It was midnight in the forests of Alaska. It was the middle of a huge snowstorm. Everyone should be in shelter by now; otherwise death due to exposure is nearly certain. However 1 lone wolf braved through the night. The wolf was pitch black with 3 of his 4 paws grey. Although it was hard to tell because of the snow. He had multiple cuts, gashes and scars all across his body. He had obviously being involved in a fight, and a big one at that. He was limping through the strong, stormy wet weather due to his injuries impairing his movement.

‘God I need to find shelter otherwise I’m gonna freeze to death’ He thought. ‘Ugh, I wouldn’t be in this situation if I didn’t get betrayed whilst trying to lead a god damn rebellion’ through the storm, he managed to spot a hollowed out tree. ‘It’ll do for the night’ He crawled into it and settled down to sleep. Although sleep was tough for him. Not due to the extreme temperatures, due to the memories of the list of events that made him end up here.

He felt something kick him in the ass. “Hey, get your own shelter!” he turned his head to find another wolf had settled within the tree.

“Sorry, rough day” the black wolf replied. He got up to leave. As he lifted himself his legs shook because of the injuries.

When he stood up the other wolf could get a good look at his injuries. “What the hell happened to you?” the wolf asked. The black wolf looked at the other wolf. He could get a good look at him now he was standing up. He fur colour was brown. And he looked very trampy.

The black wolf sighed. “…long story” a tear rolled down his left eye.

The brown wolf sighed. “You can set here for tonight if you want. Just stay out of my way”

The black wolf didn’t know what else to do. He didn’t want to risk going back out so he set back down. “Now tell me your story” the brown wolf said.

“Well” the black wolf began, then sighed. “It goes like this”

Flashback start.

Black wolves POV. (Dio)

Some big changes happened in our pack after our alpha mysteriously disappeared. His brother Brandon took over command of the pack. But he very quickly went mad with power. He made up stories so we would do stuff for him that we wouldn’t normally do. He had his hunting parties report fake food shortages just so he could take all the food. He also upped patrols throughout the territory, giving no one any privacy. You couldn’t even go to take a pee without someone noticing. And Brandon wonders why the packs population is in decline. I'm sure no one likes being watched mate.

I held the rank of one of the alpha’s guards. These are the best guards in the pack and they are assigned to protect the alpha and carry out whatever he or she requires.

One day we we’re discussing pack law changes. I didn’t like to get involved in these discussions, because all the new laws seem so unfair and if I tried to step out at any of them, I’d immediately lose my position in the pack and I've worked so hard to get to this point in the ranks.

“Ok then that’s about it for today. You can go now” Brandon said. We all began to head off. “Except you Dio” I froze as he said my name. Everyone else departed, and I just stared straight ahead of me, at no object in particular. “Tell me Dio…have you mated with Trix yet?”

That was quite a surprising question. I usually only get asked that kind of question by my friends. Trix was my girlfriend. To me she was the prettiest wolf in the world. I was going to ask her soon if we could start a family. We’ve only been together for a few months, but I felt ready and I felt like she was ready. “No sir, I have not” I replied.

“Good” replied Brandon. “Because I was going to ask you a favour Dio”

He walked up to me. “I am the alpha and as an alpha I should make sure my children are next in line for leadership of the pack. Unfortunately I have no mate and therefore, no children” I wonder why? “So I was wondering if I could…’borrow’ Trix for 1 night?”

That made me feel angry, but I needed to keep my cool otherwise I’d drop ranks. “I…don’t know what to say”

“Well here’s the deal Dio”  Brandon said. “I don’t want your girlfriend for love. I just need a girl to mother my children. Hell I don’t even need all of them, I only need 1. So I’ll pick 1 of them and then you can have the rest. Deal?”

The more words he said the more I wanted to rip his guts out. I wanted to say no but then I’d probably lose my rank. Then it struck me. I formulated a great plan in my head. “…d-deal” I said. “I'm just gonna go talk to Trix”

I ran back to my den quickly. As usual I was greeted by Trix. “Hey Hun” she said and nuzzled me.

“Hey Trix” I said. She must’ve picked up something’s wrong because of my tone of voice.

“What’s wrong?”She asked.

I sighed and walked to the mouth of our den. “Hey fella’s” I called to the 2 guards that were assigned to guarding our den block. They immediately turned their heads to face me. I signalled for them to come down here. I knew the guys pretty well. I used to talk to them more often than I do.

I invited them into our den. “So what's the problem Dio?” they asked.

I explained them the whole story of what Brandon had told me. Trix was crying on my shoulder. “I don’t wanna have that pathetic excuse for an alpha mate with me” she cried.

“He’s not going to Trix, I’ve got a plan” I turned to the guards. “But I’m gonna need your help”

They looked at each other then 1 of them grabbed me by the scruff of my neck. “You’re under arrest for plotting against the alpha. You will therefore stand down now and maybe we’ll go easy on you”

I slapped him around the face. “Listen guys, for a minute forget your duties to the alpha. Forget about your ranks n stuff. Just look at Brandon as a normal wolf. Do you really like him that much?”

They looked at each other for a long time. Then softly said. “No”

“So will you help me bring him down?” they once again looked at each other. “If you help me and we succeed, I’ll give you 2 my current position in the guard” I offered. How can anyone refuse an offer like that?

“Yeah sure we’ll help you” one of them said.

“Great, here’s the plan” I began. “You 2 are gonna take positions guarding the alpha’s den. Then Trix is gonna enter the alpha’s den, like she’s accepted the fact she has to have sex with him.  I’ll hide above the alpha’s den and sneak through the hole in the roof. When the opportunity arrives’ I’ll jump through the roof and attack Brandon. When you 2 hear the sounds of battle, you come in to help me” I looked at Trix. “Don’t worry we’ll be sure to leave some for you” I smiled.

We headed for the alpha den but stopped just short of it. “Ok when you 2 are in guard positions, I’ll move up to the top of the den. When I’m up there I’ll wave to you Trix. That’s when you’ll move into the den and then just wait till the sound of battle starts”

We waited for a few minutes before the 2 guards stood at the alpha’s den entrance, overlooking the perimeter. I looked at Trix and we both nodded. I climbed onto the top of the alpha’s den and found the back way in. I waved to Trix. She nodded and started to head into Brandon’s den.

Brandon noticed her entrance. “Well hello” he said.

“Hello Brandon” Trix said.

“Now is that a way to greet your al-”

“Shut up Brandon let’s just get this over with” she knelt down and raised her tail high.

Brandon was quite easily distracted from the view. So now I felt was a good time to make my move. I jumped through the hole and aimed for his throat. But suddenly he sprung onto his hind legs and slashed against my chest and into the wall. “You did well Dio. And I thought that all my guards where loyal. Today I learned that all my guards are loyal apart from 1” then it hit me. The guards ratted me out. Dammit. “was this seriously the best plan you could come up with?”

I charged at him and bit into his chest. He yelped in pain and tried to slash me off. I fell down from one of his blows and he pinned me to the ground. He bit me on my right shoulder. I yelped in pain but I threw him off of me and onto the floor. Trix tried to run. “Where do you think you’re goin!?” Brandon bit hard at her left hind leg and she felt down, writhing in pain.

“Trix!” whilst I was distracted Brandon jumped up and slammed me against the wall.

The guards came in. “keep that bitch in my den!” Brandon ordered. The guards looked at each other and nodded, and then they started to restrain Trix.

I wanted to help her but I was pretty pinned down myself. Brandon slashed my across my face. I clawed at his underbelly with my hind legs. And when he couldn’t take anymore, I slammed him against the wall, startling him.

I ran to help Trix, but by the time I got to the guards restraining her, they weren’t restraining her anymore. She was lying on the ground…not moving.

Before I could get a better look, I felt something heavy