Dire Reach: Outer Exile

Chapter 20

Snow had finally arrived in the Outer Reach, the small flakes drifted softly to the ground and the cold was starting to set in. The wolves were all outside relishing in the feeling of something cold during the hot experience in the Outer Reach.

Meanwhile inside of Roark's Den. Roark had made his own temporary council of wolves. With his Beta being his lead member, Balduk as well as Waru, Narrock, and Erevar to top it all off. Roark sat in a circle with them as they all discussed what to do about the increasing number of Outlander attacks.

"After those first three attacks, they've stepped up their game. They are attacking quick and cunningly picking the times when we are most off guard. We've even been attacked in the night a few times... Does anybody have any suggestions on what we can do to prevent this?" Roark asked his packmates as they all looked around at each other.

"We have faced countless mini assaults from these savages, they've kept watch on our patrols and hunting parties and have started ambushing them at key moments." Ullok furthered the point trying to help his packmates think a little.

"I think we should double our defenders, maybe even start cutting some of our sleeping hours into watching hours," Erevar suggested. The others quickly displayed their disagreement.

"We couldn't possibly do that, we need all of our hours of sleep to function properly, even you know that," Narrock replied as the others agreed.

"I think we need all the numbers we can get, Kantu is fully healed and fit to fight. We should give him a second chance and let him prove his loyalty." Balduk said bringing up the young tawny wolf.

"Are you insane? That wolf endangered the Pack and endangered my pups as well. Having him walking free around the camp is begging for another uprising. I think he should stay a prisoner." Waru said stating his opinion.

"Or maybe we stop fighting to injury and fight to kill... they can't keep coming back if they are dead," Narrock said darkly as every wolf in the circle turned to her.

"That isn't the way we do things, we only kill when we need to. That's not the way the ancestors would want it," Roark told Narrock as she scoffed.

The debate was about to continue until Gallos bursted into the den. The young wolf looking panicked as the others waited for the wolf on watch to speak.

"Outlanders! Outlanders!" Gallos howled in urgency as the council sprang out of the small den to meet their attackers. These were yet another new set of fresh, able-bodied Outlanders, which surprised the wolves of the Twilight Dawn.

"Do their numbers ever end? We've injured plenty of them and yet there are still more." Ullok complained as he prepared for the coming fight.

"It doesn't matter, if we can keep them at bay at the chokehold in the camp's entrance we will be able to win this day!" Roark howled as Waru and Narrock rushed to make sure their pups were safe before engaging the enemy.

Roark looked at the approaching enemy and noticed that behind the charging mass of wolves was that same red wolf. Giving off his signature grin of confidence.The wolves of the Twilight Dawn circle the entrance and stood in a hunter's crouch bracing for the Outlander's brutal charge.

The Outlanders slammed into the Twilight Dawn's ranks. The battle was fierce as Roark and his pack desperately tried to hold the entrance. Soon they were being slowly pushed back. Oros was being backed away into a corner by two of the Outlanders, their mouths foaming as they surrounded the white she-wolf. Things were looking bleak as Roark turned away, unable to look at what was about to happen, unable to help as the two wolves lunged.

"I'm sorry Laru, I've failed you again. I can not save this one." Roark whimpered in defeat.

However, Roark was surprised, as Kantu sprang from the Prisoner's Den with the burning fire that he always carried in his spirit. He launched himself onto the Outlanders as they yelped in surprise. Oros quickly joined her brother and set upon the other wolf who was recovering from the shock. The Twilight Dawn was soon forced back into the insides of the camp fighting to push them back to the entrance yet again.

"Roark we can't keep this up, we are losing ground!" Ullok called as he grabbed one of the skinny outlanders and threw the wolf into one of its allies before pouncing on another one.

"We won't surrender, I won't allow it. We will win this, I refuse to let them have this!" Roark growled as he felt his vision go red. Like a lightning bolt, Roark sped into their ranks followed by his pack following close behind. His paws lashed out stinging any Outlander that dared to get close to the raging Alpha. Roark was bleeding heavily as Garmak pulled his brother away from the fight.

"Roark, it's hard to keep this up. Sooner or later one of us is going to drop and not get back up. It's time to call it quits, it's over." Garmak said trying to reason with his brother and his Alpha.

"No! No! I refuse, I can't let them take our home! I won't let it be taken from us, not again!" howled Roark as Garmak looked at his older sibling in confusion. Garmak was going to try to get through to his brother but then he heard another howl booming through snowy grasslands.

The packs had finally arrived! A strange grey wolf led the counter-attack as they slammed their group into the back of the Outlander's fighting force. Roark finally calmed down from his anger-induced fury and was able to notice the new faces that had joined the fight. He recognized familiar wolves from the Fading Shade and the Shallow Lake.

The Outlanders reeled in surprised as they were set upon by not only the Twilight Dawn but another group altogether. The red wolf soon lost his grin as he let out a bark of frustration.

"Retreat! This wasn't how it was supposed to go down. Fall back!" howled the red wolf in anger as the Outlanders shoved past the wolves to head back to their own territory.

Roark sighed in relief as he watches the Outlanders flee quickly like they always did when the red wolf pulled them back. Soon Roark noticed Golm of the Fading Shade padding up to him still breathing fiercely from his first encounter with this new foe.

"Roark, we need to talk..right now."