Alpha's Blood (Book One)

First Blood

"What the hell do you mean, a war?" Artemis stood over her pups, her eyes flashing with danger at Hades. He had told her of Bone's threat and proposal, but what echoed in her ears was war. "He wants to mate his son to my daughter? And if he doesn't he'll start a war?"
Hades recoiled and whimpered at his mates anger, and he had good reason to. Now that she had the pups, her motherly side gave way to deadly protection. She'd even attack him if he got to much for the pups. Letting his eyes fall to the ground and avoiding her bloodshot gaze, he sighed softly. He had said all he needed to and now he waited for Artemis to calm down and continue speaking. Artemis was furious of this news, and she stood over her precious babies with her teeth bared at Hades. She wasn't angry with him, she was however very mad at the thought of a war when her pups were still barely big enough to eat meat. Looking down at them, she caught the gaze of Arrow, his blue eyes showing concern for his mother and his paws over Sage protectively. Sage laid her head over Nova's back protecting her. She smiled at them before looking back up at her mate. "Double the patrols and strengthen the amount of wolves going on patrol. Send out the medic to gather much supplies so it's in stock as preparation."
Hades gave a nod before turning away to do just that. His pawsteps lingered in the alphas den as Artemis laid down around her pups, her tail curling over them to keep them warm from the weather outside. She continued eating at the rabbit that had been brought to her by a young wolf, her pups fighting over each other to get to her belly to nurse. Their whimpers and movements filled Artemis with a sense of joy, her green eyes flowed with pride at how healthy her pups and pack were thriving. She had done so well lately, and all without her mother's help. What did her mother know about her being a good alpha? It seemed to her now she was better than even her mother. The rabbit was gone quickly and she laid her head back down over her front paws, staring out into the cave as the life of the pack continued. A couple young wolves walked past the den, both speaking in hushed whispers to each other and behind them a group of elders shared tongues. They groomed each other as they talked, a few scraps of meat surrounded them. If Artemis hadn't been told that news from her mate, she wouldn't have ever thought a threat would exist, but she was scared now. How would this war affect her pack? Would she lose a lot of wolves? Would they win? And what about her pups? Why did he want his son mated to her strongest daughter? All these questions floated in her mind and she was so distracted she didn't see Saba come into her den. The sound of her name being called jerked get back to attention.
"Yes? Oh Saba, hello dear. Are you alright?" The pearly white alpha spoke softly as her tail started to wag gently.
"Yes I am, I was just coming by to see if you wanted to get some fresh air. I could watch the pups for you." Saba's eyes were gentle and her fur seemed a bit unkept. Smiling though, she seemed radiant and happy.
"I would enjoy that actually, thank you dear Saba." Artemis stood, her three pups whimpering in protest as they're source of food moved away. Dipping her head she stepped out of the den and watched the young brown and cream shewolf curl around her pups. Thankful of her, Artemis gave a soft bark before heading towards the caves entrance. The suns rays poked through like paws reaching for its prey as she got closer and the sound of the waterfall roared to life in her black tipped ears. Moving through the waterfall, she let the water soak around her lean body before stepping out into the forest, her fur dripping water onto the grass. She gave a shake, a few pups laughing nearby at being sprayed by the alpha. Nearby, she could see the willow tree, her mate stood underneath it speaking to a group of wolves. He was setting patrols, just as she had asked. A feeling of warmth covered her and she headed north towards the temple, her feet guiding her as her eyes studied the forest she had been away from for so long feeding and caring for her pups. It was nice to be out, until soft growls filled her ears. Stopping she let her nose catch scent of four wolves around her. Rogues. So her mate had not been lying then and now she was their first victim. The first start of the war and blood was about to be spilled. Letting a growl of her own resonate, she turned to face the four wolves. Two of them were smaller and black in color. Both female. Her eyes fell on one in particular, he stood next to a white and black male who was rather large. Her gaze meet this male, his ginger and white fur seeming to hug his body in a show of muscle. Baring her teeth, she dug her claws into the ground her tail rising up to give a warning.
"What you are doing is ignorant. Leave or I'll have no choice but rip you apart." They ignored here and kept moving closer, drool leaving they're maws as they snarled. If it was a fight they wanted, then so be it.
Artemis advanced, her back legs tensing and shooting her over them in a great leap, her paws moving quick to spin her around. She was faster then them and before they could turn, she caught one of the black females legs in her teeth, biting hard and tasting her blood. A yelp signaled from her and Artemis twisted the leg, a snap echoing in her ears. Releasing she backed up just in time to dodge a blow from one of the males. His jaws snapped and his eyes burned with anger. Letting out a bark, Artemis sent her claws across his face, blood pouring from his eye that she had caught in her claws. He didn't flinch and instead retaliated with a bit to her shoulder. Pain shot through her and a small whine left her but she recovered fast and bit down hard into his head. Using her weight she fell to the ground and rolled him off her, moving quickly to stand and face who ever was next. Her eyes met the largest male, the ginger and white one. He hadn't advanced yet. He had stayed back and was watching from afar. Coward, she thought before feeling pain in her aide and herself hitting the ground. The female with the broken leg had head butted her and was now leaping for Artemis's throat. Bracing for impact, the white alphess readied a strike only to catch sight of a blur of black fur shooting above her, gripping the females neck in his maw. She heard a snap and knew her neck had been broken. Gasping she moved to get up, her eyes meeting the blue gaze of Hades. He turned away and slowly crouched towards the rest of the wolves, his body low to the ground as he tensed up for an attack. Artemis turned and did the same, ready for the next taste of blood. As if on cue, the black and white male rushed at her his teeth grazing her muzzle as she lifted her paws to send a blow. She felt her claws cut into his chest, his teeth loosening. Using this to her advantage she pulled out of his grasp and whipped her head around to sink her teeth into his throat, his breathing sent out a gasp of fear for a moment as her teeth brushed bone. Snarling she let no hesitation show and she clamped down, the grinding of her teeth on his neck bone sending a sound of terror through the group. His neck was broken and his limp body fell to the ground. Standing up, Artemis licked her chomps before seeing her mate had killed the other black female, her throat ripped out and still in Hades maw. He was brutal. The last wolf standing was the ginger and white male, and when they turned to face him he was gone. Running away from the fight through the forest. Hades started sacred him but Artemis jumped in front of her dark mate.
"Let him go. Let him tell his pathetic pack, we aren't going down easy."