The Wolves of the Gems

Chapter 28

0 miles from territory border: Snow Pack Territory: Territory Border: Late Autumn

The cold, icy wind blew through the trees. Winter was on its way. A thin layer of snow covered the ground and bushes. It was this time of the year the Alphess of the Snow Pack had an advantage over others when it came to ambush. Beside her stood three of her packmates as they waited for the rest to meet with them.

The four wolves turned to the bushes as the pack's beta, Tina, stepped through them.

"Where is the gem?" Snowstorm asked as she approached her beta, "I thought I said for you to get it."

"You did, and as I have done before, I did follow your orders," Tina said, bowing her head to the alphess, "but I will not be the one to use it. Your son would not allow me to take it, and when I tried, even the gem retaliated."

"So we all came," a young male voice said as a tan and white male yearling and a black, silver grey and white she-wolf yearling stepped out from the bushes.

"Texas, Nevada, I don't want you caught up in this battle," Snowstorm said, "you are the last of my litter."

"With all due respect Mother, we aren't small pups anymore," the tan and white male, Texas, said, "and this is our pack as well. Both of us couldn't stand by and watch you die."

"Texas, I can't allow you to join us," Snowstorm said as her eyes softened. These were her only pups, if they died, she wouldn't just fail as an alpha, she would fail as a mother.

Texas rubbed his head against his mother's neck, "the gem chose me Mother, I don't believe any of us have a choice whether we want to stay or not."

"Your son is right about that Alphess Snowstorm," a raven cawed as Jazz landed on a branch above the pack, catching all the wolves attention.

"Jazz, which pack's have joined us?" Snowstorm asked the black bird.

"The Metal Forest Pack, the Northern Forest Pack and the remainder of the Southern Forest Pack-" Jazz said, interrupted as the alphess spoke.

"Great!" Snowstorm said as she turned to her pack, "let's go."

"Please halt Alphess Snowstorm," Jazz said, catching the she-wolf's attention, allowing him to speak, "as I was saying, those packs have joined your fight, but the Northern Forest Pack and the remainders of the Southern Forest have formulated a plan. Along with the help of your brother and the wolves you sent out to find the rest of the gems."

"Stormcloud? He's alive, did they succeed?" Snowstorm asked the raven.

Jazz nodded his head. And although it was a small movement, it was enough to send shockwaves of hope throughout the small pack.

"What is the plan Jazz?" Snowstorm asked the black bird.

"Not much has changed from your original plan madam," Jazz said, "only they need you and the ones with the gems to meet at the Volcanic Plains border. There they will be aided by some of the Northern Forest Pack."

All the wolves widened their eyes. They knew of the reputation the Volcanic Plains Pack had, and none were willing to head there without a good reason.

"Why there?" Tina asked, her teeth slightly bared, "why not the Mountain Pack border since they're the ones we are planning to get rid of?"

"Because in the centre of the Volcanic Plains territory, in the Fire Mountain rests the Guardians of the gems, well most of them," Jazz said, "Matla, the Energy Guardian is going to help the wolves with the gems, and their companions, get there."

Snowstorm widened her eyes. She couldn't believe, the Guardians weren't just statues, but living beings. And one was awake.

The Alphess looked up to the raven and nodded, "very well. Tina, you will lead the rest of the pack to the Mountain Pack territory, while my son, daughter and I will head to the Volcanic Plains."

The Snow Pack nodded to their alphess without hesitation.

"Jazz, lead the way," Snowstorm said, and the black bird nodded his head and took flight. Snowstorm looked to her packmates and nodded her head. It was time. Time for the wolves of the gems to fight alongside each other to bring back the Guardians.

30 miles from the territory border: Mountain Pack Territory: Densite: Mid Winter

Dawn had just peeked over the mountains, the wolves of the Rogue Pack were beginning to wake as the sun filled their eyes.

Scars was laying in the den, his eyes still closed as the sunlight covered the densite, not entering the den itself. His eyes snapped opened. First it was the scent entering his nose. Then the barks and howls pierced the air.

The Rogue Alpha jumped to his paws and ran out of the den. "What is going on?!" Scars demanded.

"The packs have decided to retaliate," the blind she-wolf, Iowa said to Scars as she walked past him, following one of the mountain passes.

"And where are you going?" Scars snarled.

"Nowhere you should worry your scarred head about," Iowa said, chuckling softly as she whispered to herself, "only to inform your father that his plan has begun."

Scars watched the light grey wolf with rustic brown markings walk away, disappearing behind the mountain.

The Rogue Alpha walked to the edge of the densite and spotted the packs at the base of the mountain, and standing in front of them all was three canines. On one side of the wolves was the brown, tan and black Snow Pack beta, Tina. On the other side stood the brown wolf-dog alpha of the Metal Forest Pack, Forest. And standing in the middle of the two was Fenrir, the grey and white alpha of the Northern Forest Pack.

And the moment they lifted their heads and their howls pierced the air, wolves, dogs, and coyotes ran forward, charging into the mountains.

Scars watched from his vantage point. This was it. The battle was on.

"Stand your ground and fight!" Scars howled to the wolves under his command, "no surrender!"