Destiny of the Forest Wolves || A Destiny Series || Book 1

- CHAPTER ONE: The Beginning -

Aztec trotted into his den, heaving a heavy sigh and settling himself down in the corner of the cave. He shifted onto his side, and glanced up at the crack in the dens ceiling. He saw the bright, neon white moon raising higher into the midnight sky. He wished he could read Garo's mind.

What are you hiding from me, Garo?

Aztec wondered, wishing he could howl a message high up into the swirling midnight atmosphere. Aztec's eyes slowly drifted closed, as the stars glimmered above. Meanwhile, sleep refused to come to Aclisa. Pups were on the way any day now, and her belly was cramping up, and giving her spasms of agony once in a while. She shifted to her paws, unsteady once or twice, and walked outside the den, while her mate mumbled in the far corner. 

She slowly walked through a little water puddle from the last nights rain fall. The frogs were croaking and the grasshoppers and crickets were chirping as the night was cold and freezing. It was the beginning of winter, and the snow turned out colder than normally. The little bits of frost that made the leaves curl and die, were slowly spreading, as the night air whistled through the tree's and wet, thin turf. But winter here was known to end quickly.

The grass was absolutely terrible for hiding and hunting from and for predators and prey this season. After a while of observing her surroundings in disappointment, Aclisa walked back inside her cave. She looked over at Aztec, who had finally fallen into a deep sleep. He needed it, he worked day and night and hadn't gotten a sleep as good as this one in a long time. 

As she sat down, the moon slowly glided down the sky, and the morning grew even colder. She started closing her eyes, but the shine of the moon was keeping her awake. She finally got to her paws as the sun rose and dawn appeared. She felt a brief, soft blow of wind bristle through her fur as Aztec passed her. As he was about to leave, he turned around and gave the she-wolf a soft smile. She grinned in return. Aclisa staggered back to her pelt bed. She didn't want to go anywhere at this rate. She was scared, but excited in a way. She was about to rest her head on her paws and attempt a slumber, when she let out a pitying cry and knew that moment, they'd be greeting new lives any day now.

- DAYS LATER -

Aclisa and Aztec looked down at their wriggling son. They had a beautiful one, who had both his parents colours. His back, top of his tail, behind his legs, outer side of his ears, around the eyes and head, were all grey, while his belly fur, underneath his tail, paws, snout and inner ears were all white. He had small bits of orange, as a Grey does. He wagged his tiny tail back and forth, and rolled over onto his back. He snuffled around, then looked up at his parents, his eyes tightly closed shut, before he sneezed. Aztec and Aclisa beamed, Aztec then locking his eyes on Aclisa.
"What shall his name be?" He asked with uncertainty. His mate stopped to think for a moment. She stared back down at her son, and whispered, but loud enough for him to hear, "Amax." Her son wriggled around, as if he heard his name, and started whimpering for milk. Then Aztec stepped forward and said, "I like that name," he chuckled, then repeated softly, "Amax." Their son seemed like warmth and milk was all he ever wanted. 

Then Lovren, one of the Hunting-Guards, came in and smiled. "What an exquisite son you have there, my leaders." The black wolf said.

"Thank you, Lovren. Have any news?" Aclisa asked hopefully. The black wolf nodded and went on. "The Northern Pack have been scented along the edges of our border." He laid his ears back and waited for a strong response. Aztec growled and bared his teeth.

"Aztec, you know better than to give way with your temper. Thank you, Lovren." Aclisa said firmly. Lovren nodded and padded away. The she-wolf looked at her mate. He looked away, deep in thought as it seemed.