen Tempest’s crown, and how Aurora had helped her create it. By the end of Aurora’s speech, Nautilus looked like he was about to faint. “What should we do?” the hybrid cried out.

  Aurora was at a loss for words. What should they do? She had absolutely no idea. “Maybe we can warn the other packs about Queen Tempest’s plan,” Aurora suggested after a long moment. “They deserve to know.”

  Ember dug his claws into the sand. “Doing that will cause them to panic,” he stated. “It’ll start a war across Elementa.”

  Aurora’s ears perked up in surprise. “But don’t you want to warn your pack?” she asked Ember. “Telling them about Queen Tempest’s plan could help them prepare for her attack. It might be the key to their survival.” Ember remained silent, staring at his paws. “Don’t you have any loyalty to them?” Aurora whispered.

  Ember let out a low, dangerous growl. “I prefer to keep my distance from the Fire Pack,” he responded sharply.

  Aurora turned her questioning gaze to Nautilus. He shrunk a bit deeper into the water. “I’m kind of with Ember on this one,” Nautilus responded in a small voice. “I’d rather not face either of my packs any time soon.” Seeing the unhappy look on Aurora’s face, he added, “But I have a better idea! I was thinking, why don’t we all leave Elementa behind forever?”

  Ember gave him a glare. “And how is that supposed to work?” he asked.

  Nautilus smiled sheepishly. “Well, maybe we can find some island near Elementa, and live there,” he suggested. “That way we don’t have to get involved with Queen Tempest or the packs. We’ll be safe.”

  Aurora frowned. “Safe,” she agreed, “but cowards.”

  Nautilus and Ember exchanged unphased looks. Didn’t they care about anything other than themselves? Aurora was beginning to feel angry that she had grown fond of the two wolves. If this is how Nautilus and Ember responded to others in danger, then Aurora wanted nothing to do with them.

  “Perhaps your idea isn’t completely awful,” Ember told Nautilus. “What’s the closest island to Elementa?”

  Aurora suddenly whirled around and stormed to the exit of Nautilus’ cave. She had heard enough. Perhaps stopping Queen Tempest was something Aurora needed to do alone. Without saying a word, she stepped out into the moonlit beach, and walked in the opposite direction of the guards’ pawprints.

  Aurora quickly became lost in her thoughts. She ignored the concerned calls of Nautilus in the distance. Maybe Ember is right, Aurora told herself. If I warn the other elementals about Queen Tempest, they might join together to destroy the Sky Pack. I can’t let that happen. But I also can’t run away and do nothing. Something needs to be done. But what?

  Aurora frowned as she thought. If Queen Tempest no longer has her crown, then the problem is solved, right? she asked herself. Would it be a dumb idea to try stealing the White Elemental Heart crown? Aurora had to hold back a bitter laugh. Of course it is. But it might just work… if I manage to survive in the process.

  Aurora turned a corner without moving her gaze off the ground, allowing her paws to blindly guide her. My elemental power is great for exploring the sky, but not so great in a fight, she thought. I’m bound to run into trouble while attempting to steal the queen’s crown. I’ll need someone to help me get out of tight situations. But who?

  Aurora began to trek up a steep slope, heading up to the prairies. Ember and Nautilus aren’t the right wolves for the job, even if they agree to help me, she realized. Nautilus is just a shapeshifter with a few extra abilities, not a warrior. And Ember… I don’t even know what his power is.

  Think Aurora, think. Who do you know that can help you steal Queen Tempest’s crown? Someone with an eagerness to fight. Someone who enjoys getting their paws dirty. Someone who loves a good thrill.

  Without warning, the sound of pawsteps filled the silence as Ember and Nautilus ran forward. Nautilus stopped a good distance away from Aurora, wheezing for breath, while Ember ran in front of Aurora and skidded to a halt. “Where do you think you’re going?” Ember demanded as he blocked her path. “Queen Tempest is hunting you, remember?”

  Aurora gave him a warning glare as she moved past him. “I thought you and Nautilus are busy trying to find an island to hide on,” she sarcastically retorted. “Please, don’t allow me to get in the way of that.”

  Ember let out an impatient growl. “Knowing when to back down from a fight is the most important
key to a wolf’s survival,” he told her. “Choosing to not get involved doesn’t always make you a coward. It makes you a survivor.”

  Aurora paused but didn’t look back. “There’s more to life than just surviving,” she snapped. “This is something that I must do. There are innocent wolves whose lives are in danger, and if you honestly think I can abandon them without lifting a paw, then you don’t know me at all!”

  Nautilus moved forward so he stood beside Ember. “What’s your plan, then?” he asked Aurora. “If it’s better than running away, then I’d be willing to help.” Ember gave Nautilus a warning glare, but remained silent.

  Aurora released a heavy sigh and turned around to face her friends. “I’m going to steal Queen Tempest’s crown,” she told them.

  Ember let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, that’s just rich, isn’t it?” he sneered. “Good luck making it out of the Sky Pack alive, Aurora.”

  Aurora’s white pelt bristled. “I’m not going to do it alone,” she snapped. “I’m going to find some wolf to help me.”

  Nautilus anxiously shifted his webbed paws. “Who?” he asked.

  Aurora gazed at the round moon behind Ember and Nautilus. “Sandstorm,” she responded, determination glowing in her green eyes. “I’m going to ask Sandstorm to help me.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Ember and Nautilus exchanged disgruntled looks. There was an uneasy silence for a moment, until Nautilus took a cautious step closer to Aurora. “Sandstorm?” the hybrid echoed. “Like, the Sandstorm? The Earth Wolf who nearly pulverized you, not too long ago?”

  Aurora nodded. “That’s the one,” she responded curtly.

  Ember tried, but failed, to hold back a laugh. “You must be joking,” he huffed. A sea breeze caused his cloak to sway. “Sandstorm is crazy, remember? She’ll start attacking you before you can even say ‘hello’. Sandstorm wants nothing more than to crush her so-called opponents. What makes you think that she’ll help you, Aurora?”

  Aurora’s ear flicked. “You’re exactly right, Ember,” she responded, much to his surprise. “Sandstorm wants nothing more than to fight, so why not use that to our advantage? Once we tell her what Queen Tempest is planning, she’ll have to see that stealing the crown is the only chance we have at saving Elementa.”

  Nautilus’ light green eyes were wide with worry. “But Sandstorm hates you, doesn’t she?” he nervously asked Aurora. “You embarrassed her and hurt her pride, in front of a massive crowd. What if Sandstorm feels that your fight isn’t over yet?”

  Aurora paused for a moment to think. “You do have a point,” she told Nautilus. “But I can tell that Sandstorm has a good heart… deep, deep underneath her hard exterior.”

  Aurora gave her white pelt a shake. “When the Sky Pack guards raided The Hidden Howl, I was about to be captured, with no chance of freeing myself. But Sandstorm rescued me, when she didn’t have to lift a paw for my sake. I wouldn’t be standing here right now if it wasn’t for her.”

  Ember swished his tail, looking unimpressed. “That’s all fine and good,” he barked, “but how are we supposed to even contact Sandstorm?”

  Aurora deflated slightly. She hadn’t even thought of that yet. Suddenly, an idea struck her like lightning. “I have the best idea!” she exclaimed with a smile.

  Ember closed his eyes and released a heavy sigh. “Please don’t say that you want to go on a—”

  “I want to go on a quest,” Aurora announced as she bravely lifted herself taller and flared her wings. “To the Earth Pack. To find Sandstorm, and to convince her to help us defeat Queen Tempest.”

  Nautilus’ eyes were bright with wonder. “Wow,” he breathed. “The Earth Pack is really far from here. Do you think we can really do it?” Nautilus’ dark blue fur began to fluff out. “How are we supposed to make it inside, Aurora? We don’t exactly look like Earth Wolves…”

  Nautilus suddenly shifted into his Fire Wolf form, then studied his light red fur. He gave his head a sullen shake. “There’s no way I’ll be able to pass as an Earth Wolf,” Nautilus confirmed. “Especially not with my scorching paws.” They were burning the ground where they touched, causing a halo of red light to illuminate the darkness.

  Aurora couldn’t help but bristle at the smug expression on Ember’s face. “Exactly,” he said. “There’s no way any of us can enter the Earth Pack. Within moments of stepping a paw into their border, we’ll be caught and imprisoned, or worse.”

  Without warning, Aurora scooped up a pawful of mud, then flung it at Ember. He let out a yelp of alarm while trying to dodge out of the way, but was too slow. The mud splattered the side of his head.

  Ember bared his fangs and extended his claws. “What in Elementa was that for?” he snarled at Aurora.

  Aurora was trying to hold back a laugh. “Wait, no, don’t get mad,” she hurriedly told him, worried that he would spring at her. “Look at your fur, where the mud touched. It stained it brown.”

  Ember furiously stalked over to a small puddle, then gazed down at his reflection. His expression slowly began to soften.

  Nautilus happily jumped up and down, causing a small inferno to form around his paws. “A disguise,” he exclaimed. “That’s brilliant, Aurora! We can disguise ourselves as Earth Wolves.”

  Aurora smiled. “That way we can look for Sandstorm without running into trouble,” she said excitedly. “We’ll blend right in.”

  Nautilus suddenly seemed to notice the grassfire he caused. The hybrid transformed back into a Water Wolf and began to stamp out the flames. “So, we’re really going through with this, then?” he asked distractedly. “To find Sandstorm, and to steal Queen Tempest’s crown?”

  There was a splash behind Aurora. Ember dipped his head into the puddle to wash away the mud. “Absolutely not,” the Fire Wolf growled as he pulled his head back up. Water droplets ran down his face, reflecting the frosty light of the moon. “Entering the Earth Pack is one thing, but trying to steal from Queen Tempest is another. She was dangerous enough to begin with—now her powers are enhanced by her crown. She’ll wipe the floor us.”

  Nautilus nervously rubbed the back of his neck with his paw. “Way to lighten the mood,” he joked.

  Ember rounded on him, growling. “This is serious,” he spat. “I hate to admit this, but I’ve unfortunately grown to care for the both of you. You’re… you’re my pack now. And if anything bad were to happen…” Ember shook his head, pushing down his emotions. “Look, I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I think this is a terrible idea.”

  Aurora confidently met his gaze. “And I’m not going to shy away from the fact that recruiting Sandstorm, and stealing the crown, is Elementa’s last hope,” she responded. “You two are either with me, or you’re not. Either way, I’m traveling to the Earth Pack right now. Feel free to join me. The choice is entirely yours.”

  Despite Aurora’s unphased exterior, she truly hoped that Ember and Nautilus would decide to join her quest. She was beginning to really like them, too. The journey wouldn’t be the same without her new friends.

  There was a long, tense silence for a moment. Nautilus suddenly inhaled a deep breath and walked to Aurora’s side. “I’m with you,” the hybrid told her. “Elementa is my home. Although I’ve always been an outcast to the packs, I don’t want them to be destroyed by Queen Tempest. Aurora, you can count on me to help this mission succeed.”

  Aurora’s paws felt light with relief. “Thank you, Nautilus,” she told him happily. “I’m grateful to have you come along.”

  The two wolves turned to gaze at Ember. Like usual, he had a scowl on his face, and was clearly deep in thought. “Will you join us?” Aurora asked him after a moment. “No hard feelings if you won’t.”

  Ember shifted his paws, as if he felt uncomfortable in his own fur. “I really don’t think this is a good idea,” he grumbled. “But like I said earlier, you two are my pack now. And a pack stays together, no matter the hardship.” Ember let out a sigh
, memories clouding his orange eyes. “I won’t lie and say that I care about Elementa. I don’t. But Queen Tempest has no right to destroy our world. No matter what happens next, good or bad, I’m going to face it with you two.”

  Ember took a hesitant step closer to Aurora and Nautilus, and then another, until he was standing by their side. “Well, don’t just stand there gawking,” he grumbled in embarrassment, while looking down at his paws. “Let’s go find Sandstorm before Queen Tempest destroys the world. We only have a few more nights to steal her crown, remember?”

  Without waiting for a response, Ember turned his back and began to walk. Aurora and Nautilus exchanged an amused look before following him.

  As the three wolves began to travel to the Earth Pack wastelands, Aurora couldn’t help but feel a new wave of respect for Ember. There’s much more to him than what meets the eye, she thought. I can tell that Ember had to fight through a lot of fear to agree to journey with us. Ember has a big heart, although he won’t ever admit it. Affection for Ember warmed Aurora from ears to tail. I’m glad he agreed to come with us.

  ***

  After what felt like hours of walking, the sun began to emerge on the horizon. Its light hit the wolves’ eyes as they trekked through the wilderness of Elementa. The sky was a dazzling orange, with streaks of red. Fluffy yellow clouds clustered near the rising sun, causing intricate shadows to fall over Elementa.

  The travelling wolves had passed Water Pack territory, and were just beginning to enter the land split between Fire Pack territory and Earth Pack territory, if Aurora had to guess. The mountains of the Sky Pack were far behind them now, no longer viewable from this distance.

  It made Aurora feel strangely empty inside, like she had left a piece of herself behind. Aurora had never travelled this far away from her pack before. There was never a reason to.