Traitor Among the Traitors

Epilogue

Soaring pines peered at the looming granite mountains as ever watchful oaks stared at the endless creation and destruction of powdery snow drifts. Waking plants glistened with dew as the brisk morning air thundered into the creature's lungs. Blood caked the thawing earth and stained the remaining snow crimson.
All around, the sky was draining itself of colour as the air became pale and bloodless. A stark silhouette was curled into one of the many hollows in the thawing snow.
The wolf's eyes opened, it's amber irises catching the glint of fire as withered tendrils of smoke twisted and mingled in the breathless air. It's jet black fur stirred restlessly in the now warm wind - which also carried the unmistakable scent of death. Ravens cawed their delight, fuelling the wolf's will and bloodlust. It staggered to it's bloodied paws as the flames consumed the forest and singed the ice covered lake. Once beautiful flowers were robbed of their iridescent allure. The fire's roar belied it's stealthy approach as it took the snarling young wolf in it's cruel, deadly embrace.