Indigo was a lone wolf. Her Sire had been a lone wolf, and her Dam as well. She walked along the path to Quiet River, hardly paying attention to her surroundings. Then, suddenly, she paused. Another Wolf was near.
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She crept through the brush toward him, taking care to not crack any twigs. Still, he must have heard her, for his broad gray-brown head turned toward her. Her fur prickled suddenly, and she turned instinctively. Suddenly, a huge cougar leaped over her head, straight for him! She leaped up, and... was kicked out of the way by a the silver male. He turned toward the cat and SNARLED. "Leave her ALONE!"
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He leaped at the cat, biting and scratching wildly, but it brushed him off like a flea, hurling him into a nearby tree. He winced as he tried to get up and collapsed. Indigo started to back away, then paused. He didn't even know her, but he had saved her life. She sighed, then lunged.
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After the fight, she walked to him. His leg was badly twisted, but not broken. He told her that his name was Riverian, and that he belonged to Brightfalls Pack, but they had left him. She hesitated, then woofed softly. "You can stay with me. I'm a lone wolf, but... I guess we could start a pack."
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A FEW MONTHS LATER.
"She's coming!" Gasped Tawnyfang. "Push! Push!" There was only one pup in their litter. Riverian named her Winterlee. Indigo had named their pack Rustlefernriver after where they met. Blizzardstorm, their Beta male, and Paintsplash, their Beta female, had come from other packs. This was the first pack born pup. Indigo licked the young Wolf's head."Rustswirl will mentor her." She announced. One of the oldest, smartest wolves in the pack, Rustswirl was a hero to them all. He was a good hunter, the second best in the pack. Indigo was the best. She had even found the hollow where they lived, which had a few large, warm caves in the walls and a silver stream that trickled through the center of the camp.
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The pack was very small, but it was getting bigger, and fast. Indigo had already had a pup, and Harlow, Jayawing, and Paintsplash were all due soon. There was a problem though: Kikistream. The young wolf hated Winterlee and disliked Indigo. One morning, she even snarled at her! Paintsplash had had her triplets, Sky, Shadow, and Galaxy, who she decided to keep as one word names in honor of their father, Vulcan. So, with two wolves left in the pack about to give birth, Blizzardstorm and Tawnyfang decided to leave the pack. Lynx decided that he should go as well, and became a lone wolf. The morning after Lynx left, Russetgold reported that Kikistream had left to go to the bathroom and never returned. The pack searched for her for a few weeks, but she was gone.
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Then, one cold winter morning, Rustswirl burst into the camp, panting with fear. "A bear!" He gasped. "It has Kikistream!" Indigo quickly formed a battle party, but by the time they got there, Kikistream was gravely injured. She died a few minutes after being found. They placed her in a memorial garden, and she was given the death rank of Alpha, to be remembered forever. She had died at only two years old. But, her passing allowed Jayawing's twins and Harlow's son to grow up within the pack. The pack was concerned about one thing now though. There were a LOT of mouths to feed, and the pups were growing fast. In fact, it was only a month until they were full grown. Then, they figured out that Russetgold was an amazing hunter. Riverian also could hunt pretty well, and Indigo was a star.
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One day, Indigo was patrolling with Riverian, Russetgold, Paintsplash, Rustswirl, Jayawing, and Flamepaw when they scented another pack nearby. They got into defensive positions around the little pup. However, they pack was friendly. Their Alpha asked if they could be friends, and Indigo and Riverian readily agreed. The other pack was called Anemoi, and the wolves in it were very strong. Indigo, always the fierce, challenged them to a battle. Of course, they won. Indigo was furious, and for a few days, she refused to leave the den. Anyone who asked her to got a ripped ear, and backed out in a hurry. Then, Flameflash, the red omega, gave a snarl of frustration and stalked into the den. When she came out, she was leading a sheepish Indigo and her pointed ears were straight and smooth. Indigo didn't sulk after anything after that. The wolves were tired for a few months after that. They hunted occasionally, but never did anything else. Then, Rustswirl turned 15, the death age for most wolves. His pack went around to all the other packs hoping that he could have pups before he died. They found a pack that would! Blood Moon Eclipse had many beautiful wolves and was a very nice pack. They had some of their females mate with Rustswirl. His pack chose to trade Goldenflower for a pup named #51. However, the pup was taken by another pack! The pack was called Autumn Star Pack. Rustswirl was torn apart by worry and grief that he would never meet his pup. He begged Indigo to let him beg the pack for the, but she said no. "The other pack even named Granite already!" She snarled "He's safe!" Rustswirl sprang for her throat, but she rolled and snapped at his ear. "Your pups are GONE!" She roared. "Granite isn't! He could still be ours!" He snapped back. He spun and ran into the forest, kicking dirt on into Indigo's face. She spat on the ground, then turned and walked away.
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When Rustswirl came back, a tiny red husky-pattern pup was in his mouth. Flameflash rushed forward and licked the little body. "I will take care of him." She said, standing over the small pup protectively. "His pup name will be Foxpaw." The entire pack loved the new pup. They brought him entire baskets of pup toys, and even took him on every hunt with them. Indigo led the naming ceremony for him as soon as he became a warrior. "I name you Foxfang, in honor of your amazing hunting skills, and your loyalty to your pack. May the stars shine upon you, and you always find shelter where you sleep." Then, she stepped down from the high rock, beckoning him closer. " I have a special surprise for you, Foxfang." She pulled a string of Blue Jay feathers from a cleft in the rock. She hung them over his ear, and he grinned as they brushed his neck. Her Bald Eagle feathers swung against her head as she smiled back. A few weeks later, Obsidian stepped down from his post as Beta, choosing to be lead hunter instead.
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Foxfang had a secret crush on Goldenflower, who lived in Blood Moon Eclipse pack. He decided to become Beta of his pack, so that he could ask Indigo if Goldenflower could come to live in his pack. Flameflash, the Beta female, knew about his crush, and decided to tell him the truth. Goldenflower had been in the pack before he was even born. His heart hurt when he realized he would never be mates with her. Still, he chose to stay with his pack. This choice meant that he was truly loyal to his pack, and for that, something strange happened. His strong canines grew longer and thicker, changing into sharp saber teeth. He snarled with happiness.
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Flameflash walked away from the Husky-Red wolf, her eyes burning. "He'll never notice me. Not now." She sighed. Her red paws burned as she walked out of the camp. Her breath came in short bursts as she sprinted along the path toward the river. First the pups, now this... She ran harder, her ears flat against her head. His beautiful red ears, his bright smile, the way he laughed... She skidded to a halt, right before she would have crashed into the river. Her reflection stared back at her, red ears pinned against her head, her golden eyes wide and shiny with tears.
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Flameflash fell to her knees in the shallows, her body shaking violently. Tears slid down her face, splashing into the shallows like shards of rainbow. "Why?" She whispered "I just wanted him to like me. I fought for so long to get his attention. WHY?!" She shouted, suddenly angry. "WHY! HE COULD HAVE JUST LIKED ME! HE COULD HAVE LISTENED!" She sprang into the river, the deep waters swirling around her. She fought to swim, to triumph over the water itself, but she whined as she realized she was caught in a riptide. The dark sky split open suddenly, wind and rain she hadn't even noticed coming pushing her down. She howled with pure fear as she saw a huge wave coming, the water draining under her paws, now pulling her uncontrollably toward the wave... Suddenly, a red shape dashed through the shallow water towards her, and a flash of lightning illuminated his long saber teeth. Foxfang swung his head, lifting Flameflash above the waves. When he'd seen her leaving the camp, her had followed, worried for the pretty female. He had heard everything she said, and was completely shocked. He'd never even suspected. While Foxfang hauled the petrified Flameflash out of the freezing river, he saw a shimmering flash of white movement. As he turned, from the corner of his eye he saw a pure white wolf sitting by the edge of the dark river with curious and wise eyes. He almost looked like a beam of light in the newly revealed sun. Then, the sun slipped behind a cloud. When Foxfang looked back, he was gone, leaving only a single strand of silver-white fur.
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Foxfang staggered back into camp, half carrying the shocked Flameflash by her scruff. Then, he froze. There was another wolf, not in his pack, in their camp! He gently set down Flameflash, then started snarled and stalked toward the strange white wolf. Then, he tumbled to the ground, Novaspire and Winterlee both grasping his neck. "What are you DOING?!" He snarled softly. "There's an intruder!" The white wolf took the opportunity to gracefully step forward, lowering himself into a gentle bow. "Hello," he said, in a soft but powerful voice. "I am Light, Zeta Male of the pack Autumn Star Pack. Are you alright? I saw your rescue in the river." Foxfang, suddenly ashamed of himself, sat up abruptly and blinked at the wolf, giving an apologetic whine. "I'm sorry," He said. "I hope you're okay." "Thank you," Light said. "I came to apologize to you. This is against the rules of my pack, but I think you deserve an apology. My Alpha, Autumn, led an attack against you a few weeks before. She, well, she is troubled at the moment. She lost her mate, Moose, to an attack from A Darkseeker pack." He was cut off by a sharp gasp from Indigo, who cowered behind her mate. "No wonder she's angry!" Indigo snarled. "I MUST help her!" Light's whiskers twitched just the slightest bit as she said that. "What?" She asked. "It's just... I don't want to worry you, but this is a hunting trip to my pack, and if you come, Autumn may not trust that you're friendly." He said. "And, uh, I don't want to worry you at all, but... I think that your Betas are loyal to Dark Moon Pack. They were trying to cross the river into that territory when the flood wave hit." Indigo calmly said, "Okay, my pack will deal with that later. Come, you must take a squirrel or rabbit back, with you." She led Light away, combating all his careful protests. As she walked, she turned, and Foxfang saw a flash of a snarl. As soon as Light left, carrying a squirrel, Indigo turned and stalked threateningly toward Foxfang. Flameflash had been healed by Shadowstorm, so she rushed to stand next to Foxfang. Indigo suddenly spoke, in a low, soft voice, as threatening as a tiger. "Traitor. YOU ARE A TRAITOR. I cannot believe you, sabotaging my pack. MUTT! You will leave, and take HER with you. If you are found on my territory at ALL in the future, I will not hesitate to kill you. You have 30 minutes. Go." Foxfang knew that there was no use in arguing. He nudged Flameflash, and they ran. They ran without stopping. They just ran.
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Once they were out of pack territory, they stopped. Flameflash pressed her head against him, trembling. "We...We're loners now, aren't we? We can't go back, Indigo and Riverian will kill us. And we can't join another pack, because we are traitors now. What will we do?! We can't start a new pack!" Foxfang licked the top of her head soothingly. "We'll be fine. Maybe we can ask Light if we can join his pack? Autumn should let us..." He said doubtfully. Flameflash stood up a bit straighter. "Well, let's find his scent trail. I know that you're a good tracker." He nodded, and they trotted off into the bushes.
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As the wolves walked through the brush, a thick fog rolled in. They pressed on, but soon could hardly see the earth under their feet. It was eerily quiet, and the fog seemed alive around them. As they padded past a temple opening, they heard a voice. "Enter," it said. "Come to me." Foxfang started to walk away, but Flameflash pulled him back. "We should see what it wants," she said. "Remember, spirits sometimes come back to help wolves." They walked into the temple, and there was a spirit of a strong Tawny Brown wolf. "Hello," He said. "My name is Moose."
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"Autumn's mate?!" Flameflash gasped. "But... she traded her pups for you! You're dead?" Moose smiled sadly. "Yes, it was a scam. She traded our pups for nothing. Still, at least she still has Firefly. I had to tell you-you have to get Autumn to let me go! I want her to be happy, and she misses me so much that she is punishing her pack. Go to her, and make her be happy once more."
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As they walked out of the temple, they blinked in the bright sunlight. A sandy brown female was standing outside, looking fierce. Her green eyes widened with shock when they half fell down the few remaining steps. "Wha...What are you doing here? In MY territory?!" She asked. "Autumn?!" Foxfang asked, dropping into a deep, submissive bow. "Please, may we join your pack?" His heart dropped as she shook her head. "I don't know! Ask Light or Night." She said, sounding confused. He glanced at Flameflash, who looked worried but blinked comfortingly back. He knew it was risky, but he whined, "But aren't you Alpha?" She immediately snarled. "Yes, do you have a problem with that?" He shrunk back in fear, shaking his head violently no. Realizing that there was no hope, he stood up and walked to Flameflash. He licked her ear gently, murmuring "It'll all be fine. We're okay.". Suddenly, Autumn's voice came from behind them, now soft and lonely. "Yes, you may join my pack as you wish." Foxfang turned around, trying not to let his excitement show. "Thank you so much Autumn! I'm Foxfang and this is my mate, Flameflash. Next to him, Flameflash blinked with surprise then pressed against him, smiling. Autumn gave them a brief smile, then asked the question. "May I ask a question? How do you know my name?" Foxfang, hardly thinking with joy, answered, "Moose told us!" Immediately, he realized what he had done as Autumn's face hardened again. "You got told by WHO?"
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Foxfang swallowed in fear as Autumn stalked up to him. In the same icy cold tone that Indigo had used when she threatened to kill him, Autumn spat "That's good. You obviously don't know that Moose is still alive and out there, do you. You just want to keep him away from me, because you're secretly Darkseekers!" She sprang, surprising him. He tumbled back and sprang up, wincing slightly, then snarled as his hackles rose. Flameflash leaped for Autumn, but missed as the brown sidestepped. He took the opportunity to attack as her vulnerable cheek was open to him. His sabers slashed and he pinned her, Flameflash lunging to attack her belly. However, this left Flameflash's belly open to Autumn's sudden kick. Foxfang yelped in anger and pulled Autumn back down, but she let out a crazy laugh, and threw him into the dirt. "You traitor! Attacking your Alpha now, are you?" Her claws flashed and he was on the ground, his throat bleeding. Through a haze of colors, he saw Flameflash throw herself at Autumn, deeply biting her side. The sandy colored wolf looked down at her now bleeding side and snarled. "Finally, Moose. It's time I can look over you and guide you back to my pack." Then, Foxfang spasmed one more time and the world went black.
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Flameflash jerked back with shock. "What have I done?" She murmured. "Autumn's almost dead and Foxfang...FOXFANG!" She rushed up to him, tears soaking her fur. "Please let you be okay!" She whined. Foxfang suddenly gasped, writhing under her paws. He coughed a few times, then gave a weak whine. "Flameflash!" Foxfang winced as he spoke. Ouch, that Autumn hit HARD! Then he realized what had happened. "What do we do?" His mate whispered. He leaned against her, drinking in her sweet scent, then pricked his ears. A grey wolf with brown speckles loped into the clearing, immediately heading to Autumn. She glanced exasperatedly at Flameflash's bloody paws, then pulled a bandage and a purple vial out of her satchel. She wrapped Autumn in the bandage, the expertly fed her the liquid in the vial. Autumn stirred, then blinked up at the gray. "Those two are part of the pack. Don't let them die on me." She said rather raspily. Foxfang tilted his head in interest as a few more wolves entered the clearing. One in particular was especially interesting to him. In fact, something tickled in the back of his memory... that wolf who looked like him...He was snapped out of his contemplation when Light, the white that had entered the clearing, started barking orders. "Secure them! I'll aid Autumn. Crimson, take Spark and hold her back." Light then leaped onto Flameflash, pinning her. Foxfang heard her whisper "Hi, Light." Light snapped "Shut up!" Back and Foxfang felt his lip curl involuntarily. Then, he was suddenly pinned by a wolf that looked like a hyena. The hyena looked at Light and snarled, "You know these beasts?" "Yes, Coyote. It's a long story." He snarled back. "Oh."woofed Coyote. Then he turned his attention to Foxfang, snarling menacingly. "Ready to die, loser?" Foxfang snapped back, "Anything to get you off me, you mangy hyena." Coyote snarled with anger and frustration. Foxfang suddenly felt tired. He tried to stay awake, but dropped into a dreamless sleep.
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When he woke up, he was in a den that smelt of jasmine and fresh prey. He tried to get up, but fell back, remembering his wounds. He twisted his neck to see them, and to his relief, they were shallow. Thank the Stars! He thought. "Ah, you're awake." Said a beautiful female voice in front of him. He turned, and started. The wolf commanded respect, a lovely she-wolf that looked like the night sky. He struggled to find the proper response, but she said. "No need to worry about how to talk to me, Foxfang. Ranks are not used when a wolf is injured." "Wait." He said. "What rank are you?" "I'm the Zeta Female of the pack." She answered. He, wondering what that was, asked "What's that?" "It means that I am second in charge, as well as Light. We are the wisest wolves in the pack and help the Alpha with planned occasions. Then there are the Betas, the Omegas, the Juveniles, and the pups." She explained. Foxfang, tired from all the questions, yawned. "One more question. What's your name?" She looked straight into his eyes as she answered. "My name is Night. Nice to meet you."
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A FEW DAYS LATER
Foxfang limped out of the camp, heading for the river. Maybe, if he worked really hard, he could catch a fish for the fresh kill pile. On his way out, he saw Crimson teaching Spark how to hunt. He sighed, as he wouldn't be able to hunt for another week, except for fish. As he reached the river, rust-red fur flashed in front of him as Flameflash greeted him. "Foxfang! Are you okay? You know they ordered you to stay in camp." "I feel so bad...I'm just leaning on my new pack's shoulders, never helping." He sighed. He walked to the edge of the river, twirling his uninjured paw in the water. "So, I didn't actually ask yet, did I. Uh...Well...Flameflash, will you be my mate?" He blurted, then blushed. She stopped licking his ears and beamed with happiness. "Yes! I love you!!" She said, almost crying. "I saw you by the river, by the way. I heard the whole thing." He said softly. "You should have told me. I didn't know anything! I'm sorry. You...you're the most beautiful wolf in the world. And...it was very loyal of you to try to save me when I was hurt." "Foxfang, I was scared you would hate me! And loyalty, I love you! I will always love you, even if we never go back to Rustlefernriver again." She said, eyes wide and tearful. His heart dropped suddenly as he remembered. "Rustlefernriver! I wonder if my pack is okay... I miss them. It must be even worse for you-Novaspire is still there." She sniffled a bit as she turned away and mumbled. "Yeah. I can't see him anymore. Light went to spy on the pack for me, and he said Novaspire has honor feathers now. Obsidian is back as Beta, and Winterlee decided to become Beta female." A long howl interrupted them, and they raced back to camp. At least, they tried to. Foxfang's leg couldn't go very fast. "Food time!"
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That night, Crimson snuck into the little crack the was Foxfang's den. "Foxfang?" He asked. "Are you awake?" "I am now." He snarled grumpily. "What do you want?" "Uh, I found something you probably want to see."
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They stopped at the Auction block. The sign read SALES on one side, and SOLD on the other. Crimson pointed to the block. This one is mine. Foxfang's heart stopped. "Fox-wolf looking twins. One to Autumn Star Pack, One to Rustlefernriver. We're... brothers?" He asked, hardly daring to hope. "Yes!" Crimson yelped. "Yes!" "We should get to know each other better!" Foxfang exclaimed. For the rest of the night, they played and told stories, always coming back to the fact: they were brothers!
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A few months passed, and Foxfang soon became the senior hunter in the pack. In his pack, he would have been called a Fang, but that was not the case in this pack. He and Flameflash were hunting together, hoping that they could find an Elk or Moose for the pack, when they heard a long, pained howl. A second joined it, then was abruptly cut off. The two wolves exchanged a look then took off running. They skidded to a stop at the entrance to Rustlefernriver's camp. The Darkbringer pack was attacking! As they watched, Indigo was thrown into a tree by the Darkseeker Alpha. She struggled to rise, Riverian already limp on the ground next to the stream. Foxfang raced back to camp, howling for help. "Please, Autumn, anyone! Rustlefernriver needs us! Dark Moon Pack is attacking! They'll kill them!"
******************************************************************Autumn jumped as he raced into her den, shaking slightly. Once he had told her the reason for this invasion of her space, her eyes widened and she jumped up, calling out urgently. Foxfang yelped. This was taking way too long. He ran back toward his old territory, howling in fear. What if he was too late?
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He burst into camp, and realized that only a few wolves were still left. Obsidian and Novaspire were collapsed on top of each other, covered in blood, and Shadowstorm was trapped on top of his den, snarling in fear. Winterlee was defending Jayawing as she desperately licked Harlow's bloody face. Indigo was standing over Riverian, who was on the ground with his throat badly cut. Two snarling Darkseekers crept towards her, their coats matted with Rustlefernriver's blood. As Foxfang stared at the horrible scene, the bigger of the Darkseekers leaped. He, without pausing to think, lunged into the path of the blow. Then, he skidded to a stop and SNARLED. "Don't mess with my PACK!"
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Flameflash sprinted into the clearing right in time to see a wolf lunge for Foxfang's throat. She hardly had time to worry as the fox patterned wolf ducked out of the way and threw the tawny Darkseeker into a tree, where it collapsed. She ran forward and he gave her a savage grin as he ran UP the rock cliff and flipped onto a black wolf's back, saving Rustswirl. She galloped toward a grey that had Crimson cornered, leaping up to tear his ear. He whined and fled. "You okay?" She asked the wide eyed Crimson. "Y-yeah..." he stammered. "Did you know your mate could fight like that?!" Foxfang had taken out three more wolves in the time it had taken her to deal with one. With the whole battle party, the other pack was soon either gone or hostages. Somehow, no wolves had died during the fight, but Riverian was in bad shape. By the time Dusty and Shadowstorm got to him, he had almost bled out. Indigo was crying next to him, and Autumn seemed to be trying to comfort her. Foxfang snarled as he stalked past the hostage from the battle, a big, angry wolf named Silverstripe. As Foxfang turned to patrol the camp again, something bothered him. He turned, and stared as a huge wolf padded into the clearing.
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Shadowpaw snarled with frustration as White Lights turned to look at him. "Are we nearly there?" He asked. "Shadowpaw, you have to be patient. I can't explain yet." Shadowpaw blinked, trying to get the rain out of his eyes. "Why couldn't Galaxypaw and Skypaw come?" The big wolf finally halted. "Shadowpaw, I have something to say to you. You can see the dead." The clearing swirled around them as wolves poured out of the bushes, all dead. Shadowpaw stood strong as the wolves, in one fluid movement, bowed.
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Shadowstorm took a breath as the big wolf stalked into the clearing. "Who's that, Red Light?" The vivid red ghost considered for a moment, then shook his head. "I dunno. I think he's an Alpha though." "WOW." Shadowstorm said sarcastically. "I NEVER would have thought of that." Red Light frowned at him. The ghost was from a completely dead pack, which had been killed by Darkseekers. Bleak padded over and poked the beta away from Shadowstorm. "Sorry. He is great at stating the obvious." She said, keeping a straight face. Shifting Snow and Red Dawn rolled to a stop at his feet, their fluffy pup fur shining. "There's another pup following that alpha!" Red Dawn squeaked. "Yeah!" Shifting Snow added. Shadowstorm turned to look at the other pack again, and noticed a few ghosts following the wolves. Dusty pawed his shoulder, and he flinched. "What?!" He snapped. "Sorry, just... you were staring." He sighed, and wondered if he would ever tell anyone his secret. It might help Autumn to know that Moose and Dakota followed her all the time, trying to comfort her. Indigo had a lovely cream pup who followed her as well, maybe her sister?
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Foxfang stood at attention, once more the loyal beta, as the big male leading the pack bowed his head stiffly and said, in a course voice, "Greetings." Indigo stood up, and although Foxfang recognized the signs of strain in her pricked ears, she looked composed. She began to say "Do we know y-" Then Autumn burst in front of her and snarled "Go away! We don't need any more bloodshed in this clearing!" The big wolf stepped back, looking surprised and a bit hurt.
Spring 
Day Weather: 
