Mate

Chapter Five

((Happy Turkey Day tomorrow! Here is a gift for all you ladies and gentlewolves: A new chapter! Its so hard to post new ones because I have to drive half an hour to get free wifi! Anyhoo, ENJOY))

((OMNI POV))

Night was settling over another part of the world. Ancient pines covered in thick ropes of dangling moss cast dark shadows across the rolling hills overgrown with thorny bushes. At the edge of the vast forest a grand manor sat on a rise overlooking a black lake. The grounds were well kept and orderly, the manor itself was beautiful. Yet, something about the place seemed somehow ominous. The arching windows, lit from within by torches, showed no warmth and seemed more liken to gaping maws.

The deepening gloom was pierced suddenly by a pair of powerful headlights as a dark SUV raced up the shale drive. It came to a halt near the massive front doors witch had been opened at the car's approach. In the light spilling from the interior two figures were to be seen getting out of the car and being met by a third who stood in the looming archway. After a hurried and raised discussion the three quickly retreated into the manor. The doors closed with a thump that echoed eerily across the grounds that were once again shrouded in darkness.

Inside the manor was decorated in rich dark colours and expensive finery that none of the men seemed to see as they walked hurriedly along yet another long hallway. Coming to a large ornate door, inlayed with gold and priceless jewels, the three men stopped. The one who greeted the other two, and was dressed in dark livery with a crimson sash tied about his upper arm we must assume is the butler or head servant, knocked on the door. With a nod to the other two men he pushed the door open and bowed them through.

The room the two men where now in was grand to say the least. It was a very long room with a vaulted ceiling held up by carved marble pillars. At the far end a series of circular stairs led up to a massive throne. The throne itself had a simple elegance to it, one that was diminished by the despotic feeling it gave off. Carved from a single block of Obsidian and polished to a high sheen the throne had a faint glimmer of red to its black, like that of blood. It was the legendary Throne of Habok.

The tyrant Habok had ruled over the entire world more than eighteen centuries ago. His rule had been one of iron and blood, and had only been ended when the White Wolf Kiir beheaded him in battle. However, a new dark master now sat upon the throne. A dark shadow at first to the two men approaching in a cringing bow. The man calmly seated on the throne had silver hair yet a youthful face. He appeared to have carved rugged features that would normally be called handsome, yet like everything in this place gave off a unsettling vibe. Like a calm before the storm. A sprinkling of freckles dusted his high cheek bones and his lower lip was pieced by a ring.

The two men prostrated themselves at the foot of the stairs, waiting for his command to speak. And it came in a gravelly voice that sent shivers of terror down the men's spines. The larger of the two men quickly spoke of the overthrow and destruction of one of his outposts. But that was not what caused the big man's blood to suddenly spray across the marbled floor as his head left his body to roll off near one of the pillars. The silver haired man was no longer upon the throne but calmly wiping blood off his hands with a crimson handkerchief as he strode up to the smaller man who was still face down upon the floor in submission.

"Tell us again, what our foolish outpost chief hid from his god?" The silver haired man's voice was now laced with fury as he looked down upon the cowering man.

The groveling man spoke to the floor with tears of fear running down his nose. And the silver haired man's eyes were as black as night with fury, not even the whites remained. He slammed his boot down upon the man's head with a satisfying crunch. Blood, bits bone, and brain arced across the floor. With a snarling howl of pure fury the silver haired man raged up and down the hall. Within an hour a few hundred wolves were pouring out from the manor. Their god was angry and only the blood of a White Wolf would appease him.

Back in the throne room the silver haired man had once again taken his seat. His outward appearance was calm once again but his eyes belayed his inner rage. A few servants in his dark livery were hurriedly cleaning up the bloody mess he had made, none dared look at him. With a cruel smile that twisted his features the silver haired man began to plot.

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((Steve's POV))

Steve thanked the Moon Goddess that he had such thick fur as the storm about him worsened. The snow had started to fall when he reached the Grey Mountains, and by mid-afternoon had turned into this. Huddled underneath a rocky overhang he watched the blizzard howl just inches from his frozen nose. His shelter wasn't much but it was the only one he could find on the high plateau. The wolves Beta Jake had told him to find were somewhere in these mountains, though why he was to find them was a mystery.

Ever since leaving on Beta Jack's orders Steve had traveled very far. A full week had passed as he had loped effortlessly through forests and fields. He had avoided any cities or towns because the fumes and stench of humans was too much for his poor nose. He had also had to skirt another pack's territory but it didn't take him too far off his course.

He shuffled his hind legs a bit as he tried to get into a more comfortable position. There was no way he was going to brave this storm, his grandfather had lost a tail and several toes to frostbite and Steve could easily see his frozen body being discovered come melt if he went out in this! Grumbling to himself Steve almost didn't hear the howl that rose above the deafening wind. Ears perked and eyes straining to see past the white-out. Was there a wolf trapped out there in this storm?

Suddenly the massive outline of a wolf trotted out of the snow towards Steve as more howls, further off, answered. Steve scrambled to his paws weary of the stranger, and a bit awed. This new wolf was huge! Easily topping five feet at the shoulder. A Dire Wolf! Suddenly a few more shapes, equally as large, were gathering around his little shelter. Five. Seven. Thirteen! A whole pack of Dire Wolves. The biggest of the lot stepped forward, the snow crusting his fur into an indistinguishable colour.

I am Alpha Kurt of Dire Pack. Who are you and why have you come here? The voice was deep and powerful and Steve nearly rolled over in submission. Dire Pack? Beta James had wanted him to find a pack of freaking DIRE WOLVES? Shivering slightly, out of cold or fear he did not want to think about it, Steve stood and lowered his head politely.

Greetings Alpha Kurt, I am Steve. Of the Dawnstar Pack; Theta Runner Second rank. My Beta sent me to find you.

Alpha Kurt gave a startled look at him before looking over at another of the Dire Wolves. Most likely they were communicating silently. Alpha Kurt nodded to the other wolf and looked back at Steve. A steely look of understanding filled his golden eyes as the Alpha of a pack of Dire Wolves drew himself up and spoke again.

It is time at last. Lead the way.