A gust of wind blew in. Rascal shivered at the icy touch. His back was to the entrance. He shielded Misty from it, so she could get a peaceful sleep.

He honestly wasn't sure what to think of Heather, Magnus, and their daughters.

He didn't like how judgmental Heather had been towards him when she barely even glanced in his direction. She seemed...forgetful. She brushed off the death of her former mate like it was nothing.

The same way she brushed off abandoning Misty...

The thought made Rascal angry. How could anyone just abandon their pup? How could they abandon Misty?

Rascal would never understand Misty's pain. Her brother died, causing her parents to think of her as nothing, then just left her.

Rascal's brothers hated him. They absolutely wanted nothing to do with him. But his parents loved him. His father, Copper, had died when he was a pup.

He was murdered... Tyrant had killed him...

Rascal never gave away Tyrant's terrible secret. Tyrant was a good leader, he led his Pack well. It was no one's business.....This was only between Tyrant and Rascal.

And Rascal's mother, Maple, passed from a terrible illness, just before he was exiled.

Then there was Ella......his sister.

Ella......

Rascal remembered his promise to her: that he would come back and retrieve her, no matter what.

He felt bad. The Battle of the Full Moon had distracted him completely of going back for Ella.

But she was patient. And Rascal was grateful for her patience.

Rascal had been so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed Misty waking up.

She was staring at him oddly. "You okay?"

Rascal shook his head. "Yeah. I was just thinking."

She nodded. Her eyes floundered to the clearing. Rascal followed her gaze. Heather had just exited her den, gaping her jaws in a huge yawn.

Misty pressed herself to the back of the den, staring out from the shadows. Her fur was bristling and ears flat.

Rascal watched Misty's display of defense. Heather shook her shoulders and paused when Tyrant's meeting howl echoed over the clearing.

Misty looked hesitant. Rascal softly licked her cheek. The she-wolf rose and held her chin high. She walked out with confidence, though she twitched her ears nervously.

Tyrant was waiting patiently for his Pack to gather. Misty sat at the edge of the crowd, putting distance between herself and her mother.

Isaac was standing at his alpha's shoulder. The second-in-command looking stern.

"Yesterday, Isaac led a small group to our extended border. And there were Red Fang wolves waiting for them." Tyrant explained.

Melody snarled and bristled. "I'm getting sick of those wolves! Can't they understand that we were one of the first Packs in this forest?"

Frost jumped up in agreement. "I agree! If they don't stop this nonsense soon, I suggest attacking the heart of their Pack!"

A bunch of wolves hollered in approval. Tyrant's eyes hardened.

"No. I'd like to give them a chance before we rush in. And today, I'll be sure to speak to their alpha. Perhaps we can come to an agreement."

Melody and Frost flattened their ears but didn't protest.

"I will be taking some of my most trusted wolves along with me." He scanned the Pack. "But this time, I want Isaac to stay behind. In case of an attack.

"Thunder, Thorn, Misty, Rascal, and Oak. Everyone else will—"

"Excuse me, Tyrant." A voice on the other side interrupted.

Rascal turned to see Heather on her paws, looking up at the Flame Woods alpha.

"Yes, Heather?" Tyrant asked.

"May Magnus and I accompany you on your quest?"

Before Tyrant could answer, Misty, rolled her eyes and snorted loud enough for everyone to hear.

"He said most trusted."

Heather glared at Misty. Magnus shook his head and bent to whisper something in Velvet's ear.

The alpha looked hard at Heather. His amber eyes seemed to burn into her. Finally, he gave a wary nod.

Tyrant sighed. "I suppose you can, Heather. Just remember: these wolves are dangerous."

The she-wolf nodded and sat down.

Magnus stood. "I think Heather and I will be of good help to you and your Pack."

Tyrant didn't say anything for a moment. "Good," He finally replied, dismissing the meeting. "We leave shortly."

The wolves Tyrant called on gathered by the exit. Rascal noticed Misty trying to squeeze in next to Thunder and Oak, pretending to be deep in conversation with them.

Magnus and Heather approached. When they did, it got strangely quiet. Clearly, no one was ecstatic for them to come along.

Magnus broke the tense silence. "When did these wolves first show up?"

Oak shuffled his paws. "A few sunrises ago."

The dark brown male nodded.

"What happened to Fire?" Heather asked. "He was alive before I left."

"He died. During a battle against Humans." Misty replied tersely.

Heather's eyes widened. "Fire was brave. He will never be forgotten."

Misty rolled her eyes. Rascal could basically read her mind.

"And what about your little friend you had when you were small. What was his name? Jumper, was it?" Misty's mother questioned.

Misty flinched. Jumper's death was still fresh in her heart. Rascal moved to comfort her, wrapping his tail over her back.

"He was killed in the same battle as Fire. He saved me." Rascal answered for Misty.

His mate looked at him with grateful eyes.

Heather's eyes shone with disgust at Rascal's gesture toward Misty. Magnus sniffed and looked down his nose at Rascal.

Misty glared at the older wolves with glassy eyes. She looked away quickly and flicked her ears anxiously.

Rascal sighed. Tyrant padded up and looked over his group before nodding and charging out into the forest.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

"For the last time!" Bruno snarled. "We are not taking you to our alpha!"

Rascal groaned inwardly. The same thing again: Red Fang wolves waiting for them, demanding why they're here, Tyrant asking to see their alpha, them saying no.

Tyrant narrowed his eyes. "Look, I just want to talk. Maybe we can agree on something and prevent physical conflict."

Bruno growled. "No! We're tired of you constantly coming and begging us to take you to our alpha. She is very busy, and doesn't have time for the likes of you." The Red Fang wolf snarled and signaled for his wolves to attack.

Rascal dodged a quick blow from Mona. The she-wolf jumped on his back, wrapping her paws around his neck and sinking her teeth into his shoulder.

He howled and began bucking madly. Rascal fell over onto his back, squishing the enemy wolf.

Mona shrieked and wiggled away from him. She leaped in and out, throwing quick swipes, dodging his counterattack with such speed.

Rascal barked in frustration. How was he supposed to land a blow when he couldn't even catch her?

She was wearing him down. His hits became slower and weaker. A white blur flung Mona aside.

Misty!

Misty barked and clashed with the light brown she-wolf. Mona was quick and agile, but so was Misty.

She bounced back and avoided Mona's sharp fangs. Misty reared on her hind legs, balanced, and, fast as lightning, flipped over the Red Fang wolf's head, landing perfectly. Just in time to dive away from Mona's fast paws.

Rascal tackled Obsidian. The wolf was big but clumsy. He fell instantly and scrabbled to his paws. Rascal didn't waste any time and threw the wolf back down. He aimed for Obsidian's large head.

Obsidian hissed and heaved himself up with such strength that Rascal wasn't prepared for it.

The huge wolf pinned Rascal, practically sitting on him. Rascal huffed for breath as Obsidian's weight smashed him down.

Good grief, I can barely breathe! What does this wolf eat anyway?

Rascal heaved himself up, straining to throw Obsidian off. The gray wolf yipped. Rascal snarled and lashed out at the wolf's stomach.

Obsidian cried out. Rascal tossed him aside and whipped around to face his next opponent.

He could see Heather and Magnus, working side by side to drive a pair of wolves back. Rascal had to admit they were a powerful team.

Bruno slammed into Rascal's side. He grimaced as a sharp pain jolted up his hip.

The Red Fang wolf dug his fangs into Rascal's shoulder. He bit back a howl of agony as the stinging pain spread throughout his body.

Rascal kicked Bruno in the stomach then rolled over and backed away a few paw steps. Blood was trickling down his shoulder, and a cut just above his eye was swollen.

Bruno's neck had light bite marks, and a deep scratch ran down one of his back hind legs. He leaped.

Rascal dodged and threw in a quick swipe before spinning around and leaping on Bruno's back. The blue-gray male hissed and twisted around, locking his jaws firmly on one of Rascal's front paws.

Rascal grimaced and broke away from the stronghold. His muscles were aching as he stood, panting heavily.

Oak came to his rescue and tackled Bruno to the ground, throwing strong blows.

Rascal took this opportunity to catch his breath. He could see Misty battling Mona, and another she-wolf he didn't recognize. Misty reared on her back legs and shoved Mona down quickly. The other she-wolf jumped on Misty and held her front paws in a strange lock Rascal hadn't seen before.

Tyrant shoved back a young black she-wolf and faced his Pack, an urgent look on his face. "Retreat! Flame Woods Pack! Retreat!"

They didn't have to be told twice. They turned and hobbled away. Rascal risked a glance over his shoulder. Mona and the black she-wolf were sneering after them.

"Going back to your mama?"

"Scared to fight? Cowards!"

Misty growled. Heather came up beside her and draped her tail over her daughter's shoulders. Misty jumped and flinched away, standing by Rascal with a look of distrust on her face.

Tyrant led the way, limping heavily on his left front paw. He turned back and made sure his Pack mates were all there.

When they filed into camp, the remaining wolves gasped at the state they were in.

Violet and Velvet raced over to Heather and Magnus, burying their faces in their parents' fur.

Isaac approached with a shocked look in his gaze. "What happened?"

"We were attacked. They wouldn't listen or be reasonable." Thunder replied, voice raspy.

Thorn was propped against Oak's shoulder. One of his legs was oddly twisted to the side. But his eyes were as bright and full of battle as ever. "I'm not finished with them yet. Next time I see those elk dung wolves, they'll wish they were never born."

Tyrant sighed. Rascal noticed how defeated their alpha looked. His usually straight posture was lowered, eyes dim with shame.

Rascal moved to his side. "You did your best, Tyrant. Everyone here understands that."

Tyrant blinked gratefully. "Thank you, Rascal," He stepped forward and raised his voice. "Anyone that has serious wounds, go to Blossom immediately. We can't risk infection, especially during Winter."

Thorn was the first to see Blossom, because of his oddly twisted leg. Rascal waited patiently for his turn. He tried to clean up the blood drying on his pelt.

Misty was licking away the blood on a wound in his shoulder he couldn't reach. It stung greatly, but Misty's gentle tongue made it tolerable.

It took awhile, but Rascal finally got his turn. Blossom approached him with her supplies. Rascal noticed how swollen her stomach was. She would have her pups any day now.

She set down her supplies and checked through his fur, feeling for anything out of place.

Rascal watched as she tried to reach up and put some ointment on the cut above his eye. She was straining to reach.

Rascal gently took the medicine from her. "I got it." He replied softly, applying the ointment to the wound.

Blossom looked relieved. She slumped down and panted, eyes sharp with pain.

Rascal looked at her, concerned. "Do you think you've been doing too much?"

Blossom shook her head. "I must serve my Pack. I can't let this get in the way of me trying to help my Pack mates."

Rascal looked her in the eye. "Take it easy, Blossom. You have to take care of yourself. Especially now since you're carrying Isaac's pups."

Blossom gave a small smile. "Okay. I promise I'll be careful."

Rascal dipped his head to the healer and helped her finish tending to the wounded.

2,066 words!!!
Wow! I hadn't realized I'd written so much until the end XD

Well, anyway, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed!

Sincerely,
15thSoccerGirl

Fact #3: In the first book, Ella was originally going to be killed off by Skylark in the final battle. But I didn't wanna kill Ella ;_; because she plays an important role later on.

P.S. I'm updating this book and Rain & Fire today because I won't be able to over the weekend >_<