Prelude

They had always been at war, for as long as Amera could remember. The humans had hunted her kind for centuries, and the future seemed to hold the same fate, or so said her pack mates.

She did not believe that all of the humans were as horrid and evil as the elders claimed them to be. But, believing what she did set her as an outcast among her family and friends, no one truly understanding how she could look at any human and see something other than a monster. Those monsters didn’t stop hunting them, not even when so many attempts at making peace were set before them.

They were insolent beings, too stupid to understand how they were wreaking havoc on world around them in attempt to be the dominant species of the world. The wolves had ruled first, and they ruled fairly and equally among all creatures. Leaving the sea to the creatures that belong there, the sky to the birds and the land to the creatures that needed it to survive. Man did not understand this balance, and had, and were still trying, to tip the scale in their favor. Wanting to rule over the sea, sky and land, holding power over everything that inhabited the world.

At first all the creatures tried thwarting the selfish race, but slowly they stopped trying. It started with those from the sea, retreating from visiting land and disappearing to depths that no man would ever truly be able to rule, creatures of the sky took to heights that the simple human eye could not see and eventually only the wolves were left to defend the land they refused to hand over to such rancid beings.

The loyalty that the wolves showed to the land granted them their lifespan, allowing them to live twice as long as any human. The ability a blessing, and a curse, for it set jealously through the heart of man and an anger that could not be subdued.   

Though to the wolves, all humans were equal, it was not all wolves that believed this, Amera being only one of them. She had held rank in her pack before she voiced her opinion of how not all humans want to claim the world for themselves. For her un-favored opinion she was sent to the bottom of the pack, for any who wished to stand up for her it was banishment.

Her pack was seen as the leaders of the wolves. It was the pack that all others would follow, for they held the greatest numbers and most secured land and they would not tolerate one of their own defending the humans.

Chapter 1

“They are all just a bunch of old betties too narrow-minded to consider new things.” Amera snorted after being reprimanded yet again for her feelings towards humans. Her own father was on the council, and still he took the opinion of others over hers. “Some father figure he turned out to be.” She huffed.

“So how did it go Amera?” The voice echoed from just behind the bushes. Tuer, of course, she grinned as her best friend trotted towards her. “Oh, come on, tell me.” He grinned, pushing into her.

“You know how they are.” He didn’t really, he never said anything about how he felt about humans, but he always followed her. It had been like that for a while. He started following her the moment she stood up for him when the other pack members were teasing him, trying to get him in trouble so he would leave the pack. Tuer was the only member of the Alpha pack who wasn’t born into it. He had been picked up as a pup. It was obvious he was from on of the western packs. His black muzzle and face were one of the few characteristics that were unique to that specific region. It was that difference that made him the easy target as they were growing up.

“But you know best, don’t you?” He smirked at her. “Come on, lets go fishing.” He shouted, running a couple yards ahead, pausing when she didn’t follow.

“What’s wrong Amera?” He trotted back towards her, cocking his head.

“It’s just,” She paused, looking over Tuer’s features once again, then quickly glancing away. “I was thinking that I could still beat you to the river.” She smirked a second before took off in the same direction he had just came from.

“Ah!” He yelled after her, “CHEATER!” He turned on his hunches and dashed after her. “No fair Amera!” He cried.

She grinned, looking back at him, “If you keep on whining you’ll never be able to catch up.” Another burst of speed and she was further away.

It was a game they played almost daily as pups. Amera always won, though that never truly bothered Tuer. It was all about the chase, and what fun would the chase be if he was in front? There were a few times when Amera let him win, that was just how she is. He remembered how Amera had reacted to meeting him the first time. She was the only one his age interested in him, at least that was how he saw it. The other pups weren’t interested in some one who looked so different. That could be the reason he and Amera had become close, she looked different from the other wolves as well, though it didn’t seem she realized that. Even now.

Amera had an air about her, a confidence that few seldom were ever able to hold. If that did not catch your eye, her coat would. She was beautiful, red, black and white fur perfectly balanced together. Black separated the red and white from one another, providing to be a border between the two colors. The white clinging to her legs and stomach the color of freshly fallen snow. The red was the most exquisite part of her coat, the color of maple leaves. It appeared as if a blanket had been thrown on her back, covering her from her nose to the tip of her tail in the vivid shades of red. Tuer could only figure that she was never a target for the same abuse he had taken because of her father and the confidence that never faltered.

“Beat you.”

“No you didn’t.” Tuer grinned, and tackled her causing them to fall into the river. “Now you did.” He jumped back.

“How are we supposed to fish now?” The tilt of his head let Amera know Tuer had no clue what she meant. “I’m pretty sure that splash scared all the fish away Tuer.” She shook the water from her fur.

----

The howls echoed through the mountains, vibrating through the forest, and an invitation for all those of the Alpha pack that there was a meal waiting. Responding howls filled the skies, announcing the gathering of the members. There would be a feast for the pack tonight.

They had taken down an elk; a massive male that had a once stood as tall as small trees. He had been an ancient whose time had come. He walked the earth for decades protecting his herd, until a new younger male had taken over, kicked to the fringes of the elk herd, causing the male to be vulnerable to attack. His death was, in a way, an act of kindness. The old elk would never have survived the coming winter; his body was too ragged and aged to sustain the coldest time of year.

His coat had turned ice white as age withered away his body. His once brown eyes now a dull cooper color had glazed over in death. Blood smeared through his pelt, tinting it a deep crimson and pink as the wolves gathered around the ancient elk. His herd honored him, as his loss meant the survival of another. It was the cycle of life among all creatures. Man was the only creature, which broke this tradition, attempting to heal the sick who could not be healed, and trying to restore youth to the old.

The two arrived, Amera and Tuer, both still dripping wet from their drive into the river. Neither had been able to catch a fish, but that hadn’t really been important. Playing in the river had allowed Amera to forget her troubles leaving her remembering a childhood that had disappeared as quickly as the seasons.

“Amera.” The voice was smug and arrogant; she had hated him for as long as she could remember. Ruin had become her father’s favorite hunter, his favorite wolf. Her father, expected her to allow Ruin to court her and Ruin had the audacity to believe she would simply fold to her father’s will. He was sorely mistaken.

He had an undercoat that was a soft gray, tinted with browns and reds. He could have gone unnoticed in the pack except for his eyes. They were a piercing gold color holding a violence and benevolence that would make the strongest of wolves shudder. He was a ruthless and horrid wolf, and he wanted Amera for himself. She held the key to him progressing in the pack, and possibly helping him find a seat on the council.

“Oh,” Contempt laced through his voice, “And look at this, you brought your mangy friend with you.” He snorted, glaring at Tuer. Amera remembered growing up and out of all her littermates, Ruin was the one who was out to get Tuer. He had been instantly jealous when her father had welcomed the abandoned pup into his pack and Tuer proved the perfect target.

“I do not wish to cause any problems Ruin.” She said crisply continuing on her way, Tuer close behind.

Ruin glared after the pair, how he would love to get rid of Tuer, he thought to himself. Everything would have gone his way if that mutt had never shown up. He had spoiled everything.

More of the pack was showing up in twos and threes. It reminded Amera of how many there were within the pack. There were close to thirty wolves already present, anxiously waiting their turn to eat and more still to arrive. The council was always first to eat.

Her father stood between the two other members, his muzzle glowing red in the moonlight. His dark pelt ruffled and his paws stained the ground red. He had hunted with his pack. To his left gorged the newest member to the council, and the alpha female of the pack. She was a petite wolf, though her size had only helped her gain her status. Her coat was similar to that of Ruin’s, which may explain Amera’s distaste for her. The last member, and the oldest, stood to he fathers right. He was one of the oldest and wisest wolves, he had slowly begun to lose the color in his coat, leaving most of him as white as the elk he was feeding from.

The howls had died down, the entire Alpha pack had gathered for the feast. There were close to fifty wolves surrounding the elk. Each wolf blending into one another, through the gray pellet most of the pack had. Order was quickly established for the banquet, circles framed the area, higher ranking wolves located closest to the kill and the lesser ranked found at the edges. Amera watched and listened as growls and snarls filled the air, the council had finished eating.

“Daughter, should you not go and get your fill before there is nothing left but bones for the pups to play with?” Her father had joined her and Tuer as they watched the pack.

“There will be more meals, and I can go and catch a rabbit if I should feel hunger.” She turned her gaze from the sight. Ruin had joined the rest of the pack.

“You should give him a chance Amera.” He always chose the strangest moments to be sincere, to try and push Ruin towards her. “He would make…”

“Father, I am not here to talk about him.” She grunted his name.

“Kalrin.” The alpha female, Lian, called. “You shouldn’t bother the girl so.” Amera struggled to hold her tongue. Lian had no business with this. “Besides, Amera may come around. She is still young. Right Amera?” She was faced with the same arrogant look that was so often painted on Ruin’s face and she hated the female.

“No one knows what the future holds.” Amera replied, hoping she had hidden any distain from her voice. “If I may be excused.” She turned to her father, “The day was long and I wish to rest.”

“Yes, you may leave Amera, but do remember what was said to you today.” His voice had grown stern. “I do not need to remind you that we are at war with the humans. It would do you well to sleep on why we cannot allow them to continue as they are.”

Chapter 2

“Quiet Tuer.” Amera hissed as they scaled their way down the mountain in the early hours of the morning.

“But Amera, this is a really, really bad idea. We really should go back.” He glanced back up; his bed was only a few hundred yards away. Amera had woken him saying she was going on an adventure and he was invited to join. He should have known then it was going to be something that could get the both of them in a lot of trouble. Trouble was something that seemed to follow Amera as easily as her tail.

“Don’t be such a baby Tuer.” She hissed quietly, glaring at him for a moment. “And we won’t get in any trouble no one finds out.” Amera had already pulled ahead of him by a few yards, giving him that instant to choose whether to go or stay.

“Wait up.” He called, scampering after her. “As long as you promise we won’t get caught.” Tuer mumbled to her scanning their surroundings.

“I promise not to tell if you won’t.” She smirked, “And besides if I told, my father would shred me to pieces.”

Chuckling light Tuer nodded in agreement. “That would only be the beginning too.”

----

The journey down the mountainside took less an hour, giving way to vast meadows and hills. Excitement laced through Amera as her gaze swept the landscape. They were getting close. She could only hope that the old owl she had gotten her information from was telling her the truth and she would arrive in time.

“It should be just past these meadows.” It seemed to have been an eternity since she had last felt so exhilarated.

Tuer hardly shared her excitement, as he once again glanced nervously in forest behind them. “Are you sure about this Amera?” He had lost most of his enthusiasm during their trek down the mountainside. The sound of twigs snapping and the occasional bush moving had dampened his spirits.

“Come on Tuer, it’s perfectly fine. Everyone is still asleep.” She felt like a broken record, repeating the same encouragements to Tuer over the past thirty or so minutes. “No one followed us down. Don’t be…”

“Don’t tell me not to be such a baby.” Tuer glared, “I’m not. It’s just, we really could get in a lot of trouble for this Amera, are su…”

“And don’t you ask me if I’m sure.” She snapped back, if he was going to be so difficult she would have to strangle him. “Tuer, if you were so afraid of being caught you could have just stayed behind. I would have told you about it when I got back.”

Huffing, he shifted his gaze to the woods once more; ignoring what he knew was better judgment. “Alright.” Tuer caved, knowing he there was no way he would have been able to stay behind.

“Sounds good to me.” Amera grinned bolting into a full out run towards the hills before them.

As they topped the last hill, their breath gradually returning to normal, the smell of smoke hit their noses. The owl had not been as crazy as everyone proclaimed him to be. Humans were in the territory. Amera could hardly believe her eyes.

Two small domes stood close to one another, a makeshift den. “Strange.” Amera murmured, laying herself down. “Look at that Tuer.”

He had been watching with the same fascination as Amera, for this was his first encounter with the species. His only knowledge of Humans had been from tales told by others, and nothing compared to seeing something yourself.  

The humans moved quietly in the pre-dawn hours, dismantling their camp as quickly as their two feet allowed. Amera had made it just in time.

The pair sat in wonder, watching the small group of humans hurrying to pack themselves away and leave the area. They could not see the danger that they had walked into, but they could surly sense it. Any human who had entered Alpha territory had never made it out alive, and if they had they were hideously scarred.

As the last of the camp was packed away, the group began disappearing, crossing over the hills of the valley and towards a forest that would hold a greater danger. Amera’s pack would soon awaken, and if they did not hurry the other wolves would catch their scent.

The howl rang threw their ears as Amera and Tuer jumped in shock. Ruin stood only a few paces away, joy running through his cold yellow eyes. “He had followed them.” The thought tore threw Amera’s mind as she bolted towards Ruin.

“You bastard!” She growled, lunging at the horrid creature.

He cut his alarm off, grinning at the raging female. “It’s too late now Amera.” Delight spreading through him, “The pack is already on the move. Those humans are as good as dead.” And he disappeared over the hill they had just been laying on, heading straight for the humans.

“Ruin stop!” Amera shouted after him, Tuer stood beside her his expression blank as the reality of their situation sank in. There was no way they would go unpunished.

“Amera, we have to go!” Tuer growled at her, his gaze drifting to the forest behind them. The sound of footfalls drumming through the forest as the pack answered the alarm.

“We can’t just let the pack kill them Tuer!” She was shaking; Ruin was catching up to the small group. It was all her fault; if she hadn’t come down the mountain the humans would be safe.

“Amera! No, come back!” Tuer shouted after her, she hadn’t realized she had begun running, but she knew what she was going to do.

The first gunshot stopped her in her tracks; she could smell the gunpowder on the air and something else…blood. Snarls echoed in the valley, the pack had beaten her to the group. Panicked now, Amera dashed towards the humans, she was too late. Three of her pack mates, the guardians of the pack, stood in the blood and disarray of the human group. They all had been slaughtered.

Six eyes fixed on Amera stood at the edges of the scene. “Sorry Amera,” One of the wolves said, “We’ve already taken care of it.”

“Diser, leave her be. Glain has been hit.” She hadn’t seen the fourth guardian slumped on the ground. His wound did not appear to be fatal, though from the sight of it, it definitely hurt. “The guardians had preformed their job.” Amera thought bitterly as she watched the wolves help their fallen brother to his feet. Guardians were what the name implied. They guarded the pack, stalking the borders of the territory for any intruders and making sure no humans ever ventured in. How this group of humans had gotten this far into the Alpha territory was cause enough for concern for them.

Amera knew that she was in trouble when she heard the growl that echoed behind her, Tuer had shrunken behind her.

“What is the meaning of this?” Her father bellowed behind her, his fury whipping through the air.

“Father, I can…” There he was, smirking at her father’s left flank; Ruin.

“No, I don’t think you can.” He was seething, she had never seen this furious. “Ruin filled me in on what happened here Amera. How could you leave this unreported? You know what those beasts do to our kind, to any creature they deem unworthy! And you sat there and watch them, were you even planning on informing the council, the guardians, anyone that they were this close to our home?” Silence had filled the valley, all eyes glaring at her. She would never be able to explain this away.

“The old owl told you of their arrival, you ignored him, how did I know you wouldn’t ignore me?” Amera shot back; she would have never told him of the humans that had trespassed.

“Amera did you really think I was dismissing what that owl said? Why do you think Ruin was here?” Ruin could not seem to keep the joy from his eyes, however it did not seem he was trying very hard to diminish it.

“They were just passing through father! They weren’t any threat to us or the pack!”

His shoulders slumped, regret gracing his features, “That is where you are foolish my child, you do not understand these humans as you think you do. That group, they were hunters and scouts of their kind.” That was when she saw it; the guardians had pulled apart the bundles that the humans were carrying, pelts of her brethren rolled together.

“I swear father, I did not know.” Horror clenched her heart, how could she have been so foolish? Her eyes wildly scanned the pack around her, all watching her with something akin to disgust.

“I’m sorry my daughter, but this has been the last straw. Tonight you have endangered the pack, and I cannot let that go unpunished. You have committed a crime that cannot be forgiven. You betrayed us my dear. From this day forth, and for the remainder of your days you are banished from this land and from this pack. You are no longer welcome as a sister, a friend nor a daughter here any longer. You are to leave this land immediately and never return, for if you do it shall be the last thing you will accomplish in this life.” His face was rigid and emotionless, his eyes giving way to the despair he was hiding.

“Tuer,” Her father continued, leaving a new wave of guilt through her soul, “You too are banished from this pack. You are no longer welcome here as a brother, a friend nor a son any longer. You are to leave this land imminently and never return, for if you do it shall be the last thing you will accomplish in this life.”

“I’m sorry father.” How could he ever believe her again? He was right; she had endangered the entire pack.

“Ruin, would you see to it that they leave these lands?” Kalrin turned his back towards her.

“As you wish sir.” Ruin’s smug voice ricocheted in her mind. “Let’s go.” He snarled at them.

The journey to the edge of the territory seemed to take an eternity, Tuer didn’t say a word, and Ruin couldn’t be happier with himself.

“You’re a bastard.” Amera snarled at him.

“And you’re a traitor. I always knew you would let your emotions for those disgusting creatures get the better of you, but I didn’t think you would be so stupid about it. If you had taken me up on my offer none of this would have happened.”

“I would have never agreed to that. You”

“Stop it Amera. Just stop it.” Tuer sighed, walking past them. “Can we just let it be?”

“Oh poor Tuer.” Ruin snorted, trotting up besides him. “I have to say, I am so sad to see you go. I can’t ever imagine what I’ll without you here.”

“Oh!” Delight filling Ruin’s expression, “look at that, we’ve reached the border. I do hope you two enjoy life as rouges, and if you ever decide to return I have no problem personally seeing to it that you live to regret it.”

Chapter 3

The houses weren’t grand or beautiful, but they were efficient. Many of the homes being single story with a few that reached three-story height. It was a small village, nestled a good two day walk from any major city. It was a village that was home to the Cahir tribe. The Cahir’s were ruthless in their ambitions to help the nobles rule the land, many soldiers’ calling the small town home. Those who had a family member serving the legion commonly wore wolf pelts as a symbol of their support.

Though the town fully supported the destruction of the wolves, they received no special treatment from the king, for the support was a commonality that many small villages shared and it was a support some resented. Decades earlier there attacks set out against many villages like this one, spilling blood of the innocent because the king saw he did not have the loyalty of everyone. As the slaughtering and threats persisted people became frightened and slowly the king gained his support and the loyalty that he wanted; even if the loyalty was only constructed based on fear. These actions were a distant memory to many of the villages and their inhabitants, few remembered or knew of anything other than following the orders sent to them by the nobles and the king, and the few that had dared to remember were silenced.

----

Her hair fell past her shoulders, a river of blonde hair streaming to the middle of her back. She had worn it long her entire life, as did the other women in the village. It was a mark of age, signifying maturity. Honey brown eyes scanned the crowded market, she was supposed to have been her twenty minutes ago, now she risked not seeing him before she left. Teige worked her bottom lip between her teeth, straining her eyes to spot her childhood friend, if only her mother hadn’t insisted she finished her chores.

And that’s when she spotted him, a few feet away. He had bent down to pick up a few bags of groceries. Typical Nolan, she grinned. He was always buying something or other on the market days. Saying how this or that was such a great deal. Smirking to herself she snuck up behind her oldest friend, she would just give him a good smack on his ass for going shopping instead of coming to find out was taking her so long. She breathed in deeply, steeling herself for the blow.

Her fist came down in a swift and careful movement, whacking her friend dead center on his left butt check.

“What the hell?!” The startled cry rang out, color leaching from Teige’s face in an instant. She didn’t recognize that voice. “What’s wrong with you? Are you freaking crazy?” The strange man asked, turning around to glare at her, his face red from embarrassment and rage.  

“I….er…I’m…sor….sorry.” She mumbled quickly; heat staining her checks. “I….I thought you were some one else.”

“Watch what you’re doing you imbecile.” The enraged man snapped at her, and she noticed more eyes turning to stare at the scene. Her face changing to the color of a fresh tomato only to turn to a maddening purple from the laughter behind her; the laugh was hysterical and purposeful. She turned and Nolan stood there clenching his sides, as he laughed to his hearts’ content. The angry stranger had a few more nasty comments to make to her, but she didn’t hear him and soon he realized that too and didn’t find it worth it to cause any more of a scene.

“Nolan, you bastard!” She hissed angrily. How could he stand there and watch her make a fool of herself?

“It’s nice to see you too Teige.” Hints of laughter still in his voice as a few stray tears falling down his face.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” She marched towards him poking him in the chest.

“Because it was much more fun to watch you make a total fool of yourself.” He smirked. “Besides that was just a bit of revenge for making me wait so long.”

“Sorry about that, I had to finish some chores before I could go.”

“How many times have I heard that one?” He smiled.

“You already got your revenge,” She reminded him, blushing at the reminder of her stupidity. “Let’s just go.” She said, cutting through the bustling crowd.

----

“Here.” Nolan held out a small leather bag. “It’s a few things I got in the market earlier.” He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “I figured you might need them.”

Blushing weakly Teige took the small bag. “Thanks Nolan.” Their walk through the crowd and to the fields had given her time to clear her head and see the humor of her foolishness.

“Are you sure you have to go? Can’t you try to work it out?” They had had this argument hundreds of times and she still saw no other option. She could no longer stand by and watch what was being done to the wolves… to all of the creatures. And she most certainly couldn’t stand the thought of joining the legion.

It was required of her and of her family to send one child to fight for the king and the nobles. She was an only child, and would forever remain that way, though the story is for another time. Every five years part of the legion would visit her village and seek new recruits, voluntarily or not. Families were required to send one child, whether it is male or female. She was not old enough when the legion had been through her village last time, though at sixteen the legion’s leader was more than interested in her. She still had nightmares about the man. At twenty-one she was more than old enough to join and she would do no such thing.

“You know it doesn’t work that way Nolan. It is required of my parents.” And how it hurt her to do this to them. Her mother had lost her ability to have any other children when she was born. The doctors thought it a miracle that her mother had survived giving birth to her and they saw the loss of her mothers’ womb as compensation for her life. At least her mother had not become too overbearing with her only child. “It’ll be fine.” She wanted to reassure him, reach out and caress his check and watch the worry disappear.

“No it won’t be!” Nolan was worried and daydreaming of making that go away wasn’t going to change anything. “I remember how the captain of the Legion looked at you, everyone remembers that Teige and he’s not going to be fine with you not being here!”

“That’s why I need you to help me Nolan. I need you to help me get out of here. I’ve heard of a group of rebels who are trying to change things.” But who knew if the rumors she heard had been true or just some made up tale, except anything was better than what awaited her. “I need to do something.”

She was hurting him; she could see it in shift of his chin, the wrinkle of his brow and the sadness that encompassed his eyes. “Please Nolan.”

“I already said I would help.” He was hardening himself against her, trying to hide the emotion she saw swimming behind his beautiful hazel eyes and it hurt her too. Nevertheless, over turning King Aemilius was more important than anything else. “And I meant it.”

“I know.” Teige touched his arm gently, “Thank you Nolan. Do you still remember what to do?”

“Are you kidding me?” The mask of happiness covering his face, “Who do you think I am? Of course I remember.”

“Alright, everything I’m bringing with me is already at the cabin, I’ll see you there later.” The plan was a simple one, but it would work. Villagers were often lost in the southernwoods, some were later found trapped in holes or at the bottom of one of the many cliffs. Even so it did not stop foolish kids from venturing on a dare one or to prove how brave they were. This would work.

----

“Help!” Nolan yelled, bursting through the door, a startled yelp leaving Teige’s mothers mouth. “It’s Teige.” He gasped, breath rushing in and out of him.

“What is it?” Her father boomed, rising from his chair.

“She…she went into the southernwoods, she said she saw a wolf.” No one knew of Teige’s true feelings towards the creatures that shared this world with them and it was something that would work in her benefit. “I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen to me. I lost track of her.” Losing her had hurt, the branches left fine cuts along his face and he had misjudged his steps more than once. Teige would owe him for this one.

“Stupid girl.” Her father grunted, grabbing his lantern. “We’ll get a search team together in no time. Why would she go off into such a dangerous place, and after one of those creatures? What is wrong with her?” He was talking himself and that was fine with Nolan because he would have no clue how to answer him.

----

As the last of the sun began to settle on the land the call went out. Some one had found something. Cloth from the shirt she was wearing lay splattered with blood at the edge of a cliff. They had chosen the cliff wisely, it was one no one had ever been able to find a bottom to and one many had been lost to. Scattering pieces of her hair had only made the scene more realistic.

“No.” Her father’s broken cry tore at him. He was going to hell for doing something so horrid to her parents. His eyes glazed over in tears, she would never know he was crying for her. For she was lost to him now and he would never know if he’d ever see her again.

A small smile tugged at his lips as a pulled a small clump of her hair from a bush and held it to his lips. “Good luck Teige.” He murmured to himself.