Authors: Samantha McGivern
“I am not sure Winter. I can feel it but I can’t put my paw on what it is. But I know that whatever it is, he is going to use you and it is going to happen very, very soon. And I want to be ready for when it does come.” Warclaw had determination in his voice and Winter could see it in his posture. She could also see it in his eyes. “Warclaw, what makes you think that he will use me? Or at least try to get at me, to get at you?”
“Winter you’re my mate and therefore you mean a lot to me, so if he was to threaten you or to harm you then I would do anything to stop that. And we both know how much he wants to become Alpha, harming you would be the ideal thing to do in order to get me out of the way.”
“Warclaw,” Winter sighed “I know how much you care for me but if anything was to happen to me, surely you would see that by carrying on, he wouldn’t have accomplished anything? Warclaw you need to carry on being Alpha of this pack whether I die or not. You are what the pack needs, Warclaw. Waya doesn’t have the first clue about running a pack. After all he isn’t of Alpha blood.” She smiled, hoping that this would make Warclaw chuckle. Warclaw looked up at Winter and looked into her sparkling blue eyes and smiled. “You always know how to make me laugh. But you are right. He doesn’t come from Alpha blood but that won’t stop him from trying to get at you. The thought of losing you doesn’t seem worth thinking about.”
“Then don’t.” Winter smiled. She watched him look back out across the land. Warclaw knew deep down that he couldn’t change fate and that Winter would die at the paws of Waya.
Winter looked across at Warclaw and then out across the land. The wind picked up until it gently raised the fur high on their back. Warclaw looked back at Winter and she looked back into his eyes, where she saw the pain of what fate would do to him. Unknowingly to Winter, a small gasp escaped from her mouth and Warclaw looked at her, worried that she was hurt. He darted round her, making sure that not one inch of her was hurt. “Are you alright? Are you hurt? Why did you gasp?”
“Did I?” She looked at Warclaw. Warclaw sighed and looked back at her. “Warclaw, I know that fate will deal me a harsh hand when it comes to the end, but you are strong and you can’t let Waya or any-wolf get in the way of protecting this pack, even if that’s me.” Winter looked away hurt and ashamed that she had to make Warclaw feel this way. “I know Winter but there is nothing that I can do about that. I have to accept it and if that means prolonging it than that's what it means. Winter I don't know what I would do without you but I'm guessing that at some point in the future, whether it's very soon or very far in the future, that I will learn what it is like to be without you.” Warclaw sighed and started to walk away towards the cave where they slept, when suddenly a wolf dashed up to Warclaw. “Warclaw, you must come at once! Waya has found a rouge at the edge of the den and he has it cornered. You must come at once!” There was a sense of urgency in the wolf's voice and Warclaw knew that the wolf was serious.
“I shall be there soon. Run and tell Waya that I am on my way.” Warclaw ordered in his booming Alpha voice. He looked across to Winter and sighed. By this time the wolf had already disappeared into the forest, on its way to Waya. “It’s typical isn't it? Can't get five minutes of peace can we?” Warclaw chuckled before remembering the urgency in the wolf’s voice. “Winter, stay here. I don’t want you going anywhere near the rogue. I don't know what it will be like. However go to the secret hiding place at the back of the cave and I'll come and get you when I have finished.” Warclaw told Winter with a stern look in his eyes.
“I'll be fine out here Warclaw.” Winter sighed, getting fed up with the constant orders that Warclaw gave concerning her safety. “Winter that's an order! Go there now. And DO NOT come out until I come back. Understood?” Winter nodded and Warclaw rushed off to see this rogue that had dared enter his territory.
******************
When Warclaw had gotten to the rogue, Waya had already pinned it to the ground. As Warclaw got to the wolf he could see that the wolf was not that old and was merely a pup. In fact one of the packs own pups. “What do you think you are doing Waya?!” Warclaw demanded. “This is one of our own! She is no rogue to this pack!” Then he realised that Waya had brought him here for a different purpose. “Why have you brought me here?” Warclaw’s growl had a sting in it and as he growled, Warclaw bared his teeth ready for an attack on him at any minute. “This is one of our own?” Waya mocked. “I would never have guessed that.” Waya let go of the pup and watched as it ran behind the safety of its Alpha. “However as to why
I
brought you here, I have no idea what you’re on about. Why should I bring you here?” Waya chuckled.
“Don’t give me that Waya!” Warclaw barked. “You know exactly why you have had me come here, so don't lie to me!” Warclaw growled again, jolting forward. “Temper, temper.” Waya mocked. Waya then turned serious. “I guess you should really know as to why I have
supposedly
brought you here. You have slowly started to realise my little
game over the last few months, so I
may
as well give you a heads up.”
“Heads up about what? That I should watch my back? Or should I say Winters?” Warclaw growled.
“You are a smart wolf Warclaw, figure it out.” Waya smiled. “But just in case you
aren’t
smart enough, you are correct both times. You need to watch your back Warclaw. I am coming for you and one day
you
won't be able to protect her and she will be gone!” Waya growled. Warclaw glared at Waya with such hate and fury that you would have expected Waya to quiver in his paws, but Waya looked into these dark eyes and smiled. “That won't work with me Warclaw. You better get back to your
mate
, Warclaw! She won't be that for much longer!” Waya laughed. Warclaw glared at Wren and watched, silent, as Waya continued “She will be your downfall Warclaw. You better be prepared for what’s going to come your way, Warclaw!” Waya laughed evilly as he ran off, leaving Warclaw wondering where that left him and how he was going to protect his precious diamond. Warclaw turned round and started running for the cave that he had told Winter to hide in. He just hoped that today wasn't the day he was stupid enough to leave her on her own...
******************
Winter sat in the secret hiding place wondering how Warclaw was doing and what had happened. It was quiet and dark in the hiding place. All you could hear was the steady drip of water hitting the cave floor. There was a gentle breeze coming from behind her. Turning around and looking down the dark, narrow tunnel behind her, Winter heard the faint patter of paws on the ground, which were slowly getting louder as they came closer. Winter prepared herself for a wolf finding her. Only she and Warclaw knew of this place, well that was what she thought. The noise stopped in front of her. She took a deep breath and waited to see who was going to come around the corner.
“Winter? Are you here?” A voice whispered. Winter looked around the corner hoping that it was going to be Warclaw. “Winter?!” The voice asked again, more agitated this time. As Winter looked around the corner she saw Warclaw looking around searching for her. Coming round the corner slowly, Winter whispered “Warclaw, is that you?” The wolf in front of her stopped searching and looked at her. “Why didn't you answer me?” Warclaw asked slowly walking up to Winter. “I wasn't sure it was you.”
“Winter, how could you mistake me?” Warclaw laughed. “I see you hid in the place I told you too. Doing as you're told for once I see.” Warclaw chuckled again.
“Never mind that, what happened?” Winter was eager to know what had happened between him and the rogue, if it was in fact a rogue. Warclaw went still. “Oh
that
?”
“Yes that! I want to know what happened! So could you tell me please, if you wouldn't mind.”
“Fine. It was no rogue. It was Wanda, one of Wera’s pups. Waya got me to go there to give me a heads up.” Warclaw stopped and looked into Winter’s eyes. “He knows that I have been onto him the last few months and well he has decided to give me a heads up on it.”
“And what did he say?” Winter asked, nervous of the answer that she was about to get. “He said...” Warclaw took a deep breath. “He has said that we are to watch our backs and...” Warclaw trailed off. He didn't want to repeat what Waya had said. He knew Winter was already nervous about what lied ahead for her but he didn't want to tell her this. “Warclaw tell me!”
“Fine! Just remember when I have told you, you wanted me to tell you and even though I think it best that you don’t know you won't let it go until I have. So here goes...” Warclaw paused before taking another deep breath “He told me that he is coming for me and that one day I won't be able to protect you and you will be gone! And by gone I am assuming he means dead.” Warclaw sighed and looked at Winter “Now can you see why I didn’t want to tell you!”
Winter sighed. She knew that Waya was going to end her life to get at Warclaw. “Well at least we know for certain that that is his plan.” Winter walked forward and out of the cave. “That’s not entirely true Winter. We know what part of his plan is and who is going to attack, but that is all we know Winter.”Warclaw sighed, knowing that he could not always protect his gem and that destiny would be cruel and take his rock away.
Looking up to the sky, Winter wished that life could be kinder to her and Warclaw but that would never be the case. She looked back down to the ground and shook her head. A small tear drop rolled down her cheek and dropped to the floor, making a faint splashing sound when it finally met the ground. Warclaw walked up to Winter and sat beside her. “Winter, I shall try to stop him from doing any harm that he has planned for you but he could send any-wolf to take your life and I won't always be there.” Winter could tell from Warclaw’s voice that he was angry with himself and frustrated, just as much as she was with everything. Destiny was playing a cruel hand to them both. “Warclaw what will be will be and neither of us will be able to change it. We can’t mess with fate and we cannot choose what our destinies are. Our paths are chosen for us and we must follow them, even if it is hard to do so.” Winter looked at Warclaw. His head hung low and she could see that this would be the hardest thing Warclaw would have to go through. “Warclaw, just promise me this.” Warclaw looked up to Winter and nodded. “Protect the Atlas Crystal no matter what happens to me. Waya cannot lay a single paw on it. Promise me you will keep it safe, Warclaw! Until the day you die Warclaw!” Warclaw looked up and nodded.
“Of course Winter. I promise.” They both looked back up to the stars and watched them twinkle in the sky, with not a care in the world. Warclaw looked to the star that was the brightest in the sky and turned to Winter. “Winter, when your time has come and gone and you are no longer here, there will always be one place I know I can see you. See the brightest star in the sky?” Warclaw asked before looking back up to the star. Winter nodded. “That will be your star. It’ll be Winter’s star.”
******************
The night was quiet after this moment. The world seemed to have stood still. The breeze was just a whisper and the ocean was just a quiet rustle. The night was peaceful and as much as the two wolves wanted it to stay this way forever, staring up at the stars and the earth standing still, it would never be. But for the time being, the peace lasted and every second was cherished and held dear to each of them, for soon it would be a different story. This moment would only come once more...
Chapter 13: A Dream
Morning had come. The bright sun shone down upon the quiet land. The sky was clear, with not a cloud in sight. The sky was bright blue and the sun’s rays beat lightly upon the ground. The birds tweeted in the trees and the odd bird gracefully flew high in the sky. The wind was just a gentle breeze that moved the leaves with such elegance. It sounded like the leaves were chattering amongst themselves, as the wind gently rustled them. As the sun shone down upon the sea, it made the water shimmer and sparkle like a jewel. The land was quiet and peaceful. It was tranquil and picturesque once again or at least for now…
******************
Winter slowly opened her eyes to see the beauty of the morning. And this morning was certainly magnificent. She could feel the breeze, gently lift her fur and lower it again. Winter smelt the air and how fresh it was. She listened to the faint rustle of the sea in the background. Winter closed her eyes and let her senses fill with all of the peace and quiet that the land held.
Opening her eyes again, Winter looked across to Warclaw, who was sound asleep next to her. His posture was more relaxed than it had been the night before. When Warclaw had finally drifted off to sleep, he was less stressed and was more relaxed than he had been when Winter had fallen asleep. Warclaw had paced back and forth trying to figure a way around what was going to happen to them and this had made him restless. Warclaw kept waking up and moving around and then lying back down again. He just couldn’t settle with everything that was happening around him, and with the worrying of what was going to happen to Winter and everything that was going on with that, he couldn't sleep. And if he did sleep it was for a short amount of time.
Winter looked at Warclaw and sighed. She could see how peaceful he looked and after last night, she didn't want to wake him. Winter knew that if Warclaw found out that she had walked off without him by her side, he would be angry. Winter debated if she should leave Warclaw and talk to Waya. Should she go talk to the wolf that would have her killed for his own gain? Or should she wait for Warclaw to sort it and leave it be? Winter looked up to the stars for the answers. But she wouldn't get her answers. Time would intervene yet again.