Guardian Angel (Guardians Of The Galaxy Fanfiction)

Chapter 1: Ashen and Somber

Darkness coated the desolate forest. Wind howled against the trees and made them sway. The breeze nipped at The Swift River Pack's camp. The clouds above signaled rain, which should have alerted all of the wolves in the pack to stay in their dens.

However, rest would not come to one wolf. A large pure cobalt brute with rippling muscles and a thick, coarse pelt stalked forward. He paced in front of a large den with thorns poking out from the entrance. From inside the den the sound of muffled coughing could be heard and when the brute heard it the fur along his spine bristled.

He continued pacing, the look of worry shown on his face. His eyes were downcast and his own breath was ragged. It didn't help when rain began to fall. It doused his pelt and it felt refreshing for a bit but after a while he began to get chilled. He wouldn't retreat into his den, though, that he shared with all of the other wolves in the pack. He just couldn't bare the thought of sleeping there without his mate.

He pricked his ears as he heard a wolf emerging from the den. He bounded over, his claws skidding against the wet grass and he nearly fell forward. "How is she," the brute fretted as his eyes filled in worry.

The other wolf was a smoky gray she-wolf with silver hints and deep blue eyes. Her fur was once long and luscious but now it was clumped with sweat and desperation. She opened her mouth to speak but the words faltered. She sighed heavily. "You better go in."

"Why now," he whimpered as his legs began to shake in rage as rain continued to beat on his already soaked pelt.

The she-wolf's eyes lit in sympathy. "Marrow," she breathed gently. "Mist is dying. You need to say good-bye." She licked her teeth in discomfort. "She wants to name the pups."

Marrow stiffened but forced himself to blink the tears from his eyes. "O-Okay," he stammered as he pushed his way in, a haze seeming to cover his eyes. He pushed his way him and his eyes quickly adjusted to the lack of light. He whimpered a bit as he saw his beautiful pale gray mate curled around two small bundles of fur.

Mist lifted her head, faintly aware of her mate padding in. She rumbled a bit in enjoyment before she broke into a harsh hacking fit. Her shoulders were thrown forward and her head hung. Marrow rushed to her side, pressing his head against her shoulder to try and calm the coughing. He was little help but eventually Mist's breath turned even and she could speak.

"You came," rasped Mist in relief and when looked to her mate Marrow was painfully aware that her eyes were glazed in fever and exhaustion. She was using all of her remaining strength to nurse their two pups.

"Of course I came," assured Marrow, trying not to let his voice choke up. "I'd do anything for you and Fallow told me that you wanted to see me so here I am."

Mist smiled and turned her head to look at her two pups, one male and one female. The female was pale gray, just like her mother with silvery markings and a few black hues and hints. Her eyes weren't open yet but Mist was almost sure her eyes would be a black or maybe a silver. The male was a dark gray color, not as his father's though. His forelegs on all four legs were pale gray as if he stepped in mist. His eyes weren't open yet either but Marrow was praying that his eyes would be pale yellow just like his.

"We have to name them," sputtered Mist as her body was overthrown by another harsh hacking fit.

Marrow nodded proudly. "I've already thought of some names," he confessed. He stretched out his nose and nuzzled the she-wolf. "Ashen."

"Ashen," echoed Mist once she regained her breath. She looked at her newly named daughter and her tail tip wagged ever so slightly to show her approval.

"Somber." Marrow nudged his son ever so gently with his nose. Somber whimpered and pawed at his father's nose. Marrow drew back suddenly and his eyes gleamed. "Look he's a little warrior already. Can't wait to see how it is when he's a true Fang!"'

"He will be wonderful," rasped Mist as her eyes and nose began to stream. "Just like his father." He head suddenly fell forward a bit. "Just like their father."

Marrow's heart leaped in his chest and he caught his mate's head. He rested it down gently on the moss. "Yes, just like me. Now you need to rest."

Mist stretched out a weak paw and grazed her mate's pelt. "You're wet. You need to rest too."

"I will," be murmured as he curled around his mate and rested his head on her back. "I'll keep you warm."

Mist closed her eyes. "You need to promise me something, Marrow," she coughed as more liquid streamed from her nose and eyes.

"Anything," vowed Marrow as he puffed out his chest a bit in pride as he looked at his two pups.

Mist sighed heavily, her breath rattling in her chest. "You need to promise me you'll look after our pups once I-"

"You're not going anywhere," he interrupted harshly as tears filled his eyes. "Our pups need you!" A tear streamed down his face. "I need you."

"Oh, my precious love," breathed Mist as she curled her tail around her mate's tail. "I love you more than anything but Starbound is calling and it's my time. You need to promise me you'll look after them, okay?" Marrow didn't say anything. "Marrow, please?"

Tears fell from Marrow's eyes onto Mist's pelt. "I-I promise," he stammered although the words felt strange in his throat. He felt as if none of this was happening and he didn't understand why.

Mist smiled before she rested her head back on the moss and closed her eyes. "I love you Mist and I promise that I'll take care of our pups no matter what. No one will ever hurt them." He hugged his mate closer to him. "They'll have to go through my dead body first."