I am rewriting half of this chapter which will be released on this site soon enough. I don’t know whether or not it will effect the second chapter upon completion, but I guess I’ll just have to see.

           Chapter 1:

                                Lost in the Woods

I retain vivid memories of the attack as if it occurred yesterday, a grim day when the Blackfurs, in an attempt to ruthlessly assassinate me and my sister Inari, invaded our territory. My parents - Mamoru, the alpha of the Downriver pack, and Hinata - had just welcomed us into the world, and we were deemed a threat to the authority of the Blackfurs. The battle ensued with viciousness portrayed through gnashing teeth and slashing claws.

In the midst of perilous combat against a formidable adversary, Mamoru cried out with great urgency, “Shiro, take them and run!” Shiro did not delay for so much as a moment, but rather silently acknowledged Mamoru's command and hastened towards us with great celerity. With deft and practiced ease, he swiftly took Inari into his powerful jaws, followed soon after by me. And with a swift and graceful motion, Shiro surged forward, surmounting all obstacles with remarkable alacrity, piercing through the verdant woods with a speed unparalleled by any other in our pack.

I recall feeling jostled amidst the sturdy jaws of my loyal companion, Shiro, as we frantically traversed through the dense foliage, deftly dodging branches and leaping over perilous logs, with the malicious Blackfur pack relentlessly pursuing us. The haunting resonance of growls and snarls ominously drew closer and closer, the feeling of impending doom looming over us. And amidst this pandemonium, I could sense the fiery breath of some beast breathing down my back. However, with sheer determination and unwavering courage, Shiro valiantly continued to run with all his might, his laboring chest heaving with each bounding stride, and both of us firmly secured in his jaws, eluding the relentless onslaught of our adversaries.

“Where are we going, Shiro?” I asked.

I surveyed the perilous situation, sensing the urgency in Shiro's movements as he led us through the dark woods. "We must stay alert," he warned, his eyes darting back and forth to keep watch for any signs of danger.

Shiro's athleticism was nothing short of astounding as he dodged and leaped to avoid detection, his powerful strides carrying us deeper into the forest. I could only watch in awe and terror as the Blackfurs closed in on our location, their sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight.

With a final, desperate sprint towards cover, Shiro led us towards a densely wooded thicket, his heart palpating ferociously within his chest cavity as he attempted to evade detection. Gasping for breath, we huddled together, seeking refuge in the natural camouflage provided by our surroundings. "Stay quiet," Shiro whispered forcefully, scanning the perimeter with a keen eye, hoping against hope to catch sight of any potential threats.

For a moment, my attention was diverted towards my younger sister who wore a crestfallen expression, beset with confusion. "Will daddy join us?" she questioned; her voice barely audible. "What of mommy?" She looked to Shiro for answers who seemed to be lost in thought. His ears drooped slightly, and his face contorted into a frown at the little one's questions. "I'm uncertain, Inari," he admitted, his gaze falling to the ground, betraying a hint of sadness.

As Shiro gazed steadfastly into the distance, he beheld a cohort of the rival wolves scrutinizing him with keen interest, their eyes aglow with an ominous gleam in the faint luminescence of the lunar sphere overhead. Abruptly, a low growl resounded forth from within the pack, and the wolves of Blackfur commenced a forward advance, their teeth fully bared and their fur standing on end. Despite a momentary flicker of trepidation that coursed through him, Shiro dutifully withheld his position, recognizing that the welfare of the young was inexorably tied to his own rigorous resolve.

Shiro let loose a resounding howl, a sign to the opposing wolves that he was prepared to defend me and Inari. Before long, the wolves had assumed positions on either side, each regarding the other with a stern glare. The air hung heavy with tension, every muscle in Shiro's body taut and ready to react at a moment's notice. He knew that the situation was fraught with danger, an encounter that could quickly escalate into a deadly battle.

Shiro took a stand in front of our hiding spot, his gaze unwavering, and declared in a firm, resolute voice, “Whilst I am present, you shan't harm these young pups. They are innocent and have not wronged you.”

In response, a menacing and towering wolf with a ferocious glare, sneered, and menacingly growled, “We are well aware of the prophecy, which states that the sacrifice of two innocent pups is necessary for the greater good of our pack.”

Shiro's heart sank at these words - he had heard about this prophecy before. However, he refused to stand idly by and watch an atrocity occur before his very eyes, and so forcefully declared, “That's a barbaric notion, Skathi. There must be a better way.”

Another wolf retorted with a snarl, “If you won't stand aside, we will have no choice but to attack.”

In the face of this threat, Shiro stood his ground with unwavering determination and solemnly vowed, “I shall not falter. I swore an oath to protect my pack, and I shall fulfill that oath.”

Another wolf, with fury evident in his movements and sparkling with energy, stepped menacingly forward, snarling, “You are bringing about your own destruction. Our pack shall emerge the stronger for it.”

In a sudden moment, one of the wolves emitted a ferocious snarl and with fierce determination, launched a formidable attack at Shiro, revealing its sharp teeth as it advanced. Just as swiftly, Shiro responded with equal intensity, fearlessly advancing to meet the attack head-on. The two beasts met in a forceful collision, engaging in a violent struggle as they clashed and ferociously bit and snarled at each other. Their vicious encounter was a flurry of motion and a chaotic mass of fur and menacing fangs.

I can vividly recollect the apprehension that overwhelmed me as I and Inari witnessed Shiro fight for his life against the Blackfurs. The cacophony of growls and snarls resounded in the atmosphere, and the thick foliage rendered it arduous for me to behold the tussle. Inari, who was beside me whimpered with fear while her delicate frame shuddered with every passing moment.

“Shiro, be careful!” I yelled out, hastily hoping my voice would reach him. However, Shiro was engaged in fending off the enemy pack, and the dark forms of wolves lunging at him were barely perceptible, their incisors bared with rage and their eyes blazing like the sun at noon.

“We have to help him!” Inari suggested, but I knew that we were still pups, hardly mature enough to hunt alone. What could we do against such a formidable pack of seasoned fighters?

Suddenly, a black-furred wolf sprang at us, its jaws snapping perilously close to my face. I let out a yelp and withdrew a few steps. However, Shiro soon intervened, using his agility to incapacitate the attacker, sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Isamu, Inari, run!” he panted, his voice hoarse with exertion. “Get out of here!”

Under the circumstances, I was torn between my allegiance to Shiro and his own safety, but a more fearsome wolf, with a scar across its eye, appeared, snarling with intense aggression, causing me to shudder with trepidation.

I cast a fearful glance towards Shiro, observing with trepidation the gradual encroachment of the Blackfurs upon his position. Despite the evident pain and fatigue etched onto his countenance, the courageous canine stood his ground, teeth bared in defiance. A trembling voice, borne of tremendous exertion, escaped his lips, as he issued a second, urgent command to my sister and I: “Isamu, Inari, go! Flee now, and spare not a moment!” With nary a moment's hesitation, we embarked upon our flight, our rapid strides resounding against the unyielding earth beneath us as we strove to elude the ever-nearing menace that pursued us relentlessly.

As I cast my gaze behind me, I discerned the distinct tumult of combat. Despite his considerable prowess, I could not help but lament the likely brevity of Shiro's endurance in the face of an entire cadre of Blackfurs. Though I remained acutely cognizant of our dire need to flee and secure a bastion of refuge, my heart was troubled by the prospect of Shiro's impending calamity should we abandon him to his fate.

The sounds of Shiro's fierce growls and the Blackfurs' snarls were conveyed to my ears through the medium of the wind, and it was thereby made clear to me that the ongoing conflict had yet to reach its conclusion. While Inari and I were running, anxiously scouring our surroundings for any indications of imminent peril, I endeavoured to disregard the cacophonous clamor of the battle in order to concentrate wholly on our evasion, on the search for a suitable place of concealment.

But the vision of Shiro valiantly standing alone to fend off the Blackfurs relentlessly pursued me. I came to the stark realization that regardless of our whereabouts, my pack would remain vulnerable to their vicious assaults. Hence, with trepidation and an unwavering resolve, I fled, compelled to press onward, ignorant of what fateful destiny lay ahead for my sibling and I.

As we made our escape from the battlefield, Inari and I were overcome by a tumultuous mixture of emotions. Fear and anxiety mingled with sorrow and guilt as we struggled to accept the fact that we had left our comrade behind to face his fate alone. The memory of his selfless sacrifice weighed heavily on our minds, and we couldn't shake the feeling that we had failed him in his time of need.

Running for what seemed like an eternity, our hearts pounded with exhaustion and fear. Despite the constant threat of capture and pursuit, we pushed ourselves to the brink of our physical and mental limits, driven by the hope of finding a safe haven where we could recover and regroup.

As we stumbled through unfamiliar terrain, our senses heightened by the gravity of the situation, we caught glimpses of shadowy figures lurking in the underbrush. The thought of the Blackfurs still on our trail filled us with a new sense of urgency, and we knew that we could not afford to let our guard down for even a moment.

Eventually, we found ourselves in a small hole at the base of a tree, surrounded by cobwebs and hanging vines. With no other options, we huddled together in the cramped, damp space, our thoughts consumed by the unknown fate of our comrade.

For what felt like hours, we waited in silence, hoping that the enemy had given up the chase. The darkness enveloped us, and our spirits sank with each passing moment. I could feel Inari's fear as she quietly sobbed in the shadowed corner of our makeshift refuge. My own tears streamed down my face as I struggled to come to terms with the tragedy that had befallen us. Even though I didn't fully understand the situation, I couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness.

"I want Mommy and Daddy," Inari whispered between sobs. “I want to go home.”

Amidst the sorrow and bewilderment, we were experiencing, Inari and I found solace in each other’s embrace in our small, cramped hiding place. Our inconsolable weeping interspersed with intermittent silences bore witness to the tension hanging heavy in the air. Despite the gravity of the situation, we were not conscious of the implications.

"Isamu," Inari murmured, choked with emotion, “Do you understand what just happened? Why did they attack us? What did we do to deserve this?"

Tears streamed down my face as I voiced my confusion. “I don't know, Inari. I'm scared. I don't understand any of this. Why would they do this to us?”

We remained silent for a fleeting moment, each immersed in the whirlpool of our thoughts. The memories of the traumatic events that had transpired and the savagery of the attack played out in our minds with unyielding fervor.

"Isamu," Inari uttered between heavy sobs, her voice trembled with fear, "Shiro will rescue us, won't he?" Her gaze settled on something indistinct in the shadows, and then turned to me, her bloodshot eyes a testament to her anguish. “He will, won't he?”

I affirmed my head slowly, hoping to convince myself as much as Inari. The confusion felt overpowering. Shiro was our beacon of hope in this period of despair; he held a comprehension of things that we couldn't fathom. We believed that he would not abandon us, and that gave us the fortitude to endure the situation.

Once again, we found ourselves sitting in silence, consumed by our own trepidation and concerns. In this desolate moment, I observed Inari's quivering form convulse with torment as I took on the fetal position beside her, hoping to provide at least minimal consolation. Despite the distant noises of the forest, such as the incessant fluttering of wings and the rustling of leaves, they seemed trivial and remote in a predicament as dire as ours.

As my eyes slowly conformed to the absence of light, I noticed cobwebs forming in the corners alongside splotches of mold festering upon the damp walls. The scents of decay and moisture filled my nostrils, provoking a growing sense of claustrophobia in me whilst restricted to such a cramped and confined space.

"Inari," I uttered, shattering the silence, "We have to be strong. We have to keep hope alive and trust in our pack. We’ll make it through it, I promise.”

While Inari persisted in her sobs, she acknowledged my proclamations with a slight nod. Though I understood that my words provided only a modicum of succor, they represented the only solace available to us within this moment.

As minutes transformed into hours, our yearning stomachs growled with hunger, yet we dared not venture forth from our concealment for fear of encountering our adversaries that could have been distant in miles or inches away. The forlorn wait persisted, with our only longing being for Shiro to arrive and offer reassurance that all was once again well.

Our exhausted minds were consumed by fatigue, desperately clinging to any last bit of energy in an attempt to maintain consciousness. Suddenly, an overwhelming emptiness engulfed us, and we were robbed of our senses, falling into a dreamless void.

It took some time before I was able to discern anything, slowly coming to a dim awareness of my surroundings as my nerve endings began to stir. My vision remained blurred, dominated by the oppressive darkness that surrounded us. Confused and disoriented, I lay huddled in a fetal position, while Inari's panicked breathing echoed loudly through the stagnant air.

Gradually, a perceptible motion came to my attention, initially slight and unremarkable, but gradually increasing in volume and intensity over time. I strained my senses to their utmost limit, gradually coming to the dawning realization that our solitude had been disrupted.

As the audible disturbance grew louder and more ominous, a sense of dread twisted my stomach into knots. It was Inari who first understood the danger, as her sharp intake of breath signaled her recognition of the impending threat, evidenced by her shaky paw on top of mine.

Despite my best efforts to survey the area for signs of the intruders, the pervasive darkness thwarted any attempt to apprehend the approaching menace beyond the length of my own limbs.

Suddenly, like the unstoppable force of a tidal wave, a wolf lunged at us with snarls and growls and fangs bared, overtaking us with a combination of overwhelming force and frenzied violence as it pulled both of us out of our makeshift refuge. Knocking us both from our posts, our ability to counterattack proved futile against their overpowering assault.

Compressed beneath the crushing weight of an unknown assailant, the fear and uncertainty escalated to a fever pitch, as their musky breath and razor-sharp teeth threatened to eclipse us in deadly terror. In the midst of this chaos, a commanding voice boomed out with authority, cutting through the din of battle.

"Enough!" The voice, deep and commanding, thundered across the clearing. “Stand down!”

The impending threat diminished as the attacking wolf retreated several steps, allowing my heart rate to finally settle. With a clearer view of the larger of the two wolves, who towered over his subordinate with his intelligent eyes glinting in the darkness, it became clear that we had trespassed on their territory, a fact reinforced by the obvious threat of the wolf's growled warning.

"Return to the pack," the wolf growled to our attacker, who obeyed at once, disappearing into the foliage. He then turned his attention to our quivering forms. "Know your place, impudent trespassers," he warned, his words heavy with malice and menace, again commanding us to flee with a palpable threat in his voice. “Leave at once, if you value your safety.”

"But we didn't know," I managed to choke out, the words faltering in my throat. “We didn't mean to.”

The wolf intensely scrutinized us, his gaze calculating and evaluating. After a moment of contemplation, he delivered his verdict. "Perhaps," he uttered with finality. “But ignorance cannot absolve you from the consequences of your actions. It is imperative that you depart from our lands forthwith, lest you incur the weighty consequences of your transgressions.”

Amidst the tense atmosphere, a voice spoke softly, vouching for our innocence. "Aito, they are but young pups, ignorant of the laws and boundaries," pleaded the voice.

As Aito moved aside, a pair of gentle eyes caught my attention, filled with both curiosity and compassion. But Aito was still on edge, warning his packmate of our trespass. "Their presence here is in direct violation of the law," he snarled, his attitude unyielding.

"But we don't even know where we are," I protested, trying to reason with them and buy ourselves some time. “Please, let us go.”

The pair of amicable eyes traversed forth, resulting in a resplendent white wolf emerging from the shroud of obscurity. As we would soon learn, her name was Tsuki. Her fur, a pristine hue of ivory, was complemented with a subtle beige undercoat that enshrouded her lithe and supple physique immaculately. The density of her fur was matched by its satiny touch, exuding an ethereal glow under the lunar illumination. The alluring countenance of Tsuki was characterized by intensely expressive, large, and rounded eyes that shimmered with a silvery-blue hue, manifesting ample profundity. Her perceptive auditory faculties were evinced by alert ears, capable of swiveling in any direction, thus enabling her to intercept even the faintest of sounds.

Aito, on the contrary, was a captivatingly distinctive black wolf. His physical stature was that of a colossal and robust animal, with a wide span of shoulders and powerfully sturdy hind legs that magnified his imposing prominence. His fur stood out with its dense and opulent texture, revealing a lustrous finish that accentuated the sharpness and lithe contours of his silhouette. His eyes- the windows to his soul- possessed a piercing and astute gaze with a deep mahogany shade that emanated an unyielding aura of insistence and circumspection. Notably, his ears manifested an ever-vigilant demeanor, tirelessly scouting and monitoring perilous encounters.

The scrutinizing gaze of Aito on me intensified, as if weighing the right course of action. I held my breath as the other wolf carefully sniffed us from head to toe, assessing every detail of our scent. Inari, my sister, nestled close to me, visibly shaking from fear.

After a moment of intense scrutiny, her sniffs turned into a more gentle and delicate touch. Inari trembled less as the wolf continued to sniff us both.

Tsuki then straightened up, her eyes taking on a more lustrous sheen in the moonlight. "You both carry the scent of the Downriver pack," she observed with a tone of incredulity mixed with compassion. “What brings two young pups like you so far from your territory?”

I swallowed hard, unsure of how much I should divulge. But her patience and understanding manner made me feel safe, and I decided to open up. "Our pack was attacked," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “We don't know who did it, or why.”

Aito’s growl echoed in the silence that followed my words, but Tsuki's compassionate gaze never wavered. "Attacks have been frequent among other packs," he finally spoke, his voice begrudgingly admitting the truth. "But the pups could be lying, using the truth to obscure their deceit." His words held a warning, but the compassionate wolf's eyes conveyed a different message – one of understanding and empathy. "Who knows what they could do next?" Aito continued, his voice a warning.

Tsuki stepped forward, offering a gentle nuzzle to Inari and me. "I believe them," she said firmly, her gaze meeting her packmate’s stare. “Their scent tells the truth. They are not our enemies, but lost souls in need of help.”

Aito glared at her, his demeanor challenging her assertion. “How can you be sure? They could be spies from rival packs, ready to pounce at any moment.”

"Aito,” The she-wolf shook her head, her eyes calm and understanding. "I sense no malice in them," she replied. “And even if they were spies, what good would it do to harm them? Violence only begets more violence, and we need unity now more than ever.”

Aito snarled, but Tsuki stood her ground. "Let us help them," she implored, her gaze shifting from Aito to us. “Let us show them the true meaning of our strength – compassion.”

Her words had struck a resonance deep within me, and notwithstanding my trepidation, a ray of optimism kindled within my heart. Tsuki’s consoling presence acted as a balm for my frayed nerves, inducing a gradual relaxation under her benevolent countenance.

Aito remained dubious, his unwavering gaze fixed upon us, while his fur stood on edge. Nonetheless, the tender assurances of the wolf appeared to allay his consternation somewhat. He emitted a subdued growl and then departed with indignation.

The kind-hearted lupine approached us with a measured gait, her countenance placid and endowed with remarkable empathy.  Inari trembled with misgivings and skepticism as we drew closer, a fact that did not escape the wolf's perceptive gaze. In a tender demonstration of reassurance, she gently caressed Inari and myself with her muzzle.

"Fret not, for you both are unharmed now," she pronounced with a soft, soothing timbre.

I struggled to contain my emotions, my eyes welling up with tears as I reflected upon the trials that had brought us to this point. "But are we really safe?" I inquired hesitantly.

Tsuki’s eyes glinted with mixed feelings as she assessed our situation. "You find yourselves in the heart of our domain," she remarked, gesturing at the dense thicket enveloping us. “But under our benevolent protection. We look unkindly upon trespassers, yet our principles of honor dictate that we render aid to those in need.”

Her pronouncement granted me some measure of relief, but a persistent apprehension still clung to me. Inari clung to my side, her small frame quivering with fright.

With acute perception of her dismay, Tsuki encouraged our progress, escorting us through a passageway draped in foliage of an emerald hue. Our footsteps were muffled by a feathery cushion of leaves caressing our soles, and despite the lively soundscape of cricket callings and squirrel conversations resonating amongst the thicket, our party traversed in near muteness, attentive to the slightest modifications of our arboreal vicinity.

As the first rays of the sun began to ascend above the horizon, a gentle luminance emanated through the forest, imbuing the surrounding trees with a welcoming glow that was akin to a warm embrace. Hues of orange and pink intermingled to form a breathtaking canvas in the sky above. The light, piercing through the foliage, elegantly danced on the forest floor, painting the earth with gold plated fragments.

As we traversed through the wilderness, I relished the crisp air, inhaling the serene aroma of pine and fresh soil. Gradually, the woodlands grew thicker, prompting me to battle through the overgrown shrubs that threatened to ensnare me at each twist and turn. The wolf, on the other hand, adroitly navigated through the dense undergrowth, never deviating from her path or slowing down.

Our journey eventually brought us to a steep incline that ascended steadily upwards. Exerting myself to the limits, I could sense my muscles straining and my legs burning with each effortful step. I heard a slight moan escape Inari, who had fallen behind. Upon hearing this, Tsuki adroitly turned back and lifted Inari into her jaws before resuming her forward momentum.

As we ascended the incline, the foliage began to recede, and we found ourselves atop a stony prominence. From this vantage point, we were presented with a panoramic view of the she-wolf's domain: an immense, verdant landscape pocked with clearings and interspersed by the occasional body of water. I beheld one such body, a shimmering lake in the distance, and was struck with a profound sense of wonderment at the enormity and splendor of the territory.

Our lupine guide led us down the opposing slope of the outcropping and into a valley, where the woodland grew denser than before, and I had to rely on my sense of smell to keep pace. Whilst traversing this domain, my paws and joints began to ache with a weariness heretofore unknown to me, being yet inexperienced as I was.

In the background, the faint echoing of lupine howls reverberated through the valley. Our escort’s pack lay just beyond sight, their rendezvous close at paw. As we neared the threshold of the thicket, Tsuki gently deposited Inari back to the ground and turned to me, imparting words of welcome in a hushed but confident tone.

"This is where we make our home," she proclaimed with pride. “We are the Oakfalls, one of the strongest packs of the northern wilderness.”

The pack's concealed lair burst upon our sight, ensconced in a petite open space and encompassed by thick vegetation and towering arbors. The construct itself was a lavish design, hewn out of the soil and bound by a network of prickly bushes that served as a supplementary stratum of defense. A handful of wolves patrolled the vicinity, intently surveying our movement but revealing no overt hostility.

We steadily approached the entrance, Tsuki leading us exhaling in rhythmical bursts and her frame shallowly undulating. In no time, a platoon of wolves emerged from the depths of the caverns, their gaze fixated upon us with wary curiosity. The nurturing wolf that had escorted us stepped forward, her eyes genial and inviting.

In an unexpected motion, our guide emitted a high-pitched yelp. I lifted my vision to witness an enormous wolf emerging from the darkness. The creature exceeded any canine I had ever witnessed before, presenting a daunting appearance. His powerful frame towered over other wolves, defined by his robust structure, muscular physique, and lofty height. His fur, of moderate length, boasted of strength and sturdiness, serving as a testament to his position of power in his pack. Most notably, his pelt exhibited a striking shade of dark blue, almost resembling the depth of midnight in certain illuminations. The fur on his chest was lighter, reminiscent of the hue of icy snow, creating a sharp contrast with the rest of his coat. His dorsal fur appeared more lengthy and fluffy, conveying a sense of seniority and maturity. His sharp amber eyes emitted a fierce hue, conveying his imperious disposition, and exuding his commanding presence, thereby emanating an unmistakable threat that hung in the atmosphere.

Tsuki bowed her head in deference and retracted back, and I felt Inari's quavering at my side. The blue wolf advanced, his eyes focused on mine and Inari's. 

"So, you're the pups the kojies found," he growled. "What brings you to our territory?" The words were spoken with a steady tone, yet the underlying threat was palpable, and we could sense the danger that lingered in the air.

My composure faltered, unable to muster a response. Inari seemed to be experiencing the same. Observing this, our guiding wolf attempted to address the matter at hand, albeit in a hesitant and timid way. "These young canines seek refuge and sanctuary, Beta," she explained.

"So, we have an abundance of strays in our pack now," the beta sneered as he circled us. “What makes you believe that we require more mouths to feed?"

The she-wolf responded firmly, “They are just pups, Beta. It is evident that they do not harbor any nefarious intentions.”

The beta growled with fury, his eyes ablaze with anger. "We are not an animal shelter," he spat. “Furthermore, what kind of pack admits outsiders? We have our own responsibilities to fulfill.”

Tsuki refused to back down, her tone resolute but respectful. "Is it not our duty as wolves to safeguard and provide for those who are weaker than us?" she asked.

The beta responded acrimoniously, "Undoubtedly, Tsuki, that may be true. However, it is also our obligation to maintain the might and unification of our pack. Including foreign entities only serves to weaken us and augments our susceptibility."

Tsuki persisted, “But what of compassion and empathy? Do these not serve as integral attributes that a pack should possess? These are just defenseless pups, Torrent. They necessitate our help.”

Torrent remained obstinate, "Let them fend for themselves," he snarled. “We have enough concerns to handle with the impending frigid Fuyu. We cannot afford to accommodate unknown strays.”

Inari emitted a pitiable cry, and I could feel my fur bristle with anger. How could a soul be so devoid of kindness? However, before I could utter a word, Tsuki took a step closer.

"Is this how you manage the vulnerable and frail?" she enquired, her diction maintaining a poised yet unwavering tone. “Is this the way your pack operates? By perpetually rejecting those who need assistance?”

The beta bristled in response, his gaze narrowing. “Mind your position, Tsuki. You aren't the alpha.”

"But, nonetheless, I remain a member of this pack," Tsuki countered firmly. “Ergo, I will not simply stand and observe as you dismiss those in distress.”

Torrent strode closer, his canines bared. Tsuki didn't budge, her eyes embodying unshakeable determination. They advanced around each other, growling and snarling. However, the beta suddenly pounced forward, and I perceived Tsuki readying herself for retaliation.

In a flash, Inari darted between them, yapping, “Stop! Stop fighting!”

Instantly, a commanding voice reverberated across the area. "What is the meaning behind this?" it questioned, its intonation steady and weighty. As the white and blue coats parted, a larger, elder wolf emerged on the scene. He stood tall and imperious, his light brown fur gleaming in the morning sunbeams. His muscly physique radiated dominance and influence, yet his eyes harbored an affability that made him approachable.

With a swiftness and a sense of reverence, Tsuki inclined her head towards our level before imparting the vital information in a hushed tone - “That is our alpha, Hayate.”

Torrent took a momentary pause before stepping back, his unwavering gaze fixed upon Tsuki's countenance. "We were deliberating the proposition to host these outsiders," he expounded.

Upon Torrent's statement, Hayate turned his watchful eye to us and interrogated, “And what is your stance regarding this matter?”

Inari appealed to him imploringly, her piteous demeanor indicating her difficulty in comprehending the situation. "Please, sir," she pleaded briefly.

Hayate, despite the lack of substantial information, pondered with sagacity. "I see," he responded, before asking Tsuki for her opinion. “And what is your position concerning this issue, Tsuki?”

Tsuki stood tall and unwavering, her steadfast gaze piercing through to the soul. “I opine that as wolves, it is incumbent upon us to extend succor to those in need, irrespective of whether they are part of our pack or not. Compassion and empathy are vital traits for a pack to embody, and spurning those in need will only lead to our enfeeblement in the long run.”

Hayate nodded sagely again, his expression betraying his ruminations. “You present a valid premise, Tsuki. Nonetheless, we must take into account the welfare and well-being of our own pack. Fuyu is imminent, and we cannot risk the safety of our own pack by welcoming outsiders.”

Hayate displayed an admirable sense of fairness and justice through the measured deliberation evident in his discourse. Rather than succumbing to impulsive reactions, he meticulously assessed each circumstance to discern the advantages and drawbacks. As he communicated, his analytical scrutiny fell upon us, evoking a stimulating blend of intimidation and fascination within me.

"I implore you both to comprehend that whilst I concur with your sentiments on certain facets, it is incumbent upon us to prioritize safeguarding our own before extending our aid to those from without our pack," expressed Hayate in his dulcet and sonorous voice. "We must first ensure the well-being of our pack before delving into any further discourse on the matter at hand," expounded Hayate with a resounding timbre coupled with melodious intonations.

Torrent's countenance assumed a resolute demeanor, indicative of his displeasure. Nevertheless, he refrained from pursuing the issue any further and opted to manifest his recognition by means of a terse nod, before receding without uttering a single word.

"I understand that the two of you are still pups, and being a pup in the forest can be risky. Thus, I have a proposition." He looked at us, and I could feel the anticipation building up inside me. “For the time being, I will assign a few of our pack members to look after both of you until a decision is reached regarding your acceptance into our pack. They will teach you the ways of the pack and ensure your safety in the forest.”

Inari's eyes exuded a bright and profound sense of hope, while I myself was overwhelmed with gratitude for Hayate's unyielding kindness. The compromise that was reached between Inari and me had effectively satisfied both of us, as we exchanged a glance that was laden with immense relief.

As the dialogue drew to a conclusion, my attention was drawn towards Aito who remained silent throughout the entire conversation but was not any less attentive. The lustrous, obsidian coat draped over his imposing form was illuminated by the soft morning light, accentuating each rippling muscle underneath its facade. I could sense a menacing presence emanating from him; his unassuming demeanor belied the commanding aura surrounding him.

My ocular attention having been noticed by Hayate; he detected my eyes fixed intently upon Aito. Calmly, he assured me, saying, “You needn't be concerned with Aito. He is one of our most proficient wolves, who guarantees your safeguarding.”

Assenting with a nod, I took into account his contentions. Aito's piercing blue eyes fixed firmly on me, causing me to shudder involuntarily. It felt as if he could discern everything about me, but I couldn’t tell if his vigilant gaze was an assurance of my protection or demise.

Upon the moment where Tsuki had stood, having exuded a patient demeanor in wait of her precise cue, she proceeded with utterance. "If I may, Alpha," she spoke, “I would like to offer myself as a member of the pack to aid in overseeing the young ones.”

Hayate's expression notably lit up with sincere satisfaction. “Thank you, Tsuki. Your candidacy comes with great merit and is beyond commendable. Please, usher the pups about.”

Hayate being heard, I shifted my focus back to him. “Before Tsuki commences, it would be wise to remind you both of our traditions and regulations. Adhering to them will ensure your welfare and convey a display of worthiness to our pack.”

"We will!" Inari and I exclaimed without reservation. Meanwhile, Tsuki gracefully signaled us to proceed, prompting us to hasten our pace with vivacious tails wagging.

As Tsuki guided us towards a pristine clearing, I couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty of our surroundings. The trees that towered around us were an eclectic mix of ancient pines and small saplings that rustled in the gentle morning breeze. The air was refreshingly cool and crisp, and the fragrant scent of pine and earth evoked a sense of harmony in my senses.

Tsuki enlightened us on the significance of the clearing, where the pack congregated to confer on pivotal pack matters and establish traditions. As we traversed the dewy grass, the chirping birds serenaded our journey with their melodious tunes. Inari, my companion, was ecstatic when she glimpsed a family of rabbits hopping in the distance, though Tsuki calmly urged her to remain focused.

"Patience is essential, little one," with astute wisdom, Tsuki uttered in a gentle but assertive tone. “We exist amongst these woods to forage for food and survive, but we honor the notion of balance in nature and its inhabitants.”

Soon enough, Tsuki led us to a small pond, where several wolves were unabashedly playing and frolicking. They were glistening and slick from the splashing water. "We assemble here to quench our thirst and cleanse ourselves," Tsuki clarified as her paw delicately touched down on the shimmering surface. The water, so pure and tranquil, emanated a thousand diamonds under the piercing rays of sunlight. “Maintaining cleanliness and a presentable demeanor is vital to conveying respect to our fellow pack members.”

Inari and I followed suit, playfully frolicking in the water's embrace. The rippling body of water essentially reflected our forms, indicating a rather humbling and unusual disparity with the vastness of our environs. In truth, we were feeble creatures when compared to the mighty universe.

As our journey with Tsuki carried on, we met a pack of wolves who were engaged in play battles. Their frolicking antics subsided as we approached, capturing their undivided attention.

Tsuki made it known that this was their designated play area, where we were invited to refine our combative skills and participate in their games.

The enticement of joining in on the fun was too much to resist, and I charged towards the other little ones, exuberant at the prospect of sharing in their lively yelps and playful growls. Inari, just as eager, trailed closely behind, her tail wagging incessantly.

As I reveled in the moment, I couldn't help but to observe how Aito lingered beyond us, his unwavering gaze transfixed on our activities. Despite his commanding stature, I couldn't help but to experience an unexplained attraction towards him, pondering the type of pup he must have been, whether he had siblings, and how his history had shaped him.

As the day progressed, my energy waned, and Tsuki led us back to the den, where we found ourselves seeking solace in each other's comfort, snugly nestled together to recuperate.

In the hushed confines of our sanctuary, I mustered the fortitude to confront the disquieting question that had been incessantly gnawing at my consciousness.

"Hey, Inari," I uttered in a low tone, endeavoring to ensure our conversation remained confidential, “why do you think Aito keeps staring at us?”

Inari's fluffy ears pricked up, indicating her rapt engagement with my inquiry. Her delicate features furrowed in contemplation, as she weighed my question.

"I don’t know, Isamu," she returned, barely audible above a whisper, “maybe he just doesn’t like us.”

Despite her benign intentions, her blunt observation struck me as a personal affront. While Aito's and Torrent's conduct towards us had been aloof and unwelcoming since our arrival, the notion that they bore malice towards us felt implausible.

"I don’t think that’s it," I articulated, striving to quell my misgivings, “Maybe there's something on our fur that he wants to investigate.”

Inari concurred with my hypothesis, and subsequently, we lapsed into a tranquil silence, amid the cacophony of our dormitory-mates' snores and the verdant rustle of foliage nearby.

Even as I drifted off into a deep slumber, my mind remained fixated on the possibility of more pernicious motives lurking beneath Aito and Torrent's ostensibly benign countenances. Their animosity towards us was impregnated with more than just malice, and I could not suppress the suspicion that they were concealing some terrible secrets beneath their unabashed stares. As a mere pup in those days, I was not cognizant that this was not merely a conflict, but the precursor of something more gruesome - a wolf's war. I did not know where to begin, but I do now.

              Chapter 2:

                                                Nightmares

Whilst enveloped in a restless slumber, my mind was abruptly plunged into a vortex of haunting imagery so vividly vivacious that I was left aghast and gasping for air. Every aspect of the cowardly Blackfurs' unprovoked assault on our pack replayed in crystalline detail, as each brutal blow and resounding howl reverberated through my mind's eye. The pungent stench of burning fur accompanied the metallic tang of blood, assailing my nostrils relentlessly as I frantically searched for my kin amidst the chaos.

To my utter chagrin, a deep sense of misfortune and despair assailed me as I questioned what I saw. The Downrivers' formerly peaceful sanctuary lay desolate and ravaged, its grounds thickly covered by the lifeless, mangled remains of my family members, torn apart by the savage claws and harsh fangs of the Blackfurs. Limbs were strewn all over the place, and crimson blood also embellished the walls, bearing unspoken witness to the extreme brutality and conflict that had descended upon us.

Even the dying howls and victorious snarls of the invaders, who previously were regarded as family, but now twisted with sickening pleasure, only added to the desolation of the scene. Torrent and Aito led the Blackfurs, once-familiar faces now distorted by a menacing malice, in a bloodthirsty charge, ready to destroy and ravage anything that stood in their path.

In panic and disbelief, my consciousness screamed as I hurtled towards the desecrated carcasses of my kin, their lifeless eyes peering soullessly up at me, a bleak indication of the devastation that the Blackfurs had wrought upon our pack, leaving me helpless and powerless to stop them.

With a final, blood-curdling scream, my consciousness was jolted back, drenched in sweat and slowly consumed by fear. Beside me, Inari awoke with a start, her deep, brooding eyes now manifesting great concern.

"Isamu, what's wrong?" she asked as she sat up beside me, her diminutive paw resting gently at my side.

Shaken to my core, I struggled to articulate a response, as the nightmare's vivid images had seared themselves in my mind like a fresh and open scar. Nevertheless, all I could muster was a whisper of, "They’re coming for us, Inari. They’re coming for us.”

As I expounded, Tsuki roused from her slumber, her perceptive faculties detecting the unease that pervaded the dwelling. Upon focusing her gaze and locating me, quivering in trepidation amid the crude union of grass and twigs that constituted our bedding, she comprehended what needed to be done. Without uttering a solitary utterance, she treaded softly towards me, tenderly brushing her dense pelt against my flank to mollify me.

"You need not fear, little one," she spoke in a gentle tenor, licking my forehead to pacify me. "Rest assured that I am here now. You are safe under my watch."

Although she comforted me, my apprehension remained unrelenting. The images of the Blackfurs were too vivid in my psyche.

Inari's exhalations grew shallower as my narrative permeated her awareness, and a mewl escaped her ere she buried her countenance in her paws. I could sense the dread emanating from her, even as Tsuki continued to assuage me with her presence.

"They're gonna kill us," Inari whispered, her voice tremulous with fear.

Tsuki had heard enough. She transferred her focus to Inari, her eyes boring into the juvenile pup's own, and her gaze softened into one of comfort.

"No harm shall befall you. We shall protect you," Tsuki vowed, the affection mixed with firmness in her elocution adequate to make Inari glance up. Her eyes gentled as she scrutinized the older wolf.

"You… you’ll protect us?" Inari queried, her voice still faltering somewhat.

"Certainly," Tsuki answered, giving Inari a comforting lick on the cranium. "Did I not say that our capacity for empathy is our greatest strength? Now, let us gather ourselves.”

Tsuki's words appeared to have a calming influence on Inari, though the haunting terror continued to loom like a dense fog on a moonless night. It seemed as though the mere mention of the Blackfurs had awakened a deep-seated fear within her psyche. Sensing her distress, Tsuki directed her attention to the quivering pup and employed her measured breaths to assist Inari in regulating her own. 

"Please breathe deeply, little one," instructed Tsuki while demonstrating the proper technique. "Inhale slowly, then exhale. Excellent, once more. Remember, fear is a natural response. However, courage is equally innate. We simply need to awaken it within us."

I observed in fascination as Tsuki’s technique appeared to work flawlessly. Inari's respiration moderated, and her countenance slowly began to ease. Meanwhile, my own defenselessness caused me to feel guilty for my inability to dismiss my fright similar to the valiant Inari.

"I wish I could be as brave as you, Tsuki," I pronounced, my voice laden with deep admiration. "The situation appears to have not affected you at all."

Tsuki's gaze softened, and she tenderly rested a paw on my shoulder. She replied, "Do not fret, my beloved. You and your sibling are still younglings with much to learn and abundant courage to incite within yourselves."

Notably, Inari was visibly shaken by the dread that had grasped her. She gradually rose to her feet, inching towards Tsuki, who stood towering and steadfast much like a sentinel. I, too, stumbled a little upon rising, my heart still palpably pounding from the nightmare.

Tsuki directed us towards the open air, where the refreshing breeze instantaneously pacified our nerves. We hastened to a small stream nearby, taking in deep gulps of the rejuvenating water. As I gulped restlessly, my sense of remorse for interrupting Tsuki's tranquil slumber grew stronger.

Perturbed by my deed, I muttered between sips, "I'm sorry for waking you, Tsuki. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

She contemplated me silently before replying, "No apology is necessary. I'm here to extend my aid to you and your sister. That is my duty...even if it had been assigned by the alpha."

As I surveyed the anxious demeanor of the pack members towards our presence, I became curious about the veracity of Tsuki's earlier statement. There was a notable aura of tension brewing amongst them, and it was becoming unsettling for me.

"Can I ask you something, Tsuki?" I inquired carefully, unsure of how to approach the delicate subject matter.

"Yes, darling, what seems to be the issue troubling you?" Tsuki replied while nudging me gently with her snout.

"Why do the members of the pack avoid Inari and me? We have done nothing wrong, so why do they treat us like that?" I questioned awkwardly, feeling some resentment towards the pack.

I noticed that the pack members maintained their initial apprehension and distrust towards us. In fact, some had even distanced themselves from us, akin to treating us as a dreaded contagion. A sense of dissatisfaction and dejection overwhelmed me as we had not committed any sort of wrongdoing to justify such disdain, yet here we found ourselves, being ostracized by our own ilk.

Coincidentally, Inari, who had preserved her silence during our discussion, materialized by my side. On beholding the hostility of the pack members towards us, she too disclosed anxiety and discomfiture, indicating that the animus was affecting us indistinguishably.

Tsuki's expression furrowed upon hearing my query, then darted her eyes around at the pack members who were cautiously glancing in our direction. It was evident that she was trying to select her words thoughtfully.

"The matter is quite complex, young one," she began slowly, picking her words delicately. "You and your sister are recent additions to the pack, and the pack remains wary of outsiders. Nothing personal, it's simply a matter of survival and vigilance. It demands that we scrutinize individuals that enter our territory."

"But we are not outsiders, Tsuki; we are part of the pack now," I protested, feeling upset and perplexed by Tsuki's explanation.

"Being part of the pack requires time. It is an accumulation of respect and trust that is earned. You and your sister are still young, and the pack is still in the process of determining if they can trust you. Everything will work out as time elapses," Tsuki provided in a reassuring tone, though I remained uneasy. "As a matter of fact, whether you and Inari will become permanent pack members is at Hayate's discretion. At the moment, your stay here is temporary."

As the utterances of Tsuki came to an end, she playfully nudged me with her snout in an attempt to ease the tension. However, my faculties were immersed in my own ruminations, impeding me from reciprocating her jocund display. Her words had evoked a profound impact on me, exceeding the bounds of my expectations. As we were nothing more than provisional members of the pack, every action, every step we took, and every decision we made, was scrutinized, analyzed, and judged thoroughly. It was as if the pack members were waiting in anticipation for us to falter, yearning for us to commit some blunder and validate their pre-existing notions.

Upon sensing the prevailing unrest in the air, Tsuki gallantly took a step forward. As she drew closer, she instinctively dropped to her belly in an act of submission and trust. We had been huddling in a close-knit group, with our fur standing on end due to fear, gradually easing our stance, albeit hesitantly.

With a delicate nudge from Tsuki, I cautiously proceeded towards her, my tail wagging tentatively. Tsuki's resplendent eyes glittered with encouragement as she playfully nudged me with her nose. It was as though the surrounding world had vanished; Tsuki and my sister were the sole entities that mattered.

Witnessing this rousing interaction, Inari hesitantly started making her way towards Tsuki and me. Summoning all the courage she could muster, she stretched out her diminutive paw and, with a tremble, touched Tsuki's nose. Tsuki's lustrous auburn eyes radiated with affection and pride, and at that juncture, she knew that the hostilities she had observed earlier wouldn't hinder us.

While frolicking, Tsuki exhibited tremendous vitality, adeptly eluding our playful nips and tugs. My heart swelled with warmth and satisfaction, gratified by Tsuki's infectious buoyancy. We reveled in apparent felicity as we frantically pursued Tsuki, our minuscule tails wagging without respite.

At a juncture, Tsuki assumed a pause, and we, compelled by our fervor, leapt upon her, our tails oscillating frenetically. Tsuki guffawed at our immaturity and demonstrated her benevolent disposition by patiently allowing us to clamber upon her.

I continued to engage in revelry with Inari and Tsuki, wholly unaware of my surroundings. However, my peripheral vision discerned Hayate's sturdy frame amidst the flourishing foliage. His countenance exuded stoicism, and it was inescapable that he was decrying our activities. His furtive observations appeared to center around the appraisal of our comportment, perhaps to ascertain our adequacy.

I scrutinized him for some time, endeavoring to apprehend his disposition, yet he did not once return my direct gaze. He observed us tranquilly from a distance, without any demonstrable threats or overt indications of hostility.

The very notion of being scrutinized by the alpha wolf filled me with trepidation. I remained uncertain regarding his satisfaction or disapproval of our conduct, prompting a disquieting sense of unease to pervade within me. Nonetheless, undaunted, we continued with our revelry, as the passage of time was marked by a tumultuous whirlwind of activity.

As I was engrossed in the moment of play, my attention was quite abruptly seized by the sound of rustling leaves and twigs breaking underfoot. Upon pivoting to ascertain the source of the disturbance, I noted Hayate's conspicuous absence. The realization that he was no longer within my purview sent a visceral sensation coursing through me, inducing a shudder of apprehension. Instinctively, I was compelled to pursue him and elicit an explanation for his sudden disappearance.

However, my curiosity was promptly forestalled by Tsuki's imposing paw, which impeded my movements and brought me to a halt. "Refrain from pestering the alpha, Isamu," she intoned, her voice steeped in an imposing, commanding aura. Her gaze was fixed resolutely in the direction of Hayate's apparent departure.

Baffled by her reticence to permit me access to him, I implored her for answers. "Why can't I talk to him, Tsuki? What's wrong?"

"It is beyond your concern, wee one," she remarked, her tone staunch, yet comforting. "Hayate has his share of motivations for venturing hither, just as we possess our own. Believe me, it is in your best interest to leave him be."

Despite my initial incredulity, I eventually acknowledged the sagacity of Tsuki's counsel. My curiosity remained piqued, yet subdued, owing to my implicit faith in her intentions.

I resolved to abide by Tsuki's recommendation, albeit with a lingering curiosity regarding Hayate's precipitous departure. Providentially, Tsuki appeared to be more concerned with another matter, as she inquired, "Have you pups completed your playtime? It is time for some sustenance."

With her allusion to victuals, a loud growl emanated from my stomach, accentuating my famished state. Inari and I wholeheartedly acquiesced, our tails wagging in enthusiastic anticipation.

"Then follow me," Tsuki directed.

Inari's ears perked up, exhibiting unbridled ebullience in her eyes. As for myself, I was enthralled by the possibility of learning how to hunt under the tutelage of Tsuki. The prospect of pursuing prey, capturing it, and showcasing our preeminence is truly exhilarating.

Inari and I gallantly proceeded to follow the lead of Tsuki, obediently trailing at her heels as we ventured towards a verdant region abundant with shrubbery and overgrown flora. Tsuki's strides were elegantly stretched and poised, akin to that of a gossamer ribbon in the throes of movement, her agility and nimbleness that of a zephyr's quickness. With Inari and I trailing closely behind, we endeavored to mirror her every movement, albeit with little success, for despite our frivolous laughter and boisterous cavorting, we stumbled and slipped ungracefully.

We eventually arrived at a tranquil clearing nestled between a copse of dense foliage and a babbling brook. Tsuki, ever the consummate hunter, crouched low to the ground, her olfactory senses keenly attuned to the promise of a potential snack, eagerly awaiting her prey. As she signaled for us to remain motionless, Tsuki advanced towards her quarry with the mastery and precision of a seasoned predator.

"Observation is the key to successful hunting," she murmured in a hushed tone. "Observe the hare - its movements, its tendencies. Learn its weaknesses and exploit them." 

We obediently followed after Tsuki with rapt attention, as she gradually approached the thick foliage. Abruptly, the hare bolted out of the underbrush, its coat a blurred amalgamation of brown and white; it made a frenzied dash towards the sanctuary of its burrow. With noteworthy agility, Tsuki swiftly dashed forward in a flurry of motion. I found myself struggling to keep pace, my field of vision clouded with an array of scampering legs and soaring earth. 

With a sickening snap, Tsuki's fangs gripped the hare's neck, bringing the hunt to its decisive end. Inari and I, thrilled with excitement, swayed our tails with jubilation. Tsuki, turning around, lifted the lifeless animal up with her sharp teeth, presenting it to us with distinct pride illuminating her eyes. 

"Remember, successful hunting necessitates observation, patience, and persistence," she avowed discerningly, her voice resounding with sagacity. 

With great alacrity, Tsuki deposited the kill at Inari's feet. Taking a step back, she watched as we dug in with voracious hunger, our eyes bulging with delight. The sapidity of the juicy rabbit was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before, and my belly was soon bloated with its warmth.

As our meal came to a close, Tsuki summoned us to pursue her further into the woods. We hastened after her, our hearts bursting with excitement, as we contemplated the prospective escapades we may find. The woodland grew more impenetrable as we journeyed farther, with the thick overhang of trees eclipsing the majority of the sun's rays. Nonetheless, with Tsuki at our side, we never felt apprehensive.

In due course, we arrived at the riverbank of a broad, crystalline stream, with diminutive ripples caressing its surface. Tsuki urged us to indulge in the pristine water, and we quaffed it eagerly. While we were quenching our thirst, she gazed pensively across the stream.

After a fleeting interlude of quietude, Tsuki turned towards our company and inquired, "Might you captivate a recollection of that particular night, the night your pack was overrun?"

Inari and I exchanged apprehensive glances. We were still nascent when the commotion ensued, our cognitive faculties yet to develop enough to comprehend the immensity of the transgression. "I remember being scared," I responded equivocally, "but I don't know why they attacked."

Tsuki's gaze had now shifted to Inari, who in tacit response to her unstated inquiry, exhibited dismay by shaking her cranium. "Same," she uttered solemnly, her ears sagging in dejection.

Tsuki's visage conveyed a disquieting expression as she pondered our rejoinder. "The Blackfurs have been peacful for years," she articulated despairingly, more to herself than to us. "I am at a loss as to why they would initiate hostility with the Downrivers."

I couldn't relinquish the onset of culpability reverberating within me. Shiro had been coerced to abandon us, and it was our abrupt arrival that had prompted the hostile attack by the Blackfurs. "Do you think there was a reason they attacked? Did we do something wrong?" I inquired tremulously.

Tsuki offered me a sympathetic but resolute look, "Isamu, you and Inari are still pups. You couldn't have triggered such a barbaric attack. A deeper machination is undoubtedly at work here."

As she spoke, I perceived a considerable weight being lifted off my shoulders. The prospect that we were not culpable gained credence. However, the conundrum persisted unexplained. What could have been the Blackfurs' purpose in targeting our pack?

Back then, I was but minimally equipped to apprehend the full meaning of Tsuki's discourse. My capacity was confined to a mere auditory reception of the contextual cues and a fervent desire to assimilate the essence of her utterances with utmost precision.

Tsuki's words did hover in the air, accompanied by an abrupt gust of wind that stirred the verdant foliage above us. Isamu and Inari craned their necks skywards, mesmerized by the rustling melody. I couldn't resist the gesture of joy on my face as I looked upon them.

"Come," Tsuki broke the silence, "We cannot abide here. The pack may worry."

The three of us trailed her lead as we advanced through the dappled woods, causing the crackling underbrush to pierce our auditory canals. The woodland was teeming with life - birds taking flight from tree to tree, the shrill lamentation of chattering squirrels from high above, and a distant howling that sent chills down my spine.

Whilst walking, the memories of the attack that had obliterated our pack engulfed my subconscious. Despite being a mere pup at that time, the memory of it was etched vividly in my psyche - the pandemonium, the woofs and whimpers of our packmates succumbing to the deafening roars and growls of the Blackfurs. And then, nothingness.

I shook my head, endeavoring to clear the thoughts that threatened to inundate me. Tsuki had divulged that there was a more profound artifice at play - but what could it be?

We surfaced from the thicket into an expanse, and my eyes widened at the spectacle in front of us. A colossal hill towered, cloaked in a thick blanket of flourishing wildflowers. A kaleidoscope of butterflies befittingly engaged in a vibrant performance in the air, decorated against the clouds flowing overhead. Tsuki couldn’t help but giggle as I and Inari began trying to catch the butterflies, nipping at them with our tiny teeth as our legs propelled us inches off of the ground.

Tsuki watched us for a moment with a twinkle in her eye before addressing us. "This hill has a very special meaning to our pack," she said, her voice tinged with reverence. "It symbolizes strength and resilience, and it's where our ancestors rest.”

I listened intently, my curiosity piqued. "Our ancestors?" I repeated questioningly.

Tsuki nodded. "Yes. The wolves that came before us. They lived, breathed, and fought for this land, just as we do now. And when they passed on, they were laid to rest here, on this hill."

I looked up at the hill, experiencing a mix of awe and wonder. It seemed as if it was glowing under the morning sun, radiating a kind of peaceful energy that filled me with hope.

Tsuki noticed my admiration and gave me a knowing smile. "It's a very special place," she continued, "And if you listen closely, you can still hear the songs of our ancestors. It's as if they're singing to us, reminding us of our strength and resilience."

I and my sister exchanged glances, both of us amazed by Tsuki's words. We stood there for a moment, taking in the beauty of the hill and relishing the energy emanating from it.

As we turned to head back to our pack, Tsuki paused and looked back at the hill. "Remember," she said, "when things get tough, we can always come to this hill for strength. Our ancestors are always with us, watching over us and cheering us on."

Tsuki observed our jovial actions affectionately, a generous smile gracing her lips and her eyes full of an inexplicable tenderness. It was through instances such as these that I recognized her significant value to us - serving as a guardian, a mentor, and a cherished companion.

Eventually, our games ceased as we approached the base of the hill. Tsuki scaled it promptly, and Inari and I followed suit, our paws slipping on the lush grass. Near the top, Tsuki paused to catch her breath before beckoning us forward.

Once we caught up, we surveyed the landscape below, a breathtaking viewing point. The glittering sun had now well progressed past the horizon, its intense rays casting a golden hue over the landscape. The river we had crossed earlier wound its way through the mist-covered valley, while a broad expanse of meadow stretched out effortlessly to the east.

Tsuki observed us with amusement, her tail flicking back and forth in contentment. As the sun progressed in its ascendancy, casting a golden hue across the hillock, we proceeded upward, with Tsuki leading our way.

Upon arriving at the crest, we stopped abruptly, gazing in astonishment at the magnificent scenery in front of us. A green, verdant valley spread out beneath, the grass tickling our paws as we peered over the edge. In the distance, we could see a herd of deer calmly grazing as well as a troupe of rabbits hopping along the vibrant meadow.

For a few moments, we just stood there, mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape. Then, Inari urged me forward. "Come on," she whispered delicately, "let's go explore."

Anticipation grew within me as we descended the hill, our paws sinking into the cushy earth below. Inari darted ahead, her tongue lolling out in delight as she pursued the rabbits. I sprinted after her, giggling.

As we bounded through the fields, the breeze whooshed past our ears, carrying along with it the melody of the forest - the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the murmur of the river in the distance. It was a concord that perfectly blended with the freshness of the grass and the mild aroma of the blooming wildflowers.

In a sudden and abrupt halt, Inari stopped on her tracks and started sniffing the atmosphere, pointing her nose towards the river. I, being her sibling, knew exactly what she meant by this; a game of tag was about to begin.

"Tag, you're it!" Inari announced as she charged towards the river, excitement bubbling in her tone.

Without wasting time, I chased after her, thrusting my legs energetically as we maneuvered through the grass. Finally, we arrived at the riverbank, where Inari leaped over a fallen tree trunk, sending a mist of water droplets around her. I followed suit, landing in the water with a splash.

We played in the river, our giggles mingling with the flowing water. For a brief moment, we forgot about our pack's attack and the puzzling situation of our Blackfurs. We were just two exuberant pups savoring the beauty of nature and each other's company.

As we exited the river, our fur dripping wet, the distant howling grew louder, sending a shiver through my spine. Inari noticed my discomfort and nudged me mischievously, trying to distract me from our surroundings.

Nonetheless, I couldn't shake off the impression of peril. The howling grew louder and more menacing, and I realized that we weren't alone in the forest. Someone or something was following us, and they certainly weren't friendly.

Inari must have felt my trepidation because she immediately stood at attention, her ears perked forward as she sniffed the air, attempting to detect a scent. Tsuki's statements echoed in my head, reminding me of our fortitude and resolve. It was time to be brave and confront whatever lay ahead.

I barked at the top of my voice, my voice reverberating across the vicinity. Inari accompanied me, her bark blending with mine. We stood up against the unknown adversary, resolute to defend ourselves.

However, as we barked, the howling became fainter until it ultimately ceased altogether, leaving a palpable silence in its stead. For a moment, I believed we had prevailed.

—

As I traversed through the woods with my patrol, vigilantly executing our customary perimeter check, we exchanged cordial pleasantries and shared our insights on recent occurrences that had befallen our pack. Despite my proclivity for reticence, I must confess, it was gratifying to witness my packmates in good spirits and unscathed.

"Have you, perchance, been apprised of the latest aroma that wafted by a few days ago?" interjected Akira, his ears keenly attuned to the environs.

I turned to face him and inquired, "A new scent, you say? Please elaborate."

"The Redwood pack has left their stench in our territory," he explained, an air of trepidation in his voice, "It's disconcerting me."

An all-too-familiar lump formed in my gut. The Redwoods had already inflicted ample harm, and I couldn't help but conjecture about their motive for trespassing into our boundary lines.

"Has anyone detected any unusual scents today?" I addressed the other kojies, seeking to assuage my concerns.

They all shook their heads in unison, and my anxiety ebbed, albeit momentarily.

"Let us remain vigilant," I advised, hastening ahead, "We cannot afford to be too circumspect."

My patrol members, comprising Akira, Hiroki, and Shizuka, were all adroit and accomplished packmates. Although I was initially leery of external affiliations, I had come to value and confide in them. Our camaraderie had surfaced through our collective tribulations. Yet, I remained vigilant, cognizant of how perilously situations could escalate.

As we traversed through our expedition, exchanging our ideas and engaging in discourse, an unexpected commotion stirred in the vicinity. A cacophony of growls and snarls echoed in the atmosphere, accompanied by frenzied movement.

With unhesitating valor, we sprinted towards the pandemonium, our primal instincts catapulted into action. As we approached the scene, my discernment identified two juvenile canines who were perilously on the verge of being devoured by multiple predatory wolves. 

My heart pounded incessantly in my chest as we intervened meticulously, intercepting one of the wolves from the innocent pups before any mischief could be executed. A standoff ensued between the incensed wolf and me, both of us with bared teeth and growls intensifying in the clearing.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins, heightening my senses, acutely surveying the wolf's physical profile, calculating his size and potency. The wolf posed as an ominous contender, but my tenacity and tireless efforts remained to protect the hapless younglings. The pups quivered behind me, fear and gratitude making of their innocent gazes.

I carefully scrutinized the wolf's posture, and it was palpable that the animal was eager to fight. Its erect fur on its back and irate glare were clear indications of its hostility. I knew we had to proceed with caution, despite our skilled and proficient training, this wolf reflected a formidable opponent.

As I delved headlong into a ravaging melee with the wolf, my senses were heightened by the heated breath of my feral foe upon my countenance, while a chorus of bestial snarls and chomps reverberated throughout. In that fleeting yet indelible interlude, our gazes locked, and all surrounding skirmishes became wholly inconsequential. The wolf my adversary was relentlessly skilled, making complacency a luxury that I could ill afford. There was simply no room for hesitation.

With unwavering boldness and quick reflexes, I lunged forward, but the wolf instantaneously countered, sinking its grizzled teeth into my flesh. Despite the excruciating pain, my tenacious will remained steadfast, and I managed to slip away unscathed, preparing a diligent reprisal.

A cacophony of painful growls filled the air as the wolf tried to displace me, yet I held fast, refusing to relinquish my grip. My heart throbbed with resolute mettle as I fought to protect the vulnerable pups behind me, my foe's warm and foul breath against my coat, belching fearsome growls and snarls in my ear.

With a potent burst of cathartic strength, the wolf finally succeeded in tossing me aside, sending me careening across the clearing. I scrambled to my feet and locked gazes with the dark-furred menace.

As we circled each other, panting heavily from our exertions, I could sense the ravenous appetite and overwhelming determination emanating from its eyes. But I steadfastly refused to yield ground - launching into a viscous maelstrom of claws scraping earth and teeth gnashing.

The wolf recoiled in agony, but its constancy remained unwavering. I could sense its curiosity, its yearning to prove its worth and test the mettle of its opponent. The immediacy of my responsibility weighed heavily upon me as I knew that the pack depended on me to keep them safe, come what may.

With the snarl of the wolf reverberating through the clearing, I side-stepped suddenly and went straight for its flank, biting at a patch of rugged fur. The wolf yelped in response and quickly pivoted to face me. We circled each other, locked in a primal dance of life and death.

The confrontation that followed was a tumultuous flurry of writhing, snarling, and biting in a savage display of force, each attempting to gain the upper hand. Though I managed to sink my fangs and rip away its flesh, it gashed me with its sharp claws, drawing a warm trickle of blood that soiled my fur. I endured the excruciating agony and concentrated only on emerging victorious. 

My companions were holding off other wolves, and I could hear the cacophonic sounds of their battles behind me. But I had to focus on this one, and I knew I couldn't let my guard down.

Nevertheless, I was consumed with vanquishing my foe, and I steadfastly maintained my vigilance. Although the fight seemed to span just a few fleeting minutes, the duration felt interminable as we both fought with unrelenting ferocity. Ultimately, I landed an ending blow, and the once belligerent wolf fled from the territory. Puffing and panting to catch my breath, I browsed the vicinity, making sure that there were no more hostilities. I perked subtly as the other wolves fled as well. Thank the moon…

As I and my patrol emerged from the woods, still jittery from the recent skirmish, we sighted the two small pups quivering in the distance. My instincts immediately kicked in, recognizing them as innocent and vulnerable. We advanced forward, cautiously prodding them to ascertain their identity.

To my shock and overwhelming relief, they were Isamu and Inari, Tsuki's new pup companions that she’d taken out into the territory earlier that day. I couldn't hide my displeasure, instantly observing Tsuki's absence.

"Where is Tsuki?" I demanded firmly, my voice brooking no argument.

"I don’t know," Isamu stammered hesitantly, his tiny voice barely above a whisper.

I fought to contain my frustration, anger simmering beneath the surface. "You two are lucky to be alive," I warned them sternly, "How could you be so careless? We could have lost you forever."

Isamu and Inari cringed under my admonishment, shame and remorse engulfing their tiny frames. I couldn't imagine the anguish and pain that Tsuki was going through right now, but it was imperative that I reprimand them for their negligent behavior and make sure that they would always remember the severity of their mistake.

Despite my irritation, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for their youthful innocence. They were still pups after all, and I knew how easy it was to get lost in thought and become carelessly unaware of one's surroundings.

"We need to find Tsuki," I said, "Where did she go?"

Isamu and Inari exchanged a distressed look, both of them well aware of the gravity of the situation. "She went to the meadow and then to the hill," Inari said hesitantly, her voice small and scared.

I exchanged a glance with my patrol, exchanging a silent agreement. We had to find Tsuki. "Lead the way," I instructed Isamu and Inari, surprisingly sympathetic to their plight.

As we trekked towards the meadow and hill, I engaged in a conversation with my patrol, attempting to distract myself from the immediate anxiety. The conversation veered from our patrol's activities to the peculiar scent, which Akira had described earlier.

"I can't help but shake off the feeling that there's more to it," I mused, the memory of the Redwoods’ attack still fresh in my mind.

"Agreed," Hiroki chimed in, "Perhaps some sort of prelude?"

Shizuka raised her head, also lost in thought. "It would seem strange for them to leave their stench so close to our encampment if there wasn't some reason behind it."

I assented with a nod, my contemplative gaze surveying the surroundings with great scrutiny. "We shall have to maintain a vigilant watch on that development. It could potentially pose a predicament. Has Hayate been made aware?" 

"I have apprised him of my apprehensions the day the scent was discovered," Akira responded. "As yet, he has yet to determine the appropriate course to pursue." 

As Isamu and Inari guided us onward, my mind swirled with a plethora of thoughts. Why did Tsuki abandon the pups? Where could she have ventured off to? And, most crucially, what made her decide it was acceptable to leave such vulnerable offspring unattended? 

Despite the doubts seething inside me, I attempted to disregard them and concentrate on locating Tsuki to secure the pack's safety. Nonetheless, a powerful surge of frustration and anger stirred within me. This was hardly Tsuki's first demonstration of carelessness, and it seemed clear to me that she was putting our pack's security at risk. 

Approaching the meadow, I signaled the patrol to spread out and remain alert, keeping a sharp eye out for any potential dangers. Preparing myself for whatever lay ahead, I took a deep breath. 

"Tsuki!" I bellowed, my voice reverberating through the terrain. 

Absolute stillness answered me, apart from the gentle rustling of the grass and the intermittent twittering of birds. My heart sank, and the worst-case scenarios floated through my mind. Had something happened to her? 

"Tsuki!" I shouted with an unmistakable hint of desperation. 

All of a sudden, a faint sound reached my ears, a far-off tune that sent a shiver down my spine. It was a melody I had previously heard- a haunting melody that carried with it a suggestion of something ancient and potent. 

Signaling my patrol to follow behind me, we approached the hilltop with our bodies tense and poised for action. As we drew closer to the summit, the song grew louder, and I could see a shadowy figure perched there, silhouetted against the sun. 

"Tsu..." I began to call out, but my voice faltered upon beholding the figure's countenance. 

It wasn't Tsuki; it was far more formidable than that. 

For a moment, I was rendered immobile by sheer terror, standing rooted to the spot, bereft of even the power of speech. The entity that lay before my eyes was a being quite unlike any I had ever beheld, an amalgamation of wolf and yet another creature, its ocular orbs ablaze with an ethereal, luminescent fire.

The enigmatic wolf that towered over the patrol was a vision that haunted, sending shivers down the spine. Its corpus was gargantuan and daunting, towering over even the largest of the clan. The pelt that shrouded its form was a deep, luxuriant sable hue, which glistened in the sun, a portentous presence. 

Some portions of its fur were thicker and matted than others, a testimony of its tenacity in the wild. Its ocular organs, glistening shades of molten steel, twinkled with an unfathomable glow that seemed to pierce even the very soul. The wolf's coat bore witness to its struggles, riddled with scars that spoke volumes of its valiant battles and struggles for survival in the capricious world it inhabited.

It was not merely a wolf, that much was apparent. Its hybrid lineage manifested in its elongated, razor-sharp talons and muscular limbs, that propelled it forward in an elegant, effortless manner, despite its considerable size. The initial fear that gripped us all was supplanted by an emotion of deep respect, perhaps even awe, as the patrol took in the formidable entity. This wolf was a juggernaut to be reckoned with, a beast born for the rigors of war.

My patrol members didn't fare any better, all of us frozen in place, our instincts screaming at us to flee. However, abscondment had regrettably been precluded. The lupine's penetrating, unwavering gaze enwrapped us all, imprisoning us with formidable constraints of trepidation that were fiercely unyielding. We found ourselves at the complete mercy of the horrific creature.

At the precise moment when I had transcended my fear, as it were, I espied the wolf's penetrating gaze veer from mine and fixate upon Isamu with unremitting intensity. Isamu and Inari had been the more reticent of the pups in our pack, meekly treading around their peers. Bearing witness to their stasis, my heart bled for the two, recognizing their absolute susceptibility.

I softly murmured the name "Inari" with my hallowed breath, my heart lamenting for her as I witnessed her still cowering, emitting feeble whimpers, her visage bedewed with a torrent of tears, and her non-human sanctity besmirched with the soaking rain that had commenced pouring from the skies.

My eyes hastily and abruptly swiveled towards Isamu, who was engulfed in a state of abject terror, with salty droplets cascading down his diminutive furry cranium. His sister held onto his back, hesitant to relinquish her grip due to apprehension. The vision engendered a distressing pang within my heart, inducing an unparalleled sense of impotence. I could see the fear in Isamu's eyes; it mirrored my own. 

The wolf did not evince a disposition toward aggression against us. Rather, it fixated its attention upon the quaking and lamenting form of Isamu, whom I was restraining against my own person. The creature's eyes were transfixed upon those of Isamu, and in that moment there was naught but silence, save for the stifled sobs of Inari. Isamu's eyes were agape with sheer dread, and his body convulsed as he attempted to withdraw from the situation.

The elusive wolf caught sight of young Isamu's attempt at escapism, it advanced upon both him and his sister, its lengthy talons clicking ominously on the ground beneath its fierce paws. Thereafter, the wolf proceeded to extend a forepaw and with a powerful drag, ensnared the two frightened, helpless pups. Inari, utterly petrified, let out a deafening and blood-curdling scream, while Isamu whimpered in complete terror. 

Though I made a desperate move towards them, intent on placing myself between the pups and the enigmatic wolf, an insurmountable and invisible force restrained me in place. The wolf then drew closer to its prey, its colossal form looming ominously over the young twosome. "Guys!" I barked at the absolute apex of my lungs, my forepaws in a frenzy as they scraped against the imperceptible barrier, while I stood erect on my hind legs. "GUYS!"

Akira and Hikari, in addition to myself, endeavored to dismantle the steadfast obstruction, our foreclaws fervently scratching at the enigmatic, transparent force. Meanwhile, Shizuka remained motionless beside us, a mere spectator to our earnest efforts.

Inari's anguished howls intensified in their intensity, compelling Shizuka to offer her comfort from the opposing side of the barrier. Verbalizing assurances such as "It's okay; everything shall be well", and "We're coming, just hold on," though her very own eyes betrayed a glossiness, threatening to unshackle torrents of tears.

The wolf paid us no heed, its attention focused solely on the pups. I don't know what passed between them, but I remember feeling a deep sense of terror when the wolf lifted its giant paw, placing it on the struggling pup’s forehead. It was almost a pat, if you could say that about a paw that could crush human skulls.

Perceiving our collective perplexity and disorientation, the lupine creature refrained from proffering any explication. Rather, it directed its gaze unwaveringly upon Isamu, whilst the fledgling quavered and copious tears cascaded down his visage. The wolf imparted some form of communication unto the juvenile pup, words which eluded our perception and remained inscrutable. In an almost inaudible exhalation, the colossal wolf subsequently disintegrated into minuscule particles of dust and was then dispersed by a gentle gust of wind.

As the final particles of the wolf's dust were carried away by the breezes, and as the thunderous heavens subsided, the insidious force that detained us so firmly also ebbed away. With alacrity, I hastened to the motionless figures of Isamu and Inari, lying collapsed on the turf and quivering with fear. Their eyes, wide brimmed and weepy, gazed at me with bemusement. We stood there, still and paralyzed. It took a moment to behold the indubitable reality of the strange events that just played out. Isamu was frozen, his eyes agape, tears streaming down his face. It was as if he was in a trance, still coming to grips with the strange encounter.

I stooped down beside them, clasping their shivering forms and tendering all the solace I could. "Be calm now," I whispered, nuzzling their ears. "You are both safe."

Inari clung onto my fur, her puny form heaving with sobs, while Isamu stood stoic, staring into the void as if still beset by the wolf's malicious glare. I could sense his dread and trauma, knowing it would take ample time for him to recuperate from this strange occurrence.

The rest of the patrol congregated around us, perplexed and amazed by recent events. They too, just like I, were in a quandary to explain what had just happened or how the wolf bridged communication with Isamu. It was a puzzle that appeared without a discernable solution.

Inari continued to sob, but her cries were now feeble. I made my way towards her, proffering a gentle nudge with my nose. She peered up at me with her terrified eyes, but appeared to take comfort in my steadfast presence.

I called out to Isamu, but he remained unresponsive. I nudged him too, but he remained oblivious to my appeals.

All of a sudden, he slumped to the ground, inert. My heart was seized with alarm, and I hastened over to him. Inari was right beside me, her cries amplified once again.

"Aito," she howled. "What's the matter with him?"

"I do not know," I replied, my voice quivering with apprehension.

In that moment, I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do to assist Isamu. All I could do was wait and hope that he would recover from whatever trance he was entrenched in.

Suddenly, a jarring and shattering shriek rent through the atmosphere, traversing the meadow and creating an agitated commotion among birds and beasts alike. Inari, in fervent panic, commenced to scream Isamu's name on top of her shrill breath, evidently harboring the apprehension that her sibling had perished or endured a dreadful fate. Her inconsolable state was apparent, manifesting through her puny anatomy that convulsed spasmodically while she screamed her brother's name with semblance of a possessed spirit.

Notwithstanding my efforts to assuage her, my endeavors were in vain, for she was too frightful and emotionally subjugated to heed rationale. "Inari, please, listen to me," I pleaded with soft yet unwavering intonation, embracing her delicately as I attempted to pacify her. "Isamu is okay. He is right here with us." However, my assurances were futile, and her howls impeded my rational utterances.

I held Inari snugly, feeling her tremulous form contiguously to mine. "Inari, calm down," I said, trying to reason with her. "Isamu is okay, he's right here. You need to calm down and breathe."

Her aeonian wails amplified exponentially, reverberating throughout the verdant meadow and stirring flocks of birds into a frenzied flight. The perturbation in her eyes bespoke volumes and I reckoned that my consolations were bereft of efficacy. Her traumatization was entrenched from her enigmatic encounter with the lupine creature, and fear, now entrenched, firmly held its sway over her.

With an entreating tone, I implored again, "Inari, it's okay. Isamu is safe and we are all here for you."

However, her mournful sobs commingled with my words as she snuggled closely to my being. I was conscious that there was a dearth of action on my part that could assuage her fears and allay her trauma. I thus uttered, with insistent fervor this time, "Inari, look at me." With utmost care, I softly held her furry shoulders and gently pivoted her towards me. Our glances locked, her frailties beheld in her quaking gaze. "Isamu is where he should be. Come here, see for yourself." I pointed with a forepaw to the motionless figure of Isamu, lying sprawled on the vegetated terrain.

"Inari, Isamu is going to be okay. He just needs some time to come back to himself." I spoke in a resolute yet tender tone, intending to kindle peace within her. However, her soliloquy of sorrow went on, unabated.

My eyes perpetrated a search, scanning the assembly of our troupe. All of us were confounded, fully cognizant of our own incapacity to unravel the enigma that had befallen Isamu. It dawned upon me that we all shared a common sentiment of helplessness and frustration, for any expurgation of Isamu's ordeal was beyond the purview of our intervention. 

--

As my consciousness waned, an unmistakable chill of a restless, perilous slumber ensnared me. However, this time, the torment was of a different nature. Unlike the prior nightmare which had left me vulnerable and despondent in the clutches of Blackfurs, this dream was far more demonic and malicious. A desolate expanse of dark tundra, buffeted by ferocious winds and swirling snow, greeted me as I opened my eyes. The stark whiteness of the landscape was the only respite from the overwhelming darkness that enveloped me.

In this desolation, I felt acutely alone and vulnerable, wrapped in a cloak of cold, fear, and an indefinable horror. As I surveyed my surrounds, a searing, intense fear engulfed me. A million claws seemed to dig into my flesh causing me to tremble in their vicelike grip. The reason soon became apparent as the colossal wolf beast loomed majestically over me, its fiery gaze fixed steadily upon me.

I was desperate to scream or flee, but my physical constraint and isolation stranded me in this frozen wasteland, powerless and impotent. Inexorably, the wolf menace continued to close in on me while emitting a low, guttural growl that reverberated through my very core.

I observed it closely for a while, and it dawned on me that this entity was distinct from the previous wolf I had encountered. However, it was also somewhat similar as the shredded fur, and deep scars spoke of its trials and tribulations. The wolf eyes, glimmering with an otherworldly spark, penetrated into my being, making me feel naked and vulnerable. Yet, simultaneously, its gaze provided some consolation, imparting a sense of tranquility, hinting of a promise of respite from the ongoing nightmare.

Unbelievably, the wolf spoke to me in a growling, resonant voice that shook me to the core and reverberated throughout the desolate landscape. "Close your eyes," it said firmly.

I hesitated for a brief moment, unsure of what was going to follow. Nevertheless, overwhelmed by my current circumstance, I eventually submitted to the wolf's command.

As my eyes parted, I was met with the forlorn vista of the Downrivers' sanctuary, with the lifeless and mutilated remnants of my kin and fellow pack members looming vividly before me. Despite every detail being seared deep within the confines of my psyche, the harsh reality of having dreamt these terrors rendered me incredulous. The ghastliness was all too palpable, too visceral, sending violent tremors coursing through my being, while each breath I took came in abrupt, erratic gasps.

In the distance, I suddenly perceived a mellifluous howl, plaintive and longing, the likes of which I had never encountered before, possessing a resonant power that shook me to my core. It seemed to convey both a warning and a call, beckoning me towards an inevitable confrontation. 

As I scoured my surroundings for some semblance of coherence, they appeared indistinct and blurry, evocative of a strange and otherworldly dimension whose bounds remained unfathomable. The horizon was awash in a dull orange hue, expanding infinitely, while the ground below my paws was constantly in flux, a morphing entity.

As I ventured forward, my gait unsteady and apprehensive, a voice wafted out from the darkness, deep and rumbling, and one that spoke a language beyond my comprehension. Yet, despite my lack of understanding, the tone resonated with malice, inciting feelings of threat.

Though I wished to escape, en route to finding comfort within the embrace of my kin and packmates, my limbs felt sluggish and immobile. The voice persisted, growing more profound and weighty with the passing moments. 

Abruptly, the voice ceased, and a looming, menacing figure materialized before me, the same wolf from before. Its eyes brimming with an otherworldly luster and fur shimmering in the dim light. 

Desiring to shake myself out of this trance, I rubbed the sleep of my eyes, yet all to no avail, as the vivid imagery of my family's brutal extermination continued to haunt my every thought. The wolf's eyes locked into mine, compelling my unwavering attention and holding me captive in its presence. I felt helpless, stripped of all agency, as the entity before me had ascended to an omnipotent and ethereal dominion.

My consciousness, plagued by surrealist imaginations, coiled in a never-ending cascade of ferocious imagery, each scene more harrowing than the last. I saw myself engulfed in a surging, glistening sea of blood, my every vain effort to swim proving futile as the waves threatened to drown me. The cacophonous chorus of howls and snarls and the pounding of panic-stricken, thundering hearts filled my ears as I desperately sought a way to escape the grisly fate that lay ahead.

The large wolf I had just witnessed towering over me in reality now appeared in my dreams, its form shifting and morphing into grotesque shapes of unspeakable malevolence. I heard its voice- raw and guttural, booming with a thunderous presence, emanating from a source beyond time and place.

It was at that precise moment that the wolf deigned to speak with me once more. Its pronouncements conveyed an extra degree of ominousness to an already charged atmosphere. "Danger," it growled portentously. "Your life is in peril." My heartbeat hastened as I endeavored to make sense of the wolf's utterances, yet the import of its message was enshrouded in a muddle of perplexing thoughts and emotions.

As the scene unfolded, the imagery became more vivid and pronounced, inundating my senses with an onslaught of sights and sounds. My eyes beheld my packmates being ruthlessly rent asunder by a rival band of Blackfurs, their wails reverberating throughout the landscape. The wolf's voice continued to resound, exhorting me to take up arms and defend my loved ones, yet I felt enervated and weak in the face of such overwhelming ferocity.

As I gazed, feeling helpless and numb, the wolf's voice drifted into my ears once again. "Arise," it declared. "Resist. Endure. Safeguard." Its gaze bored into my being with an intensity that verged on the otherworldly.

At this juncture, the wolf spoke in a language that eluded my comprehension, yet in some inexplicable way, I knew that its words were intended solely for me. It propounded queries, bisyllabic utterances that left me struggling to parse their meaning. Its voice was at once authoritative and soothing, a contradictory amalgam that only served to confound me.

Then, the lupine creature conveyed its message in a language that defied my comprehension, yet despite this limitation, I knew beyond doubt that its words were aimed at me. Its communication was couched in a paradoxical blend of commanding and soothing inflections, leaving me bewildered and uncertain.

I was confronted by a series of inquiries, each one conjuring up a novel image replete with scenes of dread and hopelessness. The visions shifted and transformed into a phantasmal kaleidoscope of horrific scenarios, leaving me unbalanced and disoriented. I saw my comrades under attack by vicious predators, my sister and myself fleeing for our lives across landscapes of devastation and battle-scarred terrains, and endless encounters filled with belligerence and strife. I observed Shiro selflessly giving his life to defend his group, his motionless form lying on the ground in front of our adversaries.

But it was the final image that finally shattered me into fragments, beyond repair. I saw my beloved parents, their eyes wide with horror and torment, being ripped apart by the Blackfurs. The echoes of their screams, their imploring pleas for mercy as they were consumed by the savage beasts, resounded deeply within my mind and soul.

"MOMMY! DADDY!" My anguished cries rang out repeatedly, tears coursing down my face while my body shook with inconsolable sadness and fury. The imposing wolf remained, its gaze perceptive yet somehow detached, without providing any form of explanation, solace or comfort. It simply observed his gradual disintegration, as I crumbled into fragments.

My parents' lifeless bodies lay on the ground, vacant stares aimed upward. The intensity of the profound sorrow and heartbreak I felt was overpowering, with I continuing to scream their names while my tear-stained cheeks glistened. The agony was all too much; it was genuine and unbearable.

I was gripped with an overpowering urge to clamor, to bolt, to take any action to distance myself from this ghastly vision. Nonetheless, I found myself ensnared, immobilized in the grasp of the wolf. Its gaze was fixed upon me, and I felt as though it was scrutinizing my very essence. 

Despite my efforts to vocalize my distress and pose inquiries, I was constrained by an obstruction in my throat. I could only stare, petrified by terror and hopelessness, until I could bear it no longer. 

With a sudden surge of vitality, I wrenched himself out of the wolf's hold, flailing and bellowing madly in my attempt to elude the nightmare that had beset me for what appeared to be an indeterminate amount of time. My heart was pounding, my breaths coming in short gasps as I staggered backwards, shunning the wolf. 

The misery and torment that wracked my being were unbearable, and I cried and howled as if endeavoring to release the nightmare from my body. 

Amidst the remnants of the nightmare, the wolf lingered, observing me with a gaze that was no longer aloof, but empathetic and understanding. Without uttering a word, the wolf stretched out a forelimb and rested it upon my forehead, just as it had done before. 

Filled with an impulse to resist, to flee, to spurn the wolf's touch, the agony was too much for me to endure, and I felt I was on the brink of losing my sanity. A guttural howl, which rent my vocal cords and reverberated across the barren waste, emanated from me. And then, everything faded to black. 

As I regained consciousness, I was lying on the ground, tears cascading down my cheeks. I surveyed my surroundings in a state of fear and bewilderment. Inari sat half-buried into Aito’s fur, her eyes open wide with apprehension and trepidation.

I languished as a profound sense of shock and despair permeated my being, rendering me inconsolable. Each sensory input was inflamed to a degree that approached the unbearable, scourging my very nerves with an intensity akin to a raging wildfire. My entire frame quaked as if in the throes of an earthquake, my muscles taut and unyielding as the nightmare persisted in its haunting grasp. Even as I lay there, my terror unyielding and unrelenting, I wrestled with reconciling the experience that had seized me.

Inari's eyes blazed with stark fear as they bore deeply into my own, her expression fraught with a sense of futility. I perceived her lost countenance, and a pang of guilt tugged at my heartstrings for having burdened her with my unsighted turmoil. Even amidst her sadness, etched as it was into her features, I found little in the way of solace or refuge from my self-imposed distress.

"It was a nightmare," I gasped out between sobs.