"Sir," a young white she-wolf padded up to her leader. "There's a herd of elk. Coming from the West." Misty reported, focusing her light green eyes on her alpha.

He paced back and forth. Misty sensed his pleasure and in fact, felt pleased with herself. She knew she was capable of killing any wolf or creature that may interfere with her Pack. She had been specially trained, like all of the other wolves in her Pack, to fight a certain way in battle. Every bit of strength she has goes to her Packmates. Without a doubt, she knew she was one of the most skilled and intelligent wolves in her Pack. 

Those years of training proved worthy, she thought with a satisfied smirk.

She doesn't try to boast or brag. It's the truth. She's a smart, loyal wolf to her kind. She has always wanted to be one of the best fighters, and now she is. Even the older wolves looked up to her. She definitely was a talented wolf to have in Flame Woods Pack. Her respect was earned. She proved herself worthy, even after everything she's been through.

"Yes, that's good," Tyrant replied, continuing his pacing. "Flame Woods needs more prey. Especially since the winter season is right around the corner." He finally stopped and faced Misty. "Were there any more Stone Hollow Pack scent on our side of the border?"

Misty shook her head. "No, sir. I'm sure we taught them a lesson they won't soon forget." She curled her lip in the start of a snarl, remembering the Pack her ancestors have battled since the early ages.

"No need to get angry, Misty," Tyrant reassured her. "As long as we keep watch on our borders, we should be fine. Speaking of that, why don't you go ahead and take up your watch on the Northern border? Relieve Jumper from his shift."

Misty nodded and trotted out of camp. Cool air encircled her in refreshing scents. The moon shone brightly in the sky as the stars twinkled and blinked at her in hello. The ground was damp underpaw. Everything was peaceful. She felt one with the forest around her. Misty gazed in the endless expanse of trees and hills. The world wasn't just a piece of land and water; it was a beautiful breathtaking life with so much to give. And it was a wonderful life.

Misty climbed up a steep slope with a worn down path sheltered by the trees. She went with the flow of the up-carrying elevation. She glanced across the silent forest. Everything was turned to silver by the touch of the moon.

Panting, Misty reached the top and relieved her best friend from his watch. Her pelt brushed his, and he jumped in surprise. He met her green gaze with his brown ones. "Oh, hey Misty."

She sat down beside Jumper and looked in his dark-colored eyes. "Any trouble?"

"No. Honestly it's been so boring, that I got excited when a hare crossed the border." He chuckled. His ears were perked with laughter. "Well, I guess I should report back."

He started to bound down the trail back home. But he jumped when a thundering crack shattered the air.

The two shared a concerned look. Misty belly-crawled to peer over the edge. At first, she was confused. Nothing dangerous was in sight. Until a red wolf shot out from some sheltered area with a dog nipping at its heels. A Mortal was trailing behind, shaking a thunder-stick furiously.

Misty squinted and realized the wolf was Fire! The Flame Woods second-in-command! He was running awkwardly. Misty realized his back left leg was bleeding, and dragging limply behind him as he ran.

The older wolf rounded an oak tree, tripping on a root sticking out, to tumble to the bottom of a hill. He lay there limp. Misty thought he was dead until he stirred and struggled to stand. He was tackled by the dog and beaten more.

The Mortal called the dog away. It obeyed but glared at Fire once more before returning to his master's side. The Mortal strolled along slowly with an evil grin plastered across his face. He cackled and pressed the barrel of the gun to the wolf's forehead.

Fire thrashed and wiggled but it was no use. He gave up, staring at his killer as he readied to pull the trigger. But he never did.

Misty and Jumper rushed down the steep hill. They scraped their paws, feeling the bite of the sharp pebbles as they rushed to the bottom. They didn't waste a minute. Misty, barking, flung herself at the two-legged creature. It whirled about in surprise, but quickly covered it up with determination. He knocked the she-wolf away with the thunder-stick in his hands.

She flew aside and growled through the pain in her cheek. Another swift jump and she landed perfectly to where she held a firm grip on the wrist of the dangerous stick. The Mortal's eyes widened in fear. He frantically began trying to pry himself from Misty's jaws. But she snarled and shook her head vigorously.

Quick as lightning, the creature pulled out a smaller thunder-stick, but shinier. He aimed it for Misty's chest, but Jumper leaped in and closed his mouth around the wrist with the smaller stick. A shot was fired. Luckily it didn't hit either of the wolves. Misty sprang back and lurched forward again and clamped her fangs around the Mortal's throat.

His eyes widened as he dropped his sticks and began to squirm helplessly as the she-wolf twisted and tightened her grasp. He let out pitiful chokes of anguish. Misty felt blood hit the back of her throat and released her victim from her jaws. He twitched and jerked a moment longer before his shocked, pain-filled eyes fell upon the wolf that finished him off. He gave one final gasp and died.

Misty caught her breath. The sticky blood around her muzzle stained her white fur. She didn't have a long break when she heard a whimper. Turning around, she saw Fire swat a strong paw across the dog's face, sending it flying into a tree where it hit its head and died.

Fire instantly collapsed to the cold ground. Jumper reached him first, nosing through his fur to check for any more wounds. Misty reached Fire's side and propped him up with her shoulder.

Why did that creature chase Fire? For his pelt possibly? She looked at the red wolf. His red coat was quite a beauty. But why would Mortals want something like that?

Misty pushed away her thoughts. "Are you okay?" She asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

"I think so. Ah!" Fire gritted his teeth to keep from howling out his pain. His amber eyes glistened in agony. "Please, just help me back home. Blossom needs to look at my injured leg."

Misty nodded. She and Jumper each supported a side by pressing up against his shoulders. The walk back seemed to take ages. The older wolf limped along as best as he could. Grunting every now and then as he struggled to keep his paws moving. The two young wolves exchanged a nervous glance. Will he ever be able to hunt and fight again? Or will he just be a cripple the rest of his life?

As they finally returned, all of the wolves of Flame Woods Pack came out to see what was going on. Melody ran to get Blossom while Thunder went for Tyrant. The beautiful young healer pushed through the crowd and ordered everyone to give him space. Tyrant came up behind her, his eyes filled with a hardness that couldn't reveal any emotion.

Blossom's violet eyes scanned Fire's wound. She sighed and shook her head. "He needs to be operated on. The bone in his leg is twisted at the base of his paw. Don't worry, I can fix him." She gestured to Jumper. "C' mon, bring him to my den and we'll start right away."

Jumper braced himself as Fire leaned heavily against his shoulder. Blossom led the way with the males at her tail.

Tyrant was in front of Misty. "What happened?"

Her words tumbled out as she explained the fright that occurred not long ago. Tyrant nodded and asked another question.

"Have the thunder-sticks been disposed of?"

"No, sir. We thought it would be best if Fire was brought back to camp first." She answered.

Tyrant's eyes glowed with approval. "That was a wise decision. To help your Packmate first. I won't have you go back. You look very tired, and I'm sure you fought well. Thunder and Thorn will patrol the perimeter and finish the task. Go ahead and rest."

Misty was thankful she didn't have to go back in the woods. She trudged to her den but stopped when a voice called her name.

"Misty! Hold on!" Isaac's deep voice reached her ears. She drowsily turned to face her cousin. Who was more like a brother to her. The dark gray wolf halted and gazed at her in concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Just tired." Misty's jaws parted into an enormous yawn, revealing her blood-stained teeth. She licked her muzzle, remembering it was still sticky with blood. But she was too tired to clean it up now, let alone even care.

Isaac's brown eyes cleared. "I'm glad. Just...be careful, okay?"

Before she could answer, Tyrant's meeting howled brought everyone to attention. Every wolf gathered to hear their leader speak.

"Now we have a problem! Mortals haven't been in this forest for over a hundred years! And what does it mean? Our lives are in danger! The one Misty and Jumper encountered today was just the beginning. Others will come looking for him and try to kill us!"

Gasps of frightened wolves bounced off the walls. A red she-wolf pulled her three pups closer to her and howled out.

"What will we do?" The mother wolf, Wren demanded out of fear.

"I'll tell you what we'll do! We won't put up with this nonsense! Wolves rule this forest! Any Mortal that sets foot on our land will suffer the consequences! And they won't stop us!"

Barks and howls of agreement rang out. Misty and Isaac joined in, feeling their voices raise in hope. She glanced around at her Packmates and smirked to herself. They would be ready.