Warclaw (8 page)

“It’s simple really. You come with us; we don’t break the crystal and you die. We know that you cannot survive without the Atlas Crystal, Warclaw!”

“Well as you have put it so elegantly, I shall.” Warclaw stated before walking with Marko towards the sea. ‘The crystal cannot be broken.’ Warclaw thought. ‘Although I can live without it, if it is going to cause a war between this pack and that Wibeke and those losers, then I shall go along with it. Wibeke will not expect that at all!’ Warclaw chuckled evilly to himself.

******************

Wibeke had been pacing back and forth since Warclaw had left. The same thoughts kept running through her head. ‘Why would Warclaw accuse me of that? Why would I take it? I have no use for it! I cannot control it!’ She shook her head. No logical answer came to her. Wibeke was worrying for herself now; she found the pack less of a concern to her. ‘Warclaw is going to target me more than the pack. I need to find a way out of this and soon!’ Suddenly Wren appeared behind her making her jump. “By high Alpha, Wren, you made me jump!”

“Sorry. You look stressed Wibeke. Don’t listen to what Warclaw has said. He’s obviously trying to scare you into doing something irrational.” Wren said concerned.

“He doesn’t have to worry about it! He’s already done that! I can’t just sit here and wait for Warclaw to strike us down! I know that he has this un-timely grudge against me now and I really don’t understand why! I haven’t done anything wrong to him…” Wibeke trailed off. Wren looked at her. “What have you done?” He simply stated waiting for the answer. “Nothing! I just…”

“Just what?”

“I just told him that I would be his Luna if he gave me the crystal, and he almost fell for it.”

“There is obviously something else than that. It cannot just be that Wibeke. Warclaw wouldn’t hold a grudge against you for that!”

“FINE!” Wibeke shouted. She sighed. “When Warclaw was on the outskirts of the pack and we had the old Alpha, Waya, I had told Warclaw that he could overpower Waya without a problem as it was that strong.”

“That’s nothing bad Wibeke.”

“Well anyway, I was the course of all this as I had then told Waya that Warclaw was on the outskirts if the den and that he was going to overpower him. Warclaw could never understand how Waya always knew when he would attack.”

“Go on.” Wren said worriedly.

“Well he found out. Waya protected me and fought Warclaw. He banished him from anywhere near the pack. That is why he has this massive grudge against me because I caused it and he wanted to be Alpha. I tricked him and he devours any-wolf who does!” Wibeke paused “There is something else…”

“Go on. What is it?” Wren said more concerned and with a hint of anger in his voice.

“Wren, I was the cause of Willow getting killed by Warclaw. I never thought Waya would send her after him. We thought that Warclaw thought Willow got him banished. Just by coincidence, she was there and that’s why Warclaw never thought I was the spy for the Alpha and why his plan never worked out.”

“By the high Alpha Wibeke. What have you done? By Luna, you sure know how to get a grudge against you!” Wren shouted at her, angry at what she had done. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” He said angrily at Wibeke, before pacing back and forth.

“Because you incompetent fool, I knew you would act like this!” Wibeke shouted. The row had started to get more aggressive. At the boundary of the den you could hear them arguing. Members of the pack started to appear at the scene wanting to know what was happening. They looked up to where the pair of wolves were arguing and each time one of them would walk off and come back to the other. “For high Alpha’s sake, Wibeke! You could’ve at least told me! I thought you trusted me and that you could tell me anything!”

“Yeah I trust you! And I can tell you anything! This was just something I needed to keep to myself. We all have our secrets don’t we?!”

“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”

“You know what that is supposed to mean! You know exactly what I am going on about!”

“What are you going on about Wibeke? I have no idea what the hell you’re on about!” Wren shouted at Wibeke. “Don’t lie to me! I knew something was happening between you and Willow.” Wibeke shouted at Wren.

“What happened between us then? Enlighten me!”

“Oh, I enlighten you?! You and that bitch were always swanning off together. I knew about it before you even told me!”

“Wibeke you are not thinking straight! We were just close friends! We were never going out!” Wren looked at Wibeke with disbelief.

“Oh so you are thinking I am the mad one? Well sorry to put it this way, but I can see through your pathetic lies! I thought you loved me and would never do anything! Well guess I was wrong!”

“Wibeke CALM DOWN! We were never having an affair. I was loyal to you! You are the only one I love!”

“You are still lying Wren! If you don’t tell me what has happened then I am going. If you keep telling these lies then we are over before we ever began!” There was gasping among the pack. This was not what they expected to hear and see right before their eyes. The packs iconic leader going to scrap. Never mind her
lover
-wolf doing this to her! Wibeke heard the gasp and she looked around. “What are you all doing here?” Her voice was calm but still had the hint of anger in it.

“We thought you were in trouble! But it appears not.” Will said, speaking up for the rest of the pack. He was hiding among them, near the front. Spotting him she gave him a deathly glare. “Well you have come here for nothing. So goodbye!” This time there was anger in her voice. The pack started to back away from the pair and back to where they had come from. Wren had finally decided to speak up. “Wibeke there was no need to speak to them like that!”

“You cannot tell me what I can and can’t do! Why am I even talking to you?! We are over! Finished. Finito! I never want to see you again! Or for that matter ever speak to you again!” Wibeke shouted at Wren, her heart lurching at what she had done. Running off, her eyes had filled with tears. She could not comprehend why Wren had done this to her. Wren thought to go after her but decided against it. She needed to calm down before he could talk to her. His heart was broken and all because Warclaw had decided to accuse of her of something he thought she hadn’t done. What had this all come too?

Chapter 9: Planning Sweet Revenge.

When Warclaw and Marko got down to the beach it was quiet. Warclaw was still confused as to how they had got here. Warclaw was certain that he hadn’t imagined it all and they were actually here. “Where was it you said you were from?” Warclaw asked trying to make conversation. Marko looked at Warclaw with a straight face. “We are from Manto.”

“May I enquire how are we getting there?”

“Simple. We walk with those guys.” Warclaw looked ahead of him and saw three bulky wolves sitting on the beach. They looked just as angry as Marko. One of the wolves was brown and had a black stripe down the middle of his back. One was pure black and one was cream coloured. And they all had red eyes. Within a few minutes they had reached the three wolves. “This is Michael,” He pointed his paw towards the brown wolf with the black stripe down his back. “This is Markus,” he pointed to the middle one who was pure black before finally pointing to the last wolf who was cream “And this is Marino.” They all nodded to Warclaw showing their approval. They started to walk down the beach. Warclaw followed behind Marko and the others brought up the rear.

“And where is this Manto? I can’t remember where half of these places are.” Warclaw said jokingly, to try to hide what he was after. “It is north of Meg Mell. You should have heard of us. We are right next to you, so you should’ve heard of us. If not then you need to read up on your history, because that is where we are heading.” Marko looked back to the direction in which they were going. Warclaw thought to himself about where they were heading. ‘Meg Mell is like in the middle of this island. It’s like the centre and no-wolf has ever been there or even knows of it. So how would he know that the pack was north of it?’ Warclaw thought bemused.

Warclaw was sure that no-wolf had ever heard of it because that was where the last war had been, the one with the pack in it. This war was not historical to the wolves and there was no evidence of it so why should it be known? After all it was merely ruins after what happened. Warclaw started to run up to Marko, so he was alongside him. “Meg Mell? How do you know of it?” Warclaw inquired.

“I don’t know. I suppose I just like to know what is nearby and what happened in our history. Why do you know it?” Marko knew that it had got Warclaw’s attention as Marko had learnt it from the crystal that Warclaw had been there in the last war. “Yes,” Marko was right that he had got Warclaw’s attention but not for a good reason. “Have you never been told to not look into something that is none of your business and to never to read into something?” Warclaw spoke plainly but had the hint of annoyance in his voice. “Good so you know where it is. And yes my father tells me that all the time...”

“And he’s right too.” Warclaw interrupted.

“I can’t help it. I always want to know the answers.”

“But sometimes, Marko, the answers aren’t always the nicest ones.”

“True and I accept that, however it’s nice to know where you’re from and what happened around me. All the brainless fools in the pack have no idea and all they know is how to eat, kill and follow orders.” Warclaw laughed. He noticed that Marko was a lot like himself when he was at that age. Always inquisitive. Always wanting to know the answers, even when the answers weren’t nice ones. Warclaw had found a lot of himself in Marko. “So Marko, you find the rest of the pack brainless and that you’re the only one who has a brain. No offence to the guys back there.” Marko laughed.

“Yes, I do. But you have to be nice to them all.” He huffed.

“I know how that feels.” Warclaw moaned. “You know if you ever fancy leaving these guys and running solo with me then you are more than welcome to join me.”

“I thought you were the Alpha of Wayland and head of the pack?” Marko asked confused yet intrigued.

“Ah that. Don’t worry about that. That’s only temporary. Although I am the Alpha, I do not take upon the role and take charge. I’m more what you call a lone wolf. I run solo. I had simply killed their old Alpha to insure the safety of the crystal. And look where that one got me.” Warclaw said sarcastically. “But that doesn’t matter. If you ever want to run solo with me then you are very much welcome to join me. I enjoy having someone who thinks outside the box and actually uses their brain.” Warclaw chuckled.

“Thanks. I’ll think about it. It’s a very good offer and yeah I would love too. But I’ll need to think about it as you can appreciate.”

“Yeah well the offer is always open for you.”

“Thanks.” Marko was pleased with the offer that Warclaw had given him. It seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity and he didn’t want to miss it. Warclaw felt like he would have a great accomplice when Marko did decide to join him. Besides it would be a great way to make his plan stronger by having these wolves on his side. Both Marko and Warclaw looked forward, staying silent for a few minutes, allowing their conversation sink in. A few minutes later Warclaw decided to speak up. “So how far is it then?”

“It’s about a half hour walk.” Marko impatiently said. Warclaw laughed.  ‘I should really think about taking his offer up.’ Marko thought. The rest of the time they walked in silence.

When they finally got to Manto, around half an hour later as predicted, they walked into the den. Warclaw looked around; noticing that this was a much larger pack than his. Looking at each of the pack members, Warclaw noticed that all of the eyes were red. He wondered whether it was genetic, as they all had the red eyes. When he looked around to where Marko was and noticed an identical cave to the one in his den. This place was just like a duplicate of Warclaw’s den. Everything was the same, except the pack members. It made Warclaw unnerved.

Walking towards the cave, he noticed Marko talking with a big black wolf. The wolf had a white bib underneath his chest. By what Warclaw could understand, this was Mathew, Marko’s father. Warclaw walked up towards the Alpha and lowered his head in respect. “Welcome Warclaw to Manto. Sorry for getting you here like this but it is of the upmost importance that you are.” The Alpha said. “As my son may have already told you, my name is Mathew and we have the Atlas Crystal.” Warclaw looked at the son, who now looked so small behind his father. “Yes, your son has sort of filled me in as to why I am here and what your name is. However, there are still a lot of questions that I have which are un-answered. For instance, why do you want me here and why is it the upmost importance that I am? As you can appreciate, I would like to know why I have been brought here.” Warclaw spoke clearly before looking at Mathew. “Well yes I can appreciate it and I do apologise for the lack of information, that was my fault, but I wanted to tell you myself as I’m sure you can appreciate.” He said.

“Well yes I can. So would you care to explain?”

“Yes of course. If you would follow me please Warclaw.” Mathew turned around and headed into the cave. Warclaw followed behind him. “Marko, could you stay out here and keep watch, please?” Voice turning quiet, he then whispered arrogantly “And could you get rid of the other three for me?” Mathew turned round and carried on walking into the cave. Marko didn’t dare say why or no to his father as he knew what he was capable. Warclaw could tell this by the look on Marko’s face. Following Mathew inside, Warclaw knew to be prepared for anything, as from the look on Marko’s face, Mathew could be quite unpredictable. ‘I’d better watch my back when I’m alone with him.’ Warclaw thought as he followed Mathew inside.