Star’s rightful heir” Fell replied. “He rules but it will be one fraught with difficulty…even now there are those who would oppose him….who are willing to fight against him. Others are making plans…..to disappear in the time between sunset and sunrise, the life of an outcast more appealing than that under Thunder” whispered  Fell, calling on the Sight.

  “My home is destroyed, all I cared for is gone and my family believe me to be dead” Starlight sobbed.

“Not all….your mother, aunt, your closest friends….they doubt Thunder’s words….they have seen you fight. They saw the way in which the quartet who claimed to kill you acted when they arrived back. Your pack as legends of the ice, of spirits, they hope you that you have been saved. Hope still exists for now, but it will not last for long. Thunder has cruel plans for your friends and family….something within him is not as a wolf should be” Aniou said as she looked out across the ice.

“If only….I knew what” Starlight replied getting up and waking off across the ice as the others watched.

    Hours passed, when Starlight had not returned by nightfall Fell began to get worried and angry, as Aniou refused to use her powers to find the missing she wolf. Out of concern for her Fell set out across the ice, oblivious to the secret smile on his sister’s face as he left. Fell searched throughout the night for Starlight, using only the moon and the Sight to guide him. In his heart Fell feared for Starlight, knowing all too well what she was going through, and dreading what she could do to herself. The time also gave him chance to think about how much his own life had changed. Finally after hours of searching, he found Starlight standing at the edge of an icy cliff. Walking up to her he saw the dried tears on her cheeks.

  “I understand more than most what you have been through, I know nothing can ever replace them, but time does heal.”

“I am nothing, I used to be a star among the pack now all I am is a fallen star without a home.”

 “Stars never fall. They may vanish for a time but they always reappear shining brighter than ever” Fell replied smiling at her.

“And when did you become so charming Fell of the Wise?”

“I have been through a lot, and it helps having a sister who is the wolf spirit. I am right though. In my homeland there is tale of a bird, it lives and then in consumed by fire, rising again out of the ashes of the fire. If a bird could do that….”

“Then why not a wolf pack” Starlight whispered turning her head to look at Fell. “I live, I am the rightful heir, the pack still lives it is only the leader who is the problem.”

“Yes you could, the pack could shine once again” Fell replied as the dawn hit.

     Out of sight on a hill behind them Aniou stood watching the pair talk, a smile on her face.

“You have both been in darkness, but after darkness must come the dawn, the dawn of a new life and the rising of a star.”

        Redemption

      Three weeks had passed since Starlight had joined Aniou, Kar, Fell, Sakari and Taika, now the group stood on a cliff overlooking the den site of Starlight’s pack. The den was really several caves that were cut into a cliff next to the sea, with several rocks going out into the sea itself. Along with the group were six other wolves from Starlight’s pack, each having been guided to the group by Aniou after they had fled Thunder’s reign. Each wolf had brought with them tales of his cruelty, with one wolf, an older male called Forest telling that Thunder would soon implement a method of control. What the method was Forest did not know, but he did know the natures of Thunders past crime and in doing so feared his actions. Now at the last the time had arrived for the group to act. Using the elements of surprise they would attack, each aware they had one opportunity to overthrow Thunder. Snow swirled around them as they stood talking, a helping to further shield them from the wolves below.

  “Remember Thunder is powerful, you must not fight him Starlight he will kill you” Forest said looking at her.

  “I will not unless I am forced, whoever kills him…I just want this to be over.”

“We will win. You are the rightful heir, no one can challenge your claim” Fell said smiling at her.

“I wish I had your confidence Fell, but there is just so much at stake here.”

“Starlight I have fought in battles before, battles I have won, the odds are in our favour.”

  “Fell is right. Thunder does not have the support of your pack, once they see what is going on they will join us” Aniou replied. “They know who I am, when they see me denounce Thunder……they will fight and you will take your rightful place.”

     With that the group advanced down the cliff like shadows, attacking the guard wolves before they even knew the group were there. From there the group split up, with Forest and Starlight heading off to find her mother and friends, with the other pack wolves slipping off the rally their friends. The rest continued to attack guard wolves, with Fell and Aniou using the Sight to distinguish between those who truly supported Thunder and those who were only doing his bidding out of fear. Of the latter category they found several, each wolf joining the attack immediately, all glad that Thunder’s reign was ending. For the former category there were less, but one managed to howl out an alert his friends. At the same time as Starlight and the majority of the pack arrived outside, Thunder and his henchmen faced out of a cave, all snarling ferociously.

“STARLIGHT! How can it? You are supposed to be dead….” Thunder snarled staring at her.

 “As you can see I am alive. I will allow you to live Thunder if you step down now.”

 “NEVER! Oh no I will not step down, but we could rule together, become my mate and I promise to change my ways. Together you and I we could rule this pack together.”

“STAR DON’T LISTEN TO HIM” screamed a dark grey she wolf.

“BE QUIET! Let her choose herself, or else I will tell your friend what kind of wolf you are” Thunder snapped glaring at the wolf who immediately fell silent. 

  “We have the upper paw Thunder, leave now and you can keep your life” snarled Fell walking over to Starlight’s side.

 “Oh now this is sweet, little Starlight has a mate. No stranger, I am the rightful ruler.”

“No you are NOT. I ANIOU SPIRIT OF THE WOLVES SAY YOU ARE NOT” Aniou cried, causing everyone to turn and stare at her. “Thunder is not the rightful leader of this pack, that honour belongs to Starlight alone.”

“Then I will fight. Attack!” Thunder replied as his henchman sprang into action.

     Within seconds a full scale battle had broken out, wolves fighting everywhere, each trying to protect themselves and their loved ones. Side by side Fell, Kar and Aniou fought Thunder’s cronies, their experience meaning they easily overpowered the other wolves. Soon it became apparent that Thunder’s cronies were outmatched and outnumbered, feeling the full force of the anger Starlight’s pack felt for them. In the mist of the battle came a frantic howl and Fell turned around to see Thunder chasing Starlight along a thin cliff path above them. Seeing her Fell’s eyes widened, darting to the wound on her right shoulder, and the hate in Thunder’s eyes. In an instant Fell bounded after them, racing towards them as fast as his paws could carry him. Suddenly Starlight slipped on a loose piece of rock, falling onto to her side.

“Now you will die and I will rule” Thunder snarled.

       Starlight looked up with fear as his stood over her, then, just as he was about to bite, he went flying to one side. Seconds later Fell stood in front of her, his eyes glowing bright yellow as he stared at Thunder.

  “Well you seem to have some power, just who are you?” asked Thunder slowly climbing to his paws.

 “I am Fell, wolf of the shadows, a wolf who carries with him a curse.”

“So then Fell Cursed Wolf you will be glad when I kill you” Thunder replied lunging at Fell.

   In that instant Fell saw Thunder’s past, the crime for which he was exiled his actions since becoming pack leader, and what he planned to do to Starlight. Seconds later Fell hit the ground with a thud as Thunder’s teeth sank into his fur.

  “Why do you fight with them? Why with a she wolf you barely know for a pack not your own.”

 “Because it is the right thing to do” Fell replied attacking Thunder.

“Hah that is no good reason there is no right and wrong, only freedom.”

“There is always right and wrong” Fell replied dodging an attack. “It all depends on whether or not we choose to see it.”

“You fight for no reason Fell you are a demon just as I am, a wolf who walks in the night” Thunder snarled as he send Fell sprawling onto the ground next to Starlight. Thunders words ran through Fells head as he laid there the old feelings of guilt and isolation surfacing.