Stronger As One

Parting Clouds

Raven-

Search parties have already been sent out while Jason was sedated by the Alpha. Fighting him was futile and only caused more problems that we did not need. Seth still managed to stay calm with everything going on and was actively participating in the search efforts. Despite his mate being missing he wasn't fazed and did a great job keeping everyone together.

"Have you heard anything from the search parties?" I asked Seth. He was leaning over a map of the marked territories for the packs. His eyes scanned it again before looking up to meet my own.

"Nothing currently." He stood up straight and sighed heavily, " What I don't understand is why they want two white wolves so badly. Two male ones for that matter. It doesn't make any sense." Seth groaned and rested his hands flat on the table.

"Is there anything special about submissive males that could make them stand out?" I asked

"See that's the problem. I honestly don't know, and I don't get why they took Dustin as well. Ash was originally apart of the pack, why would Dustin suddenly be apart of the plan?" Seth paused " Has anything been going on with Dustin lately? Something that could make him a potential target?"

"The only thing I could think of is that Dustin's in heat." I replied

Seth's nails began to elongate into claws, fangs poked out of his lips.

"Uh.. Seth? You okay there pal?" I backed up slightly and raised my hands defensively.

"Submissive male wolves have a chance to be able to produce offspring." The fangs and claws retracted. " But why.. they must have plenty of female wolves.. why do they need two males? " Seth looked confused, his eyes stayed planted on the map below him as his mind raced through ideas. I honestly felt bad for the guy. Jason wasn't offering any help and it seemed Seth was the only one managing to think. Loud howls broke through my thoughts, Seth immediately walked outback to where a group of wolves stood.

"Have you found anything?" Seth's voice was calm.

A sandy wolf shifted before speaking. "We found a clearing with Ash's blood. We tried to follow the scent but it's gone."

Seth growled slightly before turning around, he ran his fingers through his hair. "Thank you. At Least we got some news." He turned back to the wolves " Call all search groups to that location."

"Yes sir" Replied the man before shifting back and running off with the small group.

Finally we got something from the searching. It's better than nothing right? I hope so. We need anything we can get at this point.. but now Seth has me thinking. Why does this pack want two males instead of females? Is breeding even the reason for their capture? I need to figure this out. Any bit of information will help us right now.

Anything at all..

Dustin-

I sat gazing at the mess before me. What happened to me? It was exactly like those times back with the pups... My vision seemed to be covered by a red haze and it seemed as if I took a back seat to what was happening with my body.. It only vanished when the two men took their last breath. I shook off and scanned the two men who lay mangled across the ground. Blood was oozing from the many slashes that covered their skin, and a few feet away lied the torn arm of one of the men.

It had to be done.. If we want to escape, the blood of this pack will spill. Who knows how much they've done to others.. we can't allow them to do this anymore.

I licked my jaws, cleaning away the blood from my jaws. It was cold.

My gaze traveled over to Ash who was huddled in the corner. He was visibly shaking as he stared at me with terrified eyes. I blinked at his form before cocking my head to the side.

Are you okay?

Ash shook his head quickly, he looked to the bodies then back at me.

I crouched down to the ground and crawled forward, whimpering slightly. Ash cried out and tried to back up further. I paused

I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise. But you need to fight too, what if we encounter more? I can't take them on myself. I need your assistance. I rose back to my feet and glanced at the open door. We need to hurry before anyone finds out about what happened.

Ash nodded and walked forward. I licked his nose before turning and walking out of the gate. Five other cells lined the walls, I nodded my head towards them. Ash trotted over and began peering inside, I soon followed.

All were empty.

Ash whimpered at the sight of one cell, a family photo was lying torn on the floor. I averted my eyes and began walking down the hall. I didn't want to look at the cells anymore. What people did they keep locked in them? What could have caused their end? Did their families know? I ground my teeth together and pushed away the thoughts.

Ash caught up moments later. His head was low as we walked. He was probably thinking about the same things I was. I peered at him from my eye, he's the one who experienced all of this first hand. I'm only just getting the after effects.

I shifted my eyes forward again to keep a better awareness of our surroundings. It was fairly empty aside from an occasional rope or bucket. Everything was worn down from lack of care.

What if Ash was wrong and there isn't even a way out.. this could be pointless. We could reach a dead end and be really trapped. This pack would corner us and over power us as soon as they find the bodies of those other wolves. We can take on two or three wolves but five is out of the question. I glanced over at Ash again, his head was perked up and his ears were pressed forward.

Ash growled low and started trotting forward.

What is it?

There's a way out down here. I can sense two guards, since they are stationed out here they're most likely stronger than the last two. Ash spoke softly

I jumped over Ashs form and nipped at his ear, trying to get him to lighten up.

We can take them, I barked silently

They aren't as in tune with their senses and shouldn't be aware of us sneaking behind them but we still need to do our best to stay quite and ensure our scents don't pass them. Ash warned.

I nodded and pressed against his side.

Let's do this.