Return of The Blood Wolf: Ashes Rise

Chapter 1: Phoenix

"Come on Phoe!" A young pup called out to me, pulling on my hand as we ventured deeper into the forest "It's almost time!" Her anticipation was palpable, and I couldn't help but smile as I looked down at her.

"All right, all right," I chuckled, giving the pup an affectionate pat. "I'm sure there's plenty of time before alpha calls." I reassured her with a warm smile.

"I wonder what he has in store for us?"

Deep inside, I hoped it was nothing too significant. My mother believed our alpha was a force for good, but I couldn't shake the unease I felt whenever I looked into his eyes. There was a darkness there that unsettled me...

"Phoenix?" Asked the she-pup, her concern evident in her eyes." Are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine!" I assured her, ruffling her hair. In truth, my thoughts were a whirlwind, and a distant howl pierced the air, signaling urgency and importance. "Come on, little one, we must hurry. Alpha doesn't want us to be late."

~~*~~

I stood alongside my alpha pair atop a small rocky cliff, the entire pack gathered below, the anticipation thick in the air. My alpha's voice echoed through the forest, his words carrying weight and authority.

"Thank you all for gathering here on this short notice," his booming voice reverberated among the rocks and trees, addressing the pack." I have some important news for everyone."

He's enjoying this too much, what kind of sick game is he playing?

"I've decided to choose a new beta!" His announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd below, their reactions a chaotic chorus. My mother tried to restore order with her soothing words, but my attention was fixated on one person. My vision was turning crimson. The only thing I could see was the man standing in front of me, i was shaking with rage as i heard my wolf whisper eerily to me,

...Vile man, vicious man...

"Phoenix!" a voice of a pack-mate shouted from down below. They might have said something else, but I was too caught up in my own rage, as my wolf begged me to let her "play" with her alpha. I'm tempted to let her.. But I know if I do chaos will erupt everywhere if I do.

"Phoenix, look at me," a pack-mate entered my line of sight, breaking my view of the vile man overlooking the pack, "look at me my pup, please." I realized the wolf in front of me was my mother, "Phoenix, sweetheart, you need to calm down, breathe." she soothed, I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts, trying to wrest control from the raging wolf inside me... "Your wolf is strong, but you are stronger-" she said something else that i couldn't hear, i sunk into the corner of my mind were it was quiet and peaceful, i didn't know what happened after that...