The War

"COMING THROUGH, COMING THROUGH!!!" Amber excitedly sqweeked as she burst through a thick, dense pack of bushes chasing a monarch butterfly. Not paying attention, Amber ran straight into her two friends, Wave and Crest, knocking them both over onto the mossy forest floor.  The group quickly giggled before untangling themselves from eachother. Just giving Amber enough time to pick up the trail left by the butterfly and quickly chase after it, jumping over mossy fallen trees, roots, and rocks. Her friends, Wave and Crest shook their heads trying to catch their whereabouts, and get their bearings back. When Wave quickly saw Amber disappear deeper into the forest, he chased after her. Now determined to catch Amber, and make her lose the butterfly she so desperately chased.  When Amber noticed her friend quickly gaining ground on her, she forgot about the butterfly and ran faster. She dodged fallen trees, jumped over large above-ground roots, careful to avoid tripping and falling face first onto the forest floor.  Crest watched the two disappear deeper into the forest. Quietly she sighed and propped her head up on her hands as she stayed laying on the mossy ground. Although Crest was the same age as her twin brother Wave, and Amber she found herself not interested in chasing small things anymore. Over the past few weeks Crest had begun to mature, and each day she felt her internal bond with her wolf become stronger. Although she had four more years to go until she turned 18, she made a promise to herself that she would save her energy for chasing things more important like rabbits... And deer.  However, her brother Wave now quickly catching up with Amber tackled her to the ground. A large triumphant smile on his face as he pinned her to the ground. "I got you!" He smiled, taking in the fresh scent of her hair and noticing the blush that rose to her cheeks.  Amber now embarrassed by her poor effort of trying to lose her friend through the forest, shrugged her shoulders and slowly got up as Wave helped her to her feet. She quietly dusted herself off , and gave Wave a large smile. Her long thick locks falling into her face.  When suddenly a loud horn shook through the forest, disturbing small creatures as they laid and knocking a few leaves off the trees. The group stopped what they were doing and listened to the high pitched horn for quite some time, before Amber began to take off back in the direction the kids came from. Quickly she jumped over Crest who was now distracted from her thoughts and called behind her, "last one to camp is a rotten egg!!"  At this challenge Wave smiled, his inner Beta warrior coming out. He quickly took off at a run behind Amber leaving his sister in the dust. Crest reluctantly got up from where she was sitting and followed them back to pack, as the horn sounded again in the distance notifying pack members in the woods of a pack meeting.  When Amber and the group finally came out of the forest they entered a clearing with multiple tents made of animal hide, sticks, and clay from the soil. In the middle of the clearing was a small babbling brooke that extended past the camp. As the group approached the center of the clearing they dipped their hands into the crisp clear water, gently splashing water into their faces and washing their arms. It was a common tradition that followed members reentering the grounds, it symbolized them leaving their stress behind and rejoining the pack pure and without issues that could potentially draw the pack down.  After the group performed their small ritual they split up. Amber approaching the main tent while Crest and Wave moving in the opposite direction to their families tent.  Amber quietly padded across the grass and onto the rocks that lined the entrance of her family's tent, she quickly pulled back the animal hide door and walked into the tent. Inside the tent there were three women, two of the women were younger members of the pack. They had just turned 18 and we're joined by Amber's mother Marian, who decorated both women with red paint in a small wooden bowl. The paint was created by local berries that were gathered when the men went for their daily hunt. Marian was adjourned with gold designs across her red garment, her long dark black hair pulled into a tight French braid. Inside the braid consisted of rosemary stems, and lavender flowers. Her mother's piercing blue eyes landed on Amber, as she took her seat next to her mother admiring her work.  Inside the tent there were a few wooden boxes, two beds that were made of animal hides and hay, and a small shelf that contained pottery and beads made by pack members.  Amber looked at the women as her mom created three small red dots on their foreheads, followed by an upside-down crescent shape. When her mom was finished she looked back at the girls, and gave them a warm smile. They nodded their heads and quietly stood up, walking out of the tent.  "They are so beautiful," Amber gushed. Her blue eyes sparkling with admiration for the newly 18 year olds as they left the tent.  Marian turned to Amber, a warm smile on her face as she looked at her daughter. "So are you," her voice sounded like a melody coming from her mouth, very smooth and effortless.  Amber smiled at her mother, taking in her scent of rosemary and lavender. "When can I join them, Mom?" She asked, genuine longing in her voice.  "Soon, my love." Her mother stated, kissing her daughter's forehead. Quietly Marian rose from her sitting position and grabbed the wooden bowl, and began to put things away.  Amber became quiet, overwhelmed by her thoughts before her eyes fell to the floor. Even though it was four years away, it seemed like eternity. Her mother disturbed by her daughter's sadness kneeled back down in front of her daughter, and gently grabbed her face lifting her eyes to look at her. Marian quietly pushed back Amber's thick black curls, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling with hope. Suddenly Marian felt an internal tingle in the back of her mind as her counterpart, Gola, flooded her senses. "She's beautiful" she stated. Marian smiled at this "Yes she is." She agreed quietly in her head.  "She would make a great Alpha, you can see it. Can't you?"  Gola asked. Marian then frowned at her counterparts sudden change in topic. This was becoming a normal thing, and Gola could sense the anger flowing off Marian in waves.  "I thought we agreed to not mention in," Marian hissed to her counter part. Marian's face now scrunching up in anger. Seeing this Amber grabbed her mother's hands and drew them to her face, and holding them against her cheek. She gave them a reassuring squeeze. Although Amber couldn't hear the conversation between her mother and her wolf, she knew it was turning sour, which unfortunately was becoming a more common affair.  "We need to talk to her about her future Marian"  Gola insisted.  Marian sighing, shook her head sadly. Receiving a concerned look from Amber in the process. "Why can't we let her be a kid, Gola?" She paused quietly, "we have four years to discuss this."  Marian could feel Gola getting increasingly more frustrated, "and we have hundreds of years of traditions at risk. This is OUR future, Marian. We need to address it." Gola rolled her eyes "Our pack is losing these-"  "I know!!" Marian hissed, now getting increasingly angry. Amber shyed away from her mother and her sudden anger, which suddenly made Marian realize she was now speaking out loud. Sadly Marian shook her head and gave Amber a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Love, will you go find your Father? I believe he may need help setting up." Marian pleaded with her daughter, her eyes searching hers.  Quietly Amber nodded her head, and got up from her spot and walked out of the tent. Leaving Marian and her counterpart alone.  "I will talk to Carter about it." Marian finally gave in.  "I hope so"  Gola signed, "Onacona" referring to Amber's father's counterpart "thinks about it all the time."  Marian sighed, feeling her mental connection with Gola weaken. Gola before completely closing the mental link, pressed the issue into Marian's head, "our pack depends on it, love" she stated before the mental link closed with a click and Gola left Marian alone with her thoughts.