Dusk- Book One of the Wolves of Midnight

Copyright © [First published in October 2021 by Natalie Estes] All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions regarding reproducing and other publishing of sections or the entirety of this novel, please obtain written permission from Natalie Estes prior to doing so. Character beliefs and choices are of no reflection of the author, they are strictly of a fictional purpose for reading and entertainment. This is a completely fictional fantasy story.                                                                                          PROLOGUE      Paws tread across the snow almost silently as the pack approaches their prey. For days they had tracked the small group of deer for many miles and now the deer had begun to tire from the journey yet the wolves were waiting patiently, knowing the herd was at their weakest when they were at a moment of relief. Ears perked up and all eyes on the alpha, the big male huffed under his breath and that signaled one by one as the pack to flow from the tree line, advancing towards the unsuspecting herd. The larger male raises his head to sound a cry of alarm but is taken down by the alpha before a sound can escape his throat. Iron and warmth fills the alpha male’s mouth as life slips from the buck’s eyes. All around him his pack is tearing the herd down, one by one the deer fall under the weight and force of the wolves, the only sound is the collapse of the deer into the snow.     After their feast, the wolves howled in their accomplishment; the pack taking down an entire herd was a triumph to say the least, and a rare treat to have none escape. One wolf in particular was proud of her kill, the second largest male buck in the herd, compared to her small stature the kill was a prize. Her golden eyes shimmered with pride as the alpha waded through the others over to her, his own green eyes showing pride for his accomplished pup. With a small snort the female bows to her alpha, his head remaining high he smiles down at her. For a moment the other wolves just watch, the contrast between the alpha and his daughter almost breathtaking; his stark black fur and dull green eyes in comparison to her light grey fur and golden eyes they barely look alike, one thing for certain makes them relatable is their ability to lead. With a roll of his neck the alpha lets out a deep howl, soon accompanied by the other pack members- with his deep howl coming to an end, the others begin to head back to their territory. With a glance to the sky the alpha’s daughter notices the silhouette of a bird under the full moon; they had been watched now by the raven for three moons, but no one noticed anything but her.