Rose Wolf Petals

Normally at this time the sky would be a glorious display of sun set pastels. However, the rain poured and clouds darkened the sky making this sunset hour midnight pitch black. This storm wasn’t the only thing that struck terror in the werewolf community. Josh, the next Alfa in line for the Amber Forest Pack, sat with his father and current Alfa, Malikai. They were in Malikai’s office of the main pack house watching the storm rage through the large double pane French windows. The windows gave them full view of the storm’s wrath while protecting them from its gails. Shock at its veracity wasn’t the only thing that took hold of the Amber Forest Pack. The feeling of destruction rode on the wind and blasted any pack member previ to it. Josh is only 16 at this time and just shifted two days ago on his birthday. Still getting used to his new enhanced senses. He could feel the unease in the entire pack. Most concerning was the level of unease from his father and mother. Suddenly the door opens and in walks Lorena. She is the Luna, mate to Malikai, and Josh’s mother. She is beautiful, the embodiment of grace. As soothing as her presence was, worry and unease reflected in her eyes tonight. A very uncommon look and strange even to her. Malikai motioned for her to come over to him. He hugs her, placing her on his lap, and buries his face into her neck. Inhaling her scent to calm his nerves.   “It’s not just me, but the both of you feel it as well,” Lorena whispered. “The pack can feel the unease in the air but not in excess. They are still treating it with caution nonetheless. The warriors have naturally doubled patrols and watches without Travis even needing to give the word,” Malikai whispered back. Travis is Malikai’s Beta and his best friend since they were children. His son Luke is to be Josh’s future Beta when Travis and Malikai step down from their roles. Luke and Josh have been best friends since birth not unlike their fathers and their personalities complement each other similarly.                         Lorena, Josh, and Malikai starred out at the abyss and prayed to the Moon Goddess for the safety of everyone in their pack, especially those brave enough to stand and face it head on to protect the pack. What snapped them out of their gaze abruptly was the ringing of the office phone. Malikai jumped nearly dropping Lorena on the floor. Lorena clutched her chest in shock and squeaked at Malikai’s sudden movement. Josh jumped and poised himself as though they were under attack. After they recovered from their shock, Malikai stood and answered the offending phone.  “Hello, this is Mali…,” he answered but a yelling elderly male voice cut him off mid greeting. As he listened to the man his face drained of blood. “Get over to the Crescent Cliff Pack NOW. A pack of rogues attacked and overwhelmed them,” there was a sudden and sharp intake of air that paused his shouting. His voice cracked back to life, “Alfa Norris and Luna Diana have been killed.” Elder Edgar, 300 year old member of the Elder Council broke down as he uttered that last statement to Malikai. He can feel the life link that the Elders share with all the Alfas and Lunas of each pack. Feeling theirs sever he pleaded, “please Malikai, hurry before they are all lost.” Then Elder Edgar hung up. The Crescent Cliff Pack was the closest pack to the Amber Forest Pack. Malikai mindlinked to everyone in the pack and informed them briefly of what the situation was. Everyone knew what they needed to do and where to go. They trained for this and did regular drills. Never thinking they would need to have to act it out but they practiced for any scenario that might come their way. The pack warriors gathered and split into two groups. One was to stay and protect the pack, the other to go and aid those who needed help. Since this was so close to home everyone was on edge. The Amber Forest pack wasn’t a small pack like the Crescent Cliff Pack. However they weren’t immune to rogue attacks. With around 800 pack members, including warriors, support members, elders unable to fight, and children, they weren’t a pack to start a fight with.  Especially since out of that 800 they had about 500 well trained warriors. The Crescent Cliff Pack was half the size of the Amber Forest pack. The warriors to aid the Crescent Cliff pack raced towards their territory at top speed. Malikai and Travis leading, Josh and Luke running with the warriors. When they arrived a horrific sight beheld them. Blood filled the air along with smoke and ash from the burning pack houses of the Crescent Cliff Pack. The infernos that burned the pack houses were so bad that the rain didn’t make a dent in the blaze and was turned into hot swirling steam in the wind as it came down. Bodies of Crescent Cliff pack members and Rogues littered the grounds. Only one thing could be heard above the raging fire, the sounds of fighting wolves. Snarling, growls, and the snapping of teeth of the four remaining combatants. Three rogues surrounded a small young she-wolf. She was winning despite her injuries and limp. This Crescent Cliff pack she-wolf was putting up one hell of a fight. Her opponents were almost twice her size and fully matured. Malikai charged forward with some of his warriors to aid the little she-wolf. Together they ended the last of the rogues that were view. Malikai swiftly turned his attention to the she-wolf.