The Wolves of the Gems

Chapter 19

30 miles from territory border: Mountain Pack Territory: Densite: Late Summer

Summer seemed to be also non-existent in the mountains. Surprisingly the mountains were covered in a dark green, but it was a sight that would only last until late Autumn. The rivers and streams that ran through the mountains were clear and beautiful. To a newcomer, the mountains seemed to be in Spring.

The wolves that controlled the mountains seemed to be in overdrive, many had done well in hunting, more had completed their missions given to them by Victoria in record time. At this time the Alphess was not in her home territory. At the moment her brother, Scars, was in charge while she went to make sure the other packs under her control were keeping in line.

Coming up the main path to the densite was Danger with a few younger wolves behind him. To him, the densite felt empty, mainly because Iowa, Eon and some of his children had went with Victoria.

Danger paused in his tracks and looked up to the Alpha's Den, which Scars sat in front of. Danger could tell Scars was antsy. Scars wanted to get rid of the midnight teen and her companions and anyone else who allied themselves with them. Sometimes Danger thought Scars would challenge Victoria for leadership of the Rogues, but Scars never seemed to have the guts to stand up to his sister, something Danger thought was somewhat ironic.

But there was something in Scars' yellow eyes today that suggested otherwise, something that sent a nervous shiver up Danger's spine.

Danger wandered away from the main den sites and headed down to the subordinate dens. Like all packs, the subordinates were neutral members of the pack, many Danger didn't even know the names of. All he cared about was the hunters, his team whenever the pack needed food.

In the Rogue pack, the lowest rank was Scout, unlike other packs. The Rogues had no need for an Omega, that's what the packs they had taken over were for.

Scars watched over the pack's densite, but his mind was elsewhere. He was thinking up a plan, a plan the would bring him to become the alpha. He was sick of being second fiddle to his younger sister, and only now he had been pushed enough to go through with it.

He was sick of being pushed around by a female that was younger than him. He knew that when Victoria returned from the other packs, she would be tired from the journey and it would be then he would offer the Alpha's Challenge.

The Alpha's Challenge was a challenge often demanded by lower pack members who wish to be alpha. The fight is a one-on-one battle, and if another pack member intervenes, the challenger immediately forfeits. The winner will be the Alpha of the pack, while the loser becomes the lowest member of the pack, or in some cases can be exiled. The Alpha's Challenge can not be dismissed.

To Scars, this was the perfect plan. He was already stronger than his sister, and now he had the determination to see his plan fulfilled. Had he not thought of this plan before was beyond him, maybe it was just because he hadn't been pushed to the limit before. All he did know was that Victoria's reign would end the moment she returned, and the reign of Scars would begin and he would be as ruthless as his father.

9 miles from territory border: Snow Pack Territory: The Pond: Late Summer

Compared to the mountains, the plains and forests of the small Snow Pack territory the heat was almost unbearable. Thankfully, the pack had a small stream run through the territory. The cool, clear water sent relief to the pack, especially to the two pups, Texas and Nevada, who were now eleven months old. A large pond sat at the bottom of a small waterfall, around it sat the Snow Pack. The two pups happily played in the water, splashing each other with Rissca joining in every once and awhile. Tina and her brothers and sister watched the runt of the litter play with the Alpha's pups.

The alpha was with the group, but her attention was not on her pack. Her focus was on the trees surrounding the pond, which spread across most of her territory. Snowstorm was looking, looking for the final member of her pack. She was looking for her brother.

Snowstorm knew her brother could take care of himself, he had done it since they were pups. But the fact was he wasn't just taking care of himself. Stormcloud was protecting possibly the last hope of getting rid of the Rogues, and that puts a large price on his head.

"He'll be fine," Rissca said, walking up to the white she-wolf, shaking her grey fur dry. Snowstorm moved her head away to avoid the droplets of water. "Sorry," Rissca said, lowering her head, a small innocent smile on her face.

"I know Storm will be fine, but it still doesn't ease any worry," Snowstorm said, looking away, "but I'm used to him travelling on his own."

"But isn't it good?" Rissca said, her ears perked up, "I mean, now he has someone watching his back as well."

Snowstorm shook her head, "knowing Stormcloud, he'll make sure that he and only he will be watching his and everyone's else's back."

Rissca quietly chuckled, "yeah, that sounds like Stormcloud."

Snowstorm sighed, looking to the sky, "stay safe Stormcloud."