Wolves of the Elements| #1 The Lost Heir

Chapter 4

Mist was getting worse. 

That was for certain. She wouldn't move, or she couldn't. She just laid there on her moss bed in the healers den, coughing up blood and puking. She refused to eat any of the food any wolf got her and she wouldn't drink anything either. Her once thick, sleek, and beautiful silver and white fur was now dull, thin and matted. Ribs protruded out from her fur.
She looked horrible.

Freya had been watching her mother for the past few weeks, trying to stay as close to Mist as she could. She would hardly ever leave her side. All Freya could do was hope and pray that her mother would get better soon, and keep her company.

One day, Freya was resting on the ground beside her mother's moss bed, trying to get a little bit of rest, when she heard the sound of heavy pawsteps approaching the little chamber in the Healer's Den. They were her father's footsteps. She knew those anywhere. She flattened her ears against her head in fear and her little heart started beating fast in her chest. They were getting closer!
Mist also seemed to hear the footsteps, she lifted her head and motioned for Freya to get behind her with a flick of her tail. Freya obeyed and leaped over her mother and hid behind her just as soon as Storm walked in.

Storm was carrying a large chunk of meat in his jaws. He padded over to his mate and set it down in front of her. "Eat it." He said, sitting down in front of her.
Mist looked at the piece of juicy meat, then back up at The Sky Alpha, "I'm not hungry." She said. Her voice was raspy from coughing.

Storm gave a frustrated growl. "Mist, you've barely eaten anything in two weeks! You must eat or else you'll die!" He said.

Mist just shook her head. "I said I'm not hungry." She said, then she broke into a fit of coughs.
Storm flinched but stayed where he was and waited for Mist to stop coughing. When she finally stopped he said, "Mist, I don't care if you're not hungry. You must eat. At least a little. One bite is all I ask. Please. I can see your ribs."

Mist sighed, "fine. One bite. But that is it. No more." She said, then she lowered her head and tore off a small strip of meat from the juicy chunk of deer. She chewed and swallowed it. Then she looked back up at her mate, "there. Are you happy now?" She asked.

Storm sighed, "I suppose.." he said,
"So..was there anything else you wanted to say, or was that it? If that was it then you can leave now." Said Mist a bit impatiently.

Storm looked at her, "actually yes." He said, his face then turned serious. "Mist, You are unwell...and I'm afraid that you might have this sickness that everyone is talking about..." he said.

Mist scoffed, "thanks for stating the obvious Mr. Smart Guy. You think I didn't know that? They told me as soon as I walked into this stinking den that I had it." She said.

"Oh-" said Storm, a little taken aback at Mist's words. He then looked down at his paws. "I'm just....worried about you. That's all..y-you know it's already killed twenty-eight wolves and counting..I just..don't want it to take you too.." he said quietly.

Mist's expression turned soft and she smiled a little, weakly. She then reached her paw out to touch his own. This was the wolf she fell in love with. This kind, caring, compassionate wolf. "Hey..Storm..I'll be alright. I will get better. Sure, I'm sick now, but soon things will be back to normal and we can live as a family again." She said.

But Storm couldn't be so sure...the sickness was dangerous to the wolves it infected. It killed them in a matter of weeks after they got it..Storm shook his head, No! Don't think about those thought's. Mist will get better. She has to..
"Yes...yes you will get better. We just have to hope.." he said.

"And pray." Mist added. Then she started to cough again.
Storm nodded. "That too." He said. Mist was a wolf of faith. She believed in The Great Spirit Wolf. Who created the Elemental Gems in the first place to keep the balance of the world. Storm believed in The Great Spirit Wolf too, but he wasn't nearly as strong as Mist in faith.