Wayfarer

Chapter 1

Smoke billowed from the centre of what was once a magnificent building but was now engulfed in flames. Glass from a third floor window shattered as a light grey wolf threw herself through it at the back of the packhorse. She hit the ground with a dull thud and let out a small whimper as her front right paw rolled over. She did not have time to stop though as three large wolves let out a roar and rounded the corner of the building chasing her toward the treeline.

Alpha Roderick watched as her injured paw gave way causing her to falter in her step allowing his Gamma to take advantage; catching her tail and swinging her round so she was surrounded by all three warriors. Her eyes darted back to the pack house as the wolves lowered their heads ready to launch their attack. As they flew at her with their teeth bared, she never took her eyes off the pack house window she had just leapt from. His warriors made short work of her and with her last breath she let out an ear piercing howl of despair. Alpha Roderick pricked his ears as he heard her neck snap in the jaws of his Gamma and the howl was cut short. He turned back to survey the ongoing onslaught. As his huge black wolf moved between parts of burning building and fallen wolves from the Forest Atlas pack, he let out a growl of satisfaction.

Forest Atlas had this coming and for their disrespect Alpha Grayson had paid with his life and those of his entire pack. Roderick had arrived earlier that day with his warriors and only one thought on his mind; removing the Forest Atlas pack from existence. As he knew he would, Alpha Grayson accepted his challenge as the pack’s Alpha and he made short work of him. The Forest Alpha pack had always been small and the werewolves within it were not known for their fighting ability. They had so far managed to survive through peaceful alliances with stronger surrounding territories but that did not save them from the threat that Alpha Roderick and the Fire Stone pack brought with them when they walked unchecked into their territory that afternoon.

As Roderick looked down to his right he snorted as he passed the body of Alpha Grayson. He had shown bravery, he would give him that. He knew he would not win but yet he fought anyway. Not that it mattered; the outcome would have been the same regardless. No survivors were to remain of the Forest Atlas pack. Their Alpha had condemned them to the same fate as himself when he crossed Roderick.

Alpha Roderick began to think of his next steps. He would need to appease the surrounding territories, being known for their calm approach, he would need to convince the council of Forest Atlas’ utter betrayal but he did not think this would be too difficult.

His Beta approached ‘All clear Alpha. None remain’

‘Good work, I want all evidence they were ever here erased from these woods’

His Beta lowered his head in obedience and set about organising the warriors to razing what remained to the ground.

As the bonfire grew so did the wolves’ elation. they had defended their Alpha’s honour with no casualties and had made another step to securing the Fire Stone pack as one not to be messed with.

As the victory howls continued into the night no one noticed a small brown wolf creep from the pack house kitchen door now half ripped from its hinges at the back of the building. No one heard her small whimpers as she inches between her fallen pack members towards the thicker cover of the woods. As the wind blew the smell of smoke towards her from the still raging fires, no one picked up her scent as she briefly paused to nuzzle the face of the grey wolf who had been subjected to Alpha Roderick’s warriors moments after injuring herself in the leap from the window. With one final glance she took off into the undergrowth and howled a sad lament that was drowned out by Fire Stone’s warriors own howls and yelps of excitement. As they collected up the bodies of the Forest Atlas pack, no one knew she was missing. No one here knew she even existed.