Wolf Saga: The Secret

Chapter 12

"What happened?" gasped Frostfeather. The caller had been Kestrelwing, and the medicine wolf was bent over a limp grey-brown form. Her heart in her throat, Frostfeather stumbled over to Kestrelwing's side. As she looked down, her eyes widened it horror- Blizzardstar was lying on the ground, barely moving. Gashes were ripped into his pelt, and Blizzardstar's eyes were beginning to cloud over.

"Blizzardstar, no," she whispered, and the leader feebly lifted his head at her voice.

"Frostfeather, my brave deputy," he rasped. "I knew from when I first dug you out of the ruins of the Summer Palace that you would grow to be strong and brave, parents or not. Thank you for rescuing me when I myself could not."

"You'll be fine," Frostfeather gasped desperately, fearing that he was already too far gone to the Star Pack. "I can heal you, just let me." Blizzardstar shook his head wearily.

"You know that you could not," he breathed. "Besides, my Soul... someday, it will be found, and I will watch you from the stars." Suddenly, Frostfeather remembered the onyx that Blizzardstar had mentioned when he had escaped.

"Your Soul!" she cried. "I-I thought the one he brought back was the real one... Mother, do you know where it is?" Narista shook her head sadly, and Frostfeather sank to the ground at Blizzardstar's side. Suddenly, she felt a gentle presence behind her- it was her father, Lauris.

"Are you looking for this?" he asked, spreading open his paw. Nestled within it was a jet-black onyx, with a miniature version of Blizzardstar inside. The figure raced around, clawing at the walls, but stopped as Frostfeather took it gently into her own paws. Just as Blizzardstar was taking his last breath, she pressed the onyx to his heart. The grey-brown wolf gasped, and a spark seemed to return to his eyes, before he finally lay limp.

"He's... dead?" Frostfeather choked, biting back a whine. "But... I thought that would restore him, let him live again." Narista shook her head again.

"Nothing can bring back the dead," she told Frostfeather heavily. "Frozenkit was an exception, for she had been poisoned. However, you ensured that Blizzardstar could return to the Star Pack, instead of remaining Soulless forever."

"I-I just thought it could help him live, just a little longer..." Frostfeather protested, but Narista pressed her muzzle against Frostfeather's comfortingly.

"You can't do anything," she whispered, sadness glinting in her gaze. "But now, it is time for you to become an Alpha." Frostfeather's mouth fell open in surprise at Narista nodded to Kestrelflight. The brown wolf began a cry, a long, echoing dirge. The ground shook, and Frostfeather pinned her ears back in fright. Narista stroked Frostfeather with her tail, and then breathed out a small ball of white fire. The ground shook again, and then the rough dirt parted to reveal a pure-white opal, which rose into the air and hovered in front of Frostfeather.

"The Mountain Opal?" Frostfeather whispered, awe racing through her. "It's been lost for centuries... how did you know where it was?" Kestrelwing smiled slightly.

"It's never actually been lost," he replied. "The Mountain Opal only surfaces when it is time for a new leader. Touch your nose to it, and the Star Pack will come to you." Frostfeather obeyed, but as soon as she touched it, an icy chill crept up her veins, which then softened to a warm tingling feeling. Frostfeather's eyes rolled back in her head as the ground dipped away from her, and an inky blackness swamped her.

Frostfeather woke up in a starlit clearing, and she shook her head groggily. Her eyes widened at what she saw, and a bark of glee escaped her- Blizzardstar and Rockfall were there among starry wolves, smiling proudly. A beautiful brown she-wolf with gold streaking her pelt stepped forward, green eyes gleaming.

"I am Elbara," she announced. "Are you ready to become an Alpha?" Frostfeather nodded confidently, and Elbara began to howl, sonorous and beautiful. Frostfeather shivered slightly, and Elbara stepped forward, her eyes glowing with power. She touched noses with Frostfeather, and the silver-grey wolf collapsed. Pain shot through her, mingling with energy, and Frostfeather gritted her teeth, enduring the sensation. Through the corner of her eye, she could see Blizzardstar gazing sympathetically at her. Finally, the feeling stopped, and Frostfeather panted weakly.

"You are now Froststar," Elbara declared. "Unless, of course, you wish to be called by your royal title, Ayslyn?" Froststar considered this, then shook her head.

"I wish to be called Froststar," she replied. "It's the only name I've ever known, or at least remembered." Elbara dipped her head in acknowledgement, and then raised her voice.

"Welcome, Froststar!" she called, and the wolves of the Star Pack took up her call. Froststar felt a rushing sensation, and saw the Star Pack beginning to fade. Air swooped around her in a thick, freezing, cocoon, and then she was sharply jerked back into reality.

"Froststar? Are you okay?" asked a hesitant voice. Froststar opened her eyes to see Windheart and Rainshadow bending over her, eyes filled with concern. Froststar nodded,

felt a surge of energy as she stood, and for the first time, she felt as though she belonged.