Sky Of Flame

Nightmare

I spotted the orange and blue blaze of the bonfire. I barked and thought to Jacque and Laina,

Race you guys.

They snickered,

Your on.

We charged towards the blaze. When we were a few yards away I suddenly stopped.

Something was wrong. It was too quiet.

Laina's white coat blurred past me.

Come on, slowpokes.

Laina, wait.

She ignored me and kept flying like a bullet. I ran after her, Jacque now on my heel.

What's wrong? Jacque questioned.

I don't know, but best to be careful. I'll scan the area. Go after Laina.

Jacque nodded and raced off.

I prowled towards the flames, sticking to the shadows. I peeked around the trees. My eyes widened at the sight.

The flames were high and spreading. Smoke thickly covered the sky and contaminated the air.

I hear a howl of pain. Laina.

I run to her as quickly as I can. Pain wracked my muscles but I kept moving.

I spotted her on the ground laying in a pool of deep red blood. I shifted and ran to her.

"Laina, Laina."

She blinked at me weakly,

"Archer, run."

She shoves me weakly but I don't move.

"I'm not leaving you."

She smiles and brings her bloody hand to my cheek,

"Go."

Her eyes became lifeless and her hand fell limply to the ground.

I shake my head frantically,

"No. No. Laila," I screamed.

There was a rustle behind me. I whipped around to the intruder. It was Jacque.

I stagger towards my friend,

"Jacque, Laila's dead." I choked out.

His eyes were cold and distant. I looked down at his hand. His sword was out and stained with blood.

He smiled with no emotion and played with the edge of the lethal blade,

"You know, it wasn't supposed to be like this, but I guess that's just how things work."

I backed slowly away as he approached me,

"What do you mean?"

He swung the sword downward menacingly,

"You know what I mean," he yelled in fury.

"Laila was supposed to be mine, but instead you stole her. You. My best friend. I have given up everything for you but you stole the only thing I cared about. I have hated you since then. I vowed to kill you and take Laila for myself, but like always, you get in my way. Now that I have joined others, I'm more powerful than ever. Now I'm stronger than you. Now you will pay the price."

During his tyrant he didn't notice that I was reaching for my knife. I inched closer to my back pocket and grabbed the intricate hilt.

Jacque swiped the sword at me. I kept dodging. He swung sideways and I swiftly ducked down. I grabbed his hand and twisted. The sword fell out of his hand as he cried in pain. I kicked the sword away and pushed Jacque down. Stepping on his hand, I held the knife to his throat.

"Why? Why did you have to do this? Why didn't you ever tell me? It didn't have to be this way."

Jacque smiled evilly,

"But it did and now you have to choose. Kill me. Your former best friend for the satisfaction or take me to the dwindling pack to order my execution. Either way I die but I know I ruined your life and you will never be happy with a mate other than Laila. Like me, you can never have her. She's out of your reach."

His eyes were wild with insanity. I shook with rage. I shifted into a wolf and howled. I wanted to. Dearly wanted to rip his neck out.

Archer. Archer. Don't do it.

I looked around but the faint voice was gone as soon as it had come.

I grabbed Jacque roughly with my jaws and dragged him.

I could hear the soft howls of the pups. Logan the Delta spotted me first. He ran to me.

Archer. We were so worried. The Scarlet Wolf...

He was staring at Jacque by my paws.

Archer, What is Jacque doing.

I growled,

He's a traitor. He killed Laina and is a spy for the Scarlet Wolves.

The group that had gathered gasped. Logan snarled,

How could you, Jacque?

Jacque only smirked.

You will be executed at once.

A group of hunters transformed into humans. They grasped Jacque's forarms and dragged him up. They led him to a cave for execution.

I turned to leave.

Archer wait. Your father. He... he died protecting us. and your mother she hasn't come back from rescuing the pups. You have been chosen to become our new Alpha.

I swallowed and suppressed tears. I held my head high.

Do whatever you please.

I stalked off. Awake but not, I found myself on a hill. I looked up to the moon and let out a great howl.

Everyone. All that I cared about. Gone.

~

I wake up with a start. Tears in my eyes. Sweat dotting my forehead. Heart pounding. I get up and put my head in my hands.

Archer. Archer.

I hear Laila's voice. Over and over. Echoing in my hollow soul.