Ori

Prologue

Ivy lay against the wall on the far side of the den, her body curled around two pups that were eating at her belly. "Pack meeting!" Ash, the pack alpha called.

"Storm" Ivy called to her mate who was talking to a few den mates nearby. He wagged his tail in farewell and trotted over to her. "Yes?" He asked. "Would you look after the pups while I go to see what this meeting is about?" Ivy barked. "Yes, of course" he replied with warmth in his gaze. Storm looked down at his pups with pride. "The she-wolf looks just like you." Ivy pressed her nose in his fur and went
to join the others at the center of the den.

"Like you, all know Ash began, Ivy is the proud mother of the two newest members of Kumori Pack: Sky and Ori! Ivy puffed out her chest in pride as howls and barks of happiness and congratulations rippled through the wolves like a wave. Ash waited for the noise to fade and then continued. "With that said, I also bring with me sad news" He hesitated before continuing, as though choosing his words carefully before speaking them aloud. "As you, all may have noticed Ori is small compared to the other pups in the pack." The happiness faded from Ivy's eyes and was replaced by alarm and confusion. "What are you saying?" She howled. Her mate Storm rushed over to stand beside his partner so close that their pelts brushed. "I'm saying that Ori is too small to be any use to the pack of Kumori. She will be sent into exile as soon as she is old enough to survive out on her own" I- Ash was cut off by a wail of grief from ivy.

Two moons have passed and ivy had been refusing to eat a healthy amount of food. She only ate enough to keep her alive. "Please just eat a little." Storm urged his mate pushing a small piece of meat so it was at her paws. "I'm not hungry" she whispered. "Come on, I've already lost my daughter I can't lose you too." sorrow filled his voice. "Ori is going to be ok she is strong, like her mother." "I hope you're right Storm." Hope gleamed in her blue eyes. "I am going to challenge Ash for his leadership and go search for Ori no matter how long it takes me!" Storm declared with new fire in his emerald green eyes.