Struck

Changes

Chapter One

Did she welcome death, or did she fear it? She honestly couldn't tell. She shook her head. 'This is a pointless talk to be having. What does it matter either way?' She told herself this in her head as she strode through the trees. She was a perfect shadow, one with the darkness she used to hate. Her eyes glowed in the black night, crimson and tainted with blood. She was returning from her feeding.

An animal, she decided, that's all I truly am. Which was partly true. Oh Bells, her human side whispered, what have you done to yourself? No! She would not be reasonable, could not. An animal, and she would stay that way forever. She growled, dropping onto all fours and shifting forms. The next time she emerged into a patch of moonlight she was a sleek black wolf, running freely through the wilderness. She ran all the way to the Cave.

It used to be a struggle to climb to the top of the rocky hill, especially in human form. Now it was just a daily necessity, not to be bothered about. She practically bounced over the rocks until she reached the top. When she got to the ledge, she pulled herself over it, ending up in the threshold that led to a dark cave. She paused for a slight moment before padding onward.

"About time you returned."

She huffed, turning her head to glare up at a fat wolf, the color of a storm cloud.

"Get off my case, Drake. I haven't fed in a week."

He looked down at her, shifting his weight on his perch a few feet above her head. He was one of the Elders, but no one particularly found it in them to be respectful. "Better hurry up then, princess," he spat out in annoyance. "Corinth just called a meeting." She rolled her eyes, sighing at his stupidity. "Then why aren't you there, oh wise one?" Drake stood, stretching lazily before pouncing down in front of her. "He asked me to wait for you to tell you about it. Now stop hovering around me and get a move on."

She glared at him one last time before dashing around him, racing to the end of the cave and down the tunnel at the back. Halfway down, a howl echoed through the passage, signaling that the meeting was about to start. She pushed her legs faster, flying down the circular tunnel and bursting into a large cavern. Around her, thirteen wolves were seated around a large bonfire. One, a large male with pure white fur the color of new fallen snow, stood on a ledge above the rest. She felt his gaze turn to her as Drake pushed past behind her.

"Welcome back, Wraith."

His voice echoed around her as she bowed her head, acknowledging his words. Then he looked away from her, his eyes scanning the rest of the pack.

"As you all know, winter is quickly approaching, meaning hunting will be scarce and feedings will be few and far between. I have gathered you all here to discuss our plan for the coming season... A bit of a test for our newer members." He eyed said members, chuckling.

The newest member, a russet colored male named Murmer, stood up, lifting his head bravely. "You mean we should give suggestions on hunting techniques for the new weather conditions?" Laughing softly to herself, Naleith shook her head at his forward approach. "No, we want to talk about clothes for wolves," she whispered to her personal apprentice Levine. He grinned wildly, sputtering in his attempt not to laugh. Naleith was always the most unwelcoming towards new members of the original six. Murmer blushed under his fur, embarrassed. Mirth, who was his mentor, glared at Naleith, who, considering the fact that he was more original in the six than she, slapped Levine with her tail and regulated her expression.

Corinth gave Naleith a stern look, then turned back to Murmer. "That's exactly what I mean. Any ideas?" Murmer looked nervously at Mirth, who nodded in encouragement, before he took a slight step forward to face Corinth. "We ought to get more used to following prey by sight and hearing alone, because snow will block our scent for the most part." The pack leader nodded, looking down at the apprentice with satisfaction. "Does another apprentice have anything to add to Murmer's suggestion?" The young wolves were quiet.