“I know it’s hard but there is nothing that we can do to stop him or them. He has been planning this for too long. Let’s just enjoy our time for now hey? How about tonight we just have the night to just the two of us? No Wren, no-wolf else, and no worries. Just us. How does that sound?” Winter smiled.
“You’re right. Let’s just have the night to ourselves and not let that wolf get to us. We’ll meet at the den and talk like the old days. Sound good?” Warclaw said smiling.
“That sounds good! See you tonight?” Winter asked.
“Yes love, see you tonight.” Warclaw walked up and rubbed his nose against Winters. Warclaw started to head towards the centre of the den, trying to convince himself that Winter was right and that there was something that he could do to stop the inevitable. It was going to happen whether Warclaw liked it or not. He should have realised this from the beginning. The least Warclaw could do is make the rest of her short life, more relaxed and fun. What would be the point if he didn’t let her live her life, if she would just die anyway? ‘I need to talk to Wren and make sure that he knows what he has to do. Judging by the way Waya was talking, I think that his schedule has shifted up a day. He’s going to do when we’re off our guard. That is the only way that he is going to be able to do it. I’ll let Winter enjoy today and tonight then I need to talk to Wren about this. He needs to be on alert and be prepared for anything.’ Warclaw thought as he walked.
Lost in thought, Warclaw didn’t realise that he had walked past the centre of the den and was no walking towards the training area. “Alpha, are you alright?” Wendy asked.
“Huh?” Warclaw said looking up. “Oh. Sorry Wendy. I’ve just had a lot on my mind as of lately, especially today of all days. I was trying to go to the den, but I guess I was so deep in thought that I must have walked past it without realising.” Warclaw smiled. “Are you alright?”
“Yes I’m alright.” Wendy smiled back.
“How’s it going with Wilbert? I heard you two had an argument the other day. Are you pair alright?”
“Well it’s as good as it’s ever going to be. He’s just a very stubborn wolf. And he won’t admit it when he’s wrong. I’m sure within a few days he will realise that he’s made a mistake and he’ll apologise. But until then I’m not talking to the idiot.” Wendy laughed.
“Oh. Dear. I have to agree with you Wendy, Wilbert isn’t the smartest of wolves. He is quite stubborn when it comes to you though.” Warclaw laughed. “I’m sure that he will apologise, if not let me know and I’ll go talk to the idiot.”
Wendy smiled. “So what’s on your mind? I’m a good listener you know and I’m great with advice.”
“I know you are Wendy, but this isn’t exactly something that I can talk about with you.” Warclaw sighed. “But what do I have to lose?” He took a deep breath and prepared to unload himself onto another wolf. Wendy was one of his close friends after all. “Now you have to promise that you won’t say a word about this Wendy. This has to stay strictly between us.” Wendy nodded in agreement. Looking around, Warclaw could see that there were many wolves around them and he couldn’t risk any-wolf knowing. “But we’re going to have move from here.”
Walking away from the training area and back to a quieter area of the den, Warclaw explained what was going on with Winter and Waya. He explained everything that Waya had said and what he was planning to do. He also told her what Wren had told him. He told her everything he knew. “I don’t know what to do Wendy. I have tried talking to him and I have tried to give him other options. You name it, I have tried it. And you know what the worst part is?” Warclaw asked. Wendy shook her head. “He has told me that it’s going to be some-wolf close. I have four close friends Wendy and I don’t know when he is going to kill her. I keep trying to prevent it but nothing is going to work. What do I do?”
Wendy nodded, taking in all the information. “What have you got yourself into Warclaw? I have known you a long time, but this has to beat all the other scrapes you have been in. He’s obviously out to get you isn’t he? Geez Warclaw, I don’t know what to suggest. Are you sure that he isn’t just playing mind tricks on you?”
“Yes I’m sure. He’s deadly serious about this Wendy.” He sighed.
“What was it he said to you Warclaw?” Wendy asked.
“He said something along the lines of, him not being daft enough to take me on and to kill Winter on his own. And become Alpha just like that. He also said that I should keep my friends close but my enemies closer. And that I should watch my friends more than I watch him.” Warclaw snuffed. “He also said that I was too blind to see the obvious and now it’s going to happen whether I want it to or not. So I should get used to the idea. That’s what he said to me.”
“Hmm. Have you ever thought that he has been warning you all this time and that he is not the one who actually wants to kill Winter, Warclaw?” Wendy suggested.
“Yes. But it can’t be that as it’s not possible.”
“And why is that?” Wendy asked.
“Because he has been planning this for years and no-wolf else is this smart enough to do this. And no-wolf would dare to do this. There is no other explanation.” Warclaw huffed.
Wendy sighed. “Warclaw, as Waya said and most likely Winter said as well at some point, there is no way out of this. What will be, will be and there is nothing that you can do about it. And if he has been planning for as long as you say he has then he will have covered everything that you would or could do. There is no nice way to say this, but you need to hear it. You are going to have to make the most of the time that you have with her. He is going to do this, whether you want it to happen or not. As for who it could be that does kill her, Warclaw there are lots of wolves that know Winter personally and are close with her. It could be any-wolf.”
Warclaw looked down to the ground. “I know. But I just want to protect her and how can I do that if I can’t even find out who it is?” Warclaw shook his head. “I am going to have to deal with it aren’t I? Like you said, there’s no way for me to stop what is going to happen. I have a rough idea of when but I’m not even going to be able to prevent it am I?”
Wendy shook her head. “I’m sorry Warclaw. I really am. I know Winter means a lot to you, but you are just going to have to deal with it.” Wendy put her paw on his shoulder. They stood there in silence for a few minutes before Wendy finally spoke up. “Now on a less depressing matter, what are you going to do tonight with Winter? I hear that you are going to do what you did in the old days? Just talk and walk under the moonlight?”
“Yeah. Something that we haven’t done in so long, when our lives where happy and life was easy. You know that’s exactly what happened when we first met twelve years ago.” Warclaw said smiling. “Really, twelve years? Was it that long ago? And I do remember that’s what happened, as I was the one who arranged it after all.” Both Warclaw and Wendy laughed.
“Thanks for listening Wendy. You are the first wolf outside of Wren, Waya and Winter to know about this. Please keep it quiet.”
“No problem Warclaw. You know I’m always here for you whenever you need to talk. Just give me a howl and I’ll come.” Wendy said laughing. “You better get going Warclaw, it’s coming up for late evening. You need to go prepare.” She said winking.
“Have we really been talking that long?” Warclaw asked looking up at the sky. “Yes we have.” Wendy chuckled. “Now go before you’re late. She’ll be waiting for you. We don’t want you late, like the first time.” Warclaw nodded before giving Wendy a hug. Turning around, Warclaw started heading towards the cave where Winter would be waiting.
When Warclaw got there, Winter was already standing there waiting for him. “Late like the first time.” Winter smiled.
“You’re never going to let that go are you?” Warclaw joked. Winter shook her head. “Did you tell Wren that he could have tonight off?”
“Yes I did Warclaw. He was more than pleased. I think all that gossip was getting to him.” Winter l
aughed. Smiling, Warclaw walked up to Winter and nuzzled his nose against hers, before walking towards the beach.
As they strolled to the beach, the sun started to go down and hide behind the calm ocean. The sea gently brushed against the sand and quietly rustled in the background. The chirping sound of crickets floated in the air. There was a gentle breeze and the leaves rustled quietly. Slowly the moon rose into the sky and the sky darkened. Little shinning lights slowly started to appear in the sky, making it look like glitter. There was the odd shooting star in the sky that left a streak of light in the night sky. Warclaw and Winter walked side by side under the moonlight. The sand was cool underneath the pads of their paws and the breeze was gentle against their fur, only slightly lifting it up. It was peaceful. Unfortunately for Warclaw this was going to be the last night that they got to spend with each other...
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The sun had arisen and was nearly high in the sky. There were clouds in the sky that would hide the sun every now and then. The wind was gentle, only getting rough now and then. The leaves swayed from side to side and the sea rustled quietly in the background. There were birds flying high in the sky and some sang their merry songs in the trees. There were a few wolves moving around on the ground and Warclaw was one of them.
‘It’s some-wolf who is close to me. It’s some-wolf who is close to me.’ Warclaw thought. He kept repeating the same line over and over and over again, trying to work out who it could be. Warclaw hadn’t slept very well that night. The same lines kept running through his head, ‘It’s some-wolf close to you. Get over it.’ That’s all Warclaw could think. He had had enough and decided to go for a walk. Needing to walk it off, Warclaw went around the perimeter of the den, checking for anything that would take his mind off of it. “I was too blind to see the obvious and now it’s going to happen whether I like it or not. What did he mean by that? Which wolf is close enough to me but would risk his or her life to do this? Curse you Waya!” Warclaw said growling. “Great. I’m even talking to myself. It gets better and better.” Warclaw sighed.
As Warclaw was walking around, he noticed the sky becoming a bit darker. Thinking it was just going to be light patter of rain, Warclaw kept walking. Soon he bumped into Wendy again. “Morning Wendy,” Warclaw said “How’s you and Wilbert this morning? Has he said sorry to you yet?”
“Morning Warclaw and we’re okay. He seems to have finally come around and he’s agreeing with me. So his sorry was accepted and we’re all good now. How about you? How was last ni...?” Wendy was interrupted by the heavens opening. Clashes of thunder and bolts of lightning livened up the sky. Wendy and Warclaw ran for cover. Slowly the patter of rain turned into fierce bullets that hit the ground at force. The storm had begun.
As Warclaw ran for cover with Wendy, he suddenly realised who Waya had meant. “Warclaw are you alright?” Wendy asked running alongside him.
“I think I know whose going to do it...” Warclaw paused. “I need to find Winter fa...” Before Warclaw could finish his sentence, he heard Winter howl.
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Evan after the darkest of days, there was always a day of light. But sometimes that light was not the sun, but it was something completely different. The sun was high in the sky, showing that it was midday. Suddenly clouds started to appear and these clouds were dark. The birds flew up out of the trees and flew off into the distance. A storm was brewing and it was imminent. The sky was getting darker and darker. There was no sign of the sun anymore. It had disappeared behind the blackening clouds. There were loud crashing sounds in the sky and the sparks in the sky lightened up the ground. The wind started to get up. At first it slowly moved the wolf’s fur but then it got stronger and it blew the fur all over the place. It became so strong that it started to push the wolves around, shoving them from side to side. The trees creaked and moaned as they were blown harshly by the wind. The sky was black and rain soon followed the darkness. The clouds above crashed together with so much force that it made the ground shake. Lightning bolts would form in the sky. Some would strike the ground, enlightening the ground with light. Smoke started to rise into the sky as the ground took alight. Wolves ran in different directions.
A wolf came running up to Winter in desperate need of help. “Winter, some wolves are trapped on the west side of the forest. I can’t find Warclaw, please help me!” Waya said. Winter nodded. Waya had appealed to her good nature and this would be the cause of her downfall. Running in the direction of the west side of the forest, Winter hoped that it was something easy that she could handle on her own. She ran and ran until she had reached that side of the forest. Looking around Winter could see no wolves trapped. Winter’s heart started to race when she realised that Waya had tricked her into coming to this part of the forest.
“Warclaw?! Where are you?” Winter howled. The howl carried across the winds and she hoped that it would reach Warclaw in time. Suddenly a lightning bolt smashed down into the ground. Sparks flew everywhere and soon a fire started to appear. The fire slowly started to surround her. Suddenly a wolf came towards her, through the thick smoke. “Wren? Thank the high Alpha that you are here. Let’s get out of here...” She trailed off. But Wren just kept walking towards her. “What are you doing? Wren?” Suddenly Wren pounced onto Winter, making her crash into the ground. “Why are you doing this Wren? I have been nothing but good to you!” Winter said trying to get out from under Wren’s grip. Winter knew what was coming and soon she could feel her legs go numb, her throat go cold and soon she could see no light. Death was upon her. Slowly she let out her final breath. Winter was gone.
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Warclaw followed the sounds of Winter’s screams. Running quicker and quicker until he got to the part of the forest where he had heard her screams. Looking over the flames, he saw Wren’s jaw go around Winter’s neck. He could see the fear and pain she was in. Blood dripped slowly out of her neck and Warclaw gasped. He knew Winter was gone and there was nothing he would do to save her. “No!!” Warclaw screamed as he watched Wren kill his beloved mate.
The flames got more and more intense. Warclaw couldn’t move. He had watched Winter die and he had watched that wolf do it. Warclaw shouted at the wolf in the distances, “I will find you! I will hunt you down and kill you!” Watching Wren run further off into the distance, he felt his heart lurch. He looked down to the lifeless corpse of Winter. Trying to walk towards her, Warclaw was stopped by the flames. Slowly, bit by bit, the flames cut his sight until Warclaw couldn’t see Winter. When the flames had finally blocked his vision, Warclaw looked down upon the ground below him. With no Luna, Warclaw wouldn’t have been able to run the pack. Waya had gotten what he wanted. Shaking his tears away, Warclaw swore that he would take revenge. Warclaw vowed that he would get Wren for what he and Waya had done and now 20 years later he finally had gotten that chance...
Chapter 18: Love, loss and loathe
Warclaw stared into the ground. His heart beat rapidly in his chest. Warclaw couldn’t move. His body had frozen. Warclaw could hear the roar of the flames burning everything that was around him but he still didn’t move. The death of Winter was the very thing he had tried to prevent from happening but now that it had, he didn’t know what to do. The fire edged closer and closer to Warclaw. He could start to feel the heat of the flames on his fur. He stood there for a few minutes staring down into the ground realising that although Wren had struck her down, it was him that had killed her. He had watched her take her final breath through the flames, and yet he had the crystal that could bring her back. But he just let the fire surround her and take her away from him. Warclaw had not only failed her but he had failed himself.
Slowly looking up, Warclaw could see the flames creeping closer and closer. He could feel the heat on his fur. Warclaw realised he should let the flames simmer and take the revenge he needed when the time was right. Running for the edge of the forest, towards the pack, Warclaw ran around falling trees and jumped over rising flames. Soon
he reached the edge of the forest. When Warclaw reached the edge of the forest, he could hear two wolves talking. Slowing down, Warclaw stood for a minute, listening to what they were saying, before hiding behind a bush as the two wolves walked closer to Warclaw. Warclaw noticed that it was Waya and Willow that were talking to one another.
“I can’t believe this storm hit us at the right time. That’s what you call luck. It just makes it all perfect doesn’t it?” Waya asked Willow.
“It does Waya. Just a shame that we had to get rid of Winter to make this all work. She was one of my closest friends and now if any-wolf finds out that it was me that was involved in her death, I’ll be hated throughout the pack.”
“Well it’s a good job that only you and I know about it then isn’t it? No-wolf will find out believe me Willow. Anyway you wanted it to happen so don’t lie to yourself. You were jealous of her and Warclaw and now we can have what they had. Does that make you happy?” Waya asked.
“Yes it does I suppose so. Do you think Warclaw will come back after going in there with all those flames?” She asked looking into the flames forest that was behind Warclaw. “I don’t know Willow. There is chance that he won’t and he’ll perish in that fire but there is also a chance that he will come back. If he does come back it will make it a whole lot harder to get rid of him. Although there is a way and it will be quite spiteful and it will make him suffer.” He laughed.
“That’s if he does come back.” Willow joined in with the laughter.
Warclaw could feel his blood slowly start to boil. ‘How dare she be part of this? How dare she be part of her death after everything Winter has ever done for her?!’ Warclaw thought. He could feel a burning sensation in his chest as he thought about the betrayal that Willow had done to Winter, all because they were jealous of what he and Winter had had. Warclaw wanted to get up there and rip their throats out but he knew he needed to wait until they had finished talking and make it look like he hadn’t been listening.
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