From the Ashes

Chapter 7: Aaron

Ashia walked alongside the Sun Pack border. Sniffing the air, she followed the faint scent of wolf. A cry overhead told her that Kai was watching her and was waiting for her to acknowledge him. The black warrior glanced up quickly and grinned as Kai dove down toward her. The large red-tailed hawk cried again and rested on Ashia's shoulder as he landed.

"How did you do that?!" Lupin asked suddenly from behind her.

Ashia jumped and glared at the white alpha. "Don't sneak up on me like that! Why didn't you warn me Kai?!" Ashia asked, knowing she'd only get a glare from her companion.

"You named the bird Kai?" Lupin asked, clearly intrigued.

Ashia sighed and nodded. "Yes. We have been friends since my parents..." Ashia trailed off, suddenly not wanting to go into her past like this.

"I don't want to do this, but I need to know. What happened to your parents?" Lupin asked cautiously.

Ashia bared her teeth and lowered her tail. Kai fluttered on her shoulder as she moved.

"My mother abandoned me at the grove I lived in with my father because of reasons I only remember when I dream. My father... My father was killed by the humans. I know how lethal their weapons are and I'm honestly terrified that there are humans near the hunting grounds," Ashia whispered, choking with new grief.

Lupin's raised tail fell suddenly as he realized how tragic Ashia's life has been so far. He closed his eyes and prayed to Sol that she would have a better future. "That couldn't have been before he taught you how to fight."

Ashia nodded and looked up at the white wolf. "Yes. He taught me everything he knew. He told me stories at night about his time in a Pack's territory and how to avoid them. He showed me how to win against a stronger wolf when fighting. The only thing he was unable to fight, was the humans."

Lupin thought for a second and gasped sharply when he realized something. "Ashia, what was your father's name?"

"My father's name was Aaron. He was a dark gray wolf with amber eyes. Why?" Ashia replied.

"Ashia, I was friends with Aaron. He was Twilight Pack's beta and I saw him during Lunar Councils. He was my friend before he went missing during an earthquake. No one could find him or his mate, Cinder."

Ashia stared at Lupin in shock. Kai cried out and fluttered wildly, his talons clawing at Ashia's shoulder.

"We'll talk about this when I get back," Ashia whispered before turning around," Who's there?!" Ashia barked aggressively.

Two female wolves stepped into the clearing, their tails hidden beneath their legs and their ears flattened.

"We're so sorry for intruding. My name is Glider, and this is Masako. We're loners and we were just attacked by another Pack. Can you help her?" the grey female asked wearily.

Ashia glanced back to Lupin and saw that he was already nodding. She turned back around and looked Masako over. She winced when she saw a nasty bite on Masako's neck, close to her shoulders.

"Both of you follow me. I'll take you back to Indigo and she can help you. Lupin, could you have Alpine finish my patrol?" Ashia barked.

Lupin cocked his head, his tail raising again. "You know Alpine is the omega. He's not supposed to go on patrols for you. You know what, I'll have him finish it for you anyways. He's going to be training with you in awhile anyways," Lupin replied with a wink.

Ashia grinned at the thought of training Alpine when he became a warrior. She pointed with her muzzle in the direction of Midnight Pack's camp.

"Come. Indigo will help both of you."

Glider smiled and followed after Ashia, making sure that Masako didn't fall too far behind as they followed. Ashia thought to herself as they walked, still shocked that her father was a Pack wolf.

Aaron was Twilight Pack's beta! Why did he leave with Cinder? Why did Cinder leave us alone to die? Why didn't he ever want me to join a Pack? Lupin better prepare himself for my questions because he will be answering them.