Wolf Saga: The Secret

Chapter 7

"Birchstar!" snarled Blizzardstar at the male wolf raced into the camp at the head of ten wolves, falling savagely onto the sharp-fangs of the Winter Pack. Frostfeather lost view of Blizzardstar as Birchstar tackled him, but whirled when she felt claws dig into her pelt. Foxpetal was standing behind her, clumps of silver-white fur lining her paw-pads. Frostfeather leapt onto the russet she-wolf, who squirmed beneath her grip like a fish, finally wriggling free. Frostfeather thumped into the Forest Pack sharp-fang, and the she-wolf curled into a ball to avoid impact, then rolling hedgehog-like into Frostfeather's legs. She fell, and Foxpetal instantly uncurled, pouncing on Frostfeather and sinking her claws into Frostfeather's shoulders.

"You're ruled by a traitor," she hissed, and Frostfeather felt a pang of shock- Foxpetal was always very kind, and suddenly, she noticed the color of the she-wolf's eyes- they were pitch-black.

"You've been captured," Frostfeather gasped, and thrust up, attempting to propel the she-wolf off, but Foxpetal had an unnaturally strong grasp, and dug her claws in harder. Frostfeather closed her eyes, and summoned her power, whispering a prayer to the Star Pack. Feeling the familiar wave of energy she had experienced when she awakened Blizzardstar's power, she blasted Foxpetal with white light, and the she-wolf collapsed onto Frostfeather's chest. A few heartbeats later, she scrambled to her paws, shaking her head. Frostfeather felt a rush of relief when she saw that Foxpetal's eyes were returned to their normal green. Turning to the battle, she saw that Birchstar was clawing savagely at Blizzardstar, wide black eyes brimming with malice. The Winter Pack leader was stunning his adversary with tiny white blasts of light, equally dealing out blows to Birchstar's head.

Windheart was weaving around Nettlefang, ducking under his heavy strikes, and Shatterfall was grappling with Daisytail. A shriek echoed around the clearing- Rowanberry had pinned Owlheart down, and leaning over the terrified queen. Frostfeather raced to help the queen, knocking Rowanberry aside and blasting her with the white light. She growled in frustration as she heard other signs of terror- the Winter Pack was losing. She unfurled her wings, and let out a long howl, which resonated around their camp. She opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and scorched the clearing with white light, making sure to get every gap. Frostfeather's eyes bulged with effort, but focused on bathing every wolf with the cleansing, healing, light. She continued for several heartbeats, but when she sensed that her wings and power were failing, she glided down to the ground, collapsing. The clearing was dead silent for a moment, and then she heard the groans of both packs. Wolves were stepping off of each other, a look of bafflement on their faces. Birchstar stepped off of Blizzardstar, confusion evident on his face.

"Why am I here?" he asked. "I was patrolling along the Four Paws border... then pain, so much pain, in my paw. I witnessed my packmates' pain, I-I don't know what happened!"

"You were captured, marked, and controlled by Swanpelt," Blizzardstar informed him gently. "She made you do the same to your packmates, and caused a scene at the Gathering. None of this was your fault, and Frostfeather returned your consciousness." Birchstar looked around, and jumped back when he noticed Frostfeather standing there, wings drooping with exhaustion.

"You have wings," he murmured. "You must be Narista and Lauris's child... for no other wolf is able to have such healing powers. I knew them well, and I thank you." Frostfeather dipped her head respectfully to him, embarrassment heating her pelt. Raising his voice, Birchstar called out, "Packmates! There is much to explain as why we are here, but we must head back to our camp now. May the fortune of the Star Pack go with you," he added, and his wolves followed him out of the Winter Pack's camp, still shaking their heads.

"Packmates, are any of you hurt?" squeaked Kestrelflight, hurrying among the Winter Pack in confusion.

"They're all fine," Blizzardstar assured him, opening one wing and slipping it over Kestrelwing's shoulders. The medicine wolf nearly had a heart attack, leaping away as soon as feathers touched fur.

"A-are you a royal descendant?" he stammered, staring at Blizzardstar with eyes rounder than moons. "H-how?"

"Every wolf has them, but it takes the pure True Soul to unlock them," Blizzardstar responded. "Frostfeather has a pure True Soul, a characteristic shared by the royal family and select others. Having wings, unfortunately, does not mean that you have a pure True Soul- it takes a wolf that has one to read you."

"Why did the Forest Pack attack us?" interrupted Shatterfall. "Their eyes were black, and they were weirdly strong- like their abilities had been enhanced. And some of those wolves that we fought were using tactics that were actually pretty deadly!"

"Their abilities were enhanced," Blizzardstar growled. "They were being controlled by the Dark Pack, and were trying to get a stab at destroying us." He began to say something else, but suddenly, a heartrending wail came from Owlheart, and was picked up by wolves around her. Blizzardstar leapt down from the Moonrock, concern on his face. Frostfeather pushed her way to the front, curiosity brimming up in her, and then saw what had happened. Standing in the middle of the camp was a dirt-covered pup. Owlheart wailed again, and Frostfeather, with a sense of dread, finally realized what she was saying-

"Frozenpup!"