Alpha's Blood (Book One)

The Sad Song

Many days had past since Artemis had spent the night with Hades, and her mind was at peace as she lay in the alpha's den. Her black tipped ears were pinned back as she watched out of the den entrance. The cave around her was quiet, the sun peeking through the waterfall like a curious pup. The white she wolf lifted her head and yawned, her eyes closing and reopening as she does so. Her sister now slept in the medic den, the nest she used to sleep in was faint with her scent. Her mother was resting on the other side of her, wrapped up around herself, the cream colored alpha's tail was over her muzzle. Smiling at seeing her mother at peace in her rest, Artemis stood slowly, careful not to wake her, and exited the den. It seemed no one was awake at this point in the dawn, so she made her way out of the cave entirely, her paws leading her to the forest. The forest itself was quiet, and this made her feel a little off. The temple came into view, her paw steps quickening and her brow furrowed in confusion.
     The forest temple ruins were old, and it showed on the remaining walls that stood around the stone building. A dense forest protected the stone, only a few able to enter due to the guardians curse. The stories of the guardians was always great to hear, its words filled every wolf with excitement, fear, and wonder. Amber, the only adult guardian in the forest would speak the tale to every new set of pups that was born to the pack. The forest around the temple was filled with crystals on the inside, and if you were able to enter, you were able to see the grand gems that seemed to grow out of the ground and trees. Each gem held the story of past guardians, their memories and more. Artemis found that the diamond gem was her favorite, and now she stood before it her green eyes staring at it in wonder. She smiled and backed away from the crystal, heading towards the temple's entrance slowly. Her claws clicked against the stone flooring and a steady breeze exited the temple and hitting Artemis in the face, the scent of moss and mold filled her nostrils. She entered the temple and wandered the halls, ruined morals stared back at her, and cloth lined the ground from ripped up portraits. Crumbled stone had fallen into the ground in the center of the temple, a river of flowing water gently pushed past. She walked over the trunk of a tree that moved over the water and into the denning area, her green eyes falling on a sleeping Amber and Amethyst. A small sigh escaped her, but a cold presence filled her and she felt a pelt brush against her flank. Her head moved quickly to face the transparent form of a fox like wolf, chains covering the female.
   "Kirsi..you frightened me!" Artemis felt herself collecting her breath, soft pants leaving her.
   "Sorry, but I haven't seen you in a while. Could we take a walk?" The ghostly female was quiet in her speech, her eyes filling with worry slowly.
    Kirsi was known as the packs oracle, her connection with the ancestral spirits gave way to the prophecies that always surrounded the packs. Knowing that the oracle wanted to walk with her, Artemis felt a lump fill her throat. This was why everyone was asleep but her, she knew a prophecy was about to be spoken, and to her.
   "Of course, but could we just stay here? I don't really feel like walking too much." The short walk from the pack tired her, normally it didn't but she figured today she was just a bit tired. The transparent she wolf raised a brow at her before nodding and sitting in front of her. She forced a smile towards Artemis, but her eyes were concerned and sad.
   "Are you ready to hear what the Gods have to say?" Artemis heard Kirsi speak but she couldn't answer. She managed a nod and sat down herself looking deeply into the eyes of the oracle. Kirsi's eyes started to glow a soft red as she opened her mouth to speak. Fog seemed to appear around them hiding the other wolves from her sight causing her to focus on the eyes of the spirit before her.
        "Two halves, made whole.
            Two heirs, made one.
            Flames will burn, and
            Strength will fail.
            Betrayal will form a bond
            And tears will fall beside blood.
            A new pack will rise, lead by one
            Formed by two heirs. The strongest
            Will bow, the flames will rise, and
            The shadows will grow jealous."
   Kirsi closed her jaws, the fog slowly fading as her eyes returned to their normal blue. She sighed as she poked the belly of the White shewolf who now stood with fear shallowing her whole. Removing her nose she started to pass the white wolf, her head low as her form faded. "Good luck." Was all she whispered in the air around Artemis.
    She couldn't stay, she needed to get out of the temple and so she did. Her paws were like thunder against the ground as she ran towards the lake her eyes filling with tears. It was now she noticed the sky was dark and night had fallen, the trees that surrounded her casting shadows over her pearly fur. She lifted her chin to the sky, a strong movement in her belly as realization sank in. She was pregnant. She held the enemy packs alpha pups inside her. Her eyes closed and more tears fell down towards the lake below her, her ears pinned back as a slow heavy song left her chest. The howl was filled with sorrow, fear, and joy all at once. But what filled the howl more, was sadness. This was the sad song of the forest that night.