Silvershore

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next few weeks were completely normal in The Pack of the Earth. Kiara's pups had opened their eyes and were growing very healthily, and nothing had changed between Stormjay and Bright Moon - still close as ever. Kenya was doing very well with her training, dragging Sky along with her most of the time. Both of them were well on their way to becoming guard wolves.

From blossomed clouds came water-petals into the fresh spring air. This rainy day came with a confident wind, rousing the trees into a vortex of dance. Stormjay heard the quenching rain from his den. The percussion of the given water varied according to the surface it wets. Rain conjures a sweet pattern upon Stormjay's fur as he stepped out, the thousands of liquid globes reflecting the greenery of nature. It was cooling on this warm day, a welcome shower to add to the senses. Clouds formed a perfect line-up in the gray sky, as if they were boats safely moored in celestial harbor.

He was having a very nice and calming morning to himself until a conversation he overheard between Daruk and Misa.

"N-No...my god, again...!?" Misa huffed.

"I know...I know. We've prepared for this...I mean, ever since Loki was kidnapped, we've all had a terrible feeling this was coming up."

"What's coming up?" Ragna asked, who was trotting behind the two of them.

"We...may have caught scent of The Pack of the Fire while on our morning patrol." Daruk growled to himself. "We just gotta be prepared to fuck their shit up, I guess."

Stormjay froze.

"...Not this again..." Ragna whimpered.

"Oh my god...oh my friggin' god..." Stormjay whispered to himself.

"Heyyyyyy, 'Jay," Sky appeared behind him, completely oblivious to the tense air around her, continuing to enjoy the rain.

Stormjay wanted to greet her back, but no words could form. His heart just seemed to stop.

"Um...are you okay?" Sky asked.

"C...C...Sky...c-come with me." He wrapped his tail around his sister tightly and ran to the shaman resources den with her. Where he had hidden last time The Pack of the Fire attacked. The safest place, although a wolf from The Pack of the Fire entered last time and threatened to kill all the pups...he had suppressed that traumatic experience until today.

"G-Guys...I-I..." Stormjay began to panic as he entered the shaman resources den.

"Hm? Something the matter?" Bright Moon tilted her head.

"P-P...Pack...The Pack of the...Fire..." Stormjay sniffled.

"Stormjay." Loki's voice behind him sighed.

Stormjay trembled and looked behind him.

"...Stay in here. Stormjay, Sky, Bright Moon, Kiara, stay in here for the day. Daruk and Misa caught scent of The Pack of the Fire. If this is what we think it is, absolutely no leaving this den until further notice. We will do what we can to protect you. Do you understand?"

Kiara nodded. "...Be careful, Loki. Do your best out there..."

"I will." Loki smiled.

"W-Wait, mom..." Stormjay whimpered.

Loki looked at her son.

"...Promise you'll be okay?"

Loki smiled sweetly. "I promise. I love you both." She nuzzled both Sky and Stormjay gently before exiting the den in a hurry.

"She's gonna be okay..." Sky comforted Stormjay. "She said so herself."

Stormjay felt a sudden episode of intense fear. The blood pounded in his ears. Her heart thudded in his chest. His paws began to shake and tingle. His mind just seemed to stop working. He couldn't think at all, about anything. The simplest things all started to seem above his mental ability.