Blaez The Beta Male

Book 1: Autumn

‘Hang on!’  Blaez yelled above the crashing thunder as the waved crashed just before the iceberg making is slide to one side sliding the wolves on it close towards the edge of the iceberg but they managed to keep grip long enough before the ice berg went back flat again.

All the wolves laughed uneasily as Blaez turned around and his jaw dropped open a huge wave was heading straight towards them. The wolves quickly walked up beside Blaez who looked solemn as the wave edged closer and closer.

Before of them could say anything a huge wave crashed in to the iceberg as the wolves were thrown of its icy surface in to the water.

Breaking to the surface Blaez noticed that when the lightning flashed he could see land not too far in the distance, it was their old home. ‘Hurry everyone this way…’

He yelled as he used all his energy to fight against the ragging waves heading towards his home land and as he swam he couldn’t help but think about the last conversation he’d had with Aleu only hours before.

‘Good luck everyone…our pack wishes the best.’  Aleu said as a group of four wolves including Blaez stood in front of what was left of the pack, behind them the ice bridge was forming by the rough seas. Thunder could be heard in the distance as all the wolves began to say their goodbyes to everyone.  ‘I hope you’ll return with good news in one year.’ 

 Aleu sighed as Blaez stood in front of her with a sad look on her face, ‘I promise Aleu…’ Blaez said looking down at her with his with his grey eyes. ‘…That in one year we will return and the pack will be saved’  Looking up at him Aleu smiled weakly as the thunder in the background grew louder and louder.  ‘It’s time to go.’ Blaez said loudly turning away from Aleu as he and the other three wolves quickly began to run across the ice bridge over the ocean with dark clouds looming in the distance.

Watching them leave Aleu and the others howled after them, as Aleu finally sighed and looked away from them.

‘Good luck Blaez the Beta Male…’

Blaez’s paws finally hit solid ground as he used the last of his energy and crawled ashore before collapsing to catch his breath. After a moment he slowly stood up and turned around to try and find his pack-mates that had come with him.  ‘Connor…Silver…Azure?’ He yelled out over the rain.

Running along the frozen beach Blaez kept his eyes open for any wolf on the beach and as he ran he ignored his legs which felt as though they might buckle any moment and send him crashing down on to the ground. Finally he smiled a little as he saw some one up ahead so he quickly picked up his pace.

‘Konnor!’ Blaez yelled as he stopped in front of Konnor who looked up at him from the sand with a relieved look on his face. ‘I’m so glad someone else made it…’

Slowly Konnor stood up and shook his fur the water in his ears driving him crazy as he stopped and looked back at Blaez. ‘Have you found the others?’ He quickly asked as Blaez shook his head and turned around.

‘Hurry we must try and find them.’  Nodding Konnor quickly started to walk after Blaez who lead the way as they tried to find the others.

Konnor’s fur was a mix between a light gray color and black except for a light brown bridge; he had amber eyes and was hand picked by Blaez to join him to come over to their old lands because they were good friends.

Konnor had a small attitude and Blaez believed that Aleu was quite ready to let him come along since the two never seemed to get on at all; in fact he didn’t really seem to get on with anyone except for Blaez who he believed was his closest friend in the pack.  ‘I can hardly see anything except for when the lighting flashes.’  Konnor admitted as he followed Blaez both of them walking blind along the beach only being able to see when lightning flashed and light up the entire beach for a split second.

‘We better just hope this storm doesn’t end to soon then.’ Blaez said not even sure himself if he was joking or not.

‘Blaez…?’  They heard some one yell out as Konnor and Blaez looked at each with a smile as they ran forwards towards the sound.

‘That sounded like…’  Konnor started as he instantly bumped in someone in front of him, and when the lighting flashed he instantly saw that it was Azure standing in front of him.

Smiling awkwardly they quickly stepped away from each other as Blaez walked up to her and smiled glad that she was alright.

‘Azure are you alright?’ He asked as she shivered slightly.

‘I’m fine, just a little cold.’  Azure said simply looking up at Blaez who nodded before looking out towards the distance trying to see if he could see Silver. Shaking a little water off her coat, Azure looked up at the two wolves with her blue eyes, it was unique for a wolf to have blue eyes and so when she was born her parents named her Azure which meant blue.  Her coat was a mix between light brown and dark brown and she had black patches on the tip of her ears but everyone agreed that her most stunning feature were her crystal blue eyes.

‘Silver could be any where.’ Konnor said walking up beside Blaez as the run suddenly began to pour down again.  ‘I think we should wait till morning…’

‘We might not have till tomorrow.’ Blaez snapped back at Konnor who instantly stopped and backed off a little.  Slowly the three began to walk off down the beach calling for Silver…

The sun began to rise over the water revealing that the storm had all but gone and it was turning in to a brisk autumns morning.

Slowly Blaez opened his grey eyes as he looked around before instantly jumping up, the night before they had agreed to rest for a moment but they must have completely drifted off to sleep.  ‘Konnor…Azure quickly wake up.’  He said turning to the others who slowly opened their eyes and looked up at him.

‘I didn’t realize we’d fallen asleep.’ Azure said who quickly jumped up on to her paws and walked over towards Blaez who didn’t seem to be listening as he looked out towards his old land. ‘Blaez…?’  Azure said as she to looked around and gasped. Standing in front of them was not the barren rocky land they had left behind but was covered in fresh pine trees with bigger ones behind them. They could hear birds singing in the trees as the sunlight seeped through the leaves revealing an early morning mist and dew on the fresh green grass just a few meters in front of them. ‘This can’t be our old land…’ Azure said looking at Blaez who finally snapped out of his daze and turned to her.

‘No it is.’

Konnor who had slowly stood up walked towards the others but didn’t look as enthusaised as they did about what was in front of them. ‘What are we going to do now Blaez?’  He asked looking at Blaez who looked down the long narrow beach and sighed.

‘I believe we must have walked the entire beach last night and Silver isn’t here, our best bet is that he walked in to the forest to seek shelter from the storm’

‘I agree.’ Azure said nodding as she looked at Konnor who looked a little skeptic. Without saying anything Blaez slowly walked forward towards the forest with Azure and Connor walking behind him.

Unknown to them a glistening pair of eyes looked out from the trees and watched them as they walked forward in to the forest.

‘Wow I can’t believe this is our old land…’ Azure said ducking under some low branches as she followed behind Blaez who lead the way. Although Blaez wasn’t even quite sure where he was going, his land had changed so much that he didn’t even know where he was.

‘We’re lost.’  Konnor said rolling his eyes as he looked up at Blaez who ignored him as he continued forward. Suddenly there was a rustle in the trees causing Azure and Konnor to instantly stop and look at each other. ‘Did you hear that!?’  Konnor said catching up to Blaez who sighed and turned around to face him.

‘It’s just the wind….right Azure?’  He finished turning around to look past Konnor at Azure but he instantly gasped when he noticed that she wasn’t there.

‘Azure!?’  Blaez yelled as he ran past Konnor who gasped as he to turned around.

‘Azure….where are you?’ Konnor yelled looking worried as he turned to Blaez who suddenly looked very serious as he started to run deeper in to the forest with Konnor close behind him.

‘Wait Blaez where are you going?’

‘I heard something follow me quickly; I think it might Azure…’  Pushing ahead through the undergrowth, Blaez’s gray eyes only looked forward trying to follow the flickering shadow that was just in front of him. For a moment it disappeared and when he finally broke through some overgrowth he noticed there seemed to be a small cliff edge. Instantly he stopped he breathed deep as he looked down the cliff to see a drop in to a river that flowed below.  ‘Konnor who ever they were managed to escape…’

Turning around Blaez noticed that Konnor was no longer behind him, his heart skipped a beat as he ran back in to the jungle.  ‘Konnor….Konnor….’  Blaez yelled out with a worried expression on his face as he ran, he couldn’t lose all of them, not again.  Hearing something around him Blaez stopped and snarled as he looked around as a shadowy figure kept moving all around him. ‘Show your-self…’ Blaez barked and crouched low as he looked around his heart pumping hard against his chest. He heard a small snapping sound of someone stepping on a branch and he instantly whirled around but he felt something hit him and instantly he descended in to blackness…

Slowly his eyes opened to a blurry world as Blaez slowly tried to sit up as his vision began to come back. Once he could finally see he noticed that he seemed to be in some sort of cave. Looking around he couldn’t see any of his friends and instantly when he saw the entrance he ran forwards towards it. As soon as he was close to the entrance a black wolf leapt in front of him and growled menacingly causing Blaez to stop and growl, it was only one wolf he could take him on.

Before he could do anything another wolf came up beside the black one and they looked down at him. ‘Where are my friends?’ Blaez demanded looking at the wolves who simply smirked but didn’t say anything. Blaez took a small step forward. ‘I asked you a…’ 

The black snapped its larger jaws in Blaez face as the brown one said loudly.  ‘Take one more step and I swear I’ll kill you…’ Both wolves looked at Blaez who frowned knowing he was outmatched as he took a few steps back and sat down not saying anything else.

‘Tell the Alpha’s this one is awake.’ The brown wolf said to the black one who instantly nodded as he reared around and ran off in to the distance leaving the wolves alone.

‘Where are my friends?’  Blaez asked again at the black wolf who looked back at him but didn’t move as he said in a low tone.

‘You’ll find out soon…’  From the trees suddenly a wolf burst through and walked towards the black wolf who instantly stood aside for them.

‘Now let’s see this intruder on my lands…’

A huge black wolf with golden brown eyes stepped in front of the cave and looked at Blaez who stood there watching him as he walked forward towards him sniffing the air the black wolf growled low before looking at Blaez who returned the gaze.  ‘You were one of the wolves who used to be here weren’t you? I can still smell your pack every where I go’  The black wolf spat. ‘Now tell me who you are.’

Blaez stood his ground as he looked directly at the black wolf. ‘Where are my friends?’  All the wolves in front of him laughed out aloud as the black wolf walked even closer towards Blaez.

‘I’m think you miss heard me wolf, now again tell me who you are.’ The wolf growled low for a moment as Blaez refused to answer as he stepped back and looked away with an angry expression on his face. ‘Fine then.’ The black wolf turned around and walked out of the cave and for a moment Blaez thought he’d left for good but he was wrong because for a moment there was a silence before he heard a familiar voice and instantly turned back around.

‘Silver….’ Blaez yelled as a wolf who was much larger then himself pushed Silver a few feet from the front of the cave. Just as his name explained Silver was a grey wolf who was entirely grey except for black patches under his eyes that reflected his amber gaze.

Looking up Silver looked at Blaez and smiled for a moment but refused to say anything as the black wolf again reappeared in front of Blaez blocking his view of Silver.

‘Tell me who you are or else…’  Hearing a painful yelp Blaez instantly stepped forward only to be blocked by the black wolf.

‘What are you doing?’

The black wolf laughed out aloud. ‘Tell me who you are…’

‘My names Jak.’ Blaez lied as the black wolf smiled and walked up close to Blaez.

‘Well done my friend, now I’ll let you know my name.’  The black wolf turned around and held his head up high before saying loudly.  ‘I am Torren Alpha Male Of The Shangkai Pack.’

‘No wait, the Shangkai pack hasn’t been heard of for many many years…’  Blaez said confused as Torren turned around and wandered out of the cave before taking a backwards glance at Blaez and whispering something to one of the nearby wolves.

A large grey wolf pushed Silver inside with Blaez and as Silver spun around to snap at the wolf, the large wolf easily dodged his attack before simply turning around as a few others walked over towards the front of the cave and stood on watch to make sure they didn’t escape.

 ‘Silver I’m so glad you’re alive.’  Blaez said looking at his friend who looked extremely serious as he turned around and walked to the back of the cave before sitting down.

‘They captured me last night before I could…but did you hear what they said?’  Walking forwards and sitting down Blaez nodded.

The Shangkai pack eh? They must be lying’  They both sighed before Blaez asked hopefully.  ‘Have you seen Azure or Konnor?’

Silver shook his head sadly as he turned around glaring at the entrance before whispering. ‘I reckon I’d be able to run past them.’ Blaez laughed to the surprise of Silver who turned to look at him.

‘Oh wait you were being serious.’  Blaez said frowning slightly.

‘Look do you just want to sit here? Who knows what they’re going to do with us!’

‘We might as well wait and see.’

‘That’s why Nava never made you alpha wasn’t it because you could never handle situations like this, that’s why your only the Beta and would only ever be one.’  Blaez growled as he turned around at Silver as they both exchanged glances at each other but didn’t say anything.

‘That none of your business Silver.’

‘It used to be when we were friends…’  Silver spat as he looked away at the entrance noticing the sun was beginning to set and the storm from last night had returned to reek havoc for another night.

‘Yes when we were friends...I just hope the others are alright…’  Blaez sighed as he laid his head down on his front paws still not believing the Shangkai pack were here, but what were they doing here? What happened to the other packs that used to live here? What happened to Nava? Why had their land changed so much and why was he even here at all?

‘Stop worrying Azure I’m sure Blaez and Silver are fine.’  Konnor said as he laid down in the small den with a large white wolf guarding the exit. Azure was pacing up and down in the small den before looking at Konnor.

‘How can you say that, who knows what’s happened to them.’

Looking away Konnor sighed before saying in a whisper.  ‘…and I’m fine Azure thanks for asking’  But Azure didn’t hear as she finally sat down looking up at the exit to the den as the rain began to pour down outside.

Blaez slowly opened his eyes and watched as Silver slowly walked towards the entrance of the cave, it was almost midnight and the soft moonlight slid in to the cave illuminating it. ‘Where are you going?’  Blaez said as Silver turned around but didn’t say anything as he softly padded forwards before saying.

‘It looks like the guards have gone.’

‘Don’t fall for that old trick Silver.’ Slowly Blaez stood up and looked down the corridor before smelling the air and sighing.

‘They’re still there.’

‘You can stay here if you like but I’m going.’

‘Wait….’  Blaez said as both wolves looked towards the entrance as lighting flashed and a sound of muffled voices could be heard.

‘Wait here…’  Blaez said as he slowly started to walk towards the entrance of the cave but Silver obviously didn’t do as he was told and quickly followed after him.

As soon as he was near the entrance a wolf pocked their head out from a corner right in to Blaze’s face making him gasp but remain where he was. His grey eyes met with the navy blue ones of the wolf front and instantly he knew that they weren’t apart of the Shangkai pack, they were too small. Silver growled and walked up beside Blaez. ‘Get back, we’re leaving…’

‘Agreed now quickly follow me!’  The wolf said as they jumped away from the cave before looking back at them, for a moment Blaez didn’t seem to move as he thought about the options before jumping forwards after the wolf where as Silver remained put.

‘Wait she could be…’

‘Trust me on this Silver.’  Blaez said turning to his old friend as they exchanged glances and just when Blaez thought his old friend was going to come with him Silver instantly sprung out of the cave and ran away leaving Blaez and the other wolf alone Blaez was about to run after him but the other wolf stopped him.

‘Leave him…he has chosen his fate.’

‘I can’t….’

‘Your other friends need you now follow me quickly.’  The wolf ran in to the forest and Blaez stood on his own for a moment as he looked after Silver before looking back at the other wolf Azure and Konnor needed him more. Looking down at the ground with a sad look on his face he ran after the other wolf deep inside of him knowing that he’d just let his oldest friend down.

The thick bush and scrub scratched against Blaez’s face as he ran behind the wolf so fast he felt almost like he was flying over the land.

Suddenly the wolf in front of him stopped and Blaez quickly stopped himself from bumping in to them.

‘We’re safe now I know the way from here.’  The wolf said as they slowly started to walk forwards.

‘Wait a minute where are my friends, who are you and you couldn’t possibly know this land because It belongs to my pack.’  Blaez stopped in his tracks and didn’t move as he looked at the wolf who seemed quite calm before turning around and looking at him.

‘My names Akela…’she said before continuing ‘your friends will be safe in our own pack lands and this land belongs to the Shangkai pack the old pack who used to live here disappeared over a year ago now.’

‘I am from the old pack, I used to live here.’  Blaez said quickly as Akela simply raised an eyebrow and laughed.

‘That’s impossible now follow me if you want to see your friends.’ She finished as she slowly padded off ahead of Blaez who thought for a moment before quickly following after her.

Akela had light brown and white fur with a dark reddish colored patch at the back of her head and two white socks on both of her front paws.

It didn’t seem like very long before Blaez and Akela walked over a shallow river that Blaez instantly recognized. He smiled to himself as he looked down the river remembering that this was the exact same River that three years ago he and his siblings had been born he knew that this was his old packs lands and now he couldn’t deny the fact that he was indeed home.

‘Blaez!’  Azure yelled happily as she ran forwards towards him as the two wolves passed a few large boulders.

‘I’m so glad you’re alright, aren't we Konnor…’  Looking past Azure he saw Konnor and smiled as both he and Azure walked towards Konnor who looked up at the them.

‘Those wolves Blaez they’re the…’  Konnor started.

‘Shangkai pack I know.’ Blaez interrupted.

‘I don’t understand they all disappeared hundreds of years ago they can’t be alive now.’  Azure said looking up at Blaez who turned to Akela and a few others wolves who were looking at them. A white wolf walked up beside Akela and said quietly.

‘These two claim to be the pack that disappeared one year ago.’  Akela nodded.

‘As does this wolf.’

‘Can we believe them?’  The white wolf asked as he looked Akela who was thinking deeply.

‘Not yet Keaton…they must prove themselves first….’  Nodding Keaton slowly walked away as Akela walked forwards towards Blaez who turned to her and asked.

‘What happened here? The land has changed so much….’

The sun in the distance began to slowly rise as Akela sat down on the stony ground and said to the three wolves.  ‘Let me tell you…’  

‘It all began when the previous pack who lived on these lands left, I was only one year old then so what happens is vague to me but others have told me exactly what happened’  Keaton who was a white wolf with black ears and a black muzzle walked up beside Akela and sat down before saying.  ‘One year ago almost exactly when the pack who lived here disappeared the packs who remained constantly fought over what little food was available. Slowly the packs grew weaker as they stole from each other and pack ties and agreements broke apart, packs land no longer held together, wolves constantly crossed borders in the search for food.’

Akela frowned as she began. ‘A new super-powerful pack suddenly appeared out of no where, they claimed to be the Shangkai pack and their Alpha Torren warned ever wolf in the entire land to either leave now or else he take the land by force. Of course the packs were so busy fighting over what little food was left they didn’t take the threat seriously and before they knew it the full force of the Shangkai pack bore down on the entire area. Many wolves were killed, many escaped and small paw full formed what we are today, a small rebellion who are trying to reclaim our land.’

‘How many of them are there?’ Blaez asked looking at Keaton and Akela who thought for a moment.

‘At least 50 maybe more but no less.’ Keaton said sighing to himself.

‘That doesn’t explain how the land became so lush, when we left the entire area was dying but now it’s so different.’ Azure said looking at Akela who simply nodded before saying.

‘After the caribou had seemingly vanished and become short we had  an extremely harsh winter and once the winter had gone and the area flourished in the spring soon after the Shangkai pack arrived with much grass and more caribou from up north came down attracted by the lush land we still don’t understand how when the Shangkai pack arrived the land suddenly changed.’

‘Wait a minute…’ Konnor said ‘…so your telling me that the caribou returned, then why did we assume they crossed to the other side?’ Konnor looked at Blaez who looked a little confused before saying.

‘No the caribou did make the cross because for the first few moons whilst we were over their the caribou lived and flourished but they seemed to disappear again…’

‘What don’t they like us or something?’  Konnor said amusing himself but quickly stopped when everyone gave him a serious look. Yawning Akela looked at the new comers before turning around.

‘The sun will be up soon and then we must move on, get as much sleep as you can…’  With that Akela and Keaton slowly turned around and padded away leaving the three wolves all looking at each with confused looks.

‘Did you see Silver?’ Azure asked looking up at Blaez who looked back towards the forest.

‘No.’

‘I hope he’s alright.’ Azure said before she started to walk off in to the distance.

‘So do I.’  Blaez said as he and Konnor followed Azure until they reach a small dry area and laid down to get some sleep.

As much as Blaez tried to keep his tired grey eyes open to see whether Silver would appear he couldn’t hold back how tired he was and he slowly blinked but his eyes didn’t open again as he fell in to dreamless dark sleep.

‘They what!’  Torren yelled so loud that it echoed around the small area he was in. Torren was a large wolf that was black and dark gray, he had light grey patches under his eyes which always gives the illusion that he is tired, he has two light grey strips on all four of his legs and light brown eyes.  ‘We’ll never get them back now.’  Torren said growling to himself as another wolf slowly walked in and stood beside him. This wolf was a mix of white and light brown and had a long flowly tail which had two triangular strips on it.

‘Oh don’t worry…’ She whispered and smiled.

‘For the last time Dusk I said to leave me be.’ Torren growled as he turned to her but she just ignored him and sighed.

‘Don’t worry my mate the rouges will be back.’ 

Laughing out aloud Torren turned to his mate.  ‘Why would they!?’

‘We have this.’  Both wolves turned around and a large black wolf pushed Silver in to the clearing looking very worried as he looked up at Torren who smiled to himself. Slowly Torren walked closer to Silver who looked up at him. ‘Oh dear one didn’t make it…’  Dusk and Torren laughed as Silver looked up at them with a worried expression on his face.

‘They’ve captured the other wolf…’ Keaton whispered to Akela as she frowned, unknown to them Blaez was already awake and had walked over to them.

‘You mean Silver.’ He said looking back towards his old packs land which was now ruled by the Shangkai pack.

‘I’m sorry but we must leave him or else we won’t make it back to our hideout before nightfall.’ Akela said and turned around but Blaez quickly frowned and jumped in front of her causing her to stop.

‘Wait we can’t just leave him.’ Blaez argued as Keaton stepped forward and growled at him.

‘Leave her alone.’ Keaton growled as Akela simply sighed before saying.

‘We’ll give you a few minutes to decide before we leave.’ With that both Akela and Keaton walked away leaving Blaez alone before quickly running over to Konnor and Azure who were slowly starting to wake up.

‘One night down, only a whole year to go.’ Konnor sighed and put his head on his paws as Azure ignored his comment and ran over to Blaez who walked over to them

‘Any news on Silver?’

‘Yes, now I want you to two to follow Akela I’ll catch up to you because I’m going to go find Silver.’ Blaez said quickly as Konnor jumped up.

‘What, that’s suicide let me come with you…’

‘No Konnor stay with Azure and if I don’t return make sure to carry out the mission we promised Aleu.’ With that Blaez started to run off but stopped when he heard Azure speak to him.

‘How will you find your way back to us?’ Smiling for a moment Blaez turned around his grey eyes flashing. 'Don’t forget Azure I was born on this land and my scent is as good as it ever has been.’ With that Blaez bounded off in to the trees and soon disappeared just as Akela walked over to the two wolves.

‘Where's Blaez?’ She asked looking at them as Konnor frowned.

‘He went to find Silver.’  She looked over towards where Blaez ran off and a confused expression came over Akela’s face because she knew that that wasn’t the way to the Shangkai pack lands, where was he going?

Slowly Blaez climbed the small rocky slope, his paws feeling as though at any moment were going to give way and he’d stumble down the small rocky slope as he remembered back in the time when he used to live on these lands.

‘Blaez come here’

A young adult Blaez came bounding up towards a wolf with white and black fur, it was his mate.

‘Yes Kia?’  He asked smiling at her as she smiled back up at him.

‘I’m going to have pups’  Blaez looked shocked for a moment before smiling and holding his head up high in to the air.

As soon as he reached the top a wave of cold air hit him as Blaez stood on the small ledge which over looked his territory he then turned around and looked at the neirbouring packs lands and sighed sadly.

Kia had been his secret love from another pack and despite the fact Blaez had tried to hide this he knew that Nava always knew but was grateful that Nava never mentioned it because Kia was very special to him.

Waiting alone on a small ledge a young wolf came out of a small rocky cave and looked up at Blaez before walking over to him.

‘I’m sorry but Kia didn’t make it…’

Blaez looked away his mate had been very sick and he knew their was a chance she wouldn’t make it.

‘But she managed to give birth to two small pups.  Looking back at the wolf Blaez watched as two tiny pups were brought out by another female wolf, looking down at his tiny children Blaez wasn’t sure whether or not to feel glad that his pups were safe or sad that his mate had just died. The two female wolves ha been sisters of Kia and so Blaez trusted them.

Before he could say anything the neighboring packs Alpha Male leapt forwards towards Blaez and growled.  ‘Leave my land or you’re declaring a war on my pack’  Blaez growled at the wolf but stopped as he looked at the two tiny pups,  the alpha Male followed his gaze.  ‘If I ever catch you on my land again, I’ll kill these pups who are lucky that I’m a soft leader…now GO!’  The male roared at Blaez who looked at his pups and fearing for their lives he turned around and ran, he’d never see his pups again and he wouldn’t put their lives in danger by trying to see them…

Blaez stood on the exact same area where he had last seen his tiny pups and as he looked at his lands his sighed wondering whether or not his pups had survived and if they had, had the girl grown to be a young adult as beautiful as her mother? Did his son become a brave warrior like Blaez tried to be?

As he stood there he sighed and promised himself that if his children were alive he’d find them and bring them back home to Aleu’s pack and make sure they knew their mother and father.

Sitting down on the rocky ground he hung his head low before slowly standing up and looking back towards the land knowing that before he could find his pups he had to rescue Silver.

Blaez had been born on this land and although more trees might have grown and the summers flood flooded the entire area he still knew it quite well. When he was younger his parents always commented on how he was such a young adventurous pup, but all that was behind him.

As he ran he didn’t notice a dark shadow following him, hearing the crack of another branch around him Blaez instantly stopped and growled as he turned around and came face to face with another wolf and he instantly knew they were park of the Shangkai pack.

The wolf was a mix of grays and black, his ears were black and had black patches on both sides of his face as well as having a black tip at the end of his tail and black patches on the back of all his legs.

The brown eyes of the wolf matched Blaez eyes as they stared at each other with Blaez growling and circling the other wolf.

‘Wait, don’t attack me.’ The wolf said in a forced quite voice as he stared around as though making sure no one was around but Blaez ignored him and lunged forward but the wolf quickly dodged the attack.

‘Talk is cheap from a member of the Shangkai pack.’  Blaez growled.

‘No listen, I’m on your side! My names Jate!’  Jate said looking at Blaez who obviously didn’t believe him as he laughed out aloud.

‘I don’t believe you’  Blaez said as Jate frowned slightly as he tried to think of something to say.

‘Akela….you know her right?’  Jate asked looking at Blaez who thought for a moment.

‘I do but I believe that every Shangkai pack member would know that name’

Frowning for a moment Jate looked at Blaez.  ‘So be it you fool, it wont be hard to take care of you.’ Jate lunged at Blaez who was ready as they both stumbled to ground, Blaez quickly jumped up and scratched the side of Jate face who growled as he swung around but before Jate could attack Blaez Akela leapt out from the trees and landed in the middle of the two wolves who both looked at her.

‘Quick Akela help me defeat this wolf.’  Blaez growled as he looked at Jate who seemed very calm as he looked at Akela and nodded as she turned around to face Blaez who was very confused,

‘Blaez this is Jate, he’s on our side.’ She said angrily.

‘How can you trust this wolf!?’

‘Because he owes me something, he’s fighting for us.’  Akela stopped and looked at Blaez who was staring coldly at Jate before Akela continued.

‘Now let’s work on getting your friend back.’  With that Akela quickly hurried off in to the forest leaving Blaez looking at Jate who smirked slightly as a few drops of blood trickled down from his scratch Blaez had given him on the side of his face. Slowly Blaez walked up to Jate who was larger then he was.

‘I don’t trust you…’  Blaez said as he turned to follow Akela whilst Jate just stood their and smiled to himself.

‘Oh no Blaez I believe we can’t trust you.’ With that Jate quickly padded over the two wolves a large smirk on his face.

The three wolves slinked through the forest with Akela leading the wolves. As Blaez walked he couldn’t help but think how much he disliked Akela he used to live here but why did she pretend she knew more then he did? Why did she always have an attitude? Didn’t she know who he was?

‘Stop!’ Jate suddenly whispered as Blaez and Akela turned around and faced him. ‘I must leave you here…’

‘To go warn them eh?’  Blaez sneered.

Frowning Jate ignored the comment as he looked back at Akela who was listening. ‘Go towards the holding area where Blaez was last night he’d be there I’ll try and distract the wolves long enough but I can’t promise anything.’

With that Jate quickly disappeared in to the trees leaving Blaez and Akela. ‘This way…’ Akela said as she started to walk off in to the trees.

‘No wait, I know a shortcut because I know where we are.’  Blaez said looking at Akela who seemed to consider the options for a moment.

‘Ok but we must be quick.’ Smiling for a moment Blaez quickly walked off in a different direction with Akela following close behind him, they were going to save Silver he knew it.

‘How can you just sit there?’ Azure said pacing up and down in front of Konnor who was sitting down and Keaton who was lying down obviously annoyed because Azure didn’t seem to want to be quiet.

‘Akela said she’d be back with Blaez soon enough.’ Keaton said opening one of his eyes and looking at Azure who frowned and looked at Konnor.

‘Well if you two won’t help them because I know Blaez won’t leave Silver then I’ll have to go alone.’

‘Wait a minute; we’re supposed to stay here!’ Konnor said standing up as Azure started to walk towards the forest, gritting his teeth for a moment Konnor quickly ran after Azure leaving Keaton watching them leave.

‘Why does everyone around here have to be so headstrong?’ Keaton sighed as he slowly stood up and padded after the wolves.

Blaez and Akela soon could see the cave where Blaez had been captured the night before; they hid in the bushes as a large black wolf guarded the entrance to the cave.

‘We must wait for Jate.’ Akela whispered to Blaez who rolled his eyes.

‘I doubt he’s going to be any help.’ From the bushes suddenly Jate leapt out very panted and ran up towards the black wolf who looked up at him.

‘Quick wolves are attacking our borders we need every wolf we have!’

‘What about the prisoner?’ The black wolf said looking at Jate who thought for a moment before saying.

‘Trust me after last night with what Torren did to him he’s in no way about to escape now follow me quickly…’ The wolf didn’t move as Jate growled. ‘…that’s an order!’  He barked as both Jate and the black wolf started to run into the trees leaving the cave completely free so they could get in and out.

‘I don’t like this it seems to easy…’ Blaez turned to Akela and was surprised to see that she was gone, he looked and saw her walking towards the cave so he quickly jumped out beside her and started to look around nervously as though expecting the whole Shangkai pack to jump out at them at any time.

‘Get your friend quickly, we don’t have much time…’ Akela said as she turned to Blaez who nodded and quickly ran in to the dark damp cave. Slowly he padded in and looked around before whispering.

‘Silver…Silver?’ Looking around Blaez couldn’t see his friend but suddenly he saw someone at the back of the cave smiling Blaez quickly ran over to him.

Opening his eyes Silver looked at his friend who looked shocked. ‘Blaez you need to get out of here!’ Silver said as he slowly stood up revealing he was worse for wear, covered in scratches and sores.

‘No quick come with me…’

‘Listen to me Blaez! It’s a trap!’ Blaez looked shocked  but still helped his friend out of the cave, he wouldn't leave him. Once outside bthey looked directly at two wolves in front of them.

‘Look what we have here.’ One of them muttered as Akela growled and stepped back beside Blaez and Silver who looked down at the ground.

‘Torren is going to be very pleased with us’ The brown wolf said smiling to himself as he suddenly leapt at Akela with his jaws open Blaez seeing this quickly leapt in front of Akela as he pushed the brown wolf away from her making her look shocked. The brown wolf quickly leapt up as Blaze and he started to circle each other. The other wolf slowly moved forward towards Akela and Silver.

The wolf easily pushed Silver out of the way and on to the ground as he snapped at Akela who was ready to fight.  From the trees and white flash instantly leapt on the back of the wolf that was about to attack Akela, it was Keaton. The wolf reared painfully as Keaton bit down.

Konnor ran up beside Blaez who looked at his friend. ‘Why are you here?’ Blaez quickly asked looking confused.

‘It wasn’t me it was Azure….’ Konnor said glancing over at Keaton, Azure and Akela all circling the Shangkai wolf. For a moment Blaez thought before yelling.

‘All of us are a match for you Shangkai wolves now let us leave and no one will be injured.'

‘Never.’ One of the wolves snarled as Blaez looked deadly serious.

‘If you take me down there are these wolves behind me and we’ll at least take one if not both of you before we die’ Blaez snarled walking closer towards one of the wolves with Konnor beside him. The two Shangkai wolves seemed to consider the options for a moment before one of them stepped backwards.

‘Just wait in one year you’ll be nothing and I shall enjoy killing you…’ With that the two Shangkai wolves quickly jumped around and ran away.

‘We did it.’ Azure said cheerfully as Blaez quickly turned to all the wolves.

‘No time to celebrate now follow me quickly we must get out of here but before we do I need to do something…’ Blaez said looking at Silver who was standing up looking at him with a knowing look on his face

All the wolves walked on to the cold beach as small snow flakes began to slowly fall from the sky towards them. Autumn was nearly over, winter was close around the corner and Blaez knew that in his state Silver wouldn’t be able to recover and he feared for his oldest friend so he had to make this hard decision.

‘Blaez what’s going on?’ Konnor said walking up to his friend as Blaez looked out towards the ocean where icebergs slowly floated past as they drifted out to sea.

Slowly Blaez walked up to Silver who looked at his friend and understood exactly what he was doing. ‘I let you down again didn’t I?’

Silver laughed looking at Blaez who shook his head. ‘You never let me down Silver, its just who you are.’

Azure turned to Konnor and whispered. ‘’I don’t understand Konnor?’

Sighing for a moment Konnor finally understood as he turned to Azure and said softly. ‘Silver’s going home…’

For a moment Silver and Blaez looked at each other before Silver slowly walked in to the freezing water and climbed on to a small iceberg which had broken away from the shore and was ever so slowly drifting out to sea.

Walking forward towards the water Blaez watched as Silver looked at him and smiled. Blaez knew that going back to Aleu’s pack would be the only way he could be helped, if he stayed Blaez knew he might not survive the winter here and he couldn’t risk his already injured friend getting taken by the Shangkai pack again. Aleu and the pack would care for him and give him the care that Blaez knew that they couldn’t give him here.

Silver knew he would return and tell of what has happened to their old pack to Aleu. Akela who was nearby walked up to Blaez and said to him. ‘What did he mean let you down again?’

Blaez sighed for a moment before saying. ‘When we were small we had always been best friends, but it all changed when Nava our old pack leader gave me the position of Beta Male, Silver became jealous and we never again saw eye to eye again because he had always wanted to be Beta and we never talked or helped each other again…’

‘Did you say Nava?’ Akela said questionably looking up at Blaez who looked down at her. ‘I think I might have some information that can help you Blaez.’

Blaez looked back at Konnor and Azure who smiled and walked forward towards Akela, as they slowly began to walk out of the Shangkai’s packs territory as the iceberg which carried a weak and injured Silver further out to sea towards Aleu’s pack lands.

Blaez, Konnor, and Azure were now stuck in their old home for a whole year, with the onset on winter there were no more chances to go back to Aleu’s pack because the ocean would soon freeze and no longer would they be able to make the cross.

‘No!’ Torren yelled so loudly that the ground seemed to shake as the two wolves who had attacked Blaez and the others stood in front of him. Turning around Torren growled low as snow began to fall from the sky on to his pitch black coat. ‘From now on if any wolf that is caught on our land kill them immediately I’m not going to let those wolves take away from us what was rightfully ours.’ Claming down for a moment Torren smiled. ‘At least that pathetic wolf we captured gave us all the information we needed…and besides lets see if they can survive the winter in that wasteland that used to be the other packs lands.’'

Dusk looked up at her mate and shared the same smile as they laughed, as the snow began to fall harder. Winter had begun.

Next

Book 2: Winter

Characters: Blaez, Konnor, Azure, Silver, Akela, Keaton, Torren, Dusk (c) Kaynight