White Fire

Chapter Three: The War

Far away in another part of the land where the Stony Pine wolf pack resides, the cold are breezes across the icy land and frozen waters. The trees stand tall with newly frosted branches. A group of battle scar riddled males converse with each other. The group consisted of the toughest wolves in their pack, accompanied by their Alpha. The largest of them, an older male with silvery grey fur and deep grey eyes speaks to the group of warrior looking wolves surrounding him. “When did this happen?” He questions sternly and loudly. The next largest male speaks up. “Word has come that it happened about two years ago. It is said she passed due to her injuries sustained in a fall during a hunt she was on.” The older large male snarls and turns to pacing in immense anger. “He allowed her to go hunting? He is to blame for her death! He murdered my precious daughter!” He began pacing more furiously back and forth. “Apache, Sir, What is your plan?” the large male that the other called Apache, stopped in his tracks and c****d his head to the side with a vengeful look in his eyes and simply replied “War”

Back in the White Fire pack lands, Roan and Steele sit across from each other discussing plans of extending the pack lands further and discovering far off places for the pack to hunt and thrive. Kasai and Coran enter the Alpha’s den together laughing and gossiping about a couple of males in the pack they were swooning over. “Now sister, While Luka is very handsome he is only a twig of a wolf, Kylo seems to have been dropped on his ears too many times growing up. Bash seems to be a better fit for you.” Kasai jokes with her sister. “You may be right but Thorin has a brute nature like father and he is gentle towards the females and shows great potential to be a strong and just ruler one day” Coran replies. Roan looks up from his conversation with his son and eldest spawn to join in the discussion of possible suitors for his daughter Coran. “If you wish to hear my opinion girls, As much as I like those choices, I do not fully agree with them becoming the life long mates of my young. How about we see where things lead with you and Seiko? I have always favored him.” He speaks to Coran with adoration for his choice. Coran nods to appease her father as she secretly disagrees with him, glancing at Kasai to hide her rolling eyes from him.

Hajime enters the den shortly behind Kasai and Coran. Baring a distressed look on his face, He clears his throat before approaching the Alpha with news. Roan raises up onto his large padded paws and moves to stand in front of him. “What’s the news?” Hajime clears his throat once more and begins to tell Roan what he learned. “While I was out on my usual rounds deep in the Shadow Woods, I had the unfortunance of falling upon a group, about five or six brute looking males, camped out discussing your deceased bride Asena and her death. They were talking of coming here to seek an audience with you and the notion of a potential war.” Roan slowly shakes his head and turns to get up onto his throne like a boulder. “If they are speaking of Asena’s death and war, that means that her father, Apache, assumes it was not an accident and is placing the tragic loss on me.” He settles down on his perch and goes silent as he ponders on what he was just told. Kasai turns to greet her mate with a tender nudge to his muzzle, then motioning to her to leave the den with him. They turn together and go outside. Once outside, Kasai speaks softly “What are we going to do if they come seeking a fight?” Hajime shrugs at her not knowing what to say and turns to her. He leans in close to nuzzle her cheek and nudges her gently. “Lets go to the den and rest before we go out for a hunt.” She nods excitedly with a smile.

Hajime rolls off of Kasai’s back with a huff and a deep chuckle. She turns her head and smiles widely at him before rolling close to cuddle up to him. She shifts her head to rest on his chest, using his thick bushy snow white chest tuff as a pillow closing her eyes to rest, satisfied. He sighs and she partially opens her eyes to peer into his as he looks down, locking his golden eyes onto her delicate green eyes. Her ears perk up at the sound of his sigh. “What’s wrong?” He smiles and shakes his head. “Nothing my love, Just thinking about us and our future.” She c***s her head slightly to the side curiously and slightly confused. “What do you mean us and our future? What do you have in mind?” She shifts and raises her head, propping herself up to look at him directly. He answers her question nervously “I was thinking of maybe someday in the near future, and I mean soon, possibly starting a family?” She looks at him with a straight face, pauses, then laughs hard enough she nearly started coughing. She rolls off and lays on her back as she continues laughing. “I’m serious Kas, I want to have young with you, take you as my only for as long as I breathe. Your father has already approved of us doing whatever we decide without his intervention. So, why not?”

Kasai looks at him and sees the seriousness on his face, hualing her giggles in mid laugh. “You are absolutely serious aren't you?” He nods and allows her to continue speaking. “That sounds like a wonderful notion Haj, but we have only been together for a few months. We have the prospect of war. I am in training to take over for my father if he passes. I’m busy with trying to help Coran find a life mate like Steele and I have done. Timing couldn't be worse right now.” Hajime rolls to his feet and without another word, leaves the den and enters the darkening outside as Kasai rolls to her stomach and watches Hajime disappear into the dark. Kasai lays her head on her crossed paws and regrets what she said but in her heart knew she was right. How could she bring a pup into this life with how hectic everything is? If war came to the land, How could she risk the life of her unborn or newborn? She runs these thoughts through her head as she closes her eyes and tries to imagine how life could be, drifting slowly off to sleep.

In the Shadow Woods, Apache and his warriors trudge quietly on through the trees towards the mountain chain where Roan and his pack reside. Their stealth could only be matched by the quiet wind that briskly swept over the land and through the thick branches of the pines and oaks that stretched out towards the darkening sky. The moon hung effortlessly overhead, casting a dim eerie glow through the leaves in the trees. The light from the moon shone down, illuminating Apache’s scar infested face and body. His face frozen with the look of determination as he and his comrades advanced forward. As they reached the woods thickened brush covered edge that opened up to the wide open plains that seperated Apache from his destination, They crouched down behind the cover of foliage, watching Roan and his pack. Apache’s right hand, Gunner, whispers under his breath. “What’s the plan, Sir?” The Alpha does not answer. He only stares out onto the plain, watching an elegant, flame red wolf leave her den and enter a nearby pond to bathe. As he watches her, something catches his attention out the corner of his eye. He shifts his glaze to see the large Alpha, Roan, emerge from his den and sit on the ledge like a proud king sitting on a balcony overlooking his kingdom. A low deep throat growl rises from Apache as he fixes his sight on his chosen target.

Luka scans the tree line as he walks, fully guarded, checking the pack lands borders. As he proceeded forward, his nose caught a whiff of something dangerous and unfamiliar. He followed the scent cautiously until it led right into the cleverly covered hiding place of Apache and his warriors. Luka and Apache’s eyes lock, then without hesitation, Luka speaks. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” The great Alpha smiles and lets out a deep chuckle. “We’re here to seek an audience with your Alpha, Young scout” Luka stares at the male for a moment before reciprocating a response. Luka nods to the male, then tilts his head back and lets out a great howl to alert his fellow pack members of the newcomer’s presence.

Luka approaches the perch where his Alpha Roan sat, awaiting his guests’ arrival. Apache and Gunner, followed by three other brute-like males, stop at the base of the trail that led to Roan’s high perch. Apache glares at Roan and waits for him to be the first to speak. Roan shifts his weight to stand, stretching before he begins to walk towards the group of males. Roan nods to Luka for him to take his leave and Luka acknowledges him, turning to leave. Roan turns back to Apache and speaks as though he is unaware of the guests' reason for coming. “Welcome Apache, what brings you so far from home?” Apache shakes his head “It sounds to me like you aren’t happy to see me, as if you don’t want me here Young Alpha.” Roan waits for a moment “Apache, you are always welcome, but your unexpected visit suggests this isn't just to say hello.” Apache shakes his head once more and chuckles sarcastically “You’re right, I am not here just to say hello. I got word of my daughter’s passing and I’ve come seeking answers…” Roan motions to Apache to walk with him away from his company and speak privately “I assure you Apache, It was not expected and could not be avoided.” He continued as the silent Apache listened.

After some time, Roan finished explaining the tragic event. Apache sat down and stared at Roan. “I am sure you know by my reaction that I am not completely satisfied with your recollection of how my daughter met her horrible demise. I fully intend on holding you and your entire pack accountable for her death. You shouldn't have let her hunt, let alone hunt without you and your more skilled males!” Apache’s anger begins to swell inside and pour like venom from his mouth. “I promise you Roan, I will take my revenge and destroy all who had part in Asena’s death!” Apache begins to growl and snarl at Roan as he speaks. “Once I kill you and all of your grown battle ready males, I’ll take over your pack and take one of your daughters as mine. No guarantee I’ll treat them any different than how Asena was treated in her final days Roan.” With that, Apache stands and howls for his warriors, rotating on his hinds and speeding off with his companions back towards the treeline without another word. Roan growls deeply as he watches Apache race home to prepare for battle.

Moments later, Roan enters Kasai’s den to see his daughter laying on her fur bedding, resting alone. “Daughter, we must speak” she picks her head up to see her father standing over her. Kasai looks around the den for her mate only to realize he still has yet come back. She sighs and sits up to greet her father. “What’s the matter?” As he begins to inform her of the incident that occured, her eyes widened in fear. “But father! That wasn’t anyone’s fault, Mother tripped over a hole and fell. That was just an accident that, of course, shouldn't have happened, but nonetheless was still an accident!” Kasai begins to tear up and cry as she darts forward and burying her face in her father's chest. Her cries heard outside the den draw Hajime in with concern for his mate. He races inside to see what is wrong, only to find Roan comforting his upset daughter. Hajime, seeing Kasai in such an emotional state, began to feel regret for his behavior thinking he is the reason for her misery. “I am sorry, my Dearest, I didn't mean to hurt you this bad” He spoke as he approached his mate and her father. “It’s not your fault that I am upset…” She tries to explain the problem to him but can not finish getting the words out. Roan steps forward towards Hajime and explains the events. He then turns back to his saddened pup “My youngest and my most adored of all my pups, It is customary for me to leave my eldest and most capable spawn in charge of the pack while I am away for any reason, including to go to battle. But Steele is very skilled and I must take him with me when I go. Coran may be older than you but you have grown up with more training to rule this pack than she.” Kasai starts shaking her head in disagreement “No father! I don’t want to lead this pack, short term or long term! It’s your pack and you should stay and lead it… I don't want you to go father!” She becomes hysterical as she protests.

A year and a half has passed since Roan and Steele left for battle with their warriors to defend the pack against Apache and his army of warriors. Kasai finally adjusted to her role as the new Alpha female of the pack in her father’s absence. Coran was unhappy with the news that her youngest sister was chosen to rule in her father’s stead and for the past year, has done everything she could to defy her sister. Hajime finally settled on waiting to procreate until Roan returns and retakes his place as Alpha. Things were moving smoothly along under Kasai’s rule and she was proud of what she had accomplished. The pack flourished. New young were introduced into the pack, Members found their perfect mates. No one fought with another. Everything for Kasai and her pack was absolutely perfect.

The jet black Alpha stumbles through the forest. Blood stains the ground underneath him. He is alone and defeated, Although victorious in battle, he was defeated in his heart from the loss of his eldest pup, Steele. His eyes glint as he makes his way slowly home. The sky is splattered with the color of his wounds by the setting sun. As he enters the plains of his pack lands, he collapses to the ground. The earth around him begins to spin and fog as he drifts into a state of unconsciousness. The images of the battle, seared into his brain start to circle, causing him to relive the c*****e over again.

Dead and mutilated torn up bodies of wolves from the two feuding packs heavily littered the ground, extending out for a couple miles over the icy wasteland. Evidence of the hostility and needless bloodshed cover the few who still live. Steele faces off with Apache as they lock in deadly combat against each other. A seriously wounded Roan lay feet away, barely able to keep his eyes open, watching as his enemy rips into his son. Apache, with Steele laying motionless beneath him, leans in and bites down on Steele’s neck and twists, throwing his head back and howls loudly with a mouth full of blood. Roan musters the strength to stand and lunges at Apache with great rage, Biting and tearing, Clawing and ripping away at Apache’s body. As Roan shreds into his enemy, Apache’s body falls lifeless to the ground. Roan stands over him huffing and struggling to breathe, He collapses back to the ground and blacks out.

Roan opens his eyes to gaze out over the many heaps of deceased wolf bodies and staggers to his feet and makes his way to the forest. “I’ve got to get home to my pack.” he whimpers as he limps into the tree line. He enters the forest and races as fast as his pain would allow. He makes his way out through the forest and out onto the plains where his pack resides. He lets out a weakened howl as he falls to the ground. Hajime hears the howl and turns to see Roan as his torn and bleeding body crumbles into a pile of black. Hajime lets out a louder howl to alert his fellow pack members as he charges forward towards Roan. Luka and a couple of the other males, Thorin, Bash, Seiko and Kylo follow Hajime. The five large wolves help carry Roan to the Alpha’s den and rest him gently on his fur bedding. Kasai and Coran run into the den and push past the males to get to their father. The two dismayed females lay eyes upon Roan’s nearly dead body and fall next to his hysterical.

Roan opens his eyes momentarily and looks around and mumbles “He’s gone. He killed him. My son is dead” then passes out from the pain and exhaustion of his journey. Kasai glances around at the other wolves in the den and begins crying harder at the realization of her brother’s death.