Destroyed.

Another home, completely destroyed.

Rascal stood, panting from the long run, staring at the remains of once a temporary place to stay. His heart thudded, eyes grazing every inch of the camp. Branches rocks, strewn everywhere. Warm, soft pelts torn to dirty scraps. Anxious paw prints showed where Flame Woods frantically made their escape.

Beside him, Tyrant and Thunder held worry on their faces. Tyrant's eyes were grim and dark. The Pack leader didn't move a muscle.  The only movement was a breeze rustling his red fur.

Thunder slowly moved around the clearing. Rascal almost didn't notice his Packmate's gasp. He hurried over and felt a wave of pride surge through him.

At their paws, was the body of a dark gray wolf. He was cold, been dead for a while. A familiar scent tickled Rascal's nose.

Misty...

She killed this wolf. Her scent was on his fur. Rascal could barely hold in the triumph he felt for Misty. Someone finally gave Mystique the message that this wouldn't be the last they'd see of Flame Woods Pack. He inwardly shuddered, remembering that he killed Star.

"Where did they go?" Thunder whispered.

Rascal knew. "It's obvious: they went to Howler." A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of living with his former Packmates.

Tyrant nodded. "And that's where we'll go."

"What?" Thunder turned around. His ears pricked in surprise. "We are in the middle of a three-way war. All Packs are against each other. How can we trust Stone Hollow?"

"They've helped us before." Rascal took a breath. "They wouldn't turn us away now." At least, I hope not. He found himself trying to believe his own words.

Tyrant seemed satisfied. "Howler is reasonable. Red Fang is a problem for both of our Packs. He won't want help, but it's come to that."

Thunder looked uncertain but nodded anyway.

Tyrant gave himself a shake. "Let's get out of here. I don't like the idea of being watched."

Rascal glanced back. Then drowsily walked beside his Packmates. Exhaustion dragged at his muscles. All he wanted to do was curl up in a ball and wake up from this nightmare.

~~~

Rascal held back at the border and looked over his shoulder at the home he had come to love. His paws were right at the end of Flame Woods territory.

Tyrant and Thunder turned when they noticed him stop.

Tyrant's quiet tone broke the silence. "We can't stay. You said so yourself."

Rascal's eyes lingered on the forest. "I know," His hoarse whisper barely passed his lips. "It's just...I didn't think it would be so hard." He forced himself to meet his alpha's somber stare.

Tyrant flicked his tail. "It's no use to mope. Right now, we must return to our Packmates and work out a plan."

Rascal forced himself to step over the line, keeping his eyes trained ahead. He didn't want to look back. He didn't think he would be able to handle the anxiety fizzing in his veins. The entire walk, he could feel Tyrant looking at him worriedly. Since the alpha was nervous, it seemed like all hope was already lost.

Clouds set the forest in a gloomy state. The night dragged on agonizingly slow. Everything was silent. Not even the crickets played their nighttime melody for the creatures. Rascal sniffed the air. It smelled of greenery and fresh raindrops, but the powerful scent of Stone Hollow reeked in the breezy forest. The atmosphere was warm, but a chill climbed Rascal's spine.

He wasn't looking forward to seeing Howler or Skylark. Bad memories came with those names. And he didn't want to relive his past. He couldn't help but wonder how Stone Hollow was coping, now without Destiny to help lead it. Last he heard was that Howler has lost his mind.

I guess I'm about to see for myself.

Tyrant stopped and angled his ears forward. "Their camp is there."

Rascal stood, frozen to the ground. He was here last when he and Misty had come to beg Howler for help in the Battle of the Full Moon. He couldn't hide the uncertainty in his expression.

He was almost unaware of Tyrant touching his shoulder in support. Rascal looked at his grandfather anxiously.

"You'll be fine." The alpha murmured. "Stick with me. I'll make sure they don't touch you."

Rascal's muscles released their tension at Tyrant's words. He let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

Tyrant encouraged him forward. Thunder walked beside Rascal, giving him a sympathetic glance.

Just outside the entrance, Tyrant straightened up, squaring his shoulders and lifting his head.

Rascal let out a shaky breath. What if Isaac and the others aren't here? What if they went in a different direction?

His thoughts vanished the instant he stepped in the camp. Clustered together, Flame Woods Pack were licking bloody wounds and sleeping in shafts of pale starlight. A scattered group of Stone Hollow wolves was watching them alertly.

A white pelt caught his attention. A pair of light green eyes met his gaze.

"Misty!" Rascal raced forward, ignoring the hostile glares from the Stone Hollow wolves.

His mate jumped up and crashed into him. The two went rolling in the dirt. Misty smiled, burying her face in his dark fur. Rascal's tail thumped excitedly. For the first time, he noticed her bound leg.

"How–"

"Long story." She interrupted. Her face was nothing but pure joy. "I'm just glad you're here."

Rascal's face softened. "Me too."

"W-what?!" A panicking wail made Rascal's heart freeze.

He looked over his shoulder. Tyrant was shaking his head sadly. Alusia was on her knees, gasping out her breathless sobs. Her tiny body shook whenever a breath left her lips. Isaac was beside her, patting her back in an attempt to comfort her.

Misty was wide-eyed. "Archie...?"

"Gone," Rascal muttered. He shivered, unable to shake his Packmate's gruesome death from his mind.

"Oh no," Misty flattened her ears. She looked at her mate. "Alusia is expecting his pups."

Rascal sighed. He gazed at Alusia. The dark gray she-wolf leaned into Isaac. Her misery was contagious. Rascal's heart sunk even lower.

He realized Isaac's bloody face. When the second-in-command turned to talk to Tyrant, Rascal flinched. Isaac's face was ripped and raw, an eye missing from its socket.

Misty saw him jump. "He lost his eye when Red Fang raided us. He refuses to have his wound treated until everyone is taken care of first."

Rascal opened his jaws to reply. But he closed them when a raggedy form appeared in the mouth of a den.

"Howler?"

The alpha was thin. His ribs showed underneath his fur. The usual light of leadership in his silver eyes dimmed to a miserable flicker. The way he held himself no longer resembled a leader, more like a wolf mauled by a bear.

He shuffled into the clearing, almost like he was in pain. The leader stopped beside Tyrant, looking at his paws. Rascal shared a glance with Thunder.

"Your Packmates explained what happened." Howler's voice was a raspy groan. Like the way wind shakes trees, causing them to creak and moan. "I don't care if you stay or not." His eyes were blank, distant.

Tyrant was put off by Howler's behavior. The red wolf looked bewildered at the sight of Howler. "We'll be out of your fur as soon as we can."

Howler mumbled something inaudible. Then turned and dragged himself back to the darkness of his den. Another wolf took his place.

Skylark! 

Rascal braced himself for a cocky remark. But he peered closer at the silver wolf and noticed the exhausted look in his eyes. It shocked Rascal. He couldn't believe how lost Skylark appeared.

The alpha's son stood beside Tyrant. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened." His voice was actually sympathetic. "It isn't right, Mystique thinking she owns the forest. Nothing is the same."

Skylark sounded so old. Like he has lived a life as long as Tyrant's.

Tyrant nodded, although he looked just as surprised as Rascal felt. "I agree. We should do something, don't you think?"

Skylark exhaled shakily. "There's nothing we can do. Howler is still alpha and refuses to fight. Not after Destiny..." His eyes clouded. And Rascal genuinely felt sorry for Skylark.

The silver wolf raised his head as if looking for someone in particular. He pushed through the crowd of wolves until he stopped in front of a small she-wolf.

"Ella..." Rascal wanted to apologize to his sister. They've rarely talked, and grown more distant.

Ella's eyes widened at the sight of Skylark. She flinched as if she thought he was about to strike her. Rascal braced himself to intercept in case his sister was harmed.

Instead, Skylark pulled Ella in for an embrace. She stiffened, then melted into his gesture, resting her head on his shoulder.

Rascal barely caught Skylark's whisper:
"I've missed you so much, Ella."

The she-wolf closed her eyes. "I've missed you too."

Skylark rested his forehead against Ella's. "I'm sorry, for everything I've ever done to you. I hope we can start over."

Ella gazed him. Her blue eyes were full of admiration. "Of course."

Skylark blinked at her gratefully. He rubbed his cheek to Ella's. She leaned into his shoulder.

Rascal felt his heart race. Is he telling the truth? Is he really sorry?

His thoughts were cut short as a chorus of excited yips reached his ears. His pups jumped on him, licking and poking his face happily.

"I knew you'd come back!" Storm howled.

"I wish I could've come with you!" Ash jumped.

River and Clover were barking proudly. Rascal looked up at Misty. His mate was smiling, relieved.

He touched his nose to hers. She licked his cheek. Together, they watched their puppies bark and play.

Rascal caught Ella and Skylark watching them intently. Ella's face was a mask of sorrow, her eyes were sparkling. Skylark looked curious, unable to take his eyes off Storm, Ash, River, and Clover. He noticed Ella's expression and pulled her closer with a comforting nod.

Rascal and Skylark met the other's eyes. There was nothing but regret in Skylark's amber depths. It was then and there, Rascal knew Skylark had changed.

I accept your apology.

I dedicate this chapter to my good friend StarWolfLegacy who is leaving for a vacation trip in a few days. I wanted to get this chapter up before she leaves, so she'd get a chance to read it! I hope you have fun! :)

What do you guys think? Do you trust Skylark? Will they work together to drive out Red Fang?

Thanks for reading!

-15thSoccerGirl