Between Heaven and Earth

Wolf Prints

Chapter 1

Wolf Prints

The snow had begun to gather then, settling across the ground in a thick layer of white powder. Neither of the two people that pushed through it minded much, it was making their job easier after all. In the snow, standing out much better than it would in dirt or mud, were nearly a dozen tracks of prints, each one holding the four toes and the scratched claw marks of a canine.

Fur lined the man's jacket, brushing against unshaved cheeks as he led the way through the mounds of frost, a woman stalking right after him. Both carried weapons of their own choice, his a wickedly sharp blade and hers a high powered gun, lowered to the ground but ready to rise at first sight of their prey.

In the trees a wolf howled, the sound echoing around the couple as others joined in, now on all sides of them. A cruel smile curved the man's mouth and he picked up the pace, following the prints until they lead him to a break in the trees, dozens of meters across.

Standing in the clearing were thirteen wolves, larger than the normal variety by far. Grey and brown fur stood out against the pale background, adults and pups mingling together. The younger were romping, pounding the snow with large paws and long tails while the elders, nearly seven adults, watched on, appearing perfectly relaxed with the situation.

The man gestured with his hand and his wife crouched beside him, raising the weapon to rest against her shoulder. Their eyes slid over the group, watching interactions until the woman located what she had been looking for.

The Alpha sat, proud and strong a few feet away from the rest of the pack, ears pricked and eyes fixed on the other canines. When he made a sound, or a gesture the others would move, young ones would separate from a squabble. That was their target.

The woman took aim, gloved finger on the trigger. A breath in, a breath out.

The sound barrier was destroyed in wake of the bullet and there was pained yelp from the leader before he fell to the ground, limp. The rest of the pack seemed frozen, until one of the young ones hit the snowy earth, howling in pain as blood soaked the fur on its shoulder.

Wolves ran, the pack moved, splitting up suddenly. Already the hunter had left his place and was crossing the open ground, sprinting as fast as his legs would carry him over the restricting snow. The gun went off again, sending another animal crashing to the ground. He was upon the creature in second, knife raised to end its life.

The blade caught the cold light, glinting dangerously in his hand.

From behind a weight slammed into him, sharp teeth burying themselves in his shoulder and ripping through both clothe and flesh. A cry broke from his mouth and the man was knocked to the ground, weapon flying from his grip.

The teeth left his should and found his throat, ending the man's life in a sharp jerk and a tear of through vein and arteries.

The snow was stained crimson and the woman, who had broken through the trees in an attempt to save her husband, was taken to the ground by three smaller canines, fangs ripping through her and claws destroying once build muscle. She fell, the life leaving her eyes as her screams filled the air and her body thrashed in the throes of death.

Only when both were still and the air no longer stirred with their breath did the predators leave the bodies, freezing on the ground of the frozen over creek. As one the wolves left bodies and hiding places, approaching their fallen ones. The Alpha lay in a crimson stain, utterly still and devoid of life.

Yards away were two others, one standing on three legs while the other lay in the deepening snow. Eleven wolves surrounded the fallen, watching the breathing come faster, the blood seep into the frost and the eyes slowly dull until at last the chest ceased to rise and fall.

Muffled by the fall of snow a mournful howl filled the air.